Top Tips On Buying A CCTV Security Camera System

CCTV System

Closed Circuit Television Cameras (CCTV) systems are an important weapon in the modern fight against crime and are the future for preventing crime. As CCTV security cameras become more sophisticated, more crimes will be prevented and more offenders will be caught. CCTV systems are commonly used to monitor offices, shopping malls, schools, universities, banks, inner city problem crime areas as well as government facilities and private establishments. As CCTV technology has become more affordable and easier to use, more and more people are installing cameras in their homes and businesses. CCTV deters theft and vandalism and provides constant surveillance 24 hours a day, every day.

There are many types of CCTV systems on the market. The traditional analog systems consist of a recording device, e.g. VCR, a monitor and if one or more cameras are needed, linked together with a multiplexer. The multiplexer is used to allow the switching between each camera.

Nowadays, new cameras are IP based and are networked together so that any camera's images can be viewed from anywhere on the network and digital storage is used to record the images.

IP based cameras are still a little expensive for most home use and there is a risk the camera itself could be stolen. Home users on a budget could opt for CCTV system for as little as $40.

These systems often use a SCART lead to plug directly into you VCR or television.
Consider the following to help you decide on buying a CCTV system:

1. Decide what you want to monitor. Do you just want to see faces, all of the person, goods or commodities, whole crowds of people?
2. CCTV systems have to be installed so what is your budget for this? Consider a wireless installation to save money. Do you need interior or exterior cameras? How many cameras do you need, 1, 2, 5 or 10?
3. Black and white or color? For low lighting conditions consider a black and white CCTV camera and color should really be used inside with good lighting conditions.
4. There are two types of camera: CMOS and CCD which is the image sensor within the camera. CCD cameras produce a clearer sharper picture but are more expensive than CMOS.
5. One very important specification is a cameras capability to work in low lighting conditions. Light levels are measured in LUX and the lower the number the less light it will take to reproduce a clear image.
6. If you need sharp, quality images, go for a higher resolution camera. Entry level cameras have a resolution of 330 lines whereas high resolution camera will produce around 400 lines.
7. Consider your image storage. DVT (digital video recorder) are the best option and are relatively inexpensive. They record onto a hard disk.
8. Finally, select a monitor that is compatible with the resolution of your CCTV camera system.

CCTV System

Andy Jones is a technology expert with a broad knowledge in security and surveillance.
To read more tips and advice like the ones in this article, go to: http://www.homesecuritysystemsadvice.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andy_J_Jones

How to Choose a CCTV System For Your Home?

CCTV System

With the advent of surveillance technology and general decline in price, basic CCTV systems are now within the reach of common households.

This article aims to act as a general guide on how to choose a CCTV system that will meet your needs at a reasonable cost.

The following are the questions that I normally ask my clients when they engage my services :

1. What do you want the CCTV system for? Security for your properties? Security for your retail shops? Monitoring of employees? Monitoring of domestic helpers?

2. Which are the physical areas that you want to monitor? Are they outdoor or indoor?

3. Do you require ability to see in the dark at the areas where you want to monitor with your CCTV system?

4. Do you want the CCTV system to act as an deterrent purpose, or do you want to record certain acts secretly?

5. How long a duration do you need to store the video? 1 week? 1 month? 2 months?

6. Do you require remote live viewing over Internet? or is after event viewing good enough for your application?

7. Where will be a secure place in your office or property to house the Digital Video Recorder (DVR)? If you require live viewing over Internet, do you have an Internet connection?

8. If you require live viewing, do you have control over the firewall at the place where you want to view from? (e.g. your work place)

9. How much is your budget? Bear in mind that the more functions you want, the longer recording duration you need, the better the cameras, the more expensive the CCTV system will cost.

After thinking through the above questions, seek the advise of a qualified CCTV specialist and work with him to select a CCTV system that will best suit your needs at a reasonable cost. Like what I always tell my clients, you will get what you pay for. Cost alone should not be the only factor to consider when you choose a CCTV system.

With a suitable CCTV system to meet your needs, you should have a peace of mind on the security of your properties and the safety of your loved ones.

CCTV System

For security and surveillance systems, feel free to contact EurekaPlus Pte Ltd. We have a broad range of wireless covert cameras with built-in DVR & battery systems that are suitable for home use.

Marcus Tan is a surveillance and CCTV consultant based in Singapore. Marcus provides surveillance and CCTV system consultancy for MNCs and key installations in the South East Asia region. His company EurekaPlus Pte Ltd is a specialist in surveillance and security systems. EurekaPlus Pte Ltd provides surveillance and security system integration services, as well as wireless covert camera systems with built-in DVR and battery. See http://www.eurekaplus.com for more details.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marcus_Tan

How to connect a cctv system to the Internet

CCTV System

A CCTV system can consists of

1. Cameras - Fixed or PTZ (pan/Tilt/Zoom)

2. DVR - Digital Video Recorder (the inputs depend on the no. of cameras). This is required if you want to record from the cameras. (usually an advanced PC made suitable for CCTV requirements)

3. Monitor - PC Monitor if you use DVR, else CCTV monitors (ranging in various sizes)

4. Matrix switchers - if you have multiple monitor locations and require switching of cameras to different monitors

5. Joystick controllers - if you have PTZ cameras and want to control them using a hardware, then you need this. Most present day DVR's have this as in-built function

First you need to get a connector- usb at one end, that will go into your PC, and on the other end it must have a connector to match you tv output. You can buy a simple USB device that will connect the camera to the Internet via your home PC.

I think it is something like usb 2820. And most likely it will be s-video. But it depends from manufacturer-to manufacturer. Now if you have all ready, you will need is to download VLC Media Player (http://www.videolan.org/vlc/) also called videolan. With this you can stream your video to the Internet. You can log in from the Internet and view your stream. You can also add a password, so that no one else will see it.

It should be easy but you will need an Internet connection at home.

CCTV System

Digital Networked CCTV systems

The Components of Digital Network CCTV Systems Network

CCTV System

Digital Networked CCTV systems
Digital Network CCTV uses a Local Area Network (LAN) to transmit video streams for recording and display. Because Network CCTV Systems use standard Ethernet and Internet protocols, the full range of modern, cost-effective transmission media can be used, for example Wireless Ethernet, Broadband Connections, Power over Ethernet and Powerline. Depending on bandwidth and other criteria, your existing LAN can usually be used to carry video traffic alongside the normal network traffic. Unlike traditional CCTV systems - where co-axial cables need to be radiated out in a star from the control room - a Network CCTV Camera can be placed anywhere you have a network point. In fact, installing a camera is so easy that you can install a temporary camera in minutes if you have a particular troublespot. Likewise, the recording and viewing of the cameras can take place anywhere on the network. If you already have traditional, analogue CCTV cameras these can be readily integrated into the Digital Network CCTV Our ViewCommander CCTV software runs on standard PCs and allows you to record and view all of the IP Cameras and IP Video Servers on the network.

Camera Software Network camera software is the key to a successful installation. The software manages the cameras, displays and records the video streams and can act as a server, making the video streams available to any standard browser on the network. ViewCommander from Camea runs on standard Windows-based PCs, giving it the power to run sophisticated algorithms for motion detection, image tracking and alarm management. ViewCommander is not limited to a single manufacturer’s cameras; it frees you to choose the most appropriate cameras for your needs. Cameras Camea can supply a wide range of cameras that connect directly to the network:· Standard box-type network cameras.· Compact network cameras.· Vandal– and weather– resistant network cameras.· Outdoor network camera with infra-red illumination.· Pan-Tilt and Pan-Tilt-Zoom network cameras for internal and external use.· Many models are also available with wireless functionality and can use Power over Ethernet.We can supply leading brands, such as Axis, Sony and Panasonic as well as a wide range of our own-brand cameras. Network Video Servers These devices take a standard, analogue video stream and convert them into a network video stream. They are used to integrate existing systems into the digital network, avoiding the need to replace existing cameras, or to integrate specialist cameras, eg thermal imaging. Power over Ethernet Finding a suitable power source near the camera installation can often be more difficult than finding a suitable network connection. Most of the cameras in our range can be powered using Power over Ethernet (PoE). This is an approved standard (802.3af) which allows low-power devices such as cameras to be powered directly from a standard CAT-5 network cable. We can supply matched pairs for one-off installations or PoE hubs, switches and splitters for multiple installations. Broadband Our network cameras can work over a standard Broadband connection, so that if you have more than one site you can incorporate cameras from the remote site into the managed system, enabling them to be recorded and viewed centrally. Subject to security, ViewCommander can make specified cameras available on the broadband connection so that they can be viewed externally or even on a live web site.

CCTV System

Source from http://www.camea.co.uk/

CCTV Hidden Cameras

CCTV System

CCTV stands for closed-circuit television. CCTV Hidden Cameras are used in places where there is a need for added security measures such as banks, supermarkets, department stores, schools and more. The entire network of cameras in various locations is connected by means of cables to a television or monitor in a single place. Images from all cameras can be displayed simultaneously on this screen. Images can be paused and zoomed in.

The basic use of CCTV Cameras is crime prevention and detection. Someone continuously monitors the images produced by CCTV Cameras on the screen. Any untoward activity is immediately brought to notice and a security alarm is raised. The use of CCTV Cameras in crime prevention and detection originated in the UK, but today most countries all over the world use them for surveillance. Several shoplifters are being booked daily using CCTV Cameras. There was also a sensational case where a child was rescued from his kidnappers when the kidnap was recorded over a department store CCTV Camera.

Another use of CCTV Cameras is in controlling road traffic. CCTV Cameras are placed at various strategic points on roads and their screens are placed in traffic control towers. Such surveillance helps to control the traffic and also to prevent accidents. In case there is an accident, immediate assistance can be rendered at the spot.

The use of CCTV Cameras is not without controversy. There is a section of the public that feels the use of CCTV Cameras is an invasion of privacy. There are restrictions to the use of CCTV Cameras in most states. Installation of a CCTV system requires letters of permission from the concerned authorities in some states.

Early CCTV Cameras were expensive. But now with growing technology, their prices have come drastically down and they are well within the reach of the common man. Modern CCTV Cameras are available with wireless technology. They can also be connected to the USB port of computers and can produce digital images. CCTV images can be uploaded to the net and made available over long distances.
Installing a CCTV surveillance system in a small office, with four cameras and a monitor, may cost about $750. Prices fluctuate depending on the company and sophistication of the equipment.
CCTV System

Hidden Cameras provides detailed information about hidden cameras, hidden security cameras, hidden video cameras, wireless hidden cameras and more. Hidden Cameras is the sister site of Security Cameras Web.
By Damian Sofsian
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Damian_Sofsian

CCTV Home Surveillance System

CCTV Home Surveillance System
By Ralph Winn

CCTV System

When you monitor your home or office with closed circuit television (CCTV) surveillance, it's like you have an entire television network devoted to the safety of your home. CCTV broadcasts your security surveillance on a private in-home network. Unlike broadcast television, CCTV components are hooked directly to each other via cables or direct wireless means. Already popular in large public places where security is heightened, such as at airports or casinos, CCTV surveillance systems are becoming more and more widely used in private home settings as well.

CCTV is inexpensive and simple to use, and it will help increase your security and your peace of mind.

CCTV Technology and Crime
Many independent studies in the United States and United Kingdom have suggested that CCTV surveillance acts as a powerful deterrent, stopping crimes before they happen. Studies also show strong evidence that CCTV can be an extremely effective tool in detection and prosecution. The men believed to have been responsible for the July terrorist attacks on London's public transport system were later identified on the prevalent CCTV networks in the U.K.'s public places.

Bring CCTV Security into Your Home
The same CCTV video surveillance technology used in our public venues is available for your home. We offer CCTV systems that can monitor every room in your home with clear, high visibility images. CCTV surveillance is available for 4, 9, or up to 16 rooms in your home. By monitoring your family's security on a CCTV network, you are able to record suspicious activities as they occur. Monitor your yard, front door, garage, even your mailbox.
CCTV’s offer the following features that allow you to monitor multiple areas of your home simultaneously and in real-time: (1) Multiple channel video input (2) Multiple channel audio input (3) Real time display (4) Pan/tilt/zoom (4) USB backup

CCTV Surveillance Laws
CCTV video surveillance is subject to the laws regarding a person’s right to privacy. We strongly believe that CCTV security is a powerful addition to your home security system. Your home is your castle, and you have the right to protect it. However, you want to remain on the right side of the law. Therefore, when installing a CCTV system in your home, it is important that you are certain of the legality of your surveillance. Consult with a lawyer or your local law enforcement to ensure that you are meeting all the requirements of local, state, and federal CCTV laws.

Benefits of CCTV Technology
The benefits of installing CCTV technology in your home include: Easy video surveillance and security that fits any sized home.

CCTV System

Best Practices of CCTV - Implementing Successful Video Security Systems

CCTV System

This CCTV Buyers Guide provides a comprehensive overview of deploying a successful video surveillance camera system in your business or residence. This guide contains information to help in the design of your video surveillance system, select the products that best fit your CCTV system requirements, and help make key installation decisions that will save you time and money.The information was derived from deploying 100's of CCTV systems and gathered from CCTV call centers who answer questions from commercial and residential customers. This guide combines the data from past CTV projects and gives the reader a head-start in the successful CCTV project

There are many details to consider when specifying the correct CCTV Camera System. Professional Video Surveillance is not a cheap endeavor and a budget should be outlined and the best possible system should be considered. This guide will help the novice CCTV buyer in reviewing camera and recording system for their CCTV and Video surveillance requirements.
The first task in a successful CCTV project is to outline the key CCTV objectives.

• How many cameras are required?
• What are the key FoV (Field of View(s))?
• What are the recording requirements?
• What are the lighting conditions of each camera location?
• Where do I need live video monitoring or a second video monitor?
• How long do you need to retain the video files?

Cameras There are specific cameras that need to be selected based on the FoV, lighting conditions, and the mounting location of the camera. There is no such thing as a one-size fits all in the successful CCTV project. It is important to note each camera location and select the camera best suited for that location.

Answer these questions:
• Indoor or Outdoor?
• Lighting conditions (during day and night)?
• Mounting locations?

Indoor Dome Camera
The indoor dome camera is used in 90% of general indoor applications. It comes in a variety of configurations including standard color, Day/Night, and Infrared versions. It can be mounted on a horizontal or vertical surface but is typically ceiling mounted. Lens options on dome camera may restrict their use in certain applications such as requiring more than a 20mm video lens. Dome cameras are a primary choice in indoor camera locations.

Box Camera
A box camera is a standard camera that can be mounted alone or in an enclosure. The box camera uses a separate lens that screws on to the front surface and provides flexibility for different FoV requirements and is sold without a lens. An auto-iris lens will have a small cable that connects to the camera for iris control in various lighting conditions.
Outdoor Dome Cameras
Outdoor Dome Cameras are typically hard shell vandal-roof casings that offer the same versatility in a variety of lens options. Day/Night outdoor dome cameras are common in applications that have entry and exit points with limited lighting during the night.

Day/Night Camera
The Day/Night camera is the best choice for low-light conditions. The cameras are standard color during daylight conditions, the Day/Night camera switches either digitally of mechanically to a low-lux B/W mode.

Infrared Camera
During No-Light conditions, Infrared cameras provide infrared illumination of the FoF allowing monitoring of areas with no light available. Te IR LEDs are automatically illuminated and the camera switched to the B/W low-lux mode offering camera views in total darkness.

PTZ Camera
Pan-Tilt-Zoom camera offer the ability to view in all directions and optically zoom in as required. PTZ cameras also include standard color, Day/Night modes, and a few IR PTZ cameras have been introduced recently. The CCTV operator can set the PTZ cameras to automatically rotate to different FoVs. Options include Auto-tracking applications that dynamically track objects in defined areas.

About the Camera technology
Sony CCDs are the predominate video element in security cameras today. Sony makes few cameras, but they own the CCD market. Do not think that Sony makes the camera touted as " Sony 1/3" Super HAD Camera" as many vendors advertise their cameras. The camera has a Sony CCD, however the camera is not from Sony and could be almost any brand camera out there. Important factors of lens quality, vari-focal and auto-iris ability, quality of camera housing or enclosure, and lens optics are the difference in a professional CCTV camera.

Facts about Cameras:
• If you buy an $80 camera, you will get an $80 view.
• 480 TVL should be a minimum requirement in any professional CCTV project.
• Location of the camera and the correct lens are keys to quality video capture
• Cameras love light and thieves hate the light! Add lighting wherever possible

Camera Enclosure
Box cameras can be mounted in a variety of enclosures. Outdoor enclosures in cold climates should include a heater/blower that keeps frost and condensation from forming on the lens and camera. Heater/Blower are commonly 24VAC and should be considered when selecting the CCTV power supply system.

Camera Location
Camera mounting location is critical to the success of the CCTV project. Cameras should be mounted as close possible to the field of view required, and the closer the camera to the subject the better the identification of the subject will be. Proper lens selection relative to the camera location and the FoV required is essential to a quality picture.

Digital Video Recorders
DVRs are an important part of any successful CCTV project. Video resolution is getting larger, recording speeds are getting faster, and video data compression is reducing the video data file size. TeraByte storage capacity is becoming common in many CCTV applications. Network or remote monitoring of CCTV video is standard in all professional DVRs on the market in 2007 and video distribution across LANs, WANs, and the Web have given the DVR a new market outside of video security known as Business Systems Monitoring that allows management to monitor specified key business areas 24 hours a day. No longer just a security video recorder, the DVR has become a business tool for management with remote monitoring applications.
In order to choose the correct DVR for any application, the following questions need to be answered.

• How many channels (cameras)?
• What speed of recording is required?
• How long to retain video files (Hard Drive Size)?
• What features are important to the application?
• Where will DVR system be located?
• Remote monitoring requirements?

In choosing the right DVR for your CCTV application, ensure that you are determining the quantity of cameras needed now and in the next 24 months. DVRs come in 4, 8, 9, and 16 channel increments and this selection is critical because adding cameras above the DVR channels available will require an additional DVR, not just additional channels. DVR systems in large installations are segmented into 16 channels units and are monitored and managed through a Central Management System.

The speed of recording is critical to many CCTV applications. 30 fps (frames per second) is considered real-time video, therefore to obtain 30 fps for the application, 480 fps for 16 channels and 240fps for 8 channels is required. Many CCTV applications will provide real-time (30 fps) live viewing of video channels and 7-15 fps for recorded files. It is acceptable to have 7-15 fps for recorded files in many applications, but technology in DVR systems has pushed real-time video for the masses and 30 fps recording will soon be the standard recording rates across all channels as available today.

Storage of vide files is much easier and cost effective in 2007 than ever before. DVR storage at the TeraByte level is common and drives have become faster and more reliable. Retention of video data files can be managed by corporate IT departments as any business critical data and network drive archiving is common. All of the top DVR systems have USB ports for external storage devices and LAN-based video servers are common. A critical component of any DVR system is the ability to access the video files. The software provided by DVR manufacturers is proprietary to the DVR unit and the ability to retrieve files chronologically or based on certain security events is vital to the DVR product.

PC-Based vs. Standalone DVRs
Standalone DVR systems were the majority of video recorders sold in the marketplace up until 2006. Computer-based DVRs have become increasingly popular due to the cost and features provide in the latest generation of DVR cards on the market in 2007. The Windows XP PC computer is providing the reliability and performance in today's DVR systems that are required for mission critical video security systems. The open architecture of PC-based DVR systems allow easy integration into corporate LANs and technology upgrades are at a component level. Software upgrades and hard drive storage additions are far less costly that proprietary DVR systems. Standalone DVRs are imbedded recording systems usually operating under Linux OS. The standalone DVRs are widely used in retail security sites and provide reliable video recording for 4-16 channels. Most DVRs on the market offer network remote access and CD R/W archiving.Computer-based DVR systems are reliable, fast, and have many advanced applications not found on standalone systems.

Video compression
MPEG4 and H.264 are the video compression of choice in 2007. In summary, MPEG4 is good and H.264 is better. The key to video compression is the resolution and the size of the video. High resolution video files are monster size files and video compression for storage and streaming is critical to any video application. Major advancements in video compression will be seen in 2007 and H.264 will be the codec of choice for DVR manufacturers.
H.264

This uses the latest innovations in video compression technology to provide high resolution video quality from the smallest amount of video data required. Smaller files will save bandwidth and storage costs over previous generations of video codecs. H.264 delivers the same quality as MPEG-2 at a third to half the data rate and up to four times the frame size of MPEG-4 Part 2 at the same data rate. H.264 is used in the latest video devices for High Definition video devices, BluRay DVDs and should be considered for any professional CCTV project.

Network Access and Remote Viewing
Network access is the ability to remotely monitor a video server across the LAN, WAN, or internet. A very important application for any DVR system is the ability to monitor live and access to recordings through remote access. Most DVRs today have a LAN RJ45 connection that allows the Video Recorder to connect to the LAN just like any other PC in the office.

Advanced DVR Features
Many CCTV systems are releasing advanced security and specialty software for security enhancements. These include:
• Object counting
• POS Integration
• PTZ Auto-Tracking
• Face Recognition
• Access Control Integration

CCTV Cabling and System Layout
DVR Location In choosing the optimal location for the DVR system, consider the access of the area for centralized control and security of the area. The DVR is the heart of the CCTV system and should be protected as necessary to ensure it is safe from theft or damage. If the security breach includes theft of the DVR component, all evidence is carried off under the arm of the thief. And the thieves know this, so ensure that the DVR system is in a lock-box or an appropriate secure area.

Camera Power Supply
Each professional camera requires either 12VDC or 24VAC. Both power options are acceptable and some CCTV installations will require both. Central Power Supplies are available in 4,8,16 and more channels.

Cable Options
Traditional video cable is RG59 coax cable. Siamese dual cable is commonly used that provides RG59u coax together with a pair of 18 gauge wire for the camera power requirements. The dual cable allows single cable runs to each camera for both video and power.

Cat-5 Options
UTP (twisted pair) cabling is becoming more popular with Cat-5e/Cat-6 cabling used in networks. CAT cabling is lighter and less expensive than coax cabling and requires balun connectors to match the impedance of the video signal. Coax and UTP connections up to1000' feet are acceptable. A balun is used to match the impedance on Cat-5 connections on the DVR and camera connections.

CCTV System

The Successful Video Surveillance Project
• Quality Plan
• Quality Cameras
• Quality DVR
• Quality Installation

Author: Steve McNeal
AMA Security
2/17/2008
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Mcneal