Types Of Digital CCTV Available

Wired CCTV

For use in all types of premises. It is designed for the permenant installation of the system.

The system is designed by locating the cameras in their positions and they are connected by cable to the recording/monitoring equipment.

There are many different types of camera available for use on the wired systems. There are a few listed below:

• Entry Level Cameras: Use the latest CMOS sensor, with good picture quality. Ideal for general purpose use in homes and small businesses. (Low risk areas only)
• Bullet Cameras: Use internally or externally for high resolution surveillance. Great quality images and the added benefit of being discreet and stylish.
• Dome Cameras: Available for usage within areas of difficult lighting eg pub or restaurant.
• Day/ Night Cameras: Offer colour vision during day or well lit area and up to 50m black and white vision in complete darkness (night or when lights are turned off). You do not require additional light sources as the cameras have built in Infra Red LEDs which switch on once the camera has detected it is dark.

Types of camera you should use.

Camera resolution is measured in TV Lines (TVL). Therefore the higher the TVL, the greater the resolution and definition it will have.

If you are trying to watch fine details, then the higher resolution cameras are what you require.

The lux of a camera determines how much light it will need to produce an image of good quality. The lower the lux, the better it will be in low light situations.

To have a usable wired CCTV system you will require:

Wiring

A monitor

A DVR system (either stand alone hard drive or PC card.)

Wireless CCTV

These systems can transmit pictures and sound up to 10m away without cables.

They work by transmitting the pictures and sound to a reciever. It transmits at 2.4GHz frequency, which allows for the maximum possible distance to be achieved.

You can have three wireless cameras per site and because of this the chances of interference occuring are minimised.

You could have an unlimited number of receivers per site as they do not transmit signals.

Different types of wireless system.

• Standard: Designed for simple observation in low risk areas.
• Motion activated: The cameras have built in motion sensors. Once motion has been detected it will transmit the information and enable the reciever to either alert you to motion or start recording. Ideal for home or small business use.
• Covert spy camera: Designed to be undetectable to the average person. Can be battery powered for portable use.
• Baby view cameras: Perfect for peace of mind while your baby sleeps or plays.

The disadvantages to a wireless system are:

That you can only have three cameras on a system.

You can pick up interference from a wireless system.

Wireless systems do not have such a wide range of cameras available.

IP CCTV

This option operated using existing wired/wireless TCP/IP computer networks and removes the need for running separate cables. It can be accessed by anyone on the same network or via the internet and is recorded to a PC on the network.

It is connected directly to ADSL broadband connection and although a router is required, there is no need for a separate PC.

Home