CCTV Surveillance System
CCTV Surveillance System
Purpose of
CCTV Surveillance
CCTV surveillance can deter potential criminals. When a crime does occur, video footage can help law enforcement investigate and later provide evidence for prosecution in a law court. Used in conjunction with CCTV, audio, thermal and other types of sensors can alert officials to occurrences that are out of the ordinary, e.g. a fire or gunshots at a location. For businesses, CCTV cameras can detect and monitor in-house criminal activities. Prisons may use video surveillance to prevent drones from delivering drugs and other contraband to prisoners. Security cameras are able to monitor areas that are not easily accessible, e.g. rooftops.
What are the features of CCTV?
High-Definition and Wide-Angle Video
Even the most basic mobile phone comes with an HD video recording function. Then why would you not expect the same from a modern security camera? HD or Hi-def means 1080p resolution. 4K or Ultra-HD (or UHD) cameras are still a bit expensive, but if you are reading this sometime in the future, they may already be commonplace. The footage recorded by HD cameras is crystal clear and distinctive, allowing you and law enforcement officials to detect the smallest details. Additionally, consider wide-angle cameras. These cover a larger area with a single camera, often eliminating the need to install multiple cameras.
Wireless Technology
The clearest pictures are no good if the camera feed can be cut off by snipping a cable. You will want cameras that can transmit the recorded footage wirelessly without degrading its quality. Wireless cameras and related security camera systems also usually come with some form of remote feed and control system. Smaller variants of these cameras can also be installed in cars, providing an additional layer of security to your vehicle.
Night Vision/Low-Light Cameras
You should invest in night-vision cameras or at least those that are capable of recording in low-light conditions. Contrary to what movies would have you believe, these cameras do not produce a green monochrome video. Most cameras record footage that resembles regular black-and-white videos. The more advanced camera systems use infrared or heat-vision cameras for completely dark areas where simple night vision does not quite cut it. This option, however, is not necessary for every home but is definitely a good option for commercial spaces.
Remote Access and Cloud Backup
Remote access to the recorded video and live feed from your security cameras is crucial. Almost every modern urban home security system comes with some kind of companion app that gives you varying degrees of control. This means that you are able to see live footage from the camera on your mobile phone while you are away, even in another city. You may even be able to activate and deactivate the cameras remotely. Besides the ability to monitor your home when you are away, it also gives you control over how and where you can access your security system. They are also usually integrated with other smart home devices, allowing you to dim the lights or turn on your water heater from the same app. Security systems also allow you to store your footage on the cloud, creating backups and archiving footage for later use.
Speakers
Security cameras with speakers may sound pointless but they are a step up from speaking over an intercom or through the door. You can see and talk to a visitor without installing an additional intercom system. There are potentially more uses for such cameras. It can be used to calm and soothe pets when you are away, or monitor the outside of your home when you hear some strange noise at night.
Motion Sensors and Automation
Another technology that has been glorified in the movies, motion sensors and motion-activated security camera systems are much more commonplace than most people believe. The primary advantage is that it cuts down the amount of footage being recorded, saving you tonnes of storage space. It also helps save your internet data as it needs fewer backups to the cloud. More advanced motion detection systems come with movement tracking too. These cameras literally turn and follow a person in their field of view. The motion sensors can also be used to trigger alarms, alerting you to intruders.
What are the types of CCTV Cameras?
Closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems are essential tools for surveillance and security in various environments. They come in different types, each consisting of various components and features that enable monitoring and recording of video footage:
Day/Night CCTV Camera
Infrared/Night Vision CCTV Cameras
Network/IP CCTV Cameras
Wireless CCTV Cameras
High Definition (HD) CCTV Cameras
Wired and Wireless Home Security Camera
What Are Wireless Home Security Cameras?
A wireless home security camera, also known as a Wi-Fi camera, transmits its footage over Wi-Fi and is powered by AC power. This means it must be plugged into an outlet using a power cable. A wireless camera isn't wire-free; rather, it’s called a wireless camera because it uses wireless internet (Wi-Fi). When a wireless camera is powered by a battery, it becomes a wire-free camera.
Wireless home security cameras generally store their footage on a cloud server, so you can access it from anywhere. Some also can store video on local media, such as a micro SD card in the camera. Wireless cameras are popular because they're easy to install and it’s simple to view their footage using a smartphone or computer.
Wireless security cameras generally record when they detect motion or sound, but some can be set to record 24/7 if plugged into power. They capture high-resolution video and can record at night if equipped with night vision. They also typically have two-way audio capabilities so you can talk to the person that the camera sees. Finally, some models use machine learning, a technology that allows cameras to do useful things such as alert you when they detect a person or package.
What Are Wired Home Security Cameras?
A wired home security camera system, also known as a DVR (digital video recorder) security system, is a recording device combined with cameras. The number of cameras usually starts at four and can go up to 16. They record 24/7, can be connected to the internet to view remotely, and are hardwired to the internet and power outlet.
There are two types of wired home security camera systems: traditional DVR systems and newer NVR (network video recorder) systems. DVR systems use a coaxial cable to power the cameras and record footage, whereas NVR systems use Ethernet cables to both power the cameras and record video. Both DVRs and NVRs can connect to the internet via an Ethernet cable.
NVRs are more advanced and capable of recording higher-quality video than DVRs. NVRs also have some of the same features that wireless cameras have, such as two-way talk and person detection.
The cameras that come with a wired home security system draw their power from the DVR or NVR and don’t need to be plugged into an outlet. Most wired systems have an app for viewing footage on your smartphone, but you can also connect a computer monitor to the recording device to view the recordings and real-time feeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
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