CCTV Equipment Buyers Guide

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CCTV Equipment Buyers Guide

Types of CCTV systems

CCTV Components

• Control panel -- control panels can range from simple TV screen monitoring functions through to extremely complex systems that can monitor hundreds of 'zones' covered by the system. The control panel manages the pre-set zones which are usually specific areas that need to be monitored. So, a control panel on a simple system may monitor the outside of a building. A more complex system may monitor multiple zones both inside and outside the building. The control panel is the heart of a CCTV system and all monitors and cameras connect back to it.
• Cameras -- CCTV systems can come with just one camera or may be set up with multiple cameras. The cameras can be set to work all of the time or when they detect motion/activity.
• Monitors -- CCTV that need to be monitored on an ongoing basis will come with a monitor that allows the user to view current zone images and also to playback recorded activity.
• Keypads -- many CCTV systems come with a keypad that is located away from the control panel and can be used to manage any security/alarm system that is part of the CCTV system.
• Sensors -- CCTV systems that have sensors use infra-red technology to detect the movement of heat in a zone. If the system detects a certain type of movement between zones then it can alert the user via an alarm and so on. Some systems come with dual technology detectors. These work in much the same way as a standard sensor system but are used in zones where there are frequent false alarms -- they are handy here as they combine both infra-red and microwave sensor technology and both elements must be alerted before an alarm will sound. Some systems also come with shock sensors that can be set up to detect major vibrations -- these can be useful to alert operators to a break-in if the intruder tries to forcibly enter a door or window, for example.
• Smoke and heat detectors -- some CCTV systems also use smoke and heat detectors so that they can give an alert in the event of fire.

CCTV Terminology

• Compression -- if using a digital CCTV system then it will most likely use compression to reduce the size of the files it records.
• Digital signal processing (DSP) -- this function improves the quality of recordings by adapting the video signal to digital format to ensure the best results.
• DVR -- a CCTV system that uses a DVR (digital video recorder) will convert the recordings to digital signals and store them on the system's hard drive.
• ExView -- ExView technology enhances the quality of recordings in low light conditions.
• Frame rate -- frame rates dictate recording quality to a certain extent. Higher rates here will give better quality recordings.
• IR cut filters -- these filters will move into place behind camera lenses when conditions get dark enabling the system to make the best quality recordings in situations where there is little light.
• Lenses -- there are various lens options with CCTV cameras that can affect the quality of the images taken by it. A camera with an auto iris lens, for example, will automatically adjust when light conditions change. One with a varifocal lens can be manually adjusted.
• LUX -- this term is used to show how sensitive a CCTV camera will be to light. If a camera has a LUX of 0 then it will be able to record even when it is pitch black.
• Motion detectors -- these detectors see movement as pixel changes. When this happens in front of a camera then it will automatically start recording.
• Mounts -- these are brackets and stands that hold the CCTV cameras in place.
• Multiplexer -- this is a CCTV monitoring system that allows multiple cameras to be viewed at one time on various screens or split screens.
• Noise -- this term refers to signal interference -- this can make images look grainy or fuzzy.
• Pan tilt zoom -- this term refers to a camera which can be moved remotely by a joystick or other remote control.
• Quad splitter -- this is a device that can split four cameras so that they can be displayed on one monitor.
• Resolution -- resolution refers to the number of lines that a CCTV system can show on a monitor.
• Video splitter -- this device can split off the video signals received from a camera so that they can be used multiple times.

Wired Versus Wireless Systems

The Future of CCTV