CCTV System: Choosing a System and Installer

What is CCTV?

CCTV stands for Closed Circuit Television and is designed for a limited number of viewers (in a controlled manner) as opposed to broadcast TV which is designed for mass viewing.

It differs from broadcast TV because all the components are linked together (generally by cables) to create a `closed' loop.

CCTV is often used in areas where there is an increased need for security, such as banks, casinos, airports, motorways and increasingly in public areas such as train stations and central business districts in most cities.

Initially developed as a means of increasing security in banks and other high risk businesses, CCTV is increasingly finding its way into small business and homes due to its ease of installation and operation and the continued reduction in pricing thanks to many domestic style products introduced in recent years.

It should be noted that CCTV is not exclusively the domain of security surveillance, but is regularly used in manufacturing process monitoring for QA purposes, for inspecting pipes, chimneys or even the underside of a ships hull.

For our purposes we will be discussing CCTV in its most common form, which is as a security surveillance system.

Video surveillance introduction

From a single camera and monitor to complex video surveillance systems with hundreds of cameras, multiple operators, and digital recorders, closed circuit television (CCTV) systems can provide security for a wide range of businesses.

A good CCTV system can make your business safer, more efficient, and less prone to theft and accidents. Specifically, CCTV can provide many benefits: - Reduce shrinkage by catching shoplifters

- deter potential thieves

- monitor cash registers

- record evidence to prevent bogus accident claims

- identify visitors and employees

- monitor hazardous work areas

- increase security in and around business premises and parking lots

- meet insurance requirements

The most basic CCTV setup would be a single camera connected directly to a monitor and a recorder to store the video. While a setup like this could help security in some cases, it is unlikely to be enough for most businesses. Most situations call for multiple cameras.

Evaluating Your CCTV Needs

Before starting to compare systems or choose potential vendors, sit down and consider your CCTV needs carefully.

First, you should decide what the purpose of the CCTV system is. Is it primarily to act as a deterrent of potential crimes or to actually catch and prosecute perpetrators? Both can be important, but your priority will influence your purchasing decisions. If you are more interested in deterring certain activities, large, visible cameras are your best bet. Trying to catch criminals on video without them being aware of it requires discrete or hidden cameras. Hidden cameras in many countries can be illegal or may only be used by court order - so check with your CCTV professional before installation.

Next, consider what you want to monitor. General comings and goings? Vehicles? Do you want to see faces, merchandise, crowds? Once you decide what you want to see, choosing components will become easier.

Then, decide how the images will be used. Do you want to use them for your own review or will your require that they are able to be printed for facial identification or even for admission in a court of law. This will have a big impact on the method you use to record the images and the quality of the cameras, lenses and recorder you will require.

Also consider how your system will be monitored. Will you simply record at all times, and only review the video when a problem occurs? Or will you have a dedicated employee watching for events? Do you want a monitor showing images in public areas?

Three Things To Consider

1. Avoid dummy cameras. While they may deter some problems, they also can create a legal liability by creating an expectation of safety when none exists, plus staff soon learn which ones are active and which ones aren't.

2. Put up signs. Highly visible signage that lets customers and employees know that they are being filmed can greatly increase the deterrent effect. This is actually a legal requirement in many countries.

3. Do not record audio. Most CCTV systems do not include audio monitoring for the simple reason that it is generally illegal. People in public places can be videotaped without their consent, but their voices cannot.

Choosing a CCTV Installer

Once you know the basic requirements of what you want to see and how you want to use your CCTV system, it is time to call a CCTV installer to get a professional view and price up the supply and installation. A professional installer will be able to tell you how to best achieve the results of the system you will be installing. That will include the positioning of cameras, the selection of equipment to meet your requirements and budget.

It is important that a potential installer for your job provides references of customers, they have current correct licensing (if applicable for your area) and I always recommend getting a breakdown of the equipment component versus the labour component of a quote.

Don't just go for the cheapest option unless you are purely using the system as a deterrent. You should evaluate the capability of the installer, the warranty offered on the equipment, the warranty offered on the installation (ie cables), what level of training do they provide and what level of after sales technical support do they offer.

If you have opted to go with a modern digital CCTV installation, unless you are completely familiar with the system, you will require technical support, especially when that first time comes that you need to export video onto a CD or DVD to give to the police. At that time, how sure are you that the person/company that installed the system will be able to provide you with the required assistance.

As a final note on potential installers - never ever choose an installer that doesn't do a full inspection of the site in which the installation will take place. If they haven't seen the site they cannot know of any potential issues that may cause them to need to adjust the price (always up) or take shortcuts that will affect your systems performance.

Once your system has been installed, make sure you and any other staff that may use the system make the time available to be trained. Don't skip this point as you have spent good money on a system and you will need to use it at some point.

In future articles I will write about choosing cameras, DVRs, monitors and other equipment that will go to make up your CCTV system. For more information on CCTV and to find an installer in your area, Global CCTV Hub

Brad Couper is the editor of Global CCTV Hub the central place for all things CCTV on the world wide web.

CCTV Security Cameras

Closed circuit television (CCTV) security cameras are there for video surveillance and live monitoring purposes. These may be single or a collection of surveillance cameras which are directly linked to TVs via cables or wireless means. Although CCTV security cameras are useful tools in areas which need high security such as banks, casinos and airports, they are also used in public places and in homes.

The most common usage of CCTV cameras is not crime prevention, but crime detection and prosecution. Several cases have been solved with the use of these cameras. These cameras automatically transfer captured images on a time-lapse or motion detection basis to a PC or laptop using either a USB cable or a wireless adapter.

Most modern CCTV security cameras are simple, light-weight and inexpensive enough to be used in home security systems. There are new and advanced CCTV mega-pixel cameras available which can take 1600 x 1200 pixel resolution images of the camera scene either on a time lapse or motion detection basis. These cameras also use a variety of techniques such as Tilt-Zoom, Low Light, Infrared No-Light and License Plate technologies.

The price of CCTV security cameras depends on many things such as size, type, display, resolution, zoom and wireless/wired models. The common forms of CCTV security cameras are dome, bullet, and standard c-mount cameras. There are B/W and color cameras, and cameras with or without audio. The price starts from $30 for B/W mini hidden cameras without audio and $40 for those with audio. Color cameras without audio are available from $60 and those with audio are available from $70 upwards. Wireless cameras are usually 10 to 20 dollars higher than wired ones. Most decent surveillance cameras are available in the price range of $100 - $350.

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