If better safe than sorry is a motto you hold dear, then CCTV might be your new best friend. Invented in June 1927 by Russian physicist Léon Theremin, CCTV was originally used by in the Soviet Union, where it was installed in the courtyard of the Moscow Kremlin to monitor approaching visitors. In Germany, it was also used as a means of state surveillance, when the Nazi regime used it in 1942 to observe launch of V-2 rockets.
Unlike traditional TV that openly broadcasts signals to the public, CCTV broadcasts aren't sent out to the public. Instead, they use either a wired or wireless transmission to transmit the broadcast from the video cameras to a monitor or recording device directly. Together, the system enables users to view events live, record, and archive footage for later reference. The name 'closed-circuit" to comes from the fact that access to their content is limited by design only to those able to see it. Types of cameras include dome cameras, bullet cameras, C-mount cameras, day/night cameras, and PTZ cameras.
CCTV systems come in two flavours - fixed cable/wired and wireless. In the former, a fixed cable - usually ranging in length from 25 to 500 feet - physically connects the camera to the monitor or recording device. A downside of this is that longer the cable, the lower the quality of your signal. As a result, customers usually upgrade to higher quality cables, which might prove costly. On the plus side, several cameras can be interconnected to a single monitor, giving users an overview at a glance. They usually use analog cameras, have basic functionality and store video onsite.
On the other hand are wireless CCTV systems. This slightly more expensive solution is markedly more popular because it's more accessible, reliable, and boasts a higher video quality. Wireless systems allow users to position CCTV cameras nearly anywhere. The video image is transmitted wirelessly from the camera to a monitor or recorder with an antenna, and can send information to devices over 200 feet away. Like any other wireless system, a direct line of sight between the transmitting and receiving antennas, devoid of walls or other barriers is ideal for optimum video quality. Wireless cameras boast sharper, higher resolution images and more flexible features like remote zoom and repositioning. They also give you the option to view footage on a web browser, app, computer or phone, and support real-time notifications triggered by movement, voice, or any other parameter.
Hardware aside, CCTV systems also involve using recording devices to store footage long-term. Traditionally, systems used videotapes, then DVRs to capture footage from analog cameras in a digital format at the desired resolution and frames per second. In this set up the camera is connected to the DVR via a series of transmission cables. The DVR receives the video from the camera, compresses it, and then stores it on a hard drive for either live viewing or later viewing. When the hard disk gets full, new images will record over the oldest footage first.
The IP equivalent is an NVR or network video record, which is similar in function to a DVR except that it is IP camera compatible. In more advanced models, the camera takes over the responsibility of the DVR, including compressing, converting, and streaming the video over an internet connection. With this setup, a DVR is not necessary; rather, the video can be streamed directly to a personal computer or the NVR. Your cameras and the NVR connect via a network switch or router rather than physical cables. This allows users to easily access footage on an NVR through a web browser or mobile app, and store footage onto a physical hard drive or uploaded to the cloud.
If you've got a business, home, or property that you'd like to keep an eye on, installing a CCTV system is an easy way to buy you peace of mind whilst keeping you in the know. Get to know the different types of cameras, costing, and other information when you give these approved experts a call today!