Choosing the right CCTV Part 1….
In this weeks blog update, we give a run down of common problems and things to think about when looking to update or purchase new CCTV equipment.

The number of CCTV products in this day and age is huge, not to mention overwhelming and knowing where to start and what best to go for can be a real challenge.

Knowing what to look for is important, for example getting hold of a camera which is described as “good in low-level light” will often not produce good or clear enough images at night unless another light source is present at the same time.

Another example would include the newer wireless cameras which will eventually replace traditional CCTV cameras, however one area to point out is their battery life. Setting one up is straight forward and simple power consumption is usually pretty high resulting in a working consumption rate of less than 24 hours. Apparently some tested models from research have proven to result in as low as 2 hours usage per charge. In this instance, it is clear to see the bigger picture and how things aren’t always what they appear to be at first instance.

There are many professional services out there who can give advice and install exactly what you need, but of course there will always be a cost to this. Then of course it is a question of who to trust and whether the cheaper company will provide a better service or not. AVM Solutions UK offer a complete service installation and maintenance package and hold a very good reputation. Of course though as we do hold up our company with high regards, sometimes you may find that you could just as well do this yourself if you have time.
Lets look at some of the areas of CCTV to think about generally.

Cameras

The traditional CCTV camera you will recognise when ever the word CCTV comes to mind is usually just a camera fitted within a steel or other metallic housing designed to protect and keep the camera itself dry. Some cameras will come with the ability to de-mist themselves and get rid of condensation by use of an internal thermostat. Thermostatic heating elements are useful for outdoor equipment when being exposed to weathering and extreme temperature changes.

These types of cameras are usually specified without a lens as this is usually applied and specified afterwards when the range and field of view is needed. Therefore you can tend to pick and choose what you need although these also tend to come at a higher price range.
Ideally this sort of thing is suitable for business usage, large buildings, much outdoor usage, car parks etc. Some motorised cameras provide a panning range which can cover a larger area over time. Motorised zoom will also allow the camera to pin point specific spots in the field of view.
For those who are looking for CCTV cameras with more of a budget in mind, the technologies that have developed in recent years have made home security much easier than ever with affordability in mind.

CCTV cameras can be broken down into two types of common camera technology which we will cover in more depth at a later date. These are CMOS and CCD cameras. The CMOS type are usually the cheaper of the two although their image quality is limited and not quite as sharp. CCD cameras however can hold their pinpoint imaging technology high as far as standards go for security. You should always be aware that using cameras with low quality visual representations of what they are designed to capture, highly contradicts the reasoning behind installing a fully working camera in the first place. Aside from a dummy cam, the real reason to use one and have a camera installed is to capture exactly who or what is compromising your property in the first place with a clear image of what it is and what that intruder looks like. A badly reproduced image will not hold up in court at all.

CCD cameras hold up with their pin-point clarity and should really be specified wherever possible. The KT&C, Everfocus and concept camera range in general use the Sony CCD chipsets and are examples of quality products. You should always be wary of competing companies who try to use less than standard chipsets in order to sell you a cheap deal CCTV setup.

Bullets Cams

Integrated cameras with lenses and housing combined are usually referred to as Bullet Cameras. These are sealed to prevent moisture and and dust from entering. They are designed to be sealed so well that often you can submerge a bullet camera within water and the seal will still hold up well. Another thing is that bullet cams do not need heaters like the traditional CCTV housed cams mentioned above. This and their small size makes them an ideal candidate for fitting inside homes and even commercial applications without being overly intrusive. Bullet cams will however come pre-fitted with their lens and it can not be taken out, so the right lens must be taken into consideration beforehand. Typically a 3.6mm lens is adequate to give you a 72 degree field of view which is enough for many domestic and smaller commercial applications. This is something we can discuss with you should you wish to contact AVM Solutions UK.

Choosing the camera specification correctly

The key performance criteria when considering a camera come from its sensitivity and its resolution. Secondary considerations include colour and whether it comes in monochrome, its indoor and outdoor use capabilities and night vision modes too.

Sensitivity

A camera’s sensitivity depicts how able a camera is to respond to changes in light and movement. Some cameras are made to automatically zoom in on a disturbance and would benefit with a higher sensitivity rating.

Resolution

A camera’s resolution depicts how clear an image can be seen judged by the level of detail shown. Similar to a picture taken by a photograph, a low resolution image would be perceived by fewer pixels and therefore be harder to visualise as clear.

Next week we will be continuing on with more about CCTV and the things to look out for or at least be aware of to an extent before making the plunge. It is always good to be in the know.

Blog Written Scott D