How to Choose a CCTV Camera System
Whether placed outside your property to deter criminal activity or inside your home for surveillance purposes, CCTV cameras are effective at improving safety and security. However, deciding on the right camera and system isn’t as easy as you might think.
Using CCTV for online monitoring can be either reactive or proactive (Keval and Sasse 2010). We test the effects of physical separation and organisation by semantic category on search within a CCTV multiplex.
Panoramic Cameras
Just like our eyes, most cameras have a limited field of view. To capture more than one person in a photo, you have to position the camera so that people appear on both sides of the frame or take multiple photos and stitch them together later using software. With panoramic cameras, however, you can get the whole picture in one shot without compromising on image quality.
Panoramic cameras have viewing angles of 180 to 360 degrees, and this can be achieved by using different technologies including fisheye lenses or by incorporating multiple sensors into the camera. They are best suited for large areas, as they help reduce the number of cameras required for a system and provide full coverage without blind spots. They are also ideal for city surveillance, where they can be used to track movements and improve situational awareness.
The best panoramic security cameras can be found in high definition and megapixel quality, and some offer advanced features like video analytics. While they are more expensive than traditional cameras, they can offer a significant return on investment as they can significantly reduce the number of surveillance systems that need to be installed. This can lead to lower installation costs, less power consumption and fewer wires that need to be run. In addition, some panoramic cameras come with motorized zoom that allows you to see details that would be hard to observe with a single lens.
Dome Cameras
Dome cameras are a good option for businesses looking to monitor a variety of locations and situations without the use of a lens that will stick out and cause people to react negatively. They blend in to the environment much more easily than bullet cameras and tend to be less susceptible to vandalism.
They hide which direction they are pointing, making it difficult for intruders to figure out the areas that are being monitored. This is an important deterrent as it can keep people from committing crimes and cctv camera misbehaving. They also protect the camera from glare and direct sunlight, which keeps footage quality high.
These cameras often come with a variable focal length lens, which allows the security team to choose what angle they want to monitor from their control room. They can also be used to record in low or no-light conditions thanks to built-in IR illuminators and progressive CMOS sensors.
These cameras are great for retail stores, point-of-sale systems, and hotels where they provide a discreet way to monitor multiple areas while blending into the environment. They are also popular with construction companies and house building where they act as a visual deterrent to would-be intruders after hours and in varying weather conditions. They are easy to install and can be positioned on ceilings or in other areas of the structure for a seamless integration.
Fixed Cameras
The most basic of fixed cameras, these are perfect for facilities that need to monitor only a limited number of areas. For example, retail stores that only need to monitor registers, storage rooms and entrances and exits can easily benefit from a fixed view model.
Variable lenses allow these cameras to be adjusted for distances, providing a narrow or wide field of view depending on the application. Some come with a to-and-from range, offering even more flexibility for facility security. Variable lens cameras are often paired with PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) cameras, so that the movement of a subject is tracked and monitored while a close-up shot of an individual is taken – reducing the risk of blind spots.
Traffic enforcement cameras (also known as Camera trap, Gatso, photo enforcement, safe-t-cam, speed camera, flash for cash, and no contact apprehension camera) are mounted beside or over a road or installed in an enforcement vehicle to detect motoring offences such as speeding, red light running, bus lane abuse, and toll booth evasion.
These cameras are usually overtly positioned which discourages unwanted activity since subjects know they are being watched. Unlike fixed security cameras, these can be moved manually to follow motion-triggered events or adhere to a schedule. They are best partnered with fixed cameras to avoid gaps in coverage. Some have automatic tracking features, but this increases the chance of missing a subject due to movement and can introduce pixelation at lower megapixel ratings.
Network Cameras
Unlike traditional CCTV, network cameras work over the internet so you can access them remotely. They can also connect to a central system that monitors and stores footage. This way, premises owners can check on their property and take action if they spot anything amiss.
IP cameras are available for both home and commercial use. They offer features such as high-resolution video; crisp, clear audio; cctv camera motion detection; video analytics; night vision and remote access. They can also integrate with smart technology, making them more useful than ever before.
Most modern network cameras can be accessed via an app on your smartphone, tablet or computer. The apps are easy to use and can provide a snapshot of the live camera feed. You can also set up the cameras to notify you of specific events, which can be especially useful if you’re away from your property.
Depending on the type of network camera you choose, you may need to invest in a video encoder. These are used to convert analog CCTV signals into a digital signal. This allows you to transfer analog CCTV systems into a more modern, efficient and secure network camera system.
If you’re transferring an analog CCTV system to a network camera, it’s important that you buy the right wire for your project. Ideally, you’ll want to purchase pre-made cable that fits the length of your site, as it saves prep time cutting and measuring. Alternatively, you can buy bulk cable on a roll and cut it to size yourself.