CCTV systems

The term CCTV, which stands for Closed Circuit Television, is often associated with security measures taken by large businesses and organizations. The truth is that CCTV systems are not limited for commercial use, and have become popular tools for home security. The most distinguishing aspect of CCTV operation is that videos are transmitted only to specific monitoring devices rather than an entire data network.

Small businesses and homeowners do no necessarily need professional installation for a video surveillance security system. CCTV systems include several basic components that can be easily installed and managed by anyone who is technology savvy and can work with basic hand tools.

The actual video camera is the most important part of any surveillance system. Bullet shapes are the most common designs for outdoor use, and these cameras are weatherproof. Dome shaped cameras, which are mounted on ceilings, are usually used for secret surveillance to catch unwary subjects. Advanced features of CCTV cameras include night vision, which depends on the number of infrared LED lights inside the lens. Motion sensors and automatic operation are some other extra features to consider. It is equally as important to have the right resolution and video format.

The wiring of CCTV systems consists of power cables and data transmission cords. To eliminate the problems associated with long video cords, wireless systems can be used. Wireless CCTV surveillance systems operate similarly to computer internet routers.

The most advanced cameras are useless without a hard drive which can record and store the video surveillance. A DVR (Digital Video Recorder) is the most popular type of hard drive in video surveillance systems because of the high memory capacity of over 1 TB. To review the recorded videos, the DVR can be connected to a monitor, television, or computer. Some CCTV video systems use special software which allows users to manage it remotely via the internet.