Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) is a system in which all elements – from the cameras to the recording devices – are directly connected in order to keep the video from being broadcast over public airwaves, Since its development in 1942, CCTV has undergone many changes. Whereas once upon a time, the technology could only be used to observe live footage, then it quickly developed into a recording system that allowed users to view both present and recorded data. This made it the ultimate security technology. Today, property owners utilize CCTV technology to build safe living, secured living and peace of mind in their life

What is CCTV Used For?

CCTV was first used by the Germans to observe the launch of the V2 rockets. Since then, it has evolved into the comprehensive security camera technology we know and use it as today. From public buildings to private offices, and residential homes to country clubs, strategically placed security cameras are used to view events as they occur, as well as to capture footage for monitoring at a later time. Some common uses for CCTV technology include:

Home Surveillance

Homes with security camera surveillance are far less likely to be burglarized or vandalized than those without. Though security cameras don’t do anything to physically prevent crime from happening, homeowners today use them to deter criminals from trespassing and to keep their families safe.

Business Surveillance

Businesses use CCTV technology for a number of reasons, including as a crime deterrent. Banks, offices, museums, restaurants, retail stores, and other businesses are a hotbed for crime, as most always have cash on hand. To protect the money, business owners strategically place security cameras at registers, in back offices, near safes, and at the entrances. Businesses also use security cameras to monitor employees and to make sure that they are making the best use of their time. This is especially handy when a business employees night crews, such as cleaning and maintenance crews, call center staff, and inventory management teams.

Types of CCTV

There are two types of CCTV security camera systems:

• Analogue CCTV System
• IP CCTV System (Internet Protocol)

Analogue CCTV Systems

Analogue surveillance systems work by connecting your standard analogue camera to a digital video recorder (DVR) via 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. This setup also allows you to transport the video over the internet for remote viewing. With the analogue system, the DVR is charged with compressing, converting, storing, and streaming the video. It is also responsible for controlling all of the camera’s built-in capabilities, including motion detection, schedules, notifications, alarm inputs, and more.

IP CCTV Systems

IP systems are a little more involved, and as such, are a more expensive option. In an IP configuration, 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 an NVR (network video recorder).

Types of Cameras Available in both Analogue and IP  CCTV Systems are

Dome Cameras.

The dome cameras are named such for their case in which the camera is placed. The greatest advantage of this CCTV is that its covers huge area and used in indoor areas only due to their dome structure.

Benefits:

• Easy to install
• Resistant to vandal
• 360 rotation cover every angle

Perfect for:

• Shops and restaurants
• Hotels and homes
• Cash counters

Bullet Cameras.

The design of these surveillance devices is such that it is visible from a distance. Generally, they are found to be cylindrical shaped and efficient in capturing long distances. Bullets are ideal for outdoors since they can endure heat, dust, dirt, and water.

Benefits:

• Resistant to all types of weather and environment
• Visible from long distanced and it acts as a deterrent
• Able to capture a view from a long distance
• The sturdy casing protects the camera from all attacks

Perfect for:

• Industrial usages
• Property management and farmlands
• Any outdoor application

• C-Mount Cameras/VF Cameras(Veri-focal Cameras)

This is an advanced model of bullet CCTV. They are ideal for people who want to capture adaptable views. The surveillance gadget has variable lenses that you can adjust lens from 2.8mm to 12mm. Unlike the bullet models, they are bulky and thus easily visible from a distance acting as a deterrent to criminals.

Benefits:

• Can capture distance upto 40 Meter with adjustable lenses
• Properly visible to all from long distances
• The sturdy casing safeguards the camera from the odd environment
• Ideal for outdoor usages
• Have manual adjustable and motorized adjustable lens

Perfect for:

• Widely popular in logistics industries
• Food and manufacturing industries also prefer them
• Any place with odd temperatures and fluctuations

PTZ Pan-tilt Zoom CCTV. The pan-tilt or zoom camera helps you monitor and have full control of everything recorded. You can turn the camera to the left or the right using a button. Even zoom in and out, tilt up or down. These devices perfectly fit your needs when you have security personal monitoring live on the field.

Benefits:

• Close focus on subject through optical zoom upto 30X
• Tilt and pan mode to get a 360-degree view
• Recognition of facial features since the resolution is high
• Personalized live viewing

Perfect for:

• Ideal for remote viewing
• Best for business premises
• Great for museums
• Entry and exit gates of high-security zones

24Hr Colour CCTV. The specialty of this cameras is that they can record clear images irrespective of the light in their nearby environment. They are specially built for effective operation in obscure light conditions. There are extra sensitive imaging chips that make this possible.

Benefits:

• Low light recording yet clear colour capture
• 24Hr colour recording
• Functions effectively irrespective of sunlight, reflections, or glare
• Tough casing for better camera protection

Perfect for:

• Business premises with 24 x 7 recording
• Any outdoor monitoring at any place

What is a Digital Video Recorder (DVR)?

A Digital Video Recorder (DVR) records video to local storage devices, most commonly a hard drive.  DVR can record analogue video sources on-site or capture video from a digital source. DVRs can be connected to analogue cameras via coaxial cables, enabling them to be accessed remotely.  DVRs offer enhanced functionality like the ability to search recordings for events, or sort by time and date. DVRs will be configured to automatically overwrite older footage once storage becomes full.

DVRs are limited to the physical number of input channels such as 4,8,16,32,64 and are not upgradable.  This makes them best suited for small businesses or home security systems. 

DVR Hardware Features

• Mountable in a server rack
• Can include multiple source inputs (coaxial/optical)
• External monitor output
• I/O connection for tilt pan zoom (PTZ) camera
• Event notification from security devices
• Notification for connectivity issues
• Multi-channel audio recordings
• Archived footage

What is a Network Video Recorder (NVR)?

Network Video Recorder (NVR) is a specialized computer that records security video surveillance footage in digital format to a hard drive. Because the NVR does not have video capture capability, video is typically processed and encoded from the surveillance IP or CCTV camera and transferred to the NVR for storage via ethernet or WiFi network. NVRs are typically employed within IP video surveillance systems.

Network Video Recorders have replaced legacy Digital Video Recorders (DVR).

Advantages include:

• Record video and audio
• Better image quality
• System flexibility
• Better viewing coverage
• Wired or wireless
• Required 1 cable for video, audio, and power
• Recognition of faces, license plate, etc. due to better image quality

Features include:

• Video analytics
• Recording mode options
• Power-over-ethernet (PoE) network switches
• PTZ camera controls
• Remote configuration
• Recording triggers
• Video compression schemas