| Although the application of CCTV security have | | | | packaged in a small case (Mini Cameras) or dome |
| not changed very much over the past years, the | | | | (Mini Dome) or simply sold unpackaged, for |
| tools and equipment have significantly. Cameras | | | | mounting by the purchaser. Lenses in these are |
| became smaller, cheaper and better, but the | | | | either of a normal industry aperture or a |
| major breakthrough happened in recording | | | | "pinhole" lens of very small aperture. |
| equipment. | | | | Pinhole lens cameras are often called |
| Therefore many customers shopping for | | | | "spy" cameras and may be mounted |
| complete CCTV monitoring and recording | | | | in a concealed way for covert surveillance |
| systems are confused by such a verity of | | | | purposes. The most popular examples of covert |
| available products. Goal of this article is to guide | | | | board ones are smoke detector and motion |
| buyers toward best possible and most economical | | | | detector cameras. |
| type of CCTV equipment, based on intended | | | | Since the lenses in board cameras are |
| implementation and requirements. | | | | pre-mounted, have a fixed iris and are usually of a |
| Selecting the right cameras.It is virtually impossible | | | | short focal length (i.e. wide angle), their flexibility of |
| to describe all types of available ones in this short | | | | usefulness is limited. However, this type of |
| article. We will focus our attention on most | | | | camera can provide a low cost solution in the |
| popular and widely used camera types instead. | | | | right situation, particularly in a home environment. |
| CCTV produce images using CMOS or CCD | | | | We have shortly described most popular types of |
| (Charge Couple Device) chips. Tiny, very low price | | | | cameras, lets now discus, how and where they |
| CCTV cameras usually use CMOS technology, | | | | mite be used. |
| produce poor quality images and have very poor | | | | Professional types with C/CS mount lens |
| light sensitivity. Decent quality CCTV cameras use | | | | attachment generally offer best performance and |
| CCD technology. The size of the CCD chip is | | | | many important futures, like lens control output, |
| normally 1/4", 1/3" or 1/2". As a | | | | Back Light Compensation and many more... |
| rule of thumb, the larger the size, the higher the | | | | Distance from monitoring object to the camera is |
| quality of the image produced and the higher the | | | | not an issue, that is why ability to select different |
| price. However, higher density 1/4" and 1 | | | | lenses, based on location is so important. |
| 3" CCD chips can now produce as good an | | | | Installation is bit complicated and professional |
| image as many 1/3" or 1/2" chips. | | | | installation strongly recommended. We |
| The number of TV lines in the security camera | | | | recommend this type of security cameras for |
| image is a measure of picture resolution | | | | commercial installations. |
| (sharpness). The larger the number of TV lines, | | | | Most Bullet cameras in comparison, do not offer |
| the better the resolution and hence, overall picture | | | | high resolution and lens selection flexibility, but are |
| quality. Standard resolution camera may have | | | | likely to be weatherproof, some will have infrared |
| 350-380 lines, over 400 TV Lines is generally | | | | light built-in and most of all they are relatively |
| considered good resolution while over 500 TV | | | | easy to implement. They usually come with |
| lines is considered high resolution. B/W chip | | | | 3.6mm lens witch are considered to be suitable |
| cameras produce greater resolution and better | | | | for most standard installations (good for covering |
| light sensitivity, therefore suitable for use in dark | | | | small to medium size room or equivalent). |
| areas where light conditions are poor most of the | | | | For larger rooms or longer distances, cameras |
| time. | | | | with 6mm or higher lens may be required. They |
| On the other hand color cameras offer more | | | | are great choice for any do-it-yourself installation. |
| realistic and natural picture. CCTV cameras | | | | Board cameras in contrast are widely used in |
| Professional grade cameras. | | | | covert camera installations, sometimes called Spy |
| Have box type body with the ability to use | | | | Cameras. Many are basically board ones with |
| different types and size of lenses. Exchangeable | | | | built-in transmitter. We are not going to go into |
| lenses enable this camera, to monitor objects | | | | wireless cameras right now, as this would be |
| from virtually any distance. Although for indoor | | | | enough material for completely new article. |
| use, they can be used for outdoor when | | | | Board cameras are sold as plain circuit board, for |
| combined with weatherproof housing. They are | | | | integrating into hidden camera devices. They are |
| considered to be the most flexible and widely | | | | also available in dome housing, as vary popular |
| used by professionals for commercial installations. | | | | Dome Camera or integrated with Smoke |
| Bullet cameras. | | | | Detector, Motion Detector, Exit Sign and so on. |
| Bullet cameras are, as the name suggest | | | | Most also come with 3.6mm lens although some |
| contained inside bullet shaped housing. | | | | will allow lens to be replaced. |
| Most bullet cameras are weatherproof and sealed | | | | Over the time, most practical design has been |
| without the ability to use different lenses. Great | | | | Dome Camera with its aesthetic appearance it |
| advantage of bullet camera is the small size and | | | | blends into surroundings, especially with drop down |
| integrated design, some bullet cameras will even | | | | sealing, great for use in stores, lobbies, gas |
| have infrared LED future built-in. simply LED light in | | | | stations and other public places. Practical solution |
| infrared spectrum (not visible to human eye). This | | | | for covert installation are also, Motion and Smoke |
| light will illuminate viewing area, making possible | | | | Detector cameras, they are absolutely not |
| monitoring in complete darkness. This is great | | | | substitute for your security alarm or fire |
| future, but it only works up to certain distance | | | | protection. They should always be selected based |
| (usually between 10 and 50 ft. depending on | | | | on the location of the camera (inside/outside), |
| model) Vary simple to install and estheticly | | | | distance from the monitoring object, light condition |
| designed, bullet cameras are great choice for | | | | and budget. |
| residential and do-it-yourself installations where | | | | When shopping for security cameras, customers |
| monitoring objects are within about 25ft from the | | | | are faced with the fact that they will need to |
| camera location (with standard 3.6mm lens). | | | | select one or another recording device. |
| Board Cameras. | | | | The days of well-known CCTV time-lapse |
| Board Cameras are basically fixed lens mounted | | | | recorder are almost over. |
| on a circuit board. These cameras may be | | | | |