Understanding Security Camera Systems

Protect yourself and your assets by installing a Security Camera System. If you can run a cable from each Security Camera to a Digital Video Recorder, than you can install your own Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) System. If you do it yourself instead of outsourcing, you will save thousands of dollars. Today's technology has made it simple and easy for virtually anyone to take advantage of 24/7 surveillance monitoring.

Security Camera Systems come at a reasonable price and can enhance your security both in the home and business. Some insurance companies even give you a discount for employing a CCTV System. We all can afford to protect against vandalism, theft, slips and falls, and enhance overall employee performance with the use of a Professional Video Surveillance System. The Internet and Cell Phone enables us to view our assets on the Internet at ANY time.Digital Video RecorderThe DVR (Digital Video Recorder) is what records the video cameras. The surveillance video is stored on the DVR's Hard Drive. H.264 Compression Technology is the new industry standard. The New H.264 Compression DVR stores 3x more video than the older MPEG and MPEG4 Compression DVR's. H.264 DVR's will enable higher video quality both live and when viewing over the internet.All of our DVRs have remote internet viewing from any high speed internet connection in the world as well as mobile phone viewing such as the iPhone, or any phone with the 3G Network, Symbian, and Windows Mobile.Remote viewing is free. There are NO montly fees. Simply enter in your dynamic IP address (a free web address) to access your cameras. Type in your user name and password, and you can view, review, and administer your DVR and your cameras. Dynamic IP addresses are free, so there are no extra monthly fees - all you need is a Standard High Speed Internet Connection. Multiple people can view the cameras remotely at the same time.Our digital video recorders have sophisticated motion detection with object masking, making it easy for you to review the most important events on each camera. If you choose, you can set up your DVRs to record on motion, to prolong the storage of the video on the hard drive. You can record your cameras 24/7, on Motion, or on a specific schedule. All video channels can be independently addressed - such as Camera #1 Lobby, #2 Office, #3 Hallway - choose any name you want for each camera .Video is time and date stamped and video is digitally watermarked to prevent video and/or evidence tampering.When purchasing a DVR, be sure you pick one with H.264 Compression (all of our DVRs have this new technology). Also, it is important to have a good amount of video storage (ex. 320 gigabyte Hard Drive, 500 gigabyte Hard Drive, 1 Terabyte Hard Drive. Generally speaking, the longer video storage, the better. With H.264 compression digital video recorders, you will notice large hard drives are included for plenty of storage time. H.264 Compression will provide you with 3x more video storage than ever before. And don't worry, after the hard drive is filled with video, the DVR simply loops around and starts from the beginning.When it comes to saving, downloading, and burning video evidence, there are 3 ways to do it. All of our DVRs have a USB to burn video to a USB flash drive. Some of our DVRs include a built in DVD R/W (Burner). You can email video as an AVI file as well. All of our DVRs are Networkable with your Windows Based PC's in the home or office. What this means to you is that you can view your camera system conveniently from multiple workstations both locally and over the internet and cell.Make sure your DVR is in a safe place or locked area as you do not want the DVR to be stolen. Remember, this stores your video, so use your imagination to find a very safe place. Some of our customers put it in a lock box, a secured office or closet, and even in attics.Connecting the systemUse pre-cut cable or spools of 500 or 1000 foot Combination Video / Power Cable. All CCTV Security Cameras need both power and video (2 in one cable). Run just one cable from the DVR to each camera. You can run each camera's cable up to 800 feet without any video loss. Simply connect the video cable to the DVR (it says BNC), and plug the power into the power supply. Our cable consists of one video cable and power cable in one. It is referred to as RG-59 Siamese Coax Cable.Designate one location for your DVR and Monitor to be stationed and be sure you have enough wire to connect the DVR to the camera (leave some slack).If you purchased a pre-made RG59 cable with the BNC connections already attached to the line, then at this point you would connect it to the DVR. If you purchased a bulk roll of RG59 Siamese Coax Cable, we will automatically supply the BNC connections free of charge. You may use twist-ons (most commonly used), or crimp on connections.Get poweredNote that there are two alternatives:
You can run each power line separately into an outlet (using pig tails, which is supplied) and an AC Adapter (automatically supplied when you choose a camera and cable).
When using multiple cameras, you will receive a multiple output central power supply box. Simply screw in the positive and negative thin 18/2 thin power wire (black and red) into the power supply one camera at a time. It makes the installation very clean as the multiple output power supply has only one power line which goes directly to your power outlet. Wait until you hook up the camera before turning on the power.
Plug it in. Now that you have your video and power lines connected all you need to do is plug in the DVR and attach a Monitor to the DVR after the install and connection of the cameras to the system.CamerasConnect the power/video Siamese coax cables to the camera.Each camera takes power and video. Simply plug in both sides of the Siamese coax cable (the power and video) to the cameras. You are able to mix and match any cameras desired for your application. Our cameras utilize the Sony Super HAD CCD, this should provide superior video quality. Our Sony Super HAD high resolution cameras include: Infrared Day/Night (our most popular camera is color during the day, black and white and infrared viewing in complete darkness)
Dome Security Cameras (a favorite for indoor applications in both business and homes)
Bullet Security Cameras (size of a finger "thus called bullet")
Box Security Cameras (you see it in banks a lot due to the high video quality)
PTZ Security Camera (Controllable Pan Tilt Zoom Cameras such as the airport) These cameras are more expensive generally speaking.
Hidden Cameras (smoke detector, motion sensor, clocks)
Some cameras can be used outdoor, indoor, or both. This will be specified on the product. Never use an indoor camera outdoor or there will eventually be video issues.Monitor(s)Consider how many you need. You may use up to 2 monitors with all of our DVRs. One can be a TV or standard RCA monitor (BNC and RCA are compatible with our connections). All our DVRs have VGA capability, meaning you can use a PC LCD monitor if you wish - we even carry VGA extension cords if you wish to place the monitor as far as 100 feet away. Also, each monitor can show the same, or different channels of video. For example, you may choose to view all your cameras at one time, but only allow employees and customers to see certain cameras. If you do not wish to attach a monitor to a DVR, that is okay. It will still record, you can still view remotely, and you can still view on your computer network.High speed internet connection (optional)If you choose to view your cameras on the internet all you need is high speed internet access at the DVR's location - hard wire preferred. Simply plug in the DVR just like you plug in a PC to the modem or router. You will use a dynamic IP address (which is free) to view your cameras remotely.Type in your own web address (the direction manual should show how).Enter in your user ID and Password, and you are viewing your cameras from anywhere in the world. You can view live cameras, review old video, and do most, if not all the tasks that you can perform directly with the DVR.TipsAll of the cameras vary and offer outdoor, indoor, or infrared capabilities. This will be explained to you when looking at different cameras. We will choose the cameras according to your application. Infrared Weatherproof Bullet Cameras are most popular for outdoor, and dome cameras are popular for indoor applications.
Ask about the most popular cameras, with high ratings from customers and installers. Always prefer high resolution cameras that you can expect to have superior quality to many other cameras on the market. Sony Super HAD CCD Cameras with 480 lines or more (called high resolution compared to normal resolution 380 and 420 lines cameras are good value. We now have super high resolution cameras with over 500 lines of resolution.
Security Camera TypesInfrared (IR) Security Cameras are definitely our most popular type of camera for both business and home. Infrared Cameras produce high resolution color video during the day. In low lux (light) or no light conditions they are the preferred camera type. They are able to “illuminate the area” by automatically switching from color to black and white. The infrared illuminators turn on and allow you to see much cleared that the human eye in both low light and no light. Whether being used indoor or outdoor, they provide a huge advantage in low light or no light situations. Outdoor Infrared and Dome cameras offer a cost effective solution as they can be weatherproof and can withstand hot and cold temperatures without any additional camera housing needed. Indoor infrared cameras offer a clear video image in the light and in the dark. Two different styles of infrared cameras are available – Infrared Bullet and Infrared Domes.Dome Cameras are one of the most popular indoor cameras that we recommend in businesses and homes. The different styles of domes include infrared domes, indoor domes, outdoor domes, vandal proof domes, and Pan Tilt Zoom controllable domes. Some of our customers like the way domes look astetically in their business and home. Classic “smoked” dome cameras offer an additional degree of surveillance as friends, customers, employees, and burglars have a difficult time seeing where the lens is actually pointing. The smoked cover does not affect picture quality. Expect a clear color high resolution picture with the dome camera. Most Pan Tilt Zoom Cameras are in a dome type housing as well.Professional “box type” cameras are used both indoor and outdoor with a camera housing. Pro box cameras are known for their high video quality. Many times you will see Pro Box Cameras in banks, supermarkets, convenience stores, etc. Lenses can be changed on the pro box camera based on the viewing angle and zoom that is required. Some Pro Box Cameras are called Day / Night Cameras as they can switch from color during the day to black and white in the evening or in low lux (light conditions). The lower the lux, the better the camera can see in complete darkness. Infrared cameras are considered Night Vision cameras and have a 0 Lux rating. Some of our customers prefer a box camera if they do not need or want infrared and are more concerned with quality daytime video.Pan Tilt Zoom Cameras are cameras that can be controlled through the DVR, the remote viewing software, and/or a joystick. They can go up, down, left, and right. They also have zoom capability. For example, you can capture a license plate or zoom in on a face from far away. You can also program them to do preset tours where you can have them monitor certain areas while you are away. Airports, casinos, large department stores such as Target or Walmart are examples of places that use PTZ (Pan Tilt Zoom Cameras). Pan Tilt Zoom cameras are expensive, starting at $500 and up. The question is, “do you NEED a Pan Tilt Zoom camera”, or can you use fixed cameras to get the desired solution. Pan Tilt Zoom controllable cameras require one additional cable for operation. A CAT5 Cable is needed in addition to the Power/Video RG-59 Siamese Coax Cable in order to control it live and over the internet. Simply run a CAT5 cable next to the RG-59 to control your Pan Tilt Zoom Camera.Hidden Cameras offer perhaps the highest degree of surveillance. If you do not want someone to know that there is a camera, use a hidden camera. Fake smoke detectors, motion detectors, clocks, sprinklers, EXIT signs are examples of the type of hidden cameras that are used. The main disadvantage is the hidden cameras do not have infrared capabilities which limits its performance in low light. In addition, many hidden cameras are not weatherproof, so they take a back seat to infrared bullet and dome cameras when being used outdoor. Pharmacy’s, hallways of hotels, assisted living facilities, and homes are examples of some of the applications in which hidden cameras are used.Wired vs. Wireless Cameras – Wired cameras offer a larger selection of cameras and more importantly – much better video quality than wireless cameras. Wireless cameras can somewhat be misleading as they need to be powered at the camera location. In addition, they require a line of sight with no obstacles which often pose an issue. Reliability and video quality are the main reasons that you should use WIRED Cameras. Wired Cameras are powered back at the DVR location and only a single cable (RG-59 Siamese Coax Power/Video in One) needs to be run from the DVR to each individual camera. You can run cameras up to 800 feet away with this particular cable. If going over 800 feet you will need to use CAT5 cable with video baluns and/or amplifier. Expect a much longer lifespan and much higher quality with wired cameras. Obstacles are not an issue with wired cameras. With that in mind, occasionally you may have a location of two that absolutely need it. In that case, you can plug the transmitter to the back of the DVR.