If you want to keep your home or business premises safe and secure, it’s a wise idea to put video surveillance in place using CCTV security camera systems. This is particularly true given the rising crime rates in many parts of the country.
Homes and businesses everywhere have responded to this need to ensure safety by making use of many different types of security cameras to create a secure zone which cannot be easily penetrated without detection.
Some of these cameras include those that come with digital video recorders (dvr systems), day-night cameras that can operate in low-light conditions, pan tilt zoom cameras that can cover a much wider range than conventional fixed cameras, motion detection systems, wireless cameras, ip cameras and more.
Let’s look at some of the technologies used today and what they can do for you.
Cameras plus Digital Video Recorders
These days, many security camera systems utilize Digital Video Recorders (DVRs) to capture data for later viewing. That means you can figure out what’s going on in or around your premises even when you are not available to monitor the video output at the time of the event.
Some of the more advanced security products come with motion detection sensors that will alert you by email or SMS when a possible intrusion occurs. This can do wonders for your peace of mind in many situations.
There are cameras that come with internal flash memory to store data for later viewing. These cameras can be used as completely stand-alone devices that can be flexibly placed just about anywhere.
IP-based CCTV cameras
Taking the video data storage to the next level, you’ll find closed circuit television systems that allow data to be captured and recorded (and / or monitored on a screen) over a network, including the Internet.
The DVRs may be in locations remote from the site being secured – for instance, a businessperson may monitor her home from her office premises, while also recording the video at the office.
Or the data may be recorded at the office of a security monitoring company contracted for the purpose.
Wireless security camera systems
Lots of homeowners these days rely on wireless security cameras for surveillance. The big plus point with these devices is that they do not require a cable to transmit the images to another location. Nor do they rely on the Internet.
Instead, the video signals are transmitted using radio signals to one or more monitors. So you don’t end up with a mess of cabling. (These cameras typically do require a power cable, although there are cameras operated by rechargeable batteries too.)
They are easy and inexpensive to install. That’s another huge advantage for the home user, who may not have the budget for an elaborate security camera system. Vandal proof equipment is also on the market these days.
Night vision cameras
Since many intrusion attempts take place under the cover of darkness, night vision cameras are an essential element in securing your property. Basically, you will have the capability to see in total darkness with these devices.
Some models come with infrared illuminators, which will light up the surroundings in the IR wavelength. There are color night vision cameras available – these operate as regular color cameras during the daytime (or when enough lighting is available) and automatically switch to black and white mode during low-light conditions.
There are relatively cheap home security cameras available online that allow night vision.
Pan Tilt Zoom cameras
Also known as PTZ cameras, these cameras are specially mounted so that they can swivel in two dimensions – left to right or up and down. Plus, they can zoom in onto a target.
This flexibility obviously allows such security camera systems to place a far greater area under surveillance as compared to normal fixed cams.
Some PTZ cameras come with a keyboard joystick that allows an operator to follow a person about or to zoom in on specific details in the field of vision (an intruder’s face, a car’s license plate, etc).
Other such CCTV products are capable of detecting motion and following that motion around. The camera switches on when it notices movement and follows the moving object wherever it goes. It switches off when the motion stops.
Picking security camera systems that are just right for your environment can be a bit tricky. Check out the articles on this site – they should help you make a choice that is within your price point and meet your security needs effectively.