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Most popular types of CCTV Cameras

CCTV cameras have become an integral part of security with homeowners and business owners alike realising their benefits and installing them on their properties.

They act as one of the biggest deterrents for burglars with former professional criminals saying that they would prefer to not target properties with a CCTV system in place.

Also, the footage captured by the cameras makes catching the criminals much easier and can also be used as evidence in the court of law.

In addition to providing great security benefits, using well-maintained CCTV systems makes you eligible for a reduction in your insurance premiums as well.

Ever since their inception in the mid-twentieth century, they have grown in popularity with a variety of different types of CCTV cameras available now.

With the plethora of choices, it can sometimes become quite challenging to choose the best one for your requirements. It must be understood that it isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ type of scenario.

The different types are made for specific purposes and to achieve the highest level of effectiveness, it is detrimental that the correct type of CCTV camera is used. For instance, there’s no point in using a camera for night-time surveillance that doesn’t have night vision.

Read on to find all about the most popular types of CCTV cameras and how to choose the best one for your property:

TYPES OF CCTV CAMERAS

There are various types of CCTV cameras to choose from, all of them varying in their specific features and special options.

A good CCTV camera makes sure it captures clear footage irrespective of the time of day, light availability, or extreme weather conditions.

You must make sure you have the right kind of system installed on your premises to guarantee its effectiveness and efficiency. The most popular types of CCTV cameras include:

Let’s look at each one in detail:

Bullet CCTV cameras

Bullet CCTV cameras get their name from their long cylindrical bullet-like shape and are one of the most common types of CCTV cameras out there.

They are ideal for outdoor use which is why they are made to withstand extreme temperatures, water, and dirt. Their look is recognisable to everyone and is a highly visible deterrent against burglaries and intrusions.

Bullet cameras are used in applications that require long-distance viewing and are usually found in open spaces that include parking lots, back and front yards, shopping malls, offices, factories, warehouses, and farms.

Dome CCTV cameras

Another very popular choice, dome CCTV cameras get their name from the vandal-resistant dome-shaped casing that the camera sits in.

They are ideal for both indoor and outdoor use and have a discreet shape creating an air of uncertainty, making it difficult to spot them and to see which way they are facing.

When placed in the right position, they allow wider angles to be monitored via 360-degree rotation of the camera and are generally found in restaurants, shops, and hotels.

C-Mount CCTV cameras

C-Mount cameras come with detachable lenses that can be switched to adapt to the distance and field of view.

A standard CCTV lens covers around 35 to 40 feet of distance, however, if you wish to cover distances beyond that, you can extend the range of viewing and recording by using special lenses that can be zoomed in and out without losing focus.

They are bulkier in size and noticeable to passers-by, making them an effective visual deterrent to criminal activity. They come in a rugged camera casing that protects them from harsh weather conditions, making them suitable for outdoor use as well.

PTZ Pan/Tilt/Zoom cameras

PTZ cameras allow more control over what is being recorded. With the tap of a button, they can pan sideways, tilt up and down, and zoom in and out of objects.

Accompanied by impeccable video quality, they can capture the finer details of a subject and are the ideal choice if you have someone monitoring your property. Depending on the need, they can adjust the right angle of the camera to record the area of interest.

You can have one PTZ camera do the job of multiple static cameras due to the level of control they offer. They are best for remote viewing and are mostly used in retail environments, businesses, banks, museums, and casinos.

Day/Night CCTV cameras

Day/night cameras are built specifically to effectively work during both the day and night-time, regardless of the lighting conditions.

They have extra sensitive chips that help capture clear and crisp images even at night, due to which they are great for 24/7 outdoor use. In addition to poor lighting, they can also withstand direct sunlight, glare, and reflections.

Ideal for business premises that require round-the-clock CCTV monitoring, day/night cameras record in both colour and grayscale and come in a protective casing to withstand all sorts of outdoor conditions.

Infrared/night vision CCTV cameras

Night vision CCTV cameras use infrared technology to record images and videos in absolute darkness.

They are usually more expensive than day/night cameras since they can work in pitch-black darkness. They can also withstand fog, dust, and smoke, and record coloured footage during the daytime while capturing black and white during the night.

Due to their optimal night-time functionality, they are used by those who need very reliable surveillance even in complete darkness, such as banks, manufacturing plants, and farms.

Network/IP CCTV cameras

IP (Internet Protocol) cameras are connected over a network that allows the live footage to be accessed from anywhere in the world via the internet.

All modern CCTV systems use IP cameras because of their ease of video sharing and remote monitoring. In addition to sharing the live feed, they also allow storing archived footage on network video recorders (NVRs) and digital video recorders (DVRs).

They are an ideal choice for home and business owners who are often away or on the move since the easily accessible footage gives them the ability to view the footage from absolutely anywhere. All you need is a smart device such as a phone, tablet, or laptop, and a good internet connection.

Wireless CCTV cameras

Wireless CCTV cameras were made for the sole purpose of minimising the installation time and use of excess wires for a cleaner appearance.

Due to their discreet appearance, they easily blend in with the surroundings working as a hidden deterrent. They work best in situations where good presentation is key and the display of excess wires might ruin the aesthetics such as in museums, churches, heritage sites, and other tourist attractions

High Definition (HD) CCTV cameras

HD CCTV cameras come in a variety of resolutions ranging from 720p going all the way up to 4K. Quite obviously, the higher the resolution, the better the image and video quality, though compression has a big part to play in that too.

CCTV cameras with low-resolution record footage that appears to be blurred, grainy, or distorted, sometimes making it difficult to identify objects and faces.

HD cameras offer unparalleled video quality and deliver high-quality images with zooming capabilities. They prove to be particularly useful in high-risk areas where the foot traffic needs to be monitored closely. This way, in case of a theft, the perpetrator can be easily identified and caught using the recorded footage.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST TYPE OF CCTV CAMERA

Now that you know about all the different types of CCTV cameras, you must know how to choose the best one for your property and its security requirements.

As discussed above, a CCTV system might be perfect for one user whereas completely wrong for the other. To enjoy all the great benefits offered by the system, it is very important to know which type works best for you.

To do that, you need to first run a risk assessment of your property and ask yourself a few important questions such as:

Will it be a discreet or visual deterrent?

CCTV cameras come in various shapes and sizes. Some are compact and easily hidden away from plain view while others are bigger and more obvious deterrents.

Where you install the system and what you want to monitor will play a huge part in determining which type you go with. Regardless of the type, you are required by law to put up a sign indicating that the area is under surveillance.

Both discreet and visual CCTV cameras are equally effective in scaring away intruders with hidden cameras providing extra protection to the system from being damaged or tampered with.

Do you want to place it indoors or outdoors?

Indoor and outdoor cameras are both effective when used as a monitoring system with the primary distinction being the external factors, such as extreme weather conditions that the outdoor camera can withstand.

If you wish to install the system outside, you need to ensure that it is weather-proof and water-resistant, along with being able to work with glares and reflections.

If not, the system won’t be able to function to its maximum capacity, leaving loopholes in your security system that burglars and intruders are waiting to exploit.

Is the area to monitor small or large?

There are specific cameras used to monitor small and large areas. The difference lies in the field of view that the camera offers along with the distance that they cover.

If the area that you need to monitor is large, the best option is to go with either a PTZ or C-Mount CCTV camera since they allow you to view a large area and zoom in on particular objects that you wish to focus on.

On the other hand, small areas do not require such additional features and static cameras should suffice.

How clear must the footage be?

The area and subjects that you wish to monitor mainly determine the kind of resolution that would work best for you.

If you’re looking to monitor potential burglaries or shoplifting incidents, identification is necessary and would be made easy with high-quality footage.

According to statistics, 80% of CCTV footage is of such poor quality that it becomes useless in detecting and solving crime. Therefore, a minimum resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels is recommended.

How flexible and scalable do you need the system to be?

If you are unsure about how much your requirements would grow in the future and how many more CCTV cameras you would require, having a flexible and scalable system is the way to go.

Traditional CCTV systems are generally hardwired, making it difficult to scale. If you’re looking for flexibility and scalability, you should opt for IP CCTV systems that work wirelessly, making it possible to scale the system according to your requirements.

BEST CCTV CAMERA BRAND

Our top pick for the best brand of CCTV cameras for home and business security is Hikvision. It protects properties from all types of threats including burglary, theft, vandalism, and hacking.

Hikvision is one of the world’s leading CCTV manufacturers providing a comprehensive solution for home and business security offering both analogue and IP systems.

Their Turbo HD products offer a simple, easy-to-install, and cost-effective analogue solution with ColorVu and AcuSense technology, along with some great features such as dual detection and multi-device notifications.

They provide a variety of systems including dome, half-dome, fixed, bullet, integrated cameras, etc., all designed with cutting-edge infrared supplementary lighting technology, suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.

The IP products, on the other hand, provide a higher resolution and better video quality, along with a lot of advanced features including Artificial Intelligence. Their systems include PTZ dome cameras, panoramic cameras, and cameras for special applications.

CALDER SECURITY CCTV SERVICES

At Calder Security, we offer a comprehensive range of CCTV services ranging from professional installation to monitoring, maintenance and repairs.

CCTV installation

We are expert SSAIB-approved security system installers and supply only high-quality CCTV equipment from trusted brands such as Hikvision, one of the world’s leading CCTV manufacturers.

We supply both analogue HD and IP systems as well as advise you on which system would be most appropriate for your property.

We don’t just install your CCTV system and leave, but also provide full training on the equipment making sure our customers are comfortable with it and know how to use it properly.

CCTV monitoring

Our CCTV monitoring services ensure that your property is being watched over by professional monitoring staff when it is unoccupied or most vulnerable.

The real advantage of detecting a break-in while it is in progress is the action that can be taken to deal with it such as notifying your keyholders or alerting the police.

We use only Trusted Remote Video Receiving Centres (RVRC) and offer peace of mind that any incident detected would prompt an appropriate response.

CCTV maintenance

Annual servicing is vital to keeping your CCTV system in good working order. Even if it seems that the system is running fine, the checks and measures involved in a service help with the early detection of any potential issues.

During a service, we undertake a visual assessment of all equipment, check connections and cabling, clean the cameras, lenses and housing, assess playback and recording quality, and test remote signalling (if applicable).

CCTV repair

Even well-maintained CCTV systems can develop faults such as loose connections, cameras failing, the system not recording, playback not working, or poor-quality images.

If your system fails to record properly, loses clarity of picture, experiences drop out, won’t playback, or faces any other issue, our experienced engineers can diagnose and repair any faults quickly and with minimal disruption.

Contact us right away for a quick consultation with our leading experts to make your property safe with state-of-the-art CCTV cameras that protect you in every way!

Photo by Bernard Hermant on Unsplash

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