CCTV Camera Tip: Apply Simple Common Sense when Picking CCTV Cameras and Lenses

Get a good face shot: Use Higher quality cameras at entry areas.
Doors, gates and other entry areas need a good quality, high resolution camera to record a good 'face shot.' The video from this camera should be considered a highly valuable since it can be used as evidence in identifying a person in a court of law.
Wide Angle Cameras for large surveillance areas
Once you can get a good shot of a persons face, you should use a wider angle camera lens for the interior surveillance spaces of the building. Using color cameras inside your building is a good idea because you can readily identify a person by the clothes they are wearing. Used in conjunction with the face shot at the entry point, you have an excellent record of all people and activities in your surveillance areas.
Consider the following when choosing a CCTV camera:
1. Sketch out a Floor Plan: Put in all camera locations. Consider the distance to your surveillance zone: Are you 5 feet or 15 feet away from your surveillance target area? It is best to locate your camera as close to the surveillance area first, then choose how much zoom you need. Do you need 4mm, 8mm or 12mm lens?
2. Field of view or area of surveillance: Take photos of areas you want to cover from the proposed camera locations. What lens you need depends what you want to see and how far away and how wide a viewing area. Wide angle and fisheye lenses are available.
3. Resolution: Do you want to capture a persons face or a car license plate? Each camera location will determine which lenses would maximize your surveillance potential. Do you need 50mm lens or standard 8mm?
4. Vandalism potential: Will your camera be subject to damage? Damage resistant cameras are available.
5. Lighting: Is the space well lit or dimly lit. Are the lights turned off at night? Do you want to monitor the area with the lights turned off? Do you need infrared cctv cameras or low light cameras?
6. Budget: Just like any technology, the more you spend, the better the system you get. Keep in mind a low cost camera is better than no camera at all.
About CCTV Cameras: Closed circuit television also known as CCTV is the industry standard in surveillance cameras. CCTV can be a single network of cameras or multiple networks of camera linked together via switches, internet or wide area computer technology. CCTV Video data is analog but can be converted to digital via CCTV Digital Video Recorders. Once the video data is digital it can be managed just like any other computer data and can be stored automatically on computers and network storage devices.

Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Beagle

How to avoid being captured on CCTV

Infra-red headset sticks it to the Man

Can't see me now, 'the man'!

Some kooky German artists are intent on showing how to ‘stick it to the man’ by avoiding having your face spotted on the ubiquitous CCTV cameras that record day-to-day life across many of the public and private spaces of our cities.

The URA / FILOART created I-R.A.S.C headset is little more than a circle of infra-red LEDs on an elastic headband, which cause CCTV cameras to flare out the wearer’s face – as pictured here.

From the website: “The URA / FILOART developed device promises to the citizens of a more reliable protection against security measures of the state (and other Überwachenden). IR.ASC bietet die Sicherheit vor der Sicherheit und weist somit auf die Asymmetrie der Kräfte zwischen dem Überwachenden und dem Individuum hin. IR.ASC offers the safety and security has therefore to the asymmetry of power between the individual and Überwachenden.”

While TechRadar is pretty sure you could easily knock one of these up in the shed, we remain to be convinced that wearing one is not going to attract more unwanted attention to you than not doing so.

Which kind of defeats the object.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/

CCTV Conversion to Digital

If you have an existing analog camera system, we will not advice you to scrap your investment. We will convert CCTV cameras, digitally to allow for all the benefits that digital technology offers, such as remote accessibility, cost-effectiveness, flexibility, and our Remote Monitoring Surveillance services—without wasting your investment in your analog system.


Video Hosting, Remote Access, and Archiving

American Security & Investigations, powered by Iveda Solutions, utilizes a robust datacenter that is capable of hosting live and recorded video from network cameras. This capability allows us to offer real-time video monitoring, customer remote access, broadcasting, and data archiving services, specifically for security applications.

Offsite Video Archiving

Recording and archiving of camera footage for 7 days come free of charge for our real-time video monitoring customers. For an additional minimal monthly fee, we can store video footage longer than 7 days.

This service gives our customers an extra peace of mind who wants the added redundancy for their network video data in the event of hardware malfunction to any local recording solutions on-site.

If real-time video monitoring of your property is not necessary, but you would like for us to record and archive video footage, we can do it for you. It gives our customers an unlimited access to their facility’s network cameras and archived video 24/7. Our datacenter has the following features:

• Redundant power
• Redundant storage
• Redundant bandwidth
• Unlimited storage space

Benefits:

• Scalable, customizable storage solutions to fit your budget.
• Secured transfer of valuable data
• Network video data is 100% redundant at our datacenter
• No limit or time of use restrictions to access data.

Technical Details on Archived Video: (Depending on your facility’s bandwidth availability)

• up to 6 fps
• Video only, no audio
• Motion based recording only with a 3 second buffer pre and post motion event
• Up to 640 X 480 Maximum Image Resolution

Remote Access

American Security & Investigations, powered by Iveda Solutions, hosts video and rebroadcasts it to multiple users for remote access via the Internet. Although network cameras can be accessed directly, if there’s more than one person accessing the video, the quality deteriorates. The ability to host simultaneous users is directly related and limited to the available upload bandwidth at the customer’s facility.
Basically, simultaneous users are sharing the bandwidth being utilized by that specific camera. Unless you have an in-house datacenter facility, your site can only support one remote user at a time due to the size of video data.

How Security Camera Systems Work

Security camera systems work via closed-circuit television (CCTV). This CCTV differs from broadcast television because all of the components of the cameras and televisions are linked with cables or alternate direct means. CCTV can be viewed in real-time, and there is no need to broadcast a signal.

CCTV can be found in many places, including airports, casinos, banks, and the streets. Cameras can be placed in inconspicuous or obvious places. There is usually a security room that has individual televisions that are directly connected to a specific security camera. The amount of security personnel needed to monitor the cameras varies with respect to the amount of cameras needed. In casinos, there can be hundreds of cameras.

CCTV has been used extensively in the United Kingdom. Authorities place cameras in car parks and on the streets. These camera placements have significantly reduced car crimes. Authorities in the United Kingdom have been pushing for the introduction of even more cameras. CCTV is very good for crime detection and prosecution.

One draw back of security cameras is that many claim that they are an invasion of privacy. Another argument is that CCTV displaces crime instead of reducing it. CCTV has been accused of being an invasion of civil liberties.

The history of CCTV dates back to when the cameras used in public places were very simple and low quality. Today's cameras have high definition digital rendering and can even track object movement. When cameras are positioned correctly and synched, they can trace an objects movement over a long period of time. Cameras can also have the potential ability to have facial recognition. Currently, high-definition cameras are unable to distinguish faces completely which leads to a plethora of false positives. Critics of facial recognition technology site the potentiality for mass surveillance and the further loss of civil liberties.

Current CCTV technology being developed in the UK and the US aims at creating a computerized monitoring system that would allow security guards and CCTV operators to not have to look at all of the screens. This would allow an operator to run many more CCTV cameras, which could reduce security costs. This type of system does not look at people directly, but rather recognizes certain types of questionable behavior. A drawback of this could be that computers cannot distinguish between normal behavior, such as waiting for someone on a busy street, and suspicious behavior, such as loitering around a car.

Security cameras are very effective for crime conviction and identification, but not as effective for crime prevention. The idea is that security cameras help prevent crime because people are less willing to commit infractions if a camera is in plain sight. The down side to this is that some security cameras are hidden, so criminals have no deterrent. Security camera technology is constantly becoming more advanced, and so security cameras should be able to find criminals, and hopefully prevent more crimes in the future.

CCTV Security Camera

CCTV Security Camera: Latest Facet of Modern Life

If you are wandering around the street, window shopping in a mall or just walking your dog in a park, your every move will most probably be recorded by CCTV security cameras.

During the early times, CCTV security cameras were just used in convenience stores and banks where most of the goods and valuable items can be found. But with all the misdeeds, felony and crimes happening round-the-clock in most areas, CCTV security cameras are now being installed in almost everywhere.

CCTV security cameras are said to be a great and powerful instrument used to prevent crime. These CCTV security cameras are put up by business owners, homeowners and the local authorities not just to prevent crimes but to solve crimes as well. These gadgets are mounted unnoticeably on walls, rooftops, posts, stadiums and even in parking lots.

With the emergence of CCTV security cameras in our society, the job of the local authorities, particularly in patrolling a particular area, has become easier. CCTV security cameras serve as a new pair of eyes that are present almost everywhere which keeps on recording the events in the area. Local authorities can just sit inside a closed office while keeping an eye not only on one place but in other places where CCTV security cameras are mounted.

Although CCTV security cameras have proven to be very useful devices or instruments for local authorities, homeowners and business owners, there are still many people who are opposed to its use. Other people claim that CCTV security cameras that are mounted almost everywhere especially in public places can be considered an invasion of privacy.

However, most people do not mind that their moves are recorded. At any rate, CCTV cameras have advantages that will benefit people the most.

CCTV Maintenance

At Vivatron we offer a wide range of maintenance contracts for both Analogue and IP CCTV systems regardless as to whether we installed the system or not.

We don’t believe in a one size fits all approach to maintenance and therefore we offer CCTV maintenance contracts at different service levels and durations throughout the year to best meet your requirements and ensure that your system is always working at its most efficient and remains trouble free. On top of our maintenance schedule we also offer a telephone support line to help if you have any problems with your system at any time throughout the year, and if we have remote access in to your system we can also review faults online free of charge.

We currently maintain systems within many different sectors from residential houses, to pubs, shops, hotels, factories, farms, schools and leisure centres.

To ensure that your system is working to its full potential and to enhance its life span, our CCTV Maintenance schedules include:

√	Check history of CCTV system since last maintenance visit
√	Visually inspect all major CCTV components including cabling & connections where accessible for signs of deterioration or damage
√	Check all CCTV control equipment (monitors, DVR/NVR, Multiplexer etc.)
√	Check and clean cameras, lenses and housings as necessary
√	Check lenses for correct field of view and adjust as necessary
√	Check pictures for correct field of view and adjust as necessary
√	Check recording and playback quality
√	Compare current recorded images to previously taken reference images and change settings if required
√	Report on any temporary obscuring of camera images e.g. growing trees and bushes
√	Repair any minor faults (where possible)
√	Retrain the users on the use of the CCTV system (if required)
√	Discuss any issues with the customer while on site and demonstrate as required including compliance with Data Protection Act
√	Log all test results and submit maintenance report to the customer including any recommendations for system improvements

CCTV Repairs

We can offer a CCTV repair service to Analogue and IP systems regardless of who installed your system. Our call out charges are reasonably priced and every attempt is made to repair a fault on site. If this is not possible a quotation will be submitted for replacement equipment, offering a range of available hardware to suit your budget and requirements.

CCTV Upgrades

We offer an upgrade service, anything from updating your old video recorder with a new digital recorder to adding additional cameras and capacity to your current system then we can help. Where possible we will offer a numbers of price options for the hardware and give you advice on what’s best for you.

CCTV Installation

Success of CCTV Installation

Most people think that the camera that they see is the CCTV system. The CCTV camera is part of the system and is a very important component of it. However, there is more to the CCTV system than just the camera. You must also take into consideration the type of camera you will use, the location where you will place the camera, how the images will be displayed and documented and even the minutest details like the cable that will be used to transmit and connect the video signal to the monitor if it is not wireless.

The installation of the CCTV system can only be considered successful if the requirements needed by the client are met. These requirements have to be considered so that the right CCTV system can be purchased. Where the system will be placed and its end use will also have to be considered. All these requirements will be met once you meet with the company that will provide you with the CCTV system.

As a client, you have to inform the CCTV provider of your needs and requirements. The CCTV provider should be informed of the problem areas where you want to place the CCTV, the type of coverage you need and your budget.

Your budget is probably thee most important consideration so that your provider will help you source the equipment that will fit your budget. Your provider can provide you with a less expensive CCTV camera and source the other equipment elsewhere. You can substitute a colored camera with a black and white one f you want to save hundreds of dollars in the process. The money saved in the monitor can be used to buy other equipment in the system. The CCTV provider can give you a sketch of your CCTV connections and will be able to ensure that the areas that you want to be recorded will have a good view in your CCTV system.

Used CCTV

Using CCTV: For Houses, Businesses and Local Areas

Closed Circuit Televisions or CCTVs are systems that are intended for a limited number of viewers particularly local authorities, homeowners and business owners. These CCTVs are designed to be used together with installed cameras that will transfer images and videos straight to the system. Once the videos and images are transferred, they can be viewed and monitored by people who have access to the CCTVs.

House owners, business owners and local governments are now making use of CCTVs. For home owners, CCTVs are important as they help to keep an eye on burglars. Business owners, however, make use of CCTVs to monitor trespassers. The CCTV is a necessity for local authorities as they help them monitor and observe unlawful citizens. These are just some of the reasons why the demand and use of CCTVs are sky high these days.

Generally, a large number of people have agreed and consented to the use of CCTVs because of the following advantages. First, the CCTV observes the neighboring vicinities so that people living in that area are aware of unpleasant events happening in the area. When that happens, they can coordinate with law enforcers for the easy capture of law breakers. The second advantage of CCTVs is that the equipment discourages unlawful behavior. Once a person discovers that CCTVs are present in a certain area, he will have second thoughts about committing a misdemeanor. There are still other people around who are not convinced that CCTVs really discourage crime. They feel that people are just being more cautious about adhering to the rule of law. The last advantage is that CCTVs can store footage of any incident that happens. CCTVs are also used as evidence during investigations. As a result, misdeeds are being penalized.

Using CCTVs in houses, businesses and local areas are very efficient and convenient to ensure security.

CCTV Camera System - Security with the CCTV Camera System

Security is one of the most important factors you should consider when you have your own business. You can hire security guards to supervise and protect the entire building from bad elements such as burglars. Security guards, though, are only human and they only have one pair of eyes. They may not be able to see everything that happens in every corner of the building at the same time. You will need a CCTV camera system if you are faced with security problems. A CCTV (Closed-circuit television) camera has become the most important element in security. Most establishments like banks, casinos, convenience stores and other places that need monitoring and surveillance use CCTV camera systems.


A study in England showed the benefits of installing CCTV systems in places susceptible to crime. The study revealed that with the help of the CCTV system, the crime rate was reduced by 85% to 94%. The CCTV system makes a community feel safer because security officers can act quickly if somebody is in threat or somebody poses a danger to others’ lives and propery. Installing the CCTV camera system increases the productivity of the crew and staff assigned to keep the security.


If you are planning to install a CCTV camera system, you should know what it is made of. The CCTV camera system consists of either a traditional or wireless CCTV camera, a DVR or digital video recorder, a network card and a monitor for displaying the images captured. You can also add USB outlets so that you can move the videos and recordings to another hard drive and create a back up copy. For a better security system, a manufacturing company has provided us with a variety of CCTV camera system compositions. The manufacturing company created a CCTV camera system that is suited for small and big establishment. A bigger area needs a bigger surveillance system while small areas need only a small CCTV camera system only. The CCTV camera system is provided in 4, 8 and 16 camera systems which consist of CCTV cameras with a variety of camera types, an internet protocol for internet viewing, and cables for easy installation. You may search the Internet for further specifications about the CCTV camera system.