Security Cameras for CCTV Systems

CCTV systems, once the preferred security choice for high-end department stores and others who could afford to lay out the big bucks, have come down in prices to the point where anyone can afford to install an effective CCTV system for enhanced security. A CCTV security system consists of two basic components – the security camera and a way to view and/or record footage from it. While the configurations possible with a good CCTV system are nearly limitless, the actual component parts break down into relatively few types and styles. These are the basic types of security camera available for use with CCTV systems.

Dome Cameras

Dome cameras are nearly ubiquitous in modern security installations. You’ll see them in nearly any chain store you visit. They’re generally housed inside a dark dome that prevents those outside from seeing which direction the camera is recording. Appearance-wise, they tend to be innocuous, but aren’t hidden, so they provide a deterrent as well as simply recording what they view. Dome cameras are among the most popular mid-priced surveillance camera types. They’re slightly harder to install than bullet cameras.

Bullet Cameras

Where dome cameras are discreet, bullet cameras are blaringly obvious. They come in many sizes and styles, but have one thing in common – each one is very obviously a security camera that is very obviously pointed in a certain direction. They provide a strong deterrent, especially when they are positioned at point-of-sale or other areas that may be a security problem. Because it can be mounted easily on a wall or other surface, a bullet security camera is much easier to install than a dome camera. The price for these cameras varies widely depending on the features and quality of the camera, but in general they’re less expensive than dome cameras.

Hidden Cameras

Even more discreet than a dome camera, hidden cameras are designed to fit into another object so that no one knows they’re being recorded. They’re commonly used as nanny cams or for hidden surveillance of employee stations and other loss centers in a business. They vary widely in quality and capability, but are generally very easy to install. They may present ethical or legal questions when used in public/private spaces,  however.

Wireless Cameras

Wireless security cameras aren’t so much a distinct type of camera as they are a capability that some cameras have. A wireless security camera may be any of the three types listed above. The big difference, of course, is that there is no need to run wires from the recording monitor to the camera. Instead, the camera transmits pictures wirelessly to the base station. This makes them among the easiest type of surveillance camera to install and reconfigure later if desired.

When choosing the right security camera for your CCTV systems, be sure to take into account the purpose for which you intend to use it, as well as any limitations or capabilities that it must offer. When you take the time to plan, you’ll end up with a CCTV system that suits your needs for years to come.

Advances in CCTV Systems and Security Cameras

CCTV systems are among the most popular types of security systems on the market today, in part because manufacturing advances over the past decade or so have brought the prices down dramatically. At the same time, technological advances have improved the quality and increased the capabilities of even the low end CCTV systems. You might hear that today’s $300 CCTV camera systems do things that a $3,000 system couldn’t do ten years ago, but it’s even more pronounced than that. Today’s $300 security camera system does things that high-end CCTV system designers were just beginning to imagine.

In fact, for less than $500 today, you can have a CCTV system with multiple security cameras, including outdoor security cameras and IR cameras for recording security footage in darkened areas. And since networked CCTV systems don’t require running wires, installation costs less – right down to nothing at all for the many DIY security camera kits available on the market. These are just some of the advances that are changing the face of the security field today, thanks to CCTV systems.

Digital Recording

Digital imaging can provide an incredible amount of detail that most CCTV tape systems can’t approach. DVR based CCTV systems and PC-based security systems not only record in greater detail, the amount of footage they can hold makes it possible for security systems to hold onto the security footage for much longer in a much smaller space. Thanks to digital recording, a company can now store 3 to 4 weeks of security footage on a PC-based CCTV system with a 500 GB drive. That amount of footage on VHS tapes would have filled most of a small room.

Selective Viewing

DVR CCTV systems allow you to find specific activities and incidents in the footage far more easily. On VHS systems, the only way to find a specific incident or view the footage from a specific time period is to fast-forward through the entire tape until you reach the right time frame. With digital recording, viewing the footage from a particular time is as easy as entering the date and time into the system.

Remote Viewing

Perhaps one of the biggest advances in CCTV system security is the ability to control the security camera and do surveillance from anywhere that has an Internet connection. Thanks to IP cameras and PC-based CCTV systems, it’s now possible to log into your security system remotely, control the camera from your desk at work and view what’s going on from anywhere you can get online.

Advances in CCTV systems have provided more capability at lower prices than ever before. If you’re considering a security camera and CCTV security for your home or business, be sure that you know what the latest advances in CCTV technology allow you to do.

Five Places to Monitor with Home CCTV Systems

As security concerns grow among homeowners, CCTV systems are becoming more and more popular. The newest generation of CCTV systems and security cameras are easier than ever to install. In fact, most security camera installations can easily be done by a reasonable skilled DIY enthusiast. The advent of the wireless surveillance camera has even eliminated the trickiest part of installing a CCTV system – running wires from the recorder/receiver to the security camera.

The ease of installation has also opened up the range of places where you can reasonably install a security camera in your home. If you’re considering installing a home CCTV system but aren’t sure about the best places to install a security camera, these suggestions from security professionals can make your decision easier.

Front Door and Home Approach

In most cases, homeowners should install a security camera that covers the front of the home, the front door and the main approach to the house. This allows you to easily check who is at the door and who is pulling up to your house, a basic security plus.

Driveway

If your driveway isn’t in range of the front door camera, you should consider installing a second camera that covers the driveway and parking area for your car. A visible security camera in an obvious mount can even help deter car thieves and vandals, and allow you to keep an eye on your car during the night.

Back Corner of the House

A PTZ (pan tilt zoom) camera mounted at the back corner (or corners) of your house can provide full coverage of the sides and back of your home, making it more difficult for burglars or vandals to get into your house unseen. Backyard cameras are also a good way to keep an eye on kids playing out back or in the yard. Although they’re not a substitute for active adult supervision and presence, they can provide a valuable backup to mom’s careful oversight.

Baby’s Room

Many new parents enjoy the peace of mind of having a surveillance camera in the baby’s room. A wireless security camera can let you keep a watchful eye and ear on a napping baby and alert you when the baby wakes up.

Living Areas

If part of your intent is to check in at home from the office or on the road, an IP-based CCTV camera that covers the living area provides an easy way to check in and make sure that everything is safe and secure in your absence.

CCTV systems offer many different styles and types of cameras so it’s easy for you to configure a system with exactly the capabilities that you want and need the most. From small IP cameras to full-featured surveillance cameras, you’ll find everything you need when you shop for your security system online.

Styles of Cameras for CCTV Systems

Security cameras are the most important component of CCTV systems, and the cameras that you choose should suit the use to which you intend to put them. While there are hundreds of security and surveillance cameras available to use with your CCTV system, most of them fit into a few types and subtypes. Each type of camera is suited for many different uses, but each also has specific tasks for which it is best suited.

Wireless vs. Wired Security Cameras

One of the first decisions you’ll have to make when you’re choosing cameras for a CCTV system is whether you want a wireless or wired system. Wireless cameras are more versatile because you don’t have to worry about running wire from the security camera to the DVR or recording unit, though you’ll have to keep them within broadcasting range. A wired security camera is less vulnerable to disruption from a hacker or from natural disturbances. Wireless CCTV systems are easier to install and generally easier to expand than wired systems, and thanks to advances in technology and manufacturing, wireless CCTV systems are relatively inexpensive.

Color vs. Black and White

Color security cameras are generally more expensive than B&W cameras, but they can be useful for surveillance in lighted areas. If your surveillance will be limited to daytime or to lighted areas only, a color security camera provides better details and better recognition. If you’re covering outside areas or recording footage in the dark, a black and white camera is generally a better choice. You can also opt for infrared cameras for doing surveillance in low light situations.

Hidden vs. Visible

If you intend your CCTV system to serve as a deterrent to theft, an obvious security camera is a good investment. Many shoplifters and burglars will choose to avoid properties that are protected by a surveillance system. A bullet security camera mounted in an obvious spot can help deter theft and other dangers. If your intent is to monitor your property unseen, you’ll find many CCTV systems that feature a less obvious security camera or cameras that can easily be disguised or hidden. Those might be a good choice for monitoring employee behavior or keeping an eye on your nanny when you’re not at home.

Choosing the right security camera for your needs is an important part of making sure you’re getting the best CCTV systems for your property. Whether you choose to have your CCTV system installed by a professional or purchase a system to install yourself, pick the right camera for the best results.

Benefits and Considerations of CCTV Systems for Restaurants and Cafes

CCTV systems offer many benefits for those in various retail industries, but those who run restaurants and bars get particular benefits and face particular risks and concerns when they decide to mount security cameras in their place of business. If you own or manage a restaurant, bar or café, take these benefits, risks and recommendations into consideration when deciding whether to install a security camera or when shopping for CCTV systems for your business.

Benefits of CCTV Systems for Bars and Restaurants

Shrinkage in the restaurant business is slightly different in the restaurant business than it is in other retail settings. You may be losing money to employee theft, employee inefficiency and “dine and dash” theft. The most obvious of these is dine and dash theft. A security camera can help your employees spot it before it happens and step in to politely prevent it from happening. A CCTV system is also a good way to pinpoint where you’re losing inventory to employee errors, inefficiency and deliberate theft. The cash savings alone can pay for the security camera within just a few months.

Crowded bars and emotionally charged events such as sporting events or weekend dance nights are a setup for fights and other violence. The presence of a surveillance camera can help prevent violence – many people are on much better behavior when they know they’re being watched. If a fight does break out, a CCTV system can help pinpoint the source and provide evidence in case of a lawsuit or court case.

By the same token, a CCTV system can help keep your employees safe from lawsuits and legal penalties. Many dance and entertainment venues place a security camera at the entrance to capture ID checks in an effort to protect themselves from charges of catering to underage drinkers. A well-placed security camera can also protect your employees from charges of rough handling when they have to step in to ask patrons to leave – or assist them in leaving your premises.

Risk Considerations When Placing CCTV Systems in Restaurants

When designing a CCTV system for your bar or restaurant, it’s important to be very aware of privacy concerns for both your employees and your customers. Place security cameras in public areas, including the foyer and entrance, the dining rooms and bars, stockrooms and kitchens. Keep them out of the bathrooms and employee break rooms, where they may invade personal privacy and put you at risk of lawsuits.

Parking lots can be a dangerous hub for fights and other activities. A surveillance camera allows you to keep an eye on the parking lot so that you can intervene or notify authorities to intervene if necessary.

Do a security audit of your location and your business to determine if your restaurant would benefit from CCTV systems or a security camera system. If you think your establishment would benefit from higher security, consult with a CCTV systems professional to help design the right security system for your needs.

CCTV Systems for Your HomeHome

CCTV systems offer enhanced security and safety for your home and your family. Whether you want to be alerted when someone approaches your home or keep an eye on a sleeping baby in another room, advances in CCTV camera technology have brought basic CCTV systems within the budget range of most homeowners. There are many different types of inexpensive CCTV systems and cameras, each of them suited for different uses in and around the home.

CCTV Security camera

A security camera at the front and back doors can let you know who’s at the door before you answer it and possibly put yourself in danger. If your driveway is out of sight of your home, a security camera focused on the end of the drive will let you know when cars approach your home, and one focused on the driveway itself will pick up any activity around your parked car.

A visible CCTV camera focused on your automobile can serve as a deterrent to would-be thieves and vandals. If someone does break into your car or your home, a CCTV security system can provide vital information that will help police apprehend the thieves and evidence that will help them convict the thieves in court.

CCTV Surveillance Camera

CCTV surveillance cameras can help you keep an eye on your home when you’re not there. Surveillance cameras, the so-called nanny cams, can be set up so that you can monitor babysitters and workers in your home. The right CCTV system can help you keep your children safe by allowing you to peek in over the course of the day to see what’s going on, or by letting you watch footage recorded over the entire day so you can reassure yourself that your children are in good hands while you’re not at home.

A CCTV system with an IP surveillance camera can allow you to view what’s happening in your home in real time, either via your computer at work or over a smartphone app that connects to the PC on which your camera is running. With a CCTV system running in your home, you can catch thieves in the act and alert the authorities so that they apprehend them before they make off with your belongings.

Today’s CCTV systems are extremely affordable. A wireless security camera and software can set you back as little as $100 to $150. A more complex system with multiple cameras and a dedicated recording system often costs less than $500. It’s a small price to pay for peace of mind.

CCTV Systems for Your Driveway

As the prices for CCTV systems comes down and the technology available gets better, the number of people choosing to use CCTV systems to help keep their homes secure is increasing at a rapid pace. Among the most common uses for a CCTV system is driveway and home approach surveillance. If you’re looking at CCTV systems for the purpose of increasing your home’s safety, a driveway security camera should be included in your list of considerations and configurations

Why Use a Security Camera in Your Driveway?

In most homes, the driveway is the main approach to the house, but isn’t viewable from every room in the house. Having a view of your driveway allows you to monitor those who are coming to your home. Having a CCTV system monitoring your driveway provides a number of other benefits.

When you have security cameras trained on your driveway, you have more than a view from inside your home. Remote view CCTV systems, for example, allow you or a monitoring company to watch your driveway and house approach from anywhere. The latest technology in security camera systems includes ways to notify you if there is activity in your driveway. You can set up your CCTV system to send a phone message, a text or an email if there is any activity there during hours that you choose to monitor and receive alerts.

In addition, most CCTV systems not only monitor but also record activity. That allows you to go back and review the people who have come and gone while you’re not at home, and, more importantly, provides a visual record if someone vandalizes your property or steals your car. With car break-ins in residential neighborhoods at an all-time high, security camera footage from driveway CCTV systems can be an invaluable aid in capturing thieves.

What You Need for CCTV Systems for Driveway Surveillance

At a minimum, your driveway surveillance system should consist of a PC-based DVR system with a monitor and a single bullet security camera, all of which are available at a reasonable price. In fact, you can easily set up a security camera to monitor your driveway for less than $500 if you shop carefully. At that price, you’ll have a black and white adjustable security camera that you can mount outside your home, and a network enabled security system that you can monitor from anywhere that has an Internet connection.

The modern PC-based DVR CCTV systems are easy to configure so that you can fill all of your security needs. For more information about the capabilities of today’s CCTV systems, contact a dealer of security systems and CCTV cameras with your questions and needs.

CCTV Systems Protect Your Employees

Many employers in the retail and food sector consider installing CCTV systems to monitor the workplace and employee interactions with customers. There have been occasional dustups about the practice in various publications. Some experts allege that such measures – CCTV camera surveillance and security cameras trained on the employees – shows a marked lack of trust in employees and damages employee morale. While there are situations where this is true, there are many good reasons for installing a CCTV system with which your employees can agree and which they will support. If you’ve decided to install security cameras that will be monitoring employees as well as customers, these reasons can help you explain your decision to your staff in a positive light.

CCTV Monitoring Employee-Customer Interaction Protects Employees from False Claims

Everyone’s heard the dictum that the customer is always right, but we all know that it’s not true. More often than not, your employee was in the right and the customer was abusive, combative or just mistaken. A security camera that monitors employee-customer interactions can serve as a final arbiter, proving conclusively when the customer was wrong. Any cashier who has been accused of pocketing cash when a customer complains of being shortchanged should welcome the monitoring.

A CCTV Camera Can Help Weed Out Bad Apples and Reward Excellence

Most employees understand that “shrinkage” affects the entire staff. When the manager or owner suspects that part of the shrinkage is the result of employee theft, everyone is under suspicion. Mounting a CCTV camera can help pinpoint which staff member is responsible and remove the suspicion from everyone else. Even more importantly, CCTV monitoring can help you pinpoint examples of excellent service among your staff so that you can praise and reward it. You can even compile training videos from security tapes to help new employees understand the level of service and professionalism that characterizes your store.

Honesty Can Alleviate Hard Feelings Among Employees

Covert surveillance with hidden security cameras has its place, but secrecy can really damage the employer/employee relationship. Being honest and upfront about your reasons for installing a CCTV system can improve trust rather than damaging it. If everyone knows that someone is stealing from the till, for example, you won’t fool anyone by only speaking of the advantages for employees. Pointing out that the cameras are also there for their own protection certainly won’t hurt, though.

There are many configurations and types of CCTV systems that can serve your purpose. Do your research and find the best security camera system for you.

CCTV Systems and Camera SelectionCamera

The choice of camera and lens are the most important factors when you’re designing CCTV systems for security. Choosing the right lens and camera will ensure that you get the most value from the CCTV camera that you choose. Let’s walk through the most important points in lens and security camera selection to help you design the best CCTV security system for your use.

CCTV Camera Lens Types

CCTV security cameras come in three basic lens types: fixed, varifocus and zoom.

A fixed lens can not be adjusted. It’s best for applications where you only want to survey from one angle and have no need to widen or narrow your viewing angle.

Varifocal lenses are adjusted manually. Generally, you’ll set it and leave it at that setting. The range of length is usually fairly narrow, and will vary widely depending on the security camera manufacturer. Generally, you’ll find lenses in ranges from about 2mm to 50mm.

Zoom lenses can be adjusted through the CCTV security system as you view the output on a monitor. You’ll generally find zoom lenses on Pan, Tilt and Zoom (PTZ) CCTV systems. To determine the size lens you need, you’ll need to know the width of the scene you want to observe and the distance from the camera to the scene. The basic calculation to decide the lens length is:

distance/width * 4.8 = focal length

In addition to focal length, your security camera will have any number of other adjustable settings, including back light compensation, auto iris, electronic shutter, automatic white balance and many others. Before you choose cameras for your CCTV systems, get to know what the settings do and decide which are important to you so that you can be sure to get a security camera that fits your needs.

CCTV System Information

Another one of the key differences among CCTV security system types is the way that the camera connects. Analog security camera CCTV systems are usually connected to the monitor by coax cable or another type of wire. For decades, analog systems were state of the art – and your only real choice. While they deliver high quality picture with no concerns about interruptions, they also require hard installation, generally by a professional who can run the wires. Once the cameras are installed, you ability to reposition them is very limited.

The more popular option today is an IP camera. An IP CCTV camera connects on a network, just as a PC or printer does. This provides a great deal of flexibility in positioning, because the cameras don’t have to be connected to the system by a wire.

Those are the absolute basic things you need to know when choosing among the many CCTV systems available. The more research you do, though, the better and more informed choice you can make and the better your choice will be for your needs.

CCTV Systems for Retail Security

Any retail business owner understands the problems of loss and shrinkage. Losses due to shoplifting, employee theft and employee mishandling can put a major dent in your bottom line.  Some retailers report losing up to 10 percent of their profits to shrinkage. While many retailers put the losses down to the cost of doing business, savvy business owners understand that CCTV systems and other security measures can shrink the shrinkage.

How CCTV Systems Improve Store Security

There are obvious benefits to using a CCTV system to help manage security in your store, as well as a few that are not as clear cut. If you’re deciding whether to install a surveillance camera in your retail space, these are a few of the considerations you should be taking into account.

In general, you have to count on your eyes and the eyes of your clerks to spot shoplifters, but there are often corners and out of the way spots that you can’t see at all times. A properly positioned CCTV camera puts eyes in places that you can’t generally see from behind the counter and allows you to serve your customers without compromising your store’s security.

While properly positioned mirrors can offer you part of the advantages of a surveillance camera, the mirror has one serious drawback. It can’t record what it sees. The recording can provide evidence in a court case if you choose to prosecute a shoplifter, but its usefulness extends further than that if you take the time to look over the surveillance tapes or files. Even with CCTV cameras, you might miss suspicious activity while you’re serving another customer. The retained tape, disk or file allows you to take a second look and alerts you to “customers” that need closer supervision.

No one likes to believe that his employees are stealing from him, but loss to employee theft is a major cause of shrinkage. In addition to theft, retail stores often lose profits to employees who aren’t paying attention, who make mistakes and who mishandle merchandise that later spoils. CCTV systems can be set up to allow you to observe your employees’ behavior when you’re out of sight or out of the store. Keep in mind that employee surveillance can also be used to exonerate your employees of wrong-doing, especially if a customer charges your store with misbehavior.

If you’re considering CCTV systems to enhance your store’s security, be sure to check out the newest advances in surveillance technology before you make your decision. You’ll be surprised how much security you can afford.

Pros and Cons of CCTV Systems for Workplace Monitoring

While most people think of video surveillance as a method to protect a business against burglary and shoplifting, CCTV systems also give employers the ability to more effectively monitor employees at work. There are multiple advantages and a few negatives to using CCTV systems this way. If you’re considering setting up a CCTV monitoring system in your workplace, you should fully understand both the benefits and the potential effects of using security systems to monitor your employees’ performance and behavior.

Pros of CCTV Systems in the Workplace

The pros of setting up a surveillance camera system to monitor the workplace are many. They include increased safety, decreased shrinkage, increased good behavior and evidence if there is a crime.

The main purpose of a CCTV camera system is to increase safety in the workplace. The mere presence of surveillance cameras can help discourage outside theft, which is especially important in retail businesses that are open late at night, often with only one attendant to cover the entire store. It can also discourage unsafe behaviors by employees, and actually provide protection for employees from being exploited, harassed or otherwise abused by supervisors and other employees. A manager or supervisor is much more likely to observe safety rules if they know they’re being monitored.

CCTV systems are proven methods of decreasing shoplifting, but they also can save your business hundreds of dollars a month in the form of employee theft. Employees may not even consider their actions to be “theft,” but it’s still costing you money when they snack on a candy bar, draw themselves a drink from the coffee bar without paying for it or pour a little extra into a drink for a friend. An employee monitoring system can help you pick up on those behaviors if they’re happening so that you can decide on a course of action to take.

As suggested before, the knowledge that they are being monitored will often prompt employees to engage in the behaviors you want. Employees are also much less likely to engage in inappropriate behaviors when they know that there’s a security camera watching them.

Finally, CCTV systems provide evidence if you need to discipline or dismiss someone based on their behaviors. It’s much more difficult to dispute a dismissal that is backed up by video evidence of the employee stealing, mistreating customers or otherwise misbehaving in a professional situation.

If you do decide to implement video monitoring with CCTV systems in your workplace, implement it in such a way as to counter any negatives associated with employee monitoring. Those include potential invasion of privacy issues and lowered morale if employees feel that you don’t trust them. When you consider all the pros and cons carefully, and carefully evaluate the video monitoring needs of your business, you’ll be in a position to make the best decision for your company.

Pros and Cons of CCTV Systems for Workplace Monitoring

While most people think of video surveillance as a method to protect a business against burglary and shoplifting, CCTV systems also give employers the ability to more effectively monitor employees at work. There are multiple advantages and a few negatives to using CCTV systems this way. If you’re considering setting up a CCTV monitoring system in your workplace, you should fully understand both the benefits and the potential effects of using security systems to monitor your employees’ performance and behavior.

Pros of CCTV Systems in the Workplace

The pros of setting up a surveillance camera system to monitor the workplace are many. They include increased safety, decreased shrinkage, increased good behavior and evidence if there is a crime.

The main purpose of CCTV systems is to increase safety in the workplace. The mere presence of surveillance cameras can help discourage outside theft, which is especially important in retail businesses that are open late at night, often with only one attendant to cover the entire store. It can also discourage unsafe behaviors by employees, and actually provide protection for employees from being exploited, harassed or otherwise abused by supervisors and other employees. A manager or supervisor is much more likely to observe safety rules if they know they’re being monitored.

CCTV systems are proven methods of decreasing shoplifting, but they also can save your business hundreds of dollars a month in the form of employee theft. Employees may not even consider their actions to be “theft,” but it’s still costing you money when they snack on a candy bar, draw themselves a drink from the coffee bar without paying for it or pour a little extra into a drink for a friend. An employee monitoring system can help you pick up on those behaviors if they’re happening so that you can decide on a course of action to take.

As suggested before, the knowledge that they are being monitored will often prompt employees to engage in the behaviors you want. Employees are also much less likely to engage in inappropriate behaviors when they know that there’s a security camera watching them.

Finally, CCTV systems provide evidence if you need to discipline or dismiss someone based on their behaviors. It’s much more difficult to dispute a dismissal that is backed up by video evidence of the employee stealing, mistreating customers or otherwise misbehaving in a professional situation.

If you do decide to implement video monitoring with CCTV systems in your workplace, implement it in such a way as to counter any negatives associated with employee monitoring. Those include potential invasion of privacy issues and lowered morale if employees feel that you don’t trust them. When you consider all the pros and cons carefully, and carefully evaluate the video monitoring needs of your business, you’ll be in a position to make the best decision for your company.

Enhance Home Safety with CCTV Systems

You can’t always be at home with eyes in every room, but that doesn’t mean you can’t see what’s happening when you’re not there. Technology advances have made it possible for almost anyone to afford CCTV systems to help monitor their homes and ensure the safety of their families. With the many options available today, you can easily design a CCTV system that will suit your security needs and your pocketbook perfectly.

Why CCTV Systems for Home Safety?

People choose CCTV systems for many reasons and purposes. For some, a security camera at the front entrance gives an added sense of security and helps them maintain the privacy and safety of their homes because they can see who is approaching their property. Others use a CCTV system to monitor the home while they’re out and allow them to check in on things from a work computer. A video camera hooked up to a monitor and a PC can reassure parents that their children are being cared for well, for example. A surveillance camera overlooking areas that can’t be easily seen from the house can allow homeowners to keep a closer eye on those areas.

Types of CCTV Systems

There are many types of systems available. They may include black and white or color security systems, wireless security cameras or a vandal resistant surveillance camera for cameras that will be mounted outdoors. Some systems allow remote access and can be used as home surveillance cameras hooked into a home security system. The most basic CCTV system is a single security camera hooked into a VCR or monitor for remote viewing. The most modern CCTV systems include multiple cameras that you can position and adjust from a remote location, giving you full control over your CCTV system even when you’re at work.

While many security cameras can hook into your computer, you can also purchase monitors as part of your home security system. Security monitors for CCTV systems may have double the lines of screen resolution as regular televisions or computer monitors, allowing the system to capture far greater detail, which can be vital if you’re counting on the system as part of your home security solution.

Advantages of CCTV for Home Security

CCTV security systems are a relatively inexpensive addition to your home security system. The cameras and monitors setup give you “eyes” so that you can keep an eye on kids at home after school, nannies with infants or simply keep a watch for intruders. Even if your system can’t be viewed remotely, it can record what happens throughout the day, which can be invaluable in helping to find and convict intruders if your home is burglarized.

For more information about the latest trends in CCTV systems and home security, contact a dealer of security cameras and monitors to discuss your needs.

CCTV Systems Security Tips

CCTV systems can play a major role in keeping your home and business properties secure, but they’re no substitute for good, all-around security. Even if you invest in a top-notch CCTV camera and monitoring system, you’re only partly protected if you don’t take your safety seriously. These tips can help you provide the safest environment possible for your family and your business.

Secure Your Property Properly

Door and window locks are a vital part of your security. Every door and window should have high quality locks. Of course, locks only work if you remember to use them!  Always make sure that your doors and windows are closed and locked. CCTV security cameras at the entrances to your home or positions so that they can provide surveillance for approaches to your home can help increase your security.

Choose the Right CCTV Cameras

There are many types of security cameras available. If you’re expecting your cameras to capture activity after dark, invest in day/night cameras which will automatically adjust their mode to take clear pictures in every light level.

Provide Proper Lighting

Lighting your property properly can increase both safety and security. Install exterior security lights at a high level, and point them downwards to provide lighting over more area. Place lights where they’ll illuminate dark corners and provide lighting for entry ways, walkways and stairways so that guests and visitors can see where they’re going, and you can see who’s coming.

Alert Neighbors If You’ll Be Away

Your neighbors can be your best protectors, especially if you’re away during the day or off on a holiday. Let them know when you’ll be away or the hours that you’re generally not at home and leave them a phone number where you can be reached if they notice something unusual.

Invest in a Real CCTV System

Dummy cameras and fake alarm boxes won’t fool burglars as much as they fool you into thinking you’re protected. Most alarm monitoring companies don’t allow anyone other than customers to display their security tags, and professional thieves know which companies operate in the area. They won’t be fooled by a fake camera and a sign declaring your property is monitored by ABC Alarm Systems.

Instead, look into budget options for CCTV systems to protect your home and property. Depending on your needs, you may find that a closed circuit system to protect your family and property is far less expensive than you think.

How to Use CCTV Systems Effectively

Security systems based on closed circuit television, often abbreviated CCTV, are an effective way to monitor your home or business and ensure the safety of your employees, family and customers. You can choose CCTV systems in many different price ranges, depending on the options you choose for your security system. You can customize your security system to suit your needs and provide more coverage and security, often without compromising privacy. The only limit is the amount that you’re willing to pay for the benefits of a closed circuit system.

CCTV includes monitoring equipment, cameras and recording devices put together in varying configurations. The most elaborate systems can cover every square inch of your property and allow you to monitor it 24/7 via wireless cameras, banks of color monitors and digital recorders that save every moment of coverage. Few people need that level of security coverage for their business or home. How do you decide where and how to deploy your security system?

One of the first steps in choosing the best CCTV security system for you is determining your minimum needs. At the very least, you’ll want a camera set to monitor the main entry points to your property, though ideally, you should place a camera at each entry point, including emergency exits and loading docks. If you have a parking area, you should also consider a camera there to ensure that your employees have a safe, monitored area to park their cars, and that the parking area doesn’t become a gathering place for mischief makers.

Finally, many employers place cameras where they can monitor cash registers or other points of sale, as well as any part of a retail establishment that can’t be seen and monitored by clerks from their usual station.

In addition to cameras, you need to decide on the monitoring equipment you need. A small corner store may be fully served by a single monitor mounted where the clerk on duty can keep an eye on the back door and parking lot. If you set the cameras to cycle on a loop, one person can have an eye on all of your sensitive areas every two to five minutes. Larger establishments with more complex needs may invest in an entire monitoring room with one or more employees whose only responsibility is to monitor the feeds from the cameras.

CCTV systems are a great boon for any business or home owner who is serious about security, but it’s important to know what you need and what’s available. Do your research and a full evaluation of your security needs before you shop and you’ll be sure to get the best system for your specific needs.