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.