Types of CCTV Security Cameras for Your CCTV System

Among the most important components of CCTV systems are the camera or cameras you choose. There are hundreds of brands and models of security cameras on the market, but most fit into several different types. The cameras you prefer can dictate the other components of your surveillance system, or vice versa. Either way, it’s important to choose a CCTV camera and DVR or PC-based recorder that will be compatible with each other. Aside from issues of compatibility, you’ll have to consider how much detail you want to be able to view on surveillance tapes or live surveillance systems and a number of other factors. These are a few of the factors you may want to consider when deciding on the type of surveillance camera you want to buy for your CCTV security system.

Fake Security Camera

Technically, these aren’t security cameras at all. They’re a cheap option for those who think they can’t afford actual surveillance. They’re nothing more than a fake camera and won’t provide any security at all. Even their deterrent value is questionable. At today’s prices, you can get a real, working security camera for not much more than you’d pay for one of these. Don’t even bother.

Covert Surveillance Camera

The simplest of these are the wireless nanny cams that have become more and more popular in recent years. This type of security camera is designed to be hidden in a household object or may be made in the shape of a common household object. The aim of a hidden surveillance camera is to record things secretly. They don’t offer any deterrent value since they’re not visible, but they’re a good option if your intent is to watch what your employees do when they think no one is watching.

Wired Security Camera

Wired security cameras are ideal for use with analog CCTV security systems. Wired systems are more difficult to install than wireless systems, but they offer superior transmission, picture quality and reliability. They’re the best option if your security camera setup isn’t likely to change and you require high quality video output.

Wireless Security Camera

As one would expect, a wireless security camera doesn’t require cabling to connect it to the DVR, PC or base of the security system. It transmits images and audio wirelessly to a DVR or receiver located within range. The biggest advantages offered by a wireless security camera are portability and ease of installation. They’re a good option if you want to be able to reconfigure your CCTV system when necessary.

Those are the absolute basic options when you’re considering CCTV cameras as part of a security system. Other considerations include color or black and white, low light or night vision recording, video resolution and other capabilities. A knowledgeable CCTV professional can help you make decisions about the best options for your needs.

A Quick Guide to Home Wireless CCTV Systems

Not long ago, installing home CCTV surveillance systems was a complicated and time-consuming affair, only available to those with the money to lay out for expensive equipment and technicians to install it. CCTV camera options and recording devices were limited by the capabilities of the equipment, and few individual homeowners could afford the expense of installing the necessary security cameras and involved wiring. Today, CCTV systems for home security purposes are easy enough that many homeowners can easily install their own, and you can purchase an entire surveillance system with several security cameras for less than what you’d have paid for a VCR to record security tapes just ten years ago.

As the quality of CCTV systems improves and the price drops, more and more people are opting to protect their homes and families with a security camera and surveillance system. With the arrival of wireless IP security cameras, sensors and various recording options for surveillance footage, there are CCTV systems available that fit into nearly any homeowner’s budget.

What Kind of Security Cameras are Available?

Among the most popular options for surveillance cameras in the home are wireless security cameras and nanny cams. The advantages of wireless IP cameras are many, but the biggest of them all is their portability.  Because they don’t rely on wires to transmit images to a monitor or recording device, you can easily move wireless security cameras to anywhere they’re needed as long as they are within range of the device to which they’re transmitting. They’re priced between $100 and $500, and transmit a video signal to a local base station. You can view those images on a television, monitor, mobile phone, desktop or laptop computer.

These wireless security cameras can be mounted visibly on a wall, shelf or ceiling, or hidden in a clock, smoke detector or other device for secret surveillance. Their biggest drawback is that the low end wireless IP security cameras sometimes transmit on an unsecured frequency that can be picked up from outside the home. Higher end cameras tie into IP networks and transmit encrypted video that’s more secure.

Special Capabilities

While low end CCTV systems with wireless cameras are “always-on”, higher quality CCTV cameras offer many other options for recording surveillance videos. The most common of these are systems that switch to recording mode when the security camera senses movement. These infrared motion sensor cameras are quite affordable and no more difficult to set up than standard CCTV systems.

Today’s homeowner can choose from many different CCTV surveillance options to increase their feeling of security and help protect family and property. The price ranges on CCTV security systems are well within the range of most homeowners, offering an affordable, easy way to keep your family safer and protect your property when you’re not at home.