PTZ Cameras for CCTV Systems

CCTV systems are only as good as the security camera attached to them. One of the best choices to extend the capabilities of your CCTV system is a PTZ surveillance camera. PTZ – which stands for pan, tilt, zoom – allows you to survey larger areas, zoom in for higher detail and do automatic surveys of the area your cameras cover. In addition, a motor-driven PTZ security camera for your CCTV system can provide some other benefits that may not be so obvious.

Multiple Alarm Inputs

A PTZ security camera can be programmed to zero in on potential trouble based on input from an alarm contact. Most PTZ surveillance cameras allow for four alarm inputs, so you can hook your camera up to a motion detector, door and window contacts or other alarm device to activate your camera and draw its attention.

Programmed Sweeps and Tours

A PTZ CCTV camera can be set to do routine sweeps of multiple areas. You can, for example, program your security camera to sweep the entire parking lot every 5 minutes, then zoom to do closer sweeps of different sectors of the parking lot in between the broader sweeps. You can also program a PTZ security camera to focus on a large area and zoom in when triggered by an alarm signal.

Non-Obtrusive

Choose a PTZ dome camera for unobtrusive uses, such as surveillance of your business throughout the day. PTZ cameras are about the same size as a fixed security camera, and can be installed so that they are not obvious. In addition, a PTZ surveillance camera can be controlled from a remote location, making it easy to watch without being observed.

Weather Resistant

For outdoor use, choose a weather-resistant PTZ surveillance camera. Modern CCTV camera equipment is built to withstand exposure to the elements and housed in weather-resistant casing that keeps the motors safe.

Auto-Focus

A modern PTZ surveillance camera will use auto-focus to maintain focus at different zoom and distance levels. This is invaluable, especially in comparison to older CCTV camera systems that required manual focusing every time the camera’s focus moved.

A good PTZ security camera can extend the capabilities of most CCTV systems, allowing observers to get a better view of the area under surveillance, zoom in to get a closer look either manually or via alarm triggers and provide security better coverage of your retail, private or business premises. If you’re choosing a CCTV camera for your security system, consider investing in a high quality PTZ camera and reap the benefits.

Using CCTV Systems in Your Business

A good CCTV security system can help ensure that your business is safeguarded from many different types of threats. If you’re looking at CCTV systems with an eye to installing a surveillance camera in your public space, there are a number of things you should know about the use of CCTV systems and security camera use on your business property.

Security Systems for Shoplifting Loss Prevention

A surveillance camera can prevent loss from shoplifting in two different ways. First, a visible security camera can scare off many would-be shoplifters who would much rather not be seen on camera. They’ll avoid areas and stores that have an obvious CCTV security system. To get the most deterrent value out of your CCTV systems, choose bullet cameras and place them in plain sight.

Secondly, a well-placed surveillance camera allows you to view areas that aren’t in the line of sight from the register or other stations in the store. You can record video from your surveillance camera as well, which allows you to pinpoint shoplifting incidents you might have missed when they happened. That gives you the option of keeping a closer eye on specific people when they’re in your store.

Surveillance Camera to Monitor Employees

You may also choose to set up a CCTV system to monitor your employees at work. There are a number of reasons why you might choose to watch your employees covertly, and each of them requires a slightly different security camera layout. You can use a surveillance camera at the checkout to catch incidents where employees may be stealing from the register, or monitor the work floor to keep an eye on employee performance. If you do choose to use a surveillance camera and CCTV system to monitor your employees, it’s important that you check the laws regarding the use of surveillance in the workplace in your state. In general, you’re prohibited from placing surveillance cameras in areas where employees have a “reasonable expectation of privacy,” such as in restrooms. In some states, you may also be required to inform employees that you’ll be monitoring the premises remotely.

Providing Security and Safety for Staff and Customers

One of the most important uses for a security camera on your business premises is to bolster security and safety for your staff and customers. If employees park their vehicles out of sight of the building, for example, a security camera on the employee parking lot can prevent car theft and vandalism while your employees are working. In high-risk areas, you can also make a point of monitoring the parking area after dark when employees leave to go to their cars.

CCTV systems provide many benefits for businesses that use them appropriately. Make sure you understand the laws governing the use of security and surveillance cameras before you install them, and that you’re clear in your reasons for needing a CCTV camera system for your business.

CCTV Systems Can Protect Your Business in Many Ways

If your business isn’t using a security system because you think it’s too expensive, it may be time to rethink your objections. While prices on CCTV systems has come down considerably over the past decade, that’s only one of the reasons that it just makes good business sense to install a CCTV security system to protect your business. Here are a few others.

Protect Your Business from Liability

When an accident happens on your business premises, your business could be held liable unless you can prove conclusively that it was not your fault. A CCTV camera trained on your entries, exits, parking lots and other areas where customers or employees might suffer an injury can provide the proof you need to successfully defend yourself in case of a lawsuit or insurance claim.

Protect Your Employees and Business from Unfounded Charges

When a customer accuses one of your employees of wrongdoing, video proof can help absolve him. It’s not unusual for customers in retail stores to claim they were given the wrong change or that a cashier or employee verbally or physically abused them. A surveillance camera at the point of sale can exonerate your employee and prove who was actually at fault or what really happened in a claimed altercation. That’s in addition to providing security footage for the police in case of a burglary or other crime.

Prevent Shoplifting and Other Crimes

Studies show that stores and other establishments with CCTV systems suffer less crime than those with no security systems. A visible security camera can warn would-be burglars and shoplifters off and protect your store from a hefty percentage of inventory due to shrinkage. Given a choice of stealing from a store with a security camera and one without, most thieves will move on to the softer target and leave the stores with CCTV systems alone.

Protect Employees’ Belongings

If your employees park their cars out of sight of the building, those cars are more prone to theft and vandalism than your customers’ cars, if for no other reason than that they’re parked there for hours at a time. A surveillance camera positioned to keep watch over the parking lot can help reduce vandalism and theft from your parking lot. Likewise, a security camera in the employee break room or other room where employees leave their belongings can help reduce employee theft.

CCTV systems are not only effective for deterring crime, such as shoplifting and burglary. They can also protect your business from other losses that are natural consequences of doing business in today’s world.

Home CCTV Systems Information and Advice

Most people in the US have become used to the idea that they are under the surveillance of CCTV systems when they shop or bank, and in many other public places. These days, however, you’re just as likely to encounter CCTV security system in private homes as many homeowners install CCTV camera systems to protect their homes from invasion and provide unexpected safety features for our families. In fact, according to one major electronics company, sales of home CCTV systems increased by more than 70% in some major US urban markets.

How People Use CCTV Systems

A major UK website surveyed its members not long ago and found that 2 percent already owned an installed CCTV system, and 9 percent were planning to install one in the next six months. Of those who already use a CCTV camera and recorder to monitor their property, 82 percent said they use it outside the house and 50 percent say they use their CCTV systems to monitor happenings inside the house.

CCTV and Legalities

If you’re planning to install a CCTV camera, check with your local law enforcement to find out if there are laws you must follow. In some areas, for example, it may be illegal to point your camera toward the street or other public space or at your neighbors’ homes or yards. Even if there are no laws against it, be mindful of privacy concerns unless you want to become a test case for new CCTV privacy laws.

Tips For Choosing Home CCTV Systems

Wireless systems offer a number of advantages, including flexibility and ease of installation. They also have some drawbacks that may make them impractical for your use. For example, the wireless signal from camera to recorder or display can suffer from interference with your cordless phone, your microwave or your router, and may be blocked by brickwork or metal objects.

If you’re placing your CCTV camera outside, make sure that you choose a weatherproof camera and position the camera where no one can tamper with it. Wireless cameras are not recommended for indoor use unless they use an encrypted signal because anyone nearby can intercept the signal if they have a compatible receiver.

Choosing the right CCTV camera and recording option can be a tricky process, but most websites and stores that sell CCTV systems have experts on hand who will help you narrow down your choices to those that work best for your needs and your budget. Take advantage of the expert advice to make sure that you get the best and most useful system for your money.

Four Things to Know About CCTV Systems

If you’re in the market for a security or surveillance system, CCTV systems are your best option. Choosing the right CCTV system, however, isn’t always easy. There’s a lot of lingo and technical jargon that can make it difficult to understand exactly what you’re getting. Understanding some of these important facts can help you make the best choice of CCTV security systems for your home or business.

A Wired CCTV System Is More Secure than Wireless

While wireless surveillance systems offer a lot of flexibility and convenience, wired CCTV systems are more secure against intrusion. On a wireless system, a skilled hacker can figure out how to log onto your server and monitor or alter your feeds. While the chances of that happening are generally low, it can be a legitimate concern if you don’t want others watching what happens on your property.

A Wireless Security Camera Offers More Flexibility

On the other side of the argument, a wireless surveillance camera gives you a lot more flexibility than most wired CCTV systems. You can place the camera anywhere you want as long as it’s within transmission range of the receiver without worrying about wires showing to give the location or the presence of the camera away. If your intent is to do covert surveillance – and you should be aware of the laws that govern the use of covert surveillance camera systems – then a wireless system is probably a better choice for you.

The Video Resolution Determines How Much Detail Your CCTV Camera Records

The video resolution of your security camera determines the level of detail that your security videos see and record. Higher resolution cameras provide more detail, but take up more memory space on your DVDs or hard drive. A high resolution surveillance camera will also be more expensive, so weigh your priorities carefully. If you want the kind of detail you see on “CSI” or “Criminal Minds,” you’ll pay a hefty price for it. If you’ve got no reason to blow up a screen capture 350 times to count the fly specks on a windshield, a very high-res camera is probably a waste of your money.

Your CCTV Camera, Monitor and Recorder Must All Be Compatible

There are several different standards in use by the CCTV industry and it’s easy to get confused by them. If you’re not careful, you could end up with a security camera that won’t talk to your receiver or your monitor. If you’re unsure, a professional at a CCTV security store can help you with your decision.

CCTV systems provide your home or business with an unparalleled level of security. Make sure you understand what you’re buying before you make your purchase.

Four Ways That CCTV Systems Can Improve Your Security

CCTV systems used to be an expensive alternative to security systems for retail and home use, but technology has brought the price for high-quality CCTV systems well within the range of nearly any business owner. If you’re looking for a way to improve the security in your shop, store or other business, consider these advantages and benefits of using a security camera and CCTV system to monitor and safeguard your property.

Round the Clock CCTV Monitoring Keeps Your Property Safe

Indoors or out, security cameras provide round-the-clock monitoring for your property. An obviously mounted CCTV camera serves as a deterrent to would-be thieves and vandals, who will frequently bypass a protected property to find easier pickings. If you combine a CCTV security system with active monitoring, you’ll have immediate notification when something goes wrong at your business. Even if you opt out of round-the-clock monitoring, your security camera will still record what’s happening. You can review the recordings in the morning and store them in case they’re needed for evidence.

Outside and Indoor Security Cameras Protect Your Employees

Mount a security camera to monitor remote parking areas or storage rooms to provide oversight and protection to employee cars and employee safety when they’re working in remote areas. Protecting your employees and their property will have the fortunate side effect of increasing productivity.

Protect Your Store from False Lawsuits

While most people consider CCTV security systems to be loss prevention tools, they can also serve to protect you and your employees from false lawsuits. Your security cameras can provide the evidence you need to stop a fake slip-and-fall lawsuit in its tracks, or back up an employee involved in an altercation with a customer.

Reduce Loss Due to Employee Theft of All Kinds

No one likes to think his employees may be cheating him, but it’s an unfortunate fact of many businesses. As night life expert Jon Taffer shows week after week on “Bar Rescue”, employees often take advantage of the business owner – often without even realizing they’re doing it. CCTV systems can monitor your employees and help you pinpoint loss, wasted movements and inefficiency. Once you find the problems, you can address them and improve your bottom line.

When CCTV systems are so inexpensive and can save you so much trouble and cost, installing security cameras and CCTV security systems is one of the best business decisions you can make.

CCTV systems keep your eyes everywhere

If you run an entertainment venue, you know how hard it can be to have eyes on everything that might happen. CCTV systems are among the best ways to put more eyes in areas that need the most surveillance. Choosing the right surveillance camera, monitor and recording options for your CCTV systems can be confusing unless you plan out your needs ahead of time. When you know what you expect from your CCTV system, you can choose the features you want and need.

How Many Areas?

The first thing you need to decide is how many security cameras you’ll need based on the number and size of the areas you need to cover. Think strategically. Ideally, you’d be able to provide total surveillance camera coverage of your entire club (with the exception of those areas the law prohibits you from placing surveillance cameras), but few small businesses can manage total coverage under their budgets. If you need to pick and choose, figure out the areas where trouble is most likely to start and prioritize them for a CCTV camera. Once you know how many cameras you’ll need, you can start looking at receivers.

Choosing a Receiver

Most small businesses today choose PC-based CCTV systems because they can provide a lot of storage space, but DVR-based systems are also popular. Decide how much surveillance footage you want to store and choose a recording method that offers the best solution. Keep in mind that DVR disks occupy far less space than videotapes, and hard drive storage – while limited – can be the best solution of all if your storage space is extremely limited. Consider backup methods, and of course, choose a display or receiver that can handle input from the number of cameras you’ve decided you need.

Resolution and Light

In a performance or entertainment venue, you’ll probably want to choose CCTV camera options with low light or IR recording capabilities. Beyond that, you’ll need to strike a balance between the amount of resolution you need and the size of the files you’ll be saving. Higher resolution gives you more detail, which can be important in your business. On the other hand, high resolution generates very large surveillance files.

Don’t forget to include your outdoor areas when deciding on the number of cameras your CCTV system should have. If you have a parking lot for patrons, it can easily become a magnet for dangerous and even illegal behaviors if you don’t provide a surveillance camera. Finally, if your venue checks IDs at the door, consider CCTV systems that allow you to store still photographs alongside your video data. Capturing ID information at the door can provide proof that your doormen are adequately checking identification if you ever face a challenge to your policies.