Hidden Camera CCTV Systems: What to Look For

One of the first decisions to make when you’re looking at CCTV systems is whether you need a visible system or one with a hidden security camera or cameras. An obvious surveillance camera has its place. Among other things, it serves as a deterrent to bad behavior. People are far less likely to shoplift, burglarize or vandalize if they know there’s a CCTV camera trained on them. If your intent is to discourage those things, a visible camera is the obvious choice.
On the other hand, if your intent is to catch someone engaging in bad behavior, you won’t do it with a security camera in plain sight. In that case, you should be looking at CCTV systems with hidden cameras. You’ll find plenty of these on the market, from the ubiquitous “nanny cam” that can be hidden in a wide variety of household objects to complete CCTV systems with cameras set into recessed ceiling domes or behind mirrors and walls. These tips can help you find the right surveillance camera for your needs.
Quality First
There are lots of “gadget” security cameras on the market. You know the type: pen cameras that fit in your pocket, teddy bear cameras and the like. They’re inexpensive for a reason: they’re cheap. If your intent is to capture evidence of wrongdoing on camera, you need to pay attention to quality. Look for a CCTV camera that delivers good quality images above all else.
Fit to Your Needs
Will your camera remain in one place permanently? Consider a wired CCTV camera that can be hidden behind an object or wall. A wired camera offers one distinct advantage over wireless cameras: they’re not prone to interference from other electronic frequencies. If you don’t want to run wires, look for a wireless security camera that can transmit to a nearby computer or DVR.
Hide-ability
Consider where you’ll be placing the surveillance camera when choosing the size, shape and casing. You can choose from small cameras that you can hide inside or behind objects or cameras that are fitted into casings that look like everyday objects – for example, no one would think twice about a second smoke detector affixed to the ceiling or high on a wall. Do keep in mind that many hidden cameras are meant for indoor use only, so if you’re buying a camera for outdoor use, your choices will be considerably more limited. On the other hand, your choice of hiding places may be much wider.
CCTV systems can provide open security, surveillance or both. When choosing cameras for covert use, consider where, how and why you’re using them to help you pick the best security camera for your needs.

Connecting CCTV Systems to Your TV

When it comes to security and surveillance, CCTV systems are the obvious choice for most property owners, even homeowners. A CCTV camera typically connects to a security monitor with a BNC (British Naval Connector) cable. These security monitors can be pricey, and while they do deliver high-quality images, they may be overpowered for the typical homeowner. It’s not difficult to connect a single security camera to a TV, but did you know you can connect entire CCTV systems up to a single television? You don’t need an expensive security monitor to keep an eye on your property. You can connect 4 or more surveillance cameras using an adapter and a video switcher. Here’s how.
You’ll need a BNC-to-RCA adapter, an RCA male to male cable and a video switcher.
Connect the output of each security camera to one of the inputs on your video switcher.
Connect the adapter to one of the outputs on the video switcher. You’ll use the second output, if the switcher has one, to connect a DVR to record your feed, or to display the video feed to another television.
Connect one end of the RCA cable to the adapter and the other end to one of the video inputs on your television. You’ll generally have a choice of Line In or several AUX lines.
That’s it. Your CCTV system is now physically connected to the television. From here, there are a few steps involved in setting up the video feed. Turn on the video switcher, then turn on your television.
Turn on your television and bring up the onscreen menu. Select the video input to which you connected the video switcher and follow onscreen prompts to set up the amount of time the switcher displays the view from each security camera. You can also choose to view just one camera.
Remember in terms of the actual recording that the DVR will only record the images that are shown on your screen and set up your dwell times accordingly.
This is a quick and dirty way to bring all of your security camera equipment together to mimic basic CCTV systems. It will work with just about any modern television and many older ones that have an RCA jack. A CCTV security system helps make your home, your belonging and your family safer. Whether you choose to monitor one camera or many, this simple trick will make it easier for you to keep an eye on your home.

Helpful Tips for CCTV Systems How (and Why) to Back-focus a CCTV Camera

One of the biggest problems encountered by people who DIY install their own CCTV systems is inconsistent focus. The most common iteration of the problem is that the image is in perfect focus in daylight, but at night, all you get is a blur. It results from a basic technical detail: during the day – or in bright sunlight –the lens iris is closed, giving you a very wide depth of field. As the light level drops, the iris opens to bring in more light. When that happens, the depth of field is decreased and images at most distances will be blurred. There is a way to combat this tendency: back-focusing your CCTV camera with the iris fully opened to provide the optimal focus for all conditions. Here’s how you do it.
Back-focusing a Fixed Lens Security Camera for CCTV Systems
Determine the distance from the camera to the scene you want to capture with the surveillance camera.
Set the physical focus of the lens to the full infinity position.
Insert a neutral density filter. This iris will open completely to allow more light and increase the depth of field to give you the most precision with your adjustments.
Set the lens focus to near and the zoom to wide.
Aim the CCTV camera at a high-contrast object that is the same distance from the camera as the scene you’ll want to capture when the camera is in place.
Turn the lens body until the object is completely in focus.
Remove the neutral filter and install the camera in place.
You should now be able to focus the camera manually to get the precise focus you want – and all of your scenes will remain in focus regardless of the lighting conditions.
Higher end CCTV systems have security camera choices with auto back focus, so this procedure is not necessary. If you’re running discount CCTV systems with a cheap surveillance camera option, you may need to fiddle with it a bit to get the settings right for optimal focus.
Need more help with setting up your CCTV camera for good focus? Most professionals who sell and service CCTV systems will be happy to answer simple questions and offer advice. And of course, if you want to be absolutely certain that everything is properly installed, you can always hire a pro to install your security/surveillance system and not have to worry about it at all.

Tips for Installing CCTV Systems in Bars and Music Clubs

Are you considering the use of a CCTV security system in your music club, bar or live music venue? CCTV systems can provide layers of security that can help you pinpoint trouble before it starts, not to mention, defend yourself in case your business is accused of wrongdoing. If you’re been looking at CCTV systems for the purpose providing security for your live music venue or dance club, consider these tips to help you decide how and where to locate each security camera inside and outside your premises.
Cover Entrances and Exits
Entrances and exit points are among the most important areas to keep under surveillance, especially outside business hours. An obvious surveillance camera pointed at the doors will help discourage vandals and burglars who might otherwise attempt to break in.
Spare a Surveillance Camera for the Door
Don’t take chances with bouncers “forgetting” to check ID when a hot babe wants in. A CCTV camera at the admission door can capture everyone entering as well as their IDs. Keeping a record of the ID checks at the door can help ensure that the bouncers stay on task and don’t let anyone underage slip by. If someone does manage to slip in on a fake ID, you’ll have a record proving that your crew did their due diligence.
Watch the Bar
Place at least one surveillance camera where it can pick up what’s going on behind the bar. Bevinco, a liquor inventory control service, estimates that shrinkage – losses due to waste, spillage and theft of your liquid stocks – can eat up to 30% of your bottom line. That’s a lot of spilled beer. It’s not all due to theft, of course – a CCTV camera will help you pinpoint inefficiency, clumsiness and drinks “for friends” as well as outright theft. One of the best uses for CCTV systems in the hospitality industry is to keep an eye on staff and make sure they’re not stealing from the company.
Cover Likely “Hot” Spots
Every bar has some out-of-the-way areas where bad things are likely to happen. It may be the pool room in the back, the alley beside the back door or a sheltered alcove on the far side of the stage, but it’s out of the line of sight for most of the staff most of the time, making it an attractive place for people who are up to no good. Aim a security camera at the dark corner or cover the pool room with a monitor somewhere it can be watched so that you can stop trouble before it starts.
CCTV systems can help protect nightclubs and other entertainment venues as long as you know the best places to locate the cameras. Even if you end up installing the system yourself, consider consulting a professional to help you draw up a good plan to cover your place of business.

Five Places to Put a Security Camera with CCTV Systems

The success of CCTV systems depends, in large part, on proper security camera placement. After all, the surveillance camera and security camera you choose are the eyes of your security system. You want them pointed in the right direction to get the information, images and date you need. These are five of the places for security camera placement suggested by law enforcement and loss prevention specialists.

Front Door

The front door of the building is the most important place to locate a CCTV camera. Position it so that it will capture the faces and up to 3/4ths of the full body of all persons entering the building. The front door camera in a security building will allow you (or your tenants) to view who is at the door without opening it. This is especially valuable if you have children who are home alone after school. They never have to open the door to check who is ringing the doorbell.

Rear or Side Doors

Combine rear and side door cameras with a front door security camera to track all people entering and leaving the building. A CCTV camera record for each entrance and exit can be invaluable in situations where you need to verify who is inside a building and who has left it.

Somewhere Visible

One of the biggest benefits of CCTV systems is their deterrent effect on crime. Most criminals don’t want to perform for the security camera, so put an obvious surveillance camera in a very visible spot – and back it up with a sign warning that the property is under video surveillance.

Near the Driveway/Garage

If your driveway is out of sight of the house, a security camera can serve as a deterrent to thieves and vandals, and let you keep an eye on your wheels. It will also discourage teenage kids from taking the family car for a spin when mom and dad are asleep.

Around the Swimming Pool

Add a layer of protection around your swimming pool by covering it with a surveillance camera. A motion-activated security camera will turn on only if someone enters the pool area. Combine it with a motion-activated alarm to warn you if a child or neighborhood kid has entered the pool enclosure unsupervised. A CCTV camera at the swimming pool is more than a security enhancer. It could, quite literally, save a life.

Choosing the right place for security cameras makes CCTV systems more effective. Before you shop for cameras, figure out the best places for your surveillance. It will help you choose the best cameras for those positions.

Choosing the Right Surveillance Camera for CCTV Systems

CCTV systems work with many different types of surveillance camera types. There are hidden cameras, pin hole cameras, network cameras, analog cameras, digital cameras, PTZ cameras, dome cameras and so many more that just looking at a catalog can make you dizzy. How do you choose among them all to find the best CCTV camera for your needs?

The first step is to actually consider your needs. Each type of CCTV camera is designed to do a specific type of job. A surveillance camera, for example, is designed to capture footage to gather evidence, identify a criminal or capture an event. They tend to have higher resolution and deliver higher quality video, but are more expensive. A security camera, on the other hand, is meant to alert you to what’s happening around you in the now. They’re the right choice if you’re more concerned with being alerted to possible threats (including shoplifting and theft) so that you can intervene in some way. The video quality doesn’t have to be high, but mobility becomes more important.

Other factors you’ll need to consider when choosing cameras for CCTV systems include questions such as these:

Will the Security Camera Be Mounted Outside?

In that case, you’ll want a camera with weatherproof housing to protect it from the elements, and with a cage to protect it from vandals who’ll want to disable it before getting into mischief.

Do You Want to Deter Crime?

You’ll probably want to choose an obvious security camera, one that mounts in plain sight and makes it clear that the premises are under surveillance.

Do You Want to Record Possible Crimes?

If your intent is to catch criminals in the act, you’ll want to choose a surveillance camera that can be hidden. There are dozens of styles of surveillance cameras, ranging from pinhole cameras to nanny cameras and more.

Do You Want to Access Your Camera Feed Remotely?

Network cameras, also known as IP cameras, are set up on a network with a network video recorder and allow you to access the camera’s feed from any device that can connect to the network. They can present security risks from hackers, but the convenience may outweigh the risk.

The security camera you choose will make a big difference in how well various CCTV systems will serve your needs. Take the time to consider exactly what you expect when you install a security system and choose the CCTV camera that will serve your needs the best.

Understanding Cameras for CCTV Systems

Choosing the right security camera for CCTV systems isn’t an easy process. You’ll have to take into account the technical specifications, the application and its requirements and any physical challenges the installation site may present. There are hundreds of surveillance camera options available today, and the ever-evolving technology adds new choices to the mix every day. Making an informed decision about the right CCTV camera for your system can be a challenge unless you understand the basics of CCTV systems and CCTV camera technology. This overview provides basic information to help you in the early planning stages of your CCTV system.

The center of CCTV camera technology is the Charge Coupled Device sensor, which converts light into an electrical signal. That signal is processed by the camera’s electronics and converted to a video signal output. The way that video signal is treated depends on the type of camera you choose – analog or digital. CCTV cameras can be further subdivided by resolution, color/monochrome and day/night cameras, and further still by levels of performance.

Analog or Digital Security Camera?

Digital Signal Processing (DSP) has increased the flexibility of security cameras and enhanced the quality of the images produced by CCTV systems. Until recently, analog was the camera type of choice because it produced a good quality image at affordable prices. DSP technology has brought digital security camera choices into the affordable range. A standard DSP CCTV camera is relatively inconsistent, and provides more consistent picture quality than most analog cameras, and is a good choice for most CCTV systems. If you want better quality and more flexibility, a premium DSP security camera provides lots of added functionality, including a feature that evens out awkward lighting and ensures crisp pictures throughout the course of  the day.

Monochrome or Color CCTV Camera?

Color security cameras are typically more expensive than monochrome (black and white) CCTV cameras, but they’re not always the best choice for a number of reasons. While it’s easier for humans to remember an image or recognize a person when they see it in color, a color security camera doesn’t do a very good job of recording in low-light situations. A color surveillance camera is thus a good choice for store surveillance, which will nearly always be in well-lighted situations, but a monochrome security camera is a better choice for night recording or low-light situations. In addition, you can buy monochrome cameras with infrared sensitivity, which can be used with IR illumination for night surveillance.

Choosing the right cameras for CCTV systems can be a challenge. The more you know about your intended use for the system, the easier it will be to choose the right CCTV camera.