How to Use a Closed-Circuit Television System
Closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems are a form of video surveillance that can help your company (or household, in some cases) monitor for possible illegal activities. It is known as CCTV because the video that you are recording is transmitted locally, to a single set of monitors that allows you to view all of the activities that are occurring within sight of your surveillance cameras.
Despite the value of monitoring multiple areas in one location, CCTV systems did not hit the US until the late 1960s nearly 20 years after the first CCTV system was created. Since then, however, they have become easier to install and cheaper to maintain, and quickly CCTV systems have become one of the most common ways to monitor security at large businesses.
Where Do You Usually Find CCTV Systems?
The most common places to find CCTV systems are high traffic areas where items and people are at risk. Examples of which would be retail stores, malls, or offices that contain valuables or information that needs to be kept under tight security. However, these systems are not limited to businesses. Many people across the nation use CCTV systems to watch their land, especially if they are in a high crime area or there is a great deal of land to monitor. And some countries, such as the UK, actually use CCTV systems to watch the public on a regular basis. Prisons, and other areas where surveillance is needed use CCTV Systems as well.
What Types of Cameras Are Used With CCTV Systems?
Almost every type of security camera can be used to create an effective CCTV monitoring program. Examples of some of these cameras include:
· Dome Cameras Grocery stores and retail outlets like to use dome cameras to monitor their stores so that the camera direction cannot be located, and thus not avoided.
· Bullet Cameras and C-Mount Cameras These cameras are durable, and very popular for CCTV systems because of their visibility and additional features for surveillance.
· Panning Cameras Cameras that can be easily moved by someone monitoring the system are very useful for CCTV systems, allowing complete control to the head of security.
· Infrared Cameras For areas of very high security, infrared versions of all of these types of cameras are common, since any place at risk for serious theft is often at risk at night as well.
The only security cameras that are not often used with CCTV systems are network cameras, since they are generally too localized to be of much global benefit, as well as wireless cameras, as these types of cameras can be hacked into, while wired cameras do a much better job of keeping the circuit truly closed.
The Value of Localized Security
CCTV allows your security personnel to easily monitor the happenings in the store or office in one place. Those that use CCTV in their home can watch all of their at risk areas through a simple TV and computer. CCTV is the primary way that security cameras are able to reduce theft and improve safety.
