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Security Camera Lines Of Resolution

Thursday, January 19th, 2012

Security Camera Lines of ResolutionOne of the most important specifications to consider when making your decision to purchase a security camera system is the camera resolution. If you don’t have the right camera resolution, you may end up allowing the person who committed the crime to be able to walk away due to the lack of picture quality. On the other hand, if you have exceptional quality in your new security system, you may end up being able to apprehend the criminal and get justice.

The size, fineness, or picture quality and video quality are all determined by the security cameras lines of resolution. Television lines are typically used to reference this figure and provide the type of analog video quality. In terms of digital resolution, they are usually referred to as pixels. If you take a look at both of the aspects, you will see how the lines of resolution are able to be related to picture quality in a security camera.

In order to begin, there are multiple video formats that are used based on the geographical area that you are located. National Television System Committee (NTSC) is used mainly in North America, South America, Taiwan, Japan and many other locations as well. Phase Alternating Line (PAL) can generally be found in Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and almost all of Europe. In Africa and the Russian Federation you will find Sequential Couleur a Memoire (SECAM). The English version of SECAM is Sequential Color with Memory. The main focus of this article is going to revolve around the NTSC format.

There are 480 interlaced horizontal lines that make up the standard National Television System Committee analog video. You have to vertically count the amount of horizontal lines that are displayed, while one is above the other and so forth. The resolution of security cameras are in Television Lines, which specifies the amount of vertical lines that are able to be seen within a given area of a monochrome picture to determine the horizontal resolution. The amount of vertical lines is counted on a horizontal basis, with one being right next to the other. The amount of scan lines is not exactly equal to the Television Lines, but it is affected by the amount of scan lines that are available.

How are Security Camera Videos Displayed?

Security camera videos are generally displayed in a three by four ratio. You can think of this in terms of a rectangle, such as it is three units wide by four units in height. The resolution horizontally is equal to the amount of vertical lines that are measured. You are actually measuring the amount of detail that is visible when you are able to see ¾ of the width of the picture, or 75 percent. The amount of vertical lines that are being used by the Television Lines is three units. For example, if you have a television picture that is three inches wide by four inches high with a Television Lines rating of 480, you are actually going to have 480 vertical lines within that three inch width.

How does the Resolution of Different Security Cameras Vary?

There are a wide range of security cameras that have different specifications based on the various types of manufacturers. It is also based upon the price and the different uses of the security camera. As a general rule, the typical CCTV camera is going to have a resolution of approximately 380 Television Lines for a standard camera. On the other hand, if you have a high-resolution camera then you will find a CCTV with a resolution of around 540 Television Lines.

The actual quality of a security camera can be measured by the Television Lines resolution. This is completely different number than the actual horizontal number of scanning lines for broadcast TV systems.

Analog videos are given different lines of resolution that apply to them. When you look at the different digital video resolutions you will notice the difference. You will find that the digital video is still being displayed in the typical three by four ratios. The total resolution is still measure in pixels, which are small points, dots or squares. Digital cameras are going to have a sensor just like the regular analog cameras. This sensor is called a Charged Coupled Device (CCD), which allows you to capture the picture within a digital format. The resolution for a digital picture is commonly referred to In terms of pixels, such as 352 x 480. Some of the most common resolutions for your digital security camera include: 704 x 480, 352 x 480 and 352 x 240.

You have to remember to keep the resolution of the camera display separate from the amount of pixels within the CCD. There are literally millions of light sensing cells within the CCD sensor. The pixel count is determined by the amount of pixels that are produced by the sensor. As an example, if a camera is capable of producing an image that is 640 x 480, it would contain approximately 307,200 pixels. A lot of people assume that a CCD rating in megapixels is the camera resolution, but this is a false misconception. However, what it does indicate is the amount of potential resolution that the camera has available to produce when combined with other high-quality equipment. Some of the typical types of high-quality equipment are monitors, processors, and others.

When you put everything into perspective, you can see the comparison between analog Television Lines and the digital resolution. The picture quality is going to keep increasing along with the number of lines increasing.

Digital Signals

1. 352 x 240 pixels
2. 704 x 240 pixels
3. 704 x 480 pixels

Analog Signals

1. 330 TVL
2. 380 TVL
3. 480 TVL
4. 570 TVL

Determining the Picture Quality of a Security Camera

One of the most important notes to remember is how to determine the final picture quality. Security cameras, whether analog or digital, are going to have varying picture qualities that are going to play a part in the final picture quality of the digital camera. You can say that your final picture quality is only going to be as good as the absolute lowest component that is used in your whole system. For example, if you were to use a 570 Television Lines resolution on a 330 Television Lines monitor, you are only going to be able to view your camera images in 330 Television Lines resolution. Make sure that you are getting the most that you can out of your security system by choosing components that are compatible.

Your whole system is only as strong, or as weak, as we choose to make it. If you have equipment that is various resolutions, you have to remember that the main things you have to be concerned with are the higher and lower screen resolutions. If you have a monitor that has a resolution of 500 lines, a security camera that is 420 lines of resolution and a recorder that has a resolution of 250 lines, you are going to get a picture that will top out at the 250 lines. While you may be able to look into the monitor and see an exceptional picture, you are only going to get as good of a recording as your equipment allows. When you choose to determine what type of resolution you are going to get, make sure that you try to choose equipment that is going to complement each other. You have to take the time to consider everything that you are going to be using in order to make sure that you choose accordingly.

How Important is the Resolution of a Security Camera?

Resolution is extremely important when you are trying to determine what your recording is going to look like. You are not going to have to worry about what your picture quality is going to look like when you take the time to go through every piece of equipment that you are going to buy. If you make sure that everything is going to go along with each other, you will save yourself a lot of hassles and headaches in the long run. You won’t have to worry about the what-ifs if you take the time to debate everything before you make your purchase. It is better to take a little extra time beforehand and decide which resolution is going to be perfect for your wants and needs. This will help you to eliminate any frustration later on when you are trying to figure out what makes the difference in the resolution.

There is a lot more to screen resolution than just a number, and the more that you can understand everything the better it is going to be in the end. Even though it may be confusing for a lot of people, there are experts who can help to guide you in your purchase. They will help make sure that you are not going to have to deal with a bunch of equipment that is not going to work together in the manner that you had once intended. Go through everything as much as you can and decide just how much detail you are going to need for your home or business. Enjoy everything that your security camera lines of resolution can bring to the table for years to come.

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CCTV Cameras

Friday, January 13th, 2012

CCTV cameras are made in a variety of types and for a wide range of uses. Complicating the selection of cameras more are the variety of technologies within each category type.

In order to understand the range of cameras available to the general market, and useful for ordinary consumer applications, this article is divided into three sections: camera types, lenses, and technology types.

For readers who are new to the topic of CCTV, mention should be made of the term. The term is an acronym for “closed-circuit television.” Other terms are used interchangeably that mean virtually the same thing: “security camera,” “surveillance camera,” “spy camera,” and “video camera.” There are some nuances in the meanings, perhaps, but they are very minor. There is no intention in this article to differentiate between them.

Camera Types

Types are basically a reference to the camera body style. There are three basic types for ordinary use: box cameras, dome cameras, and bullet cameras. There is an additional type called a “board camera,” getting its name from the fact that it attaches directly to a circuit board, without a body. They are used in applications such as ATM machines and not for everyday consumer applications; therefore, the discussion will be limited to the three main camera body types listed above.

Box Cameras

The camera body of a box camera, as the name suggests, is in the shape of a box. The camera and lenses are normally bought separately. As they do in a still camera, the lenses are attached to the body and are easily changed if the application requires it.

Box cameras are known for giving high quality images, and with some of the higher specifications, the box cameras are often preferred in low light conditions.

The camera body and lenses for box cameras are more vulnerable to weather conditions and vandalism when mounted unprotected. The body of the box camera is not designed to withstand the elements, making it necessary to enclose the camera in weatherproof and vandal resistant housings.

Housings are designed to protect the camera, and the housing itself has some available features that make them a desirable choice. Some housings come with a heater/blower function that protects the camera from freezing temperatures and ice. The housings come with ratings from NEMA, the National Electronics Manufacturers Association, to give consumers guidance on selecting the best housing for the application.

Box cameras are versatile because of the ease with which the lenses are interchangeable, and the choices that can be made with housings. With the additional advantage of having some of the best specifications in the market, box cameras are still preferred by many users of security cameras.

Dome Cameras

The dome camera is the one commonly seen in public buildings. They are easily spotted because of their dome shape, often with a blue or gray tinted cover. They can be mounted on walls as well as ceilings, and with the proper housing and mounts, they can be mounted as a pendant or on poles.

Unlike the box camera type, dome cameras come in one piece. The lens is internal to the camera body. Though several choices of lenses are available, normally a dome camera’s lens is not changed once it is purchased and mounted. When buying a dome camera, it is important to know the range of distance that the camera will be watching, the lighting conditions, and any other dynamics that exist in the application. Changing lenses on a dome camera is impractical.

In the lens discussion below, there will be more said about the types of lenses. For the current discussion, however, let it be known that the lenses, though internal to the dome camera, should be adjusted and tested while installing. Removing the cover is required, and it is accomplished easily. Changing the lens is difficult and impractical, not the adjustment of the lens.

Bullet Cameras

Another common body type for cameras is the bullet camera. These are cameras that come with the lens already installed, as in dome cameras, and they are already shrouded with an external housing.

Bullet cameras are most often seen in outdoor applications such as building perimeters, light poles, public gathering areas, concourses, and many other areas that are susceptible to weather and vandalism.

Lens choices for bullet cameras are generally the same as with box and dome cameras, and they are most always accompanied with infrared LEDs to give a reddish light in total darkness so the camera can see in the dark.

Quick Word About Infrared (IR) Options vs. Day/Night (DN) Cameras

Infrared LEDs are common, either in cameras or external housings, in most camera types. Buyers should be aware, however, that in many cases, in low light conditions, a day/night camera is preferable to an IR (infrared) camera. The day/night cameras on the market, especially in box cameras, often capture better images than infrared in low light conditions.

Why is this? Infrared LEDs are triggered by darkness. The lens in IR cameras is usually not capable of seeing in low light conditions. If the ambient light is bright enough, as it often is, even though the buyer thinks it is a dark condition, the IR LEDs may not be triggered, or may be ineffective. In total darkness, however, when there is no ambient light, such as moonlight or street lamps, infrared cameras are the best choice. Again, knowing the conditions is vital to making the right choice.

Lenses

There are many specifications for lenses that may make one a better choice than others, but generally speaking, there are just a few basic lenses that need to be discussed here.

Varifocal or Fixed Lens

A fixed lens has only one focal length, which means that the lens is fixed on one space, with no capacity for adjusting the focus. If the optimal distance for a certain lens is to focus on ten feet away from the camera, it will see the ten feet distance very well. However, the further away from the ten feet distance the view gets, whether it is seven or thirteen, nearer or closer, the lens loses its focus.

A varifocal lens is one that can be adjusted within a certain range. It has a variable focal length. Do not be confused with the zoom function, which is discussed next, because it does not change on the fly. It simply means that the lens can be adjusted at the time of installation within a range of settings to accommodate variable distances.

The advantage of the varifocal lens is that a person can choose cameras that are uniform in appearance and function while still having the flexibility to focus each one for its own particular application. Having the focal length adjustment available keeps the buyer from having to replace a camera if the distances are different from what they had planned. There is so little cost difference between the two types of lenses, it is impractical not to use varifocal camera lenses.

Zoom Function

Some lenses come with a zoom function that is controllable from a keyboard by an operator. It allows the operator to zoom in, or to bring an image closer, for a better look. The zoom function for camera lenses operates within the limitations of its designs. If it is a 10x optical zoom, for instance, it means the lens can be zoomed in at ten times the magnification of its basic position. If the focal length is 5mm, the zoom feature on a 10x zoom lens could zoom in to a 50mm range, giving a narrower field, but presenting a larger image for inspection.

Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ)

PTZ cameras are the thoroughbred of the industry. Combining the zoom function with the ability to pan (side-to-side movement), and tilt (up and down movement), the PTZ offers maximum versatility in application.

Normally, the PTZ cameras are housed in domes, though they are typically larger than standard dome cameras.

A PTZ camera comes with a higher price, but it comes with a much higher better versatility. A PTZ camera is an excellent tool for watching large areas, such as parking lots, stadiums, junctions of major concourses within a building.

A PTZ controller is operated from a keyboard or joystick, and through the system software, an operator can switch among PTZs to control one, and then another, camera very quickly.

Another feature worth mentioning here is the auto-tracking function of some PTZ cameras. This is a setting that allows the user to set the PTZ function on automatic so that if a movement takes place within the camera’s view, the camera will track the movement, zoom in, and watch the movement until it is complete. It is a little more complicated than this, however, because a second movement, such as a car traveling in an opposite direction from another, may cause the auto-tracking feature to change over and watch the wrong car. Again, buyers should be cautious in selecting the additional functions. In most cases, there are downsides to making the wrong selection.

Technology Types

There are two basic types of technology that are used in the processing, or encoding, of images: analog, and IP (Internet protocol).

Analog Cameras

Analog is the tried and true technology that has been around since video cameras have existed. In the CCTV world, analog technology is used to transmit captured video footage to a digital video recorder (DVR) that encodes the captured images into digital format for viewing.

Analog cameras do not themselves encode, or digitize, the images. This work is done by the DVR, or a computer based DVR capture card.

IP Cameras

The IP camera is a newer generation of security cameras. Offering higher resolutions of 1, 3, or 5 megapixels, or even higher, many companies promote IP cameras as if analog technology will eventually go away. As a side note, high-definition (HD) technology in analog varieties is making analog very attractive still, primarily because of legacy issues and costs.

In the IP camera, the encoding is done at the camera. In other words, the image is digitized as it appears in the lens, before it is passed along to the network video recorder (NVR) where it is decoded for viewing.

One of the biggest advantages of IP cameras is that they can be implemented wherever a network already exists. There are downsides, however. Unless the bandwidth is large enough to handle the constant feeding of several IP cameras, a network can be slowed down considerably, causing a larger investment in infrastructure to be necessary. Bandwidth can be managed, however, by setting cameras only to show footage when certain triggering events take place.

A Misconception

One common misconception about choosing between IP and analog cameras is the notion that remote access, or viewing, is only possible by using IP cameras. This is simply not true.

Confusion exists on the issue because of the term “IP” and its common use in network jargon. Both IP and analog are capable technologies for offering remote viewing. The IP address of a DVR (analog) allows remote access so that cameras can be viewed over the DVR. IP cameras can be viewed remotely by going directly to an assigned IP address for the camera; however, in many cases, even in IP technology, it is more advantageous to go through the video management software at the NVR so more control can be gained.

Other Considerations

Wireless cameras are available for special needs. There are still infrastructure costs for transmitters and receivers, even though wiring is eliminated to the camera. Practicality is still a concern, and the application will dictate whether wireless is the answer.

Explosion-proof cameras are often brought into the CCTV discussion as well. One misconception about these cameras is that they will not explode if something like a plant explosion occurs. This is a misunderstanding. The meaning of “explosion-proof” is that the camera will not explode in special environments where gases might penetrate other types of housing and set off an explosion within the electronics of the camera. It does not mean the camera will survive a bomb. Explosion-proof cameras are, in essence, a tag placed on the types of housings, rather than the camera inside them.

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Security DVR Viewer

Wednesday, January 11th, 2012

Security DVR Viewer Technology Allows People to Streamline Security Video Streaming

Security DVR ViewerA closed-circuit television system is a step in the right direction, but a security DVR viewer device is necessary for anyone who wants to keep a record of suspicious activity. They fit the bill for anyone who wants to gather evidence and display it later. There’s an old phrase in computer science that refers to ‘write once, read never’ technology. This same statement applies for the security industry as well. If one has no way to look at information after it is recorded, it has essentially been sent off to the bit bucket. The bit bucket more or less refers to the waste cans that were used with paper tape based computers. This means that information that has no way of being recovered is completely useless, and we’re still stuck with that limitation in the modern day.

Everyone wants to be able to view his or her security films for obvious reasons. Just as there is more than one way to skin a cat, there is more than one way to record information in a format that is easily recovered. Technically, one could use a regular VCR or even a specialized VCR that can make the most out of a standard VHS tape. However, VHS tapes are prone to failure and take up a lot of space. DVR technology has become more widely accepted in the last few years because it doesn’t have these limitations. However, people should still familiarize themselves with the shortcomings of digital video recorders.

A DVR hard drive is generally not intended for long time storage, which might make DVD or VHS technology slightly more attractive in some situations. There is limited hard drive space, which means that eventually, footage will end up being rewritten. Just like the hard drive in a personal computer, a DVR’s hard drive could eventually crash into the disk platters and end the life of the machine.

Moreover, some people have expressed privacy or security concerns about digital video recorders. This is probably extremely startling to anyone who wants to use a security DVR viewer. Certain DVR models are designed to send back data about television viewer habits, which is where the source of this concern comes from. First of all, a DVR system that isn’t connected to a network cannot do this. This concern also has to do with the sorts of DVR units that are shipped to television customers from cable and satellite providers. It has nothing to do with security DVR viewer machines. No one should have to fear this trusted technology for use with CCTV systems.

On the other hand, there are plenty of advantages to security DVR viewer technology. There isn’t any external media involved with a DVR. Instead, the unit itself contains the hard drive that is recorded on. If people tend to misplace videotapes or DVDs, this could be great news. The machine could record in high definition, and while this usually isn’t a concern when working with security cameras, it might be nice for certain types of installations.

Security DVR viewer machines that are connected to the Internet or a private network should still not prove to be much of a security risk anyways. After all, these are not in any way connected with the type of DVR devices used for recording television programming. The only similarity that they share is from a pure technology standpoint. The implementation of the technology is very different. If one is sure that their digital video recorder is designed for use with CCTV cameras, then that have no reason to be afraid of any strange security leaks. The type of data that offending DVR devices collect wouldn’t have anything to do with security any ways, so those who have repurposed technology in the past probably haven’t even made something that could successfully interface with the data collection servers in question. While it’s good to keep an eye on privacy issues, some of the rumors that are going around in the security equipment supply industry today are slightly overblown. Nevertheless, people should always be vigilant when told that there is some type of weakness inherent in their equipment.

Networking can work in favor of surveillance specialists, however. Once people get over their fear of security on the World Wide Web, they might realize how many uses an IP camera and IP equipped digital video recorder unit has. One could theoretically capture footage from cameras that are located all over the country or even the world. Security companies that are charged with monitoring various clients could use this to ensure that an electronic eye always monitors each individual camera. Some DVR units are designed to work with 4, 8, 16 or even 32 channels. While these are often more expensive than regular units, their price tag is far lower than having to individually purchase DVR machines for each individual camera. Those systems could also be used to monitor multiple cameras at once through a networking system.

Once again, this would be very useful for those sorts of security firms that have to monitor a large number of different cameras. Pretend, for a moment that there were three different factories that had separate CCTV networks, and all three of them were contracted out to a single location. That single location could use a digital video recorder that was outfitted with Internet protocol networking, if each of the cameras at these factories had an IP module. As long as a solid Internet connection was always maintained, there wouldn’t be an interruption of service.

Security Camera SystemsThat being said, the fear of security that most people have is well placed. There are good reasons to care a great deal about plugging all the holes that a system like this has. A security DVR viewer system is generally pretty foolproof, but there are chances that the network might be hacked. It is usually a pretty good idea to have some sort of Firewall installed on the network that interfaces with the rest of the equipment. Regular virus and spyware checks are necessary to ensure that the network is safe enough to continue to stream video to the recording device.

A second concern involved in using an IP equipped security DVR viewer involves the stability of the Internet connection used. Needless to say, no one could use a dialup connection to network their video cameras, but just because a system is based on broadband technology doesn’t make it stable. Continuous outages won’t do anyone any favors. Weather and other concerns can actually influence connectivity. On the other hand, some people might trust the connection that they’ve previously been working with for their business. For those that have a local area network that seems stable, it shouldn’t be too difficult to get a system like this configured. A few basic computer skills can do away with the hard part of surveillance.

Then again, there are plenty of options with DVR software that runs on regular computers. For instance, JPEG surveillance DVR technology can take individual images and load them onto a computer server. These pictures are in a format that can be read by the majority of personal computers that are running industry standard system software. If a website was set up to request appropriate log in credentials, it could be used to display regular security DVR viewer images. JPEG files are often used on the World Wide Web as it is.

There’s another way this can benefit businesses as well. Pretend that a store has just, unfortunately, been stolen from. If a JPEG image of the suspect came out of the video feed, it can be extracted using security DVR viewer software. This image can then be posted on the store’s regular website, or even printed and distributed. This is not to say that criminal activity should be turned into something sensational, or even encouraged. Instead, these images can be used to try and find the perpetrator of a crime.

When people see the image, they might be able to provide some information about the individual’s identity or whereabouts. Numerous crimes have been solved because of anonymous tips or people leaving a bit of information with the authorities. There’s nothing that states that this sort of thing can’t be part of a real grass roots movement to ensure that justice is served. The fact that this sort of system is in place might also make would-be shoplifters think twice about swiping something from a store that has prepared itself to deal with criminals. Shoplifting can quickly add up and become extremely expensive.

Just like digital video recorder systems that can be connected to the Internet, it is easy to accept a video feed from over the Internet and stream it to a personal computer. In fact, this might be even easier. There are a few special devices that are necessary to turn a computer into a DVR machine, but they aren’t anything that is too difficult to work with. If a camera already has a USB interface, it could actually connect directly into a computer. Of course, IP modules that are present on Internet security cameras will interface with computer recording software just as easily.

There’s no reason that a creative set up involving digital video recorders, IP cameras, traditional CCTV technology and computers can’t be set up. Some vendors actually make a type of video interface that can be installed into a computer motherboard to accept RF video input from coaxial cable feeds. These cards plug straight into an expansion slot, and have a female BNC jack that accepts a traditional feed straight out of a regular security camera. This can be used to turn a computer into a combination DVR and security DVR viewer machine. It might save some money, depending on how much would have otherwise been spent on setting up external equipment.

There are numerous uses of this sort of technology outside of the surveillance market. Some people who are adventurous might want to use a security DVR viewer to record some sort of social networking footage and store it before posting it. This might seem silly, but Internet video market is quickly growing. Of course, a clip of video can easily be taken out of a computer interface and posted on a store’s website to work in much the same way that the previous JPEG example did. A bit of video can be very useful when trying to identify a suspect, and might even be handed over to investigators or a news service.

Some people have used surveillance systems to monitor construction projects. This can be used to make sure that no suspicious activity occurs at the construction site, and it also provides interesting footage for those who are having a house built for them. Naturally, security DVR viewer equipment that interfaces with the World Wide Web allows people to watch this sort of thing from anywhere. For that matter, there might be some interesting applications that involve mobile devices.

Smartphone Video SurveillanceSmartphones and tablets are very popular, and many people have them. If a video link is provided via the Internet, even the most basic mobile phone web browser can be turned into a security DVR viewer. Even if a business owner has to travel across the country, they can still investigate suspicious activity and keep an eye on their business. If they have the right type of equipment, they should be able to check things out from anywhere in the world that has a cellular phone network capable of supporting such devices.

Keeping tabs on a business from the palm of one’s hand is pretty impressive, but it doesn’t mean that the innovations have to end there. There are numerous interesting things that can be done when setting up security DVR viewer technology. Some television sets have picture-in-picture, and this opens up an entirely new avenue for those working with traditional setups. One could watch yesterday’s happenings while keeping an eye on the premises. People are really only limited by the creativity of their engineers.

 

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CCTV Video Splitter

Tuesday, November 22nd, 2011

CCTV video splitters come in many shapes, sizes, and varieties.  In this article we’ll take a look at some different types of CCTV video splitters and explore how they are used.

CCTV video splitters can actually perform several different tasks however their primary function is to split one outgoing video signal into two.  By using a CCTV video splitter you can take one outgoing video signal and hook it up to play on two different monitors at the same time.

Generally speaking, there are about three different categories of CCTV video splitters.  They may be in the form of a simple cable, balun, or even an amplifier.

A cable type of CCTV video splitter is basically nothing more than a cable that is made with one end of the cable splitting into two, similar to the letter “Y.” These may work well for short runs of cable; however by splitting one input into two outputs the video signal through each will be weakened without an amplifier or other device to maintain the original signal strength.

However, as mentioned above for short runs of output cable this is likely not to cause any signal degradation to each monitor.   Every situation is different and sometimes the only way to find out if a certain arrangement will work is by trial and error.

Another method of splitting the video signal is to use a balun designed for this purpose.  Although a balun is really a specific type of transformer that can convert electrical signals that are balance about ground (also known as differential) to signals that are unbalanced (single ended) and vice versa.  The name “Balun” comes from two words, BAL(ance) and UN(balance).

In theory, using a passive balun to change the cable type from RG59 to Cat5E may also provide a means of splitting the video signal.  Why would you want to do this?  Because using a passive video balun, the signal can be changed at the connection source from RG59 to CaT5E.  This is done because Cat5E is less expensive for one thing, secondly it’s easy to pull when installing it, it’s generally less expensive than RG59, and a passive video balun and Cat5E can carry a signal further than RG59 cable, usually about 1,000 to 1,200 feet.

Baluns can be passive (un-powered) or active (receive external power source to boost signal strength).  However, neither “Y” cables or baluns are as good at CCTV Video splitting as video amplifier/splitters.  These amplifier/splitters may also give the user the advantage of splitting the signal into more than just two output sources.  Some units can amplify and split one BNC input signal into as many as 8 or more output channels.  Although 8 is usually the maximum for this method, systems with over 8 cameras commonly use video multiplexers instead

Most of the amplifier/splitters perform the same task; however individual units may contain extra and different features that can prove to be useful such as gain control, white balance, etc.

There is another type of CCTV video splitter that we should mention as well.  In essence, this device works just the opposite of what we have previously described above; instead of taking one signal and splitting it into two signals that can be viewed on two separate monitors, it takes several camera inputs and outputs only one signal, but “splits” each camera to a designated amount of space on the monitor.

For example, a splitter of this type may accept 4 input cameras signals, each of course on their own channel.   These enter the splitter but the signal that exits the splitter is only for one monitor.  The splitter takes the incoming signals in this case and divides the monitor into fourths.  Each of the cameras have one fourth of the monitor screen and all four cameras can be outputting to the splitter at the same time.

What ever method you use, be sure to think it through before you design your system using splitters.   There may be better ways to achieve your desired results or the CCTV video splitter might be the very best solution.

If you need help with your CCTV video splitter or planning your system contact one of our security experts.  They can be reached by using our “Live Chat” feature or by calling us at 1-866-573-8878 Monday through Friday 9AM to 6PM EST.

 

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Security Camera Network

Tuesday, November 1st, 2011

There are many ways to achieve a security camera network.  Thanks to the digital age and the advancements of computer and Internet technology the Internet can be used as a medium for networking, allowing the user to have global access.  This is just one of the functions of Internet Protocol or IP security camera software and in addition to an Internet based network, a local security camera network can be established as well.

IP security camera network software may come with a variety of different functions.  For example its primary purpose may be just to make the camera IP ready so that it can transmit its video images over the Internet to the user.   These cameras are often called IP ready security cameras and it allows the user to place a camera just about anywhere there is access to broadband Internet.  The camera then transmits its videos over a security camera network, in this case the Internet, to a personal computer that has the IP security camera software installed.

This software contains the programming needed to communicate with the IP digital camera.  It normally runs as an ActiveX function on Windows’ Internet Explorer and other browsers so the user can monitor his/her camera simply by using a compatible browser.  If the camera is a Pan-Tilt-Zoom or PTZ camera, the IP security camera software may even provide the necessary programming so that the user can operate the controls to the PTZ via the Browser

Another type of IP security camera software uses the Internet as the vehicle for a security camera network among IP cameras.   In other words, instead of the camera using RG-59 coaxial cable or other wiring to send its video images to the Digital Video Recorder or DVR, the camera simply plugs into a broadband Internet connection and once connected, uses the Internet to send its video image data to a Network Video Recorder or NVR.

The NVR acts pretty much like a typical DVR however it is specifically made for networking cameras and storing their video images via the Internet.  Some NVRs require that a certain type or brand of camera be used and some NVRs also restrict the use of the NVR and IP cameras to one physical location.  The NVR coordinates the IP system, including the cameras, file storage, and playback.

So why use IP cameras and a security camera network?  In this age of global communication, many workers perform a great deal of traveling.  Using and IP camera with IP security camera software, it’s possible to monitor your IP cameras in Maine while you are in Hawaii.  You can also often gain access to the cameras using smartphones and a special type of IP security camera software designed specifically for smartphones called an “application” or just simply put, “an app.”  Thanks to the Internet there really aren’t too many places that you can go and not monitor your cameras.

Another example for using IP camera systems is that you may have cameras located in totally different geographical areas.  However, you may want to record these cameras from a totally different location (a home office for example).  Perhaps you own 2 or 3 convenient stores in your area and want to be able to monitor them from your home office.  You simply connect the IP camera to the Internet, set up your NVR, and you can monitor all three locations at once from a totally different location than any of your cameras (home office for example).  In other words since the Internet is already readily available you have just established a security camera network for your system.

These are just some of the ways that an IP camera system can be used.  If you prefer to take advantage of professional full time monitoring of your cameras IP camera software can also make it possible for the monitoring company to see each of your cameras.

Usually, IP security camera software is provided by the camera manufacturer or the NVR manufacturer so you seldom ever need to purchase the software separately.  Security Camera King has another type of IP security camera software called a Mobile Video Server and in comes in 4, 8, and 16 channel capability.

This software allows the user to embed a live stream of one or more cameras on a web page.  This means that any Web browser that can play streaming video will be able to view the cameras.  Of course smartphones, PDA’s, and the like will be able to view them too.

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