Many homeowners choose to install closed circuit TV cameras in their homes. The process of buying closed circuit TV cameras can be easy. The cameras usually remain trouble-free for years.
Make a Plan
The first step in installing closed circuit TV cameras is to conduct a survey of the area to be recorded. Think about what happens in each area. What exactly do you hope to accomplish by capturing the action in the area? Will it be important that you record every inch of a room? Will you need more than one camera to accomplish your goals? Normally, closed circuit television systems come in 1, 2, 8 and 16 camera systems. Which will best accomplish your goals? Do you need cameras outside to accomplish your goals?
Wireless or Wired
Once you have selected the best locations for your closed circuit TV system, the next step is to choose the right type of closed circuit TV camera. These cameras come in three different options. The oldest and most reliable camera is the wired camera. These cameras require the homeowner to install the camera and run a wire to the recording device. Many homeowners are choosing to move away from this system, because they do not like the look of the wires running everywhere in their homes.
The next option is the wireless closed circuit TV camera. These cameras send a signal from the camera to the recording device. In the past, these cameras often experienced interference from other household devices. Today, that is not the case. These cameras will deliver clear pictures without the hassle of installing all that wire.
Another popular option is IP cameras. These cameras connect to the router of your computer system. The buyer needs to be aware that when the router is used, then the security of the system can be compromised. If choosing this option, it is important to check the security of your router. The router can then by connected to the television for easy viewing.
Imaging Chips
The next decision that a homeowner will need to consider when buying closed circuit TV cameras for their home is the imaging chip. These chips are used by the camera to capture the images. Closed circuit TV cameras rely on the chip to hold the pixels that records the image. These chips come in varying sizes. Today, the most common chip sizes are 1/4”, 1/3” and ½”. Look for a closed circuit television cameras that use the ½” chip for the highest quality. Technology is constantly improving the chips that are available at a reasonable cost. In addition, look for a closed circuit TV camera that has a higher resolution. This number will often be expressed as television lines. Look for a number above 330. The higher the number, the better the resolution will be.
Black and White versus Color
The next decision that a homeowner will need to make is rather they want a black and white or color closed circuit TV camera. If the cameras will be used in low-light conditions, then consider a black and white system as they require less available light to work. Color closed circuit TV cameras deliver a better image. If you want a great system that will operate in low light conditions, then consider an infrared camera. These cameras use light just below what the human eye can see to allow the camera to work. If you want to use the camera at night or outside, then this makes a super alternative. When purchasing a closed circuit TV camera, look at the lux number. The lower the lux number, the less light the camera will require to work.
Closed Circuit TV Lenses
The next decision that the homeowner will need to make is what lens they want to use on the camera. Generally speaking the user has a choice of six types of lenses. Each is equipped to handle special situations the best. The first lens type is the auto iris lenses. These lenses adjust to varying light conditions automatically. They are available in four sizes from 1 inch down to 1/3 inch. It is very important to buy the correct size lens to fit your camera.
The second type of lens is the manual or fixed iris lenses. These lenses are designed for inside use where the lighting conditions stay constant. Like the auto iris lenses, they are available from 1 inch down to 1/3 inch. Some of these lenses can be manually adjusted while others can never be adjusted.
The third type of lens is the telephoto and wide angle lenses. These lenses will record a larger area or smaller area than a normal lens. Some telephoto lenses will have a set millimeters, abbreviated as mm, while others will have an adjustable mm. Telephoto lenses start at 70 mm and can go as high as 1700 mm. This will control the amount of zooming in ability the lens has. The wide angle camera will allow the camera to capture images over a larger area. Think of this as the ability to zoom out. When buying a wide angle lens check the field of view to make sure it will record the area that you are interested in. This will be expressed as degrees horizontal and degrees vertical.
The fourth type of lens is the mini and board lenses. These lenses are made for the dome cameras. They allow you to see a larger field of view than the lens that comes on these cameras. It is also possible to purchase a fish eye lens. This lens will allow you to view a full circle recorded by the camera. Fish eye lenses require the user to get use to seeing the photo from this angle. Fish eye lenses have the most distortion of any lens available on the market.
The fifth type of lens is the machine vision and megapixel lenses. These lenses are designed to offer the user a high number of megapixels to record the data. These lenses are used mainly in medical, scientific and other highly specialized areas. These lenses are best for pan, tilt and zoom cameras, often referred to as ptz cameras.
The last type of lens is the zoom lens. These lenses allow the user to enlarge the action. These lenses will have a number followed by a X. That is the amount the picture can be enlarged. Basically, these lenses fall into three categories. Starter zoom lenses have less than 9 times enlargement ability. The higher end lenses have the ability to enlarge the action more than 20 times. These lenses will usually be combined with other features, such as the auto iris or the ability to record wide angle photos.
Choose the Lens Mounting System
After choosing the correct lens type then it is important to choose a lens that will fit on your particular camera. It is important to know which type of lens mounting system your camera has. There are currently four types of mounting systems. The first type of mount is the C mount. With the C mount the lens will have male threads which must match with the female threads on the camera.
The second type of mount is the CS mount. This is the most popular mount for security cameras. If you have a C mount lens and a CS mount camera, it is easy to combine the two with the addition of a 5 mm ring between the camera and lens. This ring allows the lens to have the correct focal length.
The third type of mount is the M12. These are some of the cheapest mounts on the market today. They allow small lenses to be mounted to smaller cameras. Similar to the M12 mount is the M9 mount.
Choose the Camera Style
The last choice that the homeowner will need to make is the correct closed circuit TV cameras style. These camera styles include the dome, bullet, box, mini covert. Choose a style that will compliment your home or business.
The dome style closed circuit TV camera looks like a half circle. These cameras are the sturdiest on the market today. They are easy to mount even for the first time user as they have a flat base that can be mounted to almost any surface. It is very difficult to harm a dome style camera.
The bullet style closed circuit TV camera looks like a long cylinder. It is often nicknamed the lipstick camera, because it looks like a tube of lipstick. These cameras are harder to mount as the mount is separate from the camera.
The next style of closed circuit TV camera is the box style camera. These cameras are the easiest to change the lenses in. If you plan on using a box style camera outside, then you will need to purchase a waterproof housing for the camera.
The mini or covert closed circuit TV cameras are the easiest to hide. Commonly known as spy cameras, they can be disguised to look like almost anything. One popular option is to make it look like a book end on a bookcase. They can also be disguised to look like alarm clocks or smoke detectors. They are super cameras for recording without other people suspecting that you are recording. It is hard to find one of these cameras where you can change the lenses.
Closed circuit TV cameras are great for home and business security. First, make a plan of your home or business to decide on the correct location for the cameras. Make sure to choose the right type of camera for your lighting conditions. Next, choose rather you want a black and white or color system. Next, choose the correct type of lens for your camera. Then, finally, decide on the correct style of camera.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us.