1.

What is CCTV

Most people think that CCTV is a relatively new invention, but then
again, many dont even know what it is ... so first things first, what
exactly is Closed Circuit Television? Well the television bit is perhaps
self explanatory; its simply about putting a picture onto a television
screen, or video monitor to give it its correct title. Incidentally, very
basic video monitors are essentially televisions, but without the
additional circuitry needed, to receive and decode the Radio
Frequency signals, which are transmitted through the air.

The Closed Circuit bit is actually quite straightforward. Lets say for
example, that you subscribe to Satellite TV. If you watch your
favourite television programme, you and perhaps a few million others
will be able to receive the transmitted signal through the dish and set
top box. As anyone with a correctly tuned Telly can access this
signal, we can safely describe this type of arrangement as an Open
Circuit Television or OCTV system.;If a signal is being linked from
any source, whether its a DVD player, a camcorder, or a surveillance
camera, directly to a display device such as a television, this is
described as a Closed Circuit simply because it is not available to
anyone else.
So you can see that in the early days of developing video camera
security systems, the pictures from the cameras were almost always
sent to a monitor, or a video recorder, or indeed a sealed Control
Room under Closed Circuit conditions, hence the now widely
accepted term Closed Circuit Television.
2. Which type of Security Camera should I use?

A security camera can come in many different styles including dome,
bullet, infrared and c-mount. The security camera that will work best
for your application will depend on several factors such as whether
you will use the security cameras inside or out, during the day,
nighttime, or both.

Bullet style security cameras are the most popular. They can be used
inside or out. These security cameras come in black and white or color
and come with all of the required mounting hardware. Some security
camera casings are weather resistant and dont require added external
protection. Most security cameras have a fixed 6mm lens that allows
you to see facial features out to about 30 feet and provides a 56 degree
angle of view.

Resolution levels for black and white security cameras are about 400
lines, any higher and the benefits are minimal. For color cameras, the
higher the resolution the better.

Infrared security cameras are also very popular as they allow an
image to be seen in little or no lighting conditions. Most infrared
security cameras are bullet style and can be used inside or out. The
cameras have infrared lighting installed around the outer edge of the
lens which allows the security camera to see in no light.

The advantage to c-mount security cameras is that the lens can be
changed. Youll want a special camera lens if you need to see further
than 35 ft. The colour c-mount security camera allows you to change
lenses on the camera giving you the ability to zoom into a particular
area. Varifocal camera lenses allow you to adjust the focus from 5 to
50 mm. These lenses can be used inside only unless you put it in
special housing for outdoor use.
Dome security cameras basically provide a different look. Everyone
has seen these security cameras in businesses and stores. Because of
its shape, its difficult to tell exactly where the camera is aiming unless
you see it up close. Dome cameras are generally used inside buildings
Dome Cameras

The dome camera is obviously named for its dome shape. Everyone
has seen these security cameras in businesses and stores. Because of
its shape, its difficult to tell exactly where the camera is aiming unless
you see it up close. Dome cameras are generally used inside buildings,
although the armor domes can be used outside as well (more about
the armor dome below). You can mount them on the ceiling or on a
wall. They are available in black and white (b/w) and color, and the
basic unit has good video resolution (400 lines for b/w, 380 for color).
Varifocal dome cameras feature the highest quality SONY 1/3 Super
HAD CCD sensor and excellent resolution (420 lines). The 5-8mm
model has an adjustable lens focus from 5mm to 8mm. The 9-22mm
model can adjust its lens focus from 9mm to 22mm. Refer to the
security camera lens FAQ for more information about lenses and
focus.
Infra Red Cameras
An infrared security camera has infrared LED lighting (light from a
different region of the electromagnetic spectrum than we normally
use to see) installed around the outside of the lens of the camera. This
lighting allows the camera to capture a good image in no light at all.
With a little bit of light (called low light) the infrared camera can
capture a picture that looks just like daytime. People use infrared
security cameras for businesses that have the lights out at night (in
case of break-ins). Or for outside, nighttime viewing. Keep in mind
that even at nightime there is a normally some light from the moon,
stars, or street lights.

Infrared cameras are often called Night Vision cameras because
they can see at night. However, do not confuse Night Vision with
Day / Night Cameras. Day / Night cameras do not have infrared
lights built in. More about those types of cameras below.

Infrared security cameras will provide a color picture while the light
is good. When it gets dark, the camera will switch to infrared mode
and illuminate its built-in infrared LEDs. In infrared mode the image
is captured in black and white - this is true of all infrared cameras. The
level of light required to capture a good picture is referred to as a
cameras lux, the lower the lux the better the camera can see in low
light. For example a camera with 0.003 lux is better than a camera with
0.2 lux. Infrared cameras are considered to be 0.0 lux in infrared mode
- in other words they can see with no light at all.
Infrared cameras are also compared by how far they can see in total
darkness. This is generally a result of how many infrared LEDs are
built into the camera. Our Long Range Color Day/Night Weatherproof
IR Camera can see up to 150ft. with no light at all!

If you are going to use an infrared camera outdoors, its best to use a
outdoor weatherproof bullet style camera. This is because if you use
an indoor infrared camera and need to put it in an outdoor housing,
sometimes the infrared light reflects off the glass of the housing. Some
people get acceptable results if the camera is absolutely flush up to the
glass thereby reducing the glare. An alternative solution is to use a
day / night camera which has an extra sensitive imaging chip that
allows it to capture a good picture in low light situations without
using infrared lighting. This works well for example if there are street
lights outside or an exterior light that can be left on at night. Keep in
mind that cameras without infrared lighting will not capture an image
with zero light. The other issue to consider is that infrared cameras
require more power (more amperage). The power requirements are
provided in the specs for each camera.
Bullet Cameras

The term Bullet Camera comes from its resemblance to a rifle bullet.
Generally long and tapered like a cylinder, it looks like an oversized
ammo cartridge.

Most bullet cameras come with a fixed 3.6mm lens that allows a 80
degree angle of view. This is the widest angle you can have without
distorting the picture. A 4mm lens will allow you to see facial features
out to about 35 feet. If infrared is included you can generally see 35
feet minimum with no external lighting, some can see up to 70 feet.

Some devices capture images in color which is best for daytime
lighting. For nighttime viewing choosing an infrared camera, which
captures images in black and white is better. Many of the products
will display color during the day and automatically switch to black
and white infrared viewing when light levels are low. Resolution
levels for black and white are usually about 400 lines, any higher
resolution and the benefits are minimal. For color, the higher
resolution the better the picture.

Used in closed circuit television applications, bullet cameras contain
essentially the same electronic components as c-mount cameras but
have been modified to fit in a weatherproof casing for outdoor use.
You can see from the image that some models allow the housing to be
removed for installation indoors. Mounting brackets are included
with each item. They can be installed on the ceiling or the wall.
Voltage is 12V DC. Power adaptors are included with every camera.


C-Mount Cameras
The advantage to a c-mount camera is that the lens can be changed. If
you need to see further than 35 or 40 ft then youll need a c-mount
camera with a special lens. C-Mount lenses are available from 4mm to
50mm. A 4mm lens provides facial detail and a 70 degree angle of
view focused up to about 35 ft. An example of where you might use a
fixed 4mm lens is in a small office, or at home to focus on your
driveway.

A higher millimeter lens will provide further distance, but narrows
the field of view. So, a 16mm lens would provide about a 15 to 20
degree angle of view at a focus distance of about 35 ft (or a 70 degree
angle of view at about 140 feet). In general, a 8mm lens is like a 4mm
lens zoomed in 2 times. Similarily, a 16mm lens is like the 4mm lens
zoomed in 4 times.

Many times, the best option is to use a varifocal lens. This will allow
you to vary the focus from 5 to 50mm. So when you install the camera
you can fine tune the focal distance and angle of view. An example of
where you might use a varifocal lens is outside (or inside) a large
commercial building where you need more distance than 35 ft. and
the varifocal lens will allow you to adjust the focal distance to your
preference.

If you want to use cmount cameras outside, you must put them in an
outdoor camera housing

CCTV lenses are available in two different lens mounts. C-mount
lenses have a flange back distance of 17.5mm; CS-mount lenses
have a flange back distance of 12.5mm. The flange back distance is the
distance from the flange of the lens (beginning of the lens mount) to
the focal plane. All of the C-Mount cameras we sell can be adjusted for
installation of a CS-Mount lens as well as a C-Mount lens.

3. Is it difficult to install CCTV ?
Smaller projects are within the scope of a competant DIYer. The self
install approach must be carefully considered. While help and advice
can be obtained on equipment and materials it is very difficult to get it
right without getting a professional survey completed. Lack of
knowledge leads to poor working practice, poor performance, costly
materials and in many cases the wrong products being installed.

The truth of the matter is that most CCTV cameras are just not
properly set up for their intended purpose, and thats the main reason
why its so important to understand the objectives, before installing
the system. In the context of Security, their are essentially four main
steps to achieving an efficient approach when applying Closed Circuit
Television; but it is still worth remembering that in most situations,
the general effectiveness of CCTV increases when it is used as part of
an overall strategy, involving various other complimentary
techniques, (for example, lighting, intruder alarms , access control,
etc.).
Step 1 is the Crime Audit (CA)... Before you can address any given
problems, you first need to understand the scope and complexity of
any criminal behaviour which has so far taken place.

Step 2 The Risk Assessment Survey (RAS) ... is in some respects the
key to designing an effective Closed Circuit Television system.

Step 3 Development of the CCTV System Profile (SP)... this is
actually the point where the system design begins to get .... just a little
bit more interesting.

Step 4 Look closely at the benefits of macro profiling... Individual
areas of the system are addressed.
Hopefully now we hade described that CCTV is more than buying a
few cameras and chucking them in. Clearly there is a case for a
considered approach that, if done carefully and thoughtfully can save
money and time.
We refer to the term CCTV loosely as it is the common reference to
surveillance cameras but as has been described, surveillance cameras
are very often OCTV (Open circuit television).
Please refer to our other guide which contains a glossary of terms and
abbreviations

REFERENCE:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/gds/What-is-CCTV-What-Type-of-Camera-How-to-Install-Guide-
/10000000003204311/g.html