MAKING ELECTRICAL

TECHNOLOGY WORK
FIRE AND SECURITY SECTOR

PART 1
A Basic Introduction to CCTV

01 January 05
 A BASIC INTRODUCTION TO CCTV
CAMERAS
UNDERSTANDING CAMERAS!

Specification of the right CCTV camera for a project is not always the easiest
of processes. There are many factors that have to be taken into account:
technical specifications, the application and its requirements, as well as any
physical constraints the site may impose. With ever increasing product
ranges available in the marketplace, and technology constantly evolving to
optimise performance, reliability and functionality, it is quite a challenge to
make an informed decision to meet the requirements for the job whilst
remaining within projected budget.

Understanding the many variables within CCTV camera technology today can
only be an advantage in helping you make the right choices.

At the heart of the CCTV camera technology is a CCD sensor (Charge

Coupled Device) that converts light into an electrical signal. This electrical
signal is then processed by the camera electronics and converted to a video
signal output that can then be either recorded or displayed on to a monitor.

However, the treatment of the video signal is then dependant on the type of
camera. CCD chip cameras can be divided into two principal types: analogue
or the more recently introduced digital versions.

These can be sub-divided further into the following:

- medium resolution monochrome

- medium resolution colour
- high resolution monochrome
- high resolution colour
- day/night cameras that provide colour in the day and monochrome at
night.

To complicate matters even further, each of the above is generally available

with different levels of performance – like a car model varying from ‘base
features’ to ‘top of the range’.

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MONOCHROME OR COLOUR?

The human eye remembers and recalls things better if they appear in colour.
It’s easier to track down a brown-haired person wearing a red sweater and
blue jeans than a dark, grey-clad figure that would be produced in
monochrome.

Colour cameras carry an additional premium in price compared with

monochrome cameras, but they are also less sensitive making night usage an
impractical option unless good lighting is available.

Monochrome cameras can offer Infra Red (IR) sensitivity allowing their use
with covert IR illumination possible. This can be particularly useful where
planning permission makes extra lighting impractical or the security
requirement is such that intruders should not be alerted to the existence of
CCTV surveillance.

ANALOGUE OR DIGITAL?

Until recently, most cameras have been of the analogue type, producing good
quality images at an affordable price. However, the introduction of Digital
Signal Processing (DSP) has increased both the flexibility of using security
cameras whilst enhancing the quality of the colour images produced.

At the heart of DSP lies computer microchips, or ‘chip sets’ which have
replaced the conventional integrated circuits in the camera head. This
enables DSP camera manufacturers to offer installer friendly, feature-rich
products.

The market for DSP technology falls into two broad categories: ‘standard’ and
‘premium’ DSP. Standard DSP cameras generally offer more consistent
picture quality than their analogue counterparts, operating over a wider range
of lighting conditions. Premium DSP cameras, however, have much richer
functionality. This includes programmable intelligent backlight compensation
(BLC), video motion detection, remote set-up and control using a serial data
link; built-in character generator and on-screen menus. These features make
Premium DSP cameras the ideal choice for complex surveillance conditions
such as those encountered in town centres.

CCD CHIP SIZE

CCTV cameras generally use CCD chips that are designed for the consumer
camcorder market. Originally, the chips used were half-inch image diagonal,
but the drive for reduced size led to the development of third-inch and more
recently quarter-inch chips.

The half-inch chips are capable of producing the highest sensitivity and
resolutions owing to the simple fact that they are able to gather more light.
Third-inch chips now form an increasing part of the market and as product

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development continues their performance is approaching that of their larger
brothers.

Quarter-inch chip sets are a relatively recent development and are being
widely used in consumer camcorders. Currently their use in CCTV is still
somewhat limited because of the lack of availability and range of quarter-inch
format lenses.

As a general rule, quarter-inch cameras provide the lowest cost and

performance while half-inch cameras provide premium performance and are
more expensive.

Mid-priced third-inch cameras make up the bulk of cameras used in the

market today.

HARDWARE
UNDERSTANDING HARDWARE!

When we talk about CCTV hardware, what we are generally referring to is

housings, pan/tilts and the brackets to support these.

Housings, in essence, are casings used to protect cameras from a variety of

conditions, dependent on the environment in which they are mounted.

Pan/tilts are fixtures, to which housings and/or cameras are attached: allowing
remote positioning of both direction and zoom lens functions.

Brackets are available in a wide range of types to permit the mounting of

cameras, housings and pan/tilts to a variety of building structures.

HOUSINGS

At first sight, most camera housings may seem similar. In practice, to ensure
the optimum appearance and performance appropriate for a camera
installation, a number of factors have to be taken into consideration:

1. Location
2. Risk of vandalism
3. The total load weight of the housing and constituent elements
(including camera, lens and any other equipment encased within,
the hanging bracket and fixing surface)
4. The housing chosen has sufficient physical space for the camera,
lens (which may have to be changed at a later stage), electrical
wiring and enough room to make the connections and allow for
future maintenance
5. Try to use aluminium or rust-proof products. Steel is more
vulnerable to the elements and will rust in time!
6. Housings should only be mounted on to load bearing points

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 7. It is recommended that the top 5 or 6 levels of brickwork on
buildings is avoided when mounting a camera housing

Environmental conditions are also a primary consideration in selecting an

appropriate housing for a camera system, but often one, which is not given
the due attention. As a result, a housing may not give the level of protection
required in its specific application – wasting time, money and effort. If a
camera is to be mounted externally in a coastal location, for example, the
housing will require a marine finish to protect against the damaging effects of
salt which can induce premature corrosion.

Climatic effects also need to be considered. Rising and falling temperatures

can dramatically effect the workings of electrical equipment and as a result
requires pro-active consideration. In hot conditions, the severity of the sun
may require the use of air blowers and sun shields to maintain the
temperature of the camera at an optimum level and ensure clear viewing.
Conversely, in cold conditions, it may be that a camera requires a heater and
thermostat built into the housing. In rainy conditions, wipers may be required
to keep the housing glass clear to maintain the cameras viewing quality.

The standard for the degree of protection that housings afford to its contents
is defined by the IP system (see page 54).

PAN/TILTS

Broadly categorised into internal and external usage, pan/tilts are normally
selected on the basis of the maximum load they can take. This of course will
dramatically vary from application to application. Careful consideration is
required to ensure the total weight of the housing, camera, lens, Infra Red
lamps and any other equipment featured in the installation does not exceed
the load rating.

BRACKETS

A wide range of brackets is available to allow CCTV hardware to be mounted

in a variety of situations. Brackets available include wall mount, corner
mount, ceiling mount and pole mount. The main principle in selecting the
most appropriate bracket for a camera installation is based upon load weight.
It is vital to ensure that a bracket loading does not exceed the total weight of
the equipment that is mounted upon it. Furthermore, if the system is mounted
externally, it is important to account for additional weight and pressure
excerpted from the elements such as snow and wind.

INFRA RED LAMPS

Infra red lamps (IR) essentially allow black and white cameras to ‘see in the
dark’. This results from the infra red illumination provided by the lamps, which
is difficult to be seen by the human eye. Broadly speaking, there are 2 main
types of IR lights: 715nM filters pass the most amount of light and can be

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seen by most people as a red glow. 830nM filters pass less light and
consequently provide a shorter viewing distance. However, as a result they
are less visible to the human eye and thus more effective for covert usage.

FIXED DOMES
UNDERSTANDING FIXED DOMES

Fixed domes provide a popular means of monitoring a specific area in a more

discreet manner than a traditional camera. Housed inside a plastic casing,
usually with a smoked, gold or silver finish, they offer protection from
tampering whilst preventing observers from detecting what area of
surveillance the dome is covering.

Complimentary to any CCTV installation, these cameras can be supplied in a

range of formats and specifications dependant on the requirement, including
monochrome and colour options.

VANDAL RESISTANT

Due to the increase in demand for ruggedised products in particular

applications, some fixed domes have been developed to offer vandal
resistance. These vary in strength, from protection against the impact of
heavy hammers to bullet proofing.

LENSES
UNDERSTANDING LENSES

Selecting the most appropriate lens for an installation can be a complex task -
the choice is constantly expanding in response to new camera and lens
technology. Lenses have a number of characteristics that must be considered
to match a particular requirement with the best lens for the job.

FIXED –FOCUS LENGTH LENS

Fixed-focus lenses are the simplest type of lens, and therefore the cheapest.
The preset focal length means a precise calculation is required to select the
lens most suitable for the location, based on the desired size of viewing area
and its distance from the camera. Typical lens sizes offer either a 30º view –
narrow to allow more detail at distance – or 60º, which offers a much wider
angle of view.

VARIFOCAL LENS

Varifocal lenses offer more flexibility, allowing the field of view to be adjusted
manually. Although more expensive, these lenses are popular because the
user is able to get the view required rather than be limited by the constraints

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of a fixed lens. Finally, zoom lens are the most complex type, offering the
greatest functionality once installed – unsurprisingly, zoom lenses offer the
widest choice of associated features and technologies.

Zoom lenses can be remotely adjusted to allow variation of the focal length.
This means that a single lens can be used to view a wide area until an
intruder is detected whereupon it can be zoomed in to capture facial details.
Generally, zoom lenses incorporate an auto iris mechanism to permit 24hr
usage.

FORMATS

Lenses are also categorised according to size format. As camera technology

has advanced, sensor chips have reduced in size, requiring lenses to produce
smaller images at the focal point. This has made smaller lenses possible
(less glass resulting in less physical size and weight) although the
requirements of precision manufacturing doesn’t permit a proportional price
reduction – the component materials of a lens being a very small proportion of
the overall manufacturing cost. The quoted format of a lens (“, ½”, 1/3” and
now even ¼”) is derived from the ratio of diameter to the viewing image
produced. Whilst it is often most cost effective to match the lens format to the
camera sensor size, it is possible to use a larger lens on a smaller size
camera since the image only needs to be at least as large as the sensor.

Using a larger lens can often be advantageous, since it offers greater depth of
filed (the range of distances from the lens before objects are too close or too
far away to be in focus). Larger lenses also mean that the area of the image
that is used is taken entirely from the central, flatter part of the lens causing
much less corner distortion and better focus.

ASPHERICAL

Lenses have traditionally been shaped to the arc of a sphere, which has the
effect of causing some distortion of image at the very edges of the lens, as
well as reducing its light gathering capability.

A recent innovation in lens manufacturing, aspherical technology, allows the

edges of a lens to be less curved, producing a larger area of accurate image
and allowing transmission of a greater amount of light. Aspherical lenses can
therefore reduce distortion and give a lower effective f-stop permitting
cameras to operate at lower light levels.

IRIS

To provide optimum performance neither too much nor too little light should
fall on the camera sensor. This can be adjusted by means of the lens iris.

A smaller iris opening offers greater depth of field and better focus, but the
reduced amount of light admitted into the camera results in poor quality

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images in low lighting levels. A fixed iris lens offers no adjustment to different
lighting conditions, so is therefore limited in use and not suitable for
applications where fine detail is consistently required. A manual iris can be
adjusted at the time of installation, allowing an optimum picture to be obtained
for a fixed lighting level. These lenses are best suited to indoor applications,
where the lighting level is controllable and consistent. Both manual and fixed
iris lenses can be used with cameras, which offer a feature known as
‘electronic iris’ – an on-board technology to effectively reduce the senor
exposure to compensate for the lack of iris control. This can be cost effective,
but does not provide the increased depth of field offered by a correctly sized
iris.

For external use (where conditions generally vary the most), an automatic iris
lens offers the best performance, as the iris aperture automatically adjusts to
create the optimum image by monitoring the output signal from the camera.
There are a number of different lens types offering this method of iris control.
The original design for automatic iris (AI) lenses was wholly self-contained,
with the image analysing technology built into the lens and an iris that was
adjusted by servomotors.

Market demand to produce smaller, lower cost lenses led to the introduction
of direct drive technology which requires circuitry within the camera, replacing
that previously located in the lens. This technique used a different iris control
– galvanic drive. Subsequently, this technology has been introduced into the
original style auto iris lens where onboard camera circuitry is not required.

Today these are the choices for auto-iris control – traditional servo drive,
galvanic iris and direct drive.

The final lens characteristic to take account of is the light-gathering speed of

the lens – expressed as an f-stop number. This literally measures the amount
of light captured by the lens in a given period of time; the lower the f-stop
range, the more light that can be transmitted.

COVERT CAMERAS
UNDERSTANDING COVER CAMERAS!

Covert cameras, in essence, are a means of offering surveillance of an

undetected or more discreet nature. Suitable for use in a broad range of
internal applications, these miniature cameras have been designed and
developed to provide monitoring tools that are disguised in the form of
everyday commercial and domestic objects.

This ensures that they are able to blend inconspicuously into any background
and consequently do not catch people’s attention. As a result, there are a
number of state-of-the-art products, which have been introduced into the
market to meet security demands, varying from office clocks to Passive

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InfraRed (PIR) sensors, containing a minute camera within. These products
are available in monochrome or colour versions and with optional audio.

Covert cameras tend to be used where there is a requirement to achieve

particular objectives. These tend to fall into the following categories:

a) Covert surveillance – where there is a requirement to monitor

activities in a particular location, completely undetected, e.g. in
areas of high security like jewellers and banks. They are also
useful for back-up surveillance in installations where the primary
CCTV equipment is of a more traditional nature, i.e. standard
cameras. In this case Covert Cameras can operate as a back-up
where primary cameras are disabled by an intruder.
b) Discreet/Unobtrusive surveillance – often there is a need for a
surveillance system that is less conspicuous, not necessarily as an
attempt to hide the fact that monitoring is taking place, but more
from marketing or style considerations.

When introducing a covert system, it is important to recognise that access

to recorded material must be kept to a minimum to ensure the privacy of
individuals who may appear. A responsible policy should be introduced to
ensure that footage from covert cameras is used for the purposes it was
intended.

SPEED DOMES
UNDERSTANDING SPEED DOMES!

High speed domes were originally developed to meet the demand of retail
stores to counter sophisticated shoplifters who continually upgrade their
counter surveillance techniques to combat the use of CCTV and electronic
article surveillance (EAS). High speed domes consist of a plastic cover
(dome) available in a smoked, gold or silver finish that provides a dual
function protection for the onboard electronics and preventing an observer
from readily noting what area of surveillance the dome is covering.

The dome encases a sophisticated high speed pan/tilt, and a camera unit that
usually incorporates a zoom lens, with the ability to automatically zoom in/out
and focus.

A number of these domes can be controlled via dedicated system controllers

or matrices to provide sophisticated, intelligent surveillance.

High speed dome technology has been extremely successful in the anti-
shoplifting role and its use is spreading into the wider commercial and
industrial sector.

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To get maximum value out of a high-speed dome surveillance system, a fully
integrated security policy – combining trained operators, EAS and manned
guards is generally regarded as essential.

The high performance SpeedDome offers third generation Digital Signal

Processing cameras, with dynamic backlight compensation and auto iris and
zoom for sharp, clear pictures. Available in both colour and monochrome,
each dome has an optical 12:1 zoom lens ratio and a x8 digital magnifier.

This dome camera has been designed with a separate bayonet mounting box,
making it easy to install and service. The cabling and position can be
arranged prior to the final installation of the cameras with the possibility of
using a dummy/drone as a deterrent to shoplifters.

With a manual override feature, the auto focus on the camera can be
switched, enabling the user to zoom in when required. It also has 360 degree
rotation, and provides high resolution colour pictures (monochrome option
available). The pan/tilt speeds on the camera adjust automatically according
to the current focal length on the zoom lens, thus avoiding pan/tilt overshoot
when zooming in closely on to an object.

The dome incorporates 96 preset positions and three tour routes. This gives
the system an intelligence to respond to a given, pre-programmed set of
events. For example, in case of a fire alarm, the cameras could be
programmed to automatically focus on fire doors or high-risk areas.

The tour facility enables the operator to watch a pre-programmed route

around a facility, reducing the workload and thereby enhancing the
surveillance operation.

The camera can also be controlled via a multiplexer, in conjunction with a high
speed interface unit. A control keyboard will still be required for the initial pre-
programming of text.

The SpeedDome is ideal for internal locations and when fitted inside a rated
waterproof housing, it provides an effective solution for external monitoring.

A host of bracket options are offered for both internal and external use,
enabling domes to be mounted on the ceiling, wall, or securely fixed in
corners, whatever the specific site requirements.

MULTIPLEXERS
UNDERSTANDING VIDEO MULTIPLEXERS!

Until the late 1980s, users of multi-camera systems with the requirement to
record CCTV pictures for evidential purposes faced a high cost (one VCR per
camera) as well as a significant workload in the management of the large
number of videotapes produced.

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The development of timelapse VCRs (see page 42) and video multiplexers
enabled the recording of the output of multi-cameras (typically up to 16) on to
a single videotape and the display of a number of these cameras on to a
monitor. This enabled an operator to view several areas simultaneously and
then select an individual view for more detailed analysis.

The video multiplexer revolutionised the CCTV market making surveillance

more affordable and has been one of the key drivers in expanding CCTV
usage.

HOW DO THEY WORK?

CCTV cameras do not produce continuous picture flows, in fact they give 50
pictures (PAL, CCIR) or 60 pictures (NTSC, EIA) per second. A multiplexer
acts like a very fast switcher taking individual pictures from each camera in
turn. If 10 cameras are connected to a conventional VCR only 1/10th of the
information from each camera will be recorded. This is one of the reasons
why replayed multiplexer pictures have a stroboscope appearance.

DEVELOPMENTS

The use of multiplexers has expanded rapidly and developed into two main
streams:

1. Premium feature and performance multiplexers incorporating

sophisticated picture management and high fidelity recordings that
are generally used in larger or critical surveillance;
2. Entry level machines that provide a more basic range of features
and fulfil the requirement for cost effective, non-critical surveillance.

SIMPLEX, DUPLEX OR TRIPLEX?

SIMPLEX

Simplex machines operate in record only, replay only or display live multi-
screens. They are commonly used in unmanned systems where the
recordings of historical events are required, e.g. dud cheque was passed at a
certain time or a theft occurred.

DUPLEX

The most common use for duplex machines is to continuously record

information while an operator monitors the live multi-screen display.

TRIPLEX

If an additional VCR is used then a triplex machine can record and display a
mixture of live and playback images simultaneously.

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OTHER FEATURES
ACTIVITY DETECTION

Advanced multiplexers are able to analyse picture content from individual

cameras and detect scene changes such as people movement.

This movement detection can be used to prioritise which cameras will be

recorded and how frequently. For example, if there is movement in camera 3,
the multiplexer can be programmed to record camera 3 for a longer period, or
change the recording sequence from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 … to 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 3, 5, 3 …
This makes the multiplexer a more effective tool for recording critical
evidence.

ALARM HANDLING

Most multiplexers accept alarm inputs from other devices such as intruder
alarms, door contacts and fire alarms to call up cameras relevant to that
event. Advanced multiplexers have sophisticated software packages to allow
bespoke requirements to be fulfilled.

BUILT-IN TELEMETRY

Advanced machines may incorporate telemetry control software enabling

pan/tilt/zoom cameras and domes to be operated from the multiplexer, making
the unit the heart of a sophisticated CCTV system as well as reducing both
the cost and clutter in the control room.

NETWORKING

Complex sites may include large numbers of cameras, multiple control points,
significant distances across the site and incorporate high-speed domes and
video transmission.

Advanced multiplexers incorporate RS232 and/or RS485 data ports for

remote control and system integration.

QUADS
UNDERSTANDING QUADS

Smaller CCTV systems often require the ability to display or record images
from up to 4 cameras, in sequence or simultaneously. Quads operate by
taking the output from cameras, digitising the signal before displaying the
images on to a single monitor or providing a single video output for a VCR.

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Quads are available in a number of formats and to varying specifications.
They are commonly produced as standalone units, which can then be
combined with monitors and VCRs to provide an effective, low cost
surveillance system. A recent development has been to integrate the quad
into a monitor saving on physical space and reducing costs.

The additional facilities that quads offer over traditional switchers have made
them a popular choice for smaller systems. This demand has in turn driven
down manufacturers costs such that entry level products now compete
favourably with switchers.

CHOOSING YOUR QUAD

There are a number of factors to consider when selecting a quad.

1. UPDATED SPEED

This is how frequently images update. The nearer to realtime the better.
Typically, faster update speeds cost more.

2. RESOLUTION

Higher resolutions cost more.

3. ABILITY TO DISPLAY FULL SCREEN

Low-end quads often only record and display in quad format. The facility to
also display single camera pictures from playback is useful and normally
found in the more sophisticated machines.

4. TIME AND DATE CHARACTER GENERATION

More sophisticated quads provide the facility to insert text and time/date
information on to the recording. This is particularly useful for evidential
purposes.

DIGITAL RECORDERS
UNDERSTANDING DIGITAL

The late 1980’s saw the introduction of video multiplexers offering users the
facility to record pictures onto a single videotape, eliminating the need for
VCRs dedicated to recording a single camera output.

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The use of timelapse VCRs as a storage medium for those images is well
known, as are their inevitable drawbacks – introduction of noise, wear and
tear and the simple requirement that the tape needs to be rewound to access
information. In a practical situation the reviewing of tapes to secure the
important “face shot” or “scene of crime” can involve long and tedious work.

The late 1990’s have seen the emergence of Hard Disk Recorders (HDRs)
that are essentially multiplexers with a computer hard disk memory to store
images. HDRs are excellent at reproducing high quality images with little
noise or picture degradation and are extremely useful in calling up an alarmed
picture.

A problem that HDRs face, however, is that computer memory is still relatively
expensive compared with a storage medium such as a VCR tape.

The struggle for many HDR manufacturers has been to produce a machine
that provides the features and performance required with sufficient memory to
make it a practical machine at a realistic price.

Most HDRs use JPEG compression, which requires significant memory to

store information. However, a recently developed compression technology,
“Wavelets™” is less memory hungry and allows more information to be stored
on a hard disk, which means more recorded images can be stored cost
effectively.

HDR technology is advancing rapidly and promises to revolutionise the ease

of retrieval and quality of video information and have an equally dramatic
effect on the CCTV market that multiplexers had in the early 1990’s.

VCRS
UNDERSTANDING VCRS!

Today, VCRs are considered a mature technology – having been commonly

used in a domestic capacity since the early 80’s. Security VCRs, although
appearing the same in product design as domestic recorders, have a number
of additional features specifically for use in the Security Marketplace. They
require an ‘Industrial Chassis’, which offers, increased durability, tailored to
take the additional stresses and wear and tear expected when using a VCR
continuously rather than the typical 3-4 hours per day in which a domestic
machine may be used.

The principal functional difference is the ability for a Security VCR to record
for at least a 24 hour period. This is achieved as information is taped
periodically rather than continuously (as in domestic recordings). Ultimately,
this allows your VCR to step camera recordings (using standard video
cassettes) over much longer periods of time. This has been proven as an
extremely successful method of surveillance monitoring, both in terms of

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required footage, albeit that there is a trade-off between the requirement for
extended recording, and cost efficiency.

The way in which timelapse recording works in practice is best explained by

example. A standard domestic VCR records continuously in realtime, with 25
frames per second, 2 fields per frame (a total of 50 images in all). An
industrial machine, on the other hand, has selectable recording intervals,
allowing you to reduce the amount of information you tape depending on your
requirements. If the record rate is dropped to 8.33 frames per second (16.66
images in total), for example, the VCR can span recordings to 24 hours worth
of information. In this instance the VCR is said to be running in 24 hour
timelapse mode.

As the recordings in timelapse mode are periodic rather than continuous,

there is a loss in the information taped in any single sequence (dependent on
the settings), what can give a stroboscopic effect on replay. Consequently,
the configuration of timelapse recording is very much dependent on the
practical needs of the particular security installation.

MONITORS
UNDERSTANDING MONITORS!

Today, monitors are available in a vast array of sizes, resolutions and

aesthetic designs, with options in monochrome and colour, to enable a wide
range of applications and budgets to be met. When considering the most
appropriate monitor for a particular security application, a number of factors
may determine the selection.

A) THE PHYSICAL DISTANCE AVAILABLE FROM THE

PLACEMENT OF THE MONITOR TO THE VIEWER.

Often, in manned surveillance operations, a viewer is expected to concentrate

on one or more monitors for long periods of time. To protect both the health
and safety interests of the operator and to ensure that they remain alert to
potential incidents, guidelines have been established to determine the
Optimum Viewing Distances.

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OPTIMUM VIEWING DISTANCES

A simple model is available to help calculate the optimum viewing distance of

the viewer to the monitor.

Monitor Size Optimum Viewing

(Inches Distance
(feet)
9 1-3
12 3-6
14 6-9
17 7-11
20 9-15

B) THE AMOUNT OF PHYSICAL SPACE AVAILABLE

Due to the wide range of monitor sizes in the marketplace today, it is

important to consider the available space for your installation. There is no
point buying a 21” monitor when there is only space for a 14” model. It is also
worth taking a long-term view and considering other factors such as heat and
room ventilation. As a security installation develops, there may be a
requirement to incorporate additional monitors.

C) THE LEVEL OF VIEWING DETAIL REQUIRED

For high quality manned surveillance systems, where there is a requirement

to view high resolution pictures as well as record images, then a high
resolution monitor with Y/C inputs is advisable.

D) THE NEED TO SHOW COLOUR OR MONOCHROME

IMAGES

Colour monitors are advantageous in applications where identification is

important, e.g. someone wearing a red jumper and blue jeans can be
identified more effectively on a colour monitor than someone who appears
dressed in dark grey on a monochrome monitor.

However, if budget is a concern or usage means that low light camera viewing
is required; a monochrome monitor may be more appropriate.

E) WHETHER AUDIO IS REQUIRED

Not all monitors have audio capabilities. Consequently, it is a feature that

needs to be specified in advance, especially in applications in staff protection
for example.

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F) THE AVAILABLE BUDGET

Price variances in monitors arise for different reasons dependant on whether

a monochrome or colour monitor is required. The majority of monochrome
monitors today are supplied with high resolution CRTs. Consequently price
differences in these models simply tend to reflect the screen size. Colour
monitor pricing, on the other hand, is determined by both resolution and
screen size.

However, as a result of the vast quantity of 14” monitors that are currently
produced for the PC market, the Security Industry has been able to offer 14”
high resolution colour displays at extremely affordable prices.

References

BS EN 50132-2-1:1998 Black and white cameras

BS EN 50132-7:1996 Applications guidelines

BS EN 50132-4-1:2001 Black and white monitors

BS EN 50132-5:2001 Security application video transmission

BS EN 50130 Alarm systems

BS EN 50130-4:1996 Electromagnetic compatibility – Product

family standard: immunity requirements for
components of fire, intruder and social
alarm systems

BS EN 50132 Alarm systems – CCTV surveillance

systems for use in security applications

BS EN 60065:1994 Safety requirements for mains operated

electronic and related apparatus for
household and similar general use

BS EN 60950:1992 Specification for safety of information

technology equipment, including electrical
business equipment

BS EN 60068 Environmental testing

BS EN 60068-1:1995 General and guidance

BS EN 60068-2 Test methods

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BS EN 60529:1992 Specification for degrees of protection
provided by enclosures (IP code)

The ECA would like to thank Norbain for their assistance in the preparation of
this guide. Further information can be obtained from the Norbain website at
www.norbain.co.uk

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