| As the name suggests, Closed Circuit Television | | | | The jump-off point for any CCTV system should be |
| (CCTV) is a system where in the circuit is closed and | | | | the camera. The camera creates the picture that will |
| all the elements are directly connected. This is different | | | | be transmitted to the control position. Aside from |
| from broadcast television where any receiver that is | | | | special designs, CCTV cameras are not fitted with a |
| properly tuned can pick up the signal from the | | | | lens. The lens must be provided separately and |
| airwaves. Directly related in this context includes | | | | screwed into the front of the camera. There is a |
| systems linked by microwave, infrared beams, etc. | | | | standard screw thread for these specific cameras, but |
| Read on and be familiar with the main components | | | | there are different types of lens mounts. |
| that can go to make up CCTV systems of varying | | | | Not all lenses have focus and iris adjustments. Most |
| complexity. | | | | have iris adjustments while some have very wide |
| Different Applications for CCTV Systems | | | | angle lenses without a focus ring. The BNC plug is |
| Probably the most widely known use of CCTV is in | | | | used for connecting the coaxial video cable. Line |
| the world of security. Security systems and such | | | | powered cameras do not have the mains cable. |
| applications in retail shops, banks, government | | | | Power is provided via the coaxial cable. |
| establishments and the likes. The true scope for | | | | The Monitor |
| applications is almost never-ending. Some examples | | | | The image created by the camera needs to be |
| are:o Monitoring traffic on a bridge.o Recording what is | | | | reproduced at the control position. A CCTV monitor is |
| inside of a baking oven to know the cause of | | | | virtually the same as a television receiver except that |
| problems.o A temporary system to carry out a traffic | | | | it does not have the tuning circuits. |
| survey in a town center.o Time lapse recording for the | | | | First CCTV Systems |
| animation of plastic puppets.o Used by a stage | | | | The simplest CCTV system is a camera connected |
| manager of a show to see unnoticed parts of a set.o | | | | directly to a monitor by a coaxial cable with the power |
| The well-publicised use at football stadiums.o Hidden in | | | | for the camera provided from the monitor. This is |
| buses to manage vandalism.o Recording the birth of a | | | | called the line powered camera. Probably the earliest |
| lion at a zoo.o Making a wildlife program using a large | | | | popular version of this was the Pye Observation |
| model helicopter.o Reproducing the infrared vision of a | | | | System that initiated the concept of CCTV, mainly in |
| bubble fish!o Aerial photography from a hot air | | | | retail establishments. It was an cost-friendly, |
| balloon.o Production control in a factory. | | | | do-it-yourself, self-contained system. |
| The Camera | | | | |