| 1. 1. Black/White or Color? | | | | features like slave video outputs (to be connected to |
| Color Cameras are more popular, due to their clearer | | | | additional monitors), alarm systems, or for multiple |
| identifications. But, in low light conditions, B/W cameras | | | | inputs, professional CCTV monitors work best. |
| are more ideal, because they generally require less | | | | |
| illumination. Newer models of Day/Night cameras work | | | | 1. 12. CRT vs. LCD Monitor |
| as color camera during daytime and B/W at night. | | | | Conventional CRT monitors are bulky and heavy while |
| 1. 2. What basic equipments are necessary to start | | | | they are cheaper than LCD monitors which has higher |
| video surveillance? | | | | resolution. If you have enough budgets and want to |
| Camera body, Lens, Mount, Cable, and Power Supply. | | | | use one monitor for both CCTV and computer, LCD |
| Some cameras (like dome and bullet type cameras) | | | | monitor is recommended. 17" & 19" are popular |
| come with built-in lenses. You will also need CCTV | | | | sizes for LCD monitors. |
| monitor (or regular TV), quad splitter or switcher to | | | | 1. 13. Monitor Input Connectors |
| combine more than one camera, recorder (like DVR), | | | | BNC is commonly used for connecting to both CRT |
| outdoor housing case and other accessories. Wireless | | | | and LCD monitors. These days, most LCD monitors |
| systems are great way to avoid cabling. Network | | | | have an S-Video input as well as a 15-pin Mini D-Sub |
| based Web Cameras and DVRs are for remote | | | | for PC Signal input. |
| surveillance. | | | | |
| 1. 3. What if I need more than one camera? | | | | 1. 14. Wireless vs. Wired Transmission |
| A quad splitter, 4 channel or 8 channel switcher, or | | | | A wireless system is convenient in avoid cabling |
| multiplexer can be used to combine multiple cameras | | | | works, but can sometimes be affected by high voltage |
| into one monitor or recorder. DVRs usually come with | | | | power lines, unseen razor waves, large machines like |
| a built-in multiplexer. | | | | lathes, and metal walls. Wired transmission guarantees |
| 1. 4. Hidden Cameras | | | | stable video. Coaxial cable is most used for CCTV |
| If you want a hidden camera, you have two options; | | | | cameras. |
| you can either build one with a mini or an ultra-mini | | | | |
| camera, or buy one. Some ultra-mini cameras are only | | | | 1. 15. 12VDC vs. 24VAC |
| as big as a quarter to hide more easily. Hidden | | | | 24VAC system is more professional and most CCTV |
| cameras built-in clocks, radios, or smoke detectors are | | | | cameras work with a 24VAC power supply. Mini |
| also available but are generally more costly. Please | | | | cameras, dome cameras, and bullet type cameras are |
| note that, in most US states, using hidden cameras | | | | usually 12VDC system. Recently developed cameras |
| with audio in a covert way is prohibited. | | | | have both 12VDC and 24VAC inputs. |
| 1. 5. Placing cameras outdoors | | | | |
| You may use an outdoor housing case, with or without | | | | 1. 16. Battery operated cameras |
| heater and/or blower. The heater and/or blower built-in | | | | Many small sized cameras work with 12VDC battery |
| housing cases generally require a separate power | | | | pack; however it requires correctly matched polarity. |
| source. Some cameras are made water resistant and | | | | You may also use a "power cord" (easily found at any |
| do not need separate housing cases. Some of these | | | | auto parts shop) that can draw 12VDC through the |
| also come with removable sunshields. | | | | car cigarette lighter. |
| 1. 6. When are infrared cameras necessary? | | | | |
| Economically commercialized infrared cameras, some | | | | |
| also water-resistant to be installed outdoor, can see up | | | | |
| to 40 to 80ft distance in total darkness. You may also | | | | |
| use infrared illuminators, which can illuminate up to 100ft | | | | 1. 17. Motion detection |
| (Color cameras, unless their IR filter is removed, do not | | | | Most DVRs now come with built-in motion detection |
| work with infrared illuminators.) Infrared cameras work | | | | software to trigger recording. You can program the |
| as ordinary video camera during daytime. Color | | | | sensitivity and detection zone. It works with any |
| infrared cameras work as B/W ones at night. | | | | change of the pixels within the picture frame. You can |
| 1. 7. What is an ideal angle for a lens to cover? | | | | also install a hardware motion detector connected to |
| Widely used and recommended angle of view of the | | | | the DVRs to trigger recording. |
| lens for surveillance purpose is 72o to 78o. Narrower | | | | |
| will give you clearer pictures. Wide angles like 92o can | | | | 1. 18. Pan, Tilt, and Zoom control |
| cover more area but it may show distorted pictures. | | | | A dome type camera that already has built-in PTZ is |
| 1. 8. Vari-focal vs. Zoom Lens | | | | easy to install, maintain, and control. You can also |
| Focal length and focusing for vari-focal lens should be | | | | control it on the computer monitor with the mouse if |
| adjusted respectively while zoom lens focuses | | | | the PTZ system is connected on the network via a |
| automatically when the focal length is adjusted. Manual | | | | video server. |
| zoom lens needs to be manually adjusted while | | | | |
| motorized zoom lens can be controlled with a remote | | | | 1. 19. Time Lapse VCR vs. DVR(Digital Video |
| controller. | | | | Recorder) |
| 1. 9. Manual Iris vs. Auto Iris | | | | Conventional Time Lapse VCR, despite the |
| If the lighting condition changes significantly and | | | | inconvenience in reviewing the recorded pictures, is |
| frequently, like the sun, an auto iris lens is required. If the | | | | more economical than a DVR (Digital Video Recorder). |
| lighting remains same, a manual iris or a fixed iris lens is | | | | DVRs are more popular for its convenience and |
| recommended. Most CCTV cameras accept DC auto | | | | picture quality. |
| iris lens while some special cameras use video auto iris | | | | |
| lens. | | | | 1. 20. Remote Surveillance over the Network |
| | | | | Network DVR or Web Camera, connected to the |
| 1. 10. Do I need pinhole lens? | | | | Internet or LAN and assigned with an IP address, can |
| A pinhole lens with a tiny opening can be hidden in the | | | | be monitored at a remote place. DSL or T-1 line is |
| wall, ceiling or other objects. Some mini cameras have | | | | required to be connected to the Internet. |
| a built-in pinhole lens. To mount a pinhole lens to a | | | | |
| standard camera is very expensive. | | | | 1. 21. HD CCTV System |
| | | | | As the TV Broadcasting changed to HD (High |
| 1. 11. CCTV Monitor vs. Standard TV | | | | Definition) System, it's time for HD cameras to come |
| If you are use only one camera, a TV (which has a | | | | to the market. Still, the traditional standard resolution |
| RCA video input) is definitely recommended. Even for | | | | system does not accept HD cameras and you have |
| more than 1 camera, if you use a processor like a | | | | homework to prepare peripheral devices such as |
| quad splitter, a switcher, or a DVR (Digital Video | | | | recorders to accept the HD cameras. |
| Recorder), a TV would be fine. But, for special | | | | |