CCTV System: Choosing a System and Installer
What is CCTV?
CCTV stands for Closed Circuit Television and is designed for a
limited number of viewers (in a controlled manner) as opposed to
broadcast TV which is designed for mass viewing.
It differs from broadcast TV because all the components are
linked together (generally by cables) to create a `closed' loop.
CCTV is often used in areas where there is an increased need for
security, such as banks, casinos, airports, motorways and
increasingly in public areas such as train stations and central
business districts in most cities.
Initially developed as a means of increasing security in banks
and other high risk businesses, CCTV is increasingly finding its
way into small business and homes due to its ease of
installation and operation and the continued reduction in
pricing thanks to many domestic style products introduced in
recent years.
It should be noted that CCTV is not exclusively the domain of
security surveillance, but is regularly used in manufacturing
process monitoring for QA purposes, for inspecting pipes,
chimneys or even the underside of a ships hull.
For our purposes we will be discussing CCTV in its most common
form, which is as a security surveillance system.
Video surveillance introduction
>From a single camera and monitor to complex video surveillance
systems with hundreds of cameras, multiple operators, and
digital recorders, closed circuit television (CCTV) systems can
provide security for a wide range of businesses.
A good CCTV system can make your business safer, more efficient,
and less prone to theft and accidents. Specifically, CCTV can
provide many benefits: - Reduce shrinkage by catching
shoplifters - deter potential thieves - monitor cash
registers - record evidence to prevent bogus accident
claims - identify visitors and employees - monitor
hazardous work areas - increase security in and around
business premises and parking lots - meet insurance
requirements
The most basic CCTV setup would be a single camera connected
directly to a monitor and a recorder to store the video. While a
setup like this could help security in some cases, it is
unlikely to be enough for most businesses. Most situations call
for multiple cameras.
Evaluating Your CCTV Needs
Before starting to compare systems or choose potential vendors,
sit down and consider your CCTV needs carefully.
First, you should decide what the purpose of the CCTV system is.
Is it primarily to act as a deterrent of potential crimes or to
actually catch and prosecute perpetrators? Both can be
important, but your priority will influence your purchasing
decisions. If you are more interested in deterring certain
activities, large, visible cameras are your best bet. Trying to
catch criminals on video without them being aware of it requires
discrete or hidden cameras. Hidden cameras in many countries can
be illegal or may only be used by court order - so check with
your CCTV professional before installation.
Next, consider what you want to monitor. General comings and
goings? Vehicles? Do you want to see faces, merchandise, crowds?
Once you decide what you want to see, choosing components will
become easier.
Then, decide how the images will be used. Do you want to use
them for your own review or will your require that they are able
to be printed for facial identification or even for admission in
a court of law. This will have a big impact on the method you
use to record the images and the quality of the cameras, lenses
and recorder you will require.
Also consider how your system will be monitored. Will you simply
record at all times, and only review the video when a problem
occurs? Or will you have a dedicated employee watching for
events? Do you want a monitor showing images in public areas?
Three Things To Consider
1. Avoid dummy cameras. While they may deter some problems, they
also can create a legal liability by creating an expectation of
safety when none exists, plus staff soon learn which ones are
active and which ones aren't. 2. Put up signs. Highly
visible signage that lets customers and employees know that they
are being filmed can greatly increase the deterrent effect. This
is actually a legal requirement in many countries. 3. Do not
record audio. Most CCTV systems do not include audio monitoring
for the simple reason that it is generally illegal. People in
public places can be videotaped without their consent, but their
voices cannot.
Choosing a CCTV Installer
Once you know the basic requirements of what you want to see and
how you want to use your CCTV system, it is time to call a CCTV
installer to get a professional view and price up the supply and
installation. A professional installer will be able to tell you
how to best achieve the results of the system you will be
installing. That will include the positioning of cameras, the
selection of equipment to meet your requirements and budget.
It is important that a potential installer for your job provides
references of customers, they have current correct licensing (if
applicable for your area) and I always recommend getting a
breakdown of the equipment component versus the labour component
of a quote.
Don't just go for the cheapest option unless you are purely
using the system as a deterrent. You should evaluate the
capability of the installer, the warranty offered on the
equipment, the warranty offered on the installation (ie cables),
what level of training do they provide and what level of after
sales technical support do they offer.
If you have opted to go with a modern digital CCTV installation,
unless you are completely familiar with the system, you will
require technical support, especially when that first time comes
that you need to export video onto a CD or DVD to give to the
police. At that time, how sure are you that the person/company
that installed the system will be able to provide you with the
required assistance.
As a final note on potential installers - never ever choose an
installer that doesn't do a full inspection of the site in which
the installation will take place. If they haven't seen the site
they cannot know of any potential issues that may cause them to
need to adjust the price (always up) or take shortcuts that will
affect your systems performance.
Once your system has been installed, make sure you and any other
staff that may use the system make the time available to be
trained. Don't skip this point as you have spent good money on a
system and you will need to use it at some point.
In future articles I will write about choosing cameras, DVRs,
monitors and other equipment that will go to make up your CCTV
system. For more information on CCTV and to find an installer in
your area, Global CCTV
Hub