With CCTV, business owners have the opportunity to keep an eye on their premises without ever leaving their office. Closed-circuit television (CCTV) refers to a combination of cameras and monitors set up to easily view events live or record footage for later reference. While CCTV technology has been around for many decades, major improvements in recent years have made these systems a must-have for businesses of all sizes. When properly installed, a CCTV can act as a crime deterrent, can be used as evidence if crimes do occur on your property, and can be used to monitor people, vehicles and activities that go on around a property.
Commercial Security
Cameras used as part of a CCTV system are typically installed for security or surveillance purposes. The footage recorded from these cameras can be used to aid law enforcement in finding a suspect if a crime occurs on the premises.
CCTV cameras are often set up in places that are known to be high-risk, such as near exits and entrances, in storage rooms, by cash registers and in hallways. Many business owners place CCTV cameras in spaces that they would like to closely monitor, such as labs.
In a commercial setting, CCTV systems have a wide range of uses, from monitoring blind spots to catching thieves. These cameras are highly versatile and can be found with a variety of functions to meet the unique needs of each business owner.
Types of Cameras
There are many types of CCTV cameras, each with their own unique look and function. The one that you choose will depend on a number of factors such as budget, unique needs, whether you require audio with your visuals and the quality of the footage you would like to achieve.
Some most common types of CCTV cameras include:
- Wired Security Cameras — These types of cameras require the use of cables to transmit footage. With a wired system, multiple cameras can be connected to a single monitor to allow security personnel to continually monitor the premises within a designated security room.
- Analog Cameras — This is the most common type of camera used in CCTV systems today. Analog cameras offer basic functionality and have the ability to store video onsite.
- Internet Protocol (IP) Cameras — IP cameras offer many of the same functions as analog cameras. However, IP cameras tend to deliver much sharper and a higher resolution of video. Business owners can also view footage on a web browser, zoom in and reposition with just a few clicks of a button.
Video Recording and Retrieval
While some business owners desire a CCTV simply to watch events occur in real-time, others prefer to have a record of these events. This means choosing a camera that has the ability to record hours of footage and store this footage in a place where it can be easily accessed. Many modern cameras can be programmed so that they only record during certain hours of the day. Others operate round-the-clock so that they never miss an important event.
There are a number of video recording options available to business owners, such as:
- DVRs — In recent years, digital video recorders (DVRs) have replaced analog recorders that used videotapes to store footage. DVRs have the ability to capture footage in a digital format with a specified resolution. Once a disk fills up, new video is recorded over the old.
- NVRs — Network video recorders (NVRs) are similar to DVRs but instead connect to a network switch or router. NVRs are compatible with IP cameras and allow footage to be easily viewed on a mobile app or within a web browser.
Choosing a Display Unit
If you wish to watch live or recorded footage from your CCTV, you will need to connect your DVR or NVR to a monitor or television. Unlike a standard TV that allows you to watch publicly broadcasted content, a CCTV monitor will only display what is being shot by the connected cameras. CCTV display units can range from HD color monitors to a more basic monochrome screen. IP cameras can be viewed from a wide range of displays, including computer screens, tablets and smartphone devices.
Installing with Security Pros at APG
Many business owners find themselves asking, what is CCTV and how can it protect their business. Whether you are interested in catching criminals or simply want to keep an eye on your property, having security cameras can provide peace of mind and deter criminal activities. For more information about CCTV systems or to get started finding a system for your business, reach out to the security experts at the American Protection Group.