There are many different options when it comes to selecting the right security camera for your home or business. In addition to selecting the correct security camera(s), you may need additional equipment such as a DVR (Digital Video Recorder) to complete your surveillance system.
The DVR is the hub of your surveillance system, which processes and records all of the individual feeds from your cameras. Traditional CCTV systems will use a standalone DVR, which connects to your cameras via coaxial cable.
Newer IP-based network video cameras do not output a standard video signal. They are intelligent network devices that output a stream of computer data instead. In order to record this data, you will need a computer with special software running, called a “network video recorder” or NVR.
The following are the different types of cameras available:
* Network security cameras represent the next generation of CCTV. Instead of outputting a composite NTSC video signal, these cameras output a digital video data stream that must be interpreted by software. Network cameras allow the video to be transmitted over arbitrary distances and avoid most of the cabling issues of traditional CCTV cameras, but are more expensive and more complicated to install.
*Bullet cameras have taken over box cameras to become the staple CCTV camera. They make a convenient and robust choice as most of them are weather resistant, offer day/night operation, and come with a built-in lens. These all-inclusive cameras are inexpensive and easy to install, making them a great choice for any application.
*Dome cameras are typically chosen for aesthetic reasons, as they tend to look more attractive and less obtrusive in an office than their bulkier counterparts. Domes also prevent a hoodlum from being able to rotate or knock the lens out of view. Smoked and mirrored domes offer the additional benefit of occluding the view of the lens.
*Box cameras are the typical camera that most people think of when you talk about CCTV. Although they have become less common than their more modern counterparts, they still offer the maximum array of features and options. Box cameras allow you to choose your own lens, housing, mount, and other features; essentially allowing you to design your own camera.
*Pan/Tilt/Zoom (PTZ) cameras allow the user to manually control the camera’s movement and to zoom in on an object. They are typically used in a retail environment to allow a security officer to follow a customer. In order to control the camera, you will need a DVR and/or joystick controller.
Contact Diamond Electronics today to discuss the options available to you to create a security & video surveillance system to fit your needs. We are located in Locust NC and service Charlotte NC and surrounding areas.
