The insecurity and the increase of crime pressed human to think about some sort of system to keep an eye on. These types of incidents lead to the invention of Surveillance System.
What is Surveillance?
Keeping an eye on someone or a situation in order to gather information is called surveillance. Monitoring an area for undesirable behaviour or looking into a suspect person are two uses for surveillance.
History of Surveillance
CCTV was invented by Walter Bruch and was first used back in 1942 in Germany to capture live video footage. He built it, so Nazi scientists and military personnel could safely observe the launch of V-2 rockets at the Peenemunde Airfield.
Marie Van Brittan Brown and her husband Albert invented the modern video security system in the late 60s.
Video surveillance and recording gained momentum as a security measure in the 1970s and 1980s. Banks and retailers installed CCTV with VCRs to prevent theft.
The charge-coupled device (CCD) enters the picture in 1976. Using microchip technology, it made it possible to create cameras with more pixels to produce higher quality images in low-light situations and provide any time (24/7) video surveillance. CCD costs more than complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS), but it captured images more effectively in low light conditions at a higher quality than CMOS.
Two Types of Surveillance System
Surveillance system is of two types one is covert system and another is overt system.
Covert & Overt Surveillance
Covert system of surveillance is used in a hidden way from the subject. In this system of surveillance subject is not known to be under surveillance. There some hidden camera that keeps an eye on the subject.
On the other hand overt system is an open system where it is written that you are under surveillance. The CCTV system is the example of this type of system. CCTV means Closed Circuit Television. This type of surveillance system is visible and signposted for the subject.
Types of Security Cameras
Security/Surveillance Cameras of two type one old one that is CCTV and the one is IP (Internet Protocol) Cameras.
Closed Circuit Television (CCTV):
CCTV means “closed-circuit television” and is commonly known as a video surveillance technology. “Closed-circuit” means broadcasts are limited (closed) to a selected group of monitors, unlike “regular” TV, which can be received and viewed by whoever sets up a reception device.
This system records the video footage of area under surveillance and broadcast the footage on connected monitor through DVR. A Digital Video Recorder (DVR) records video to local storage devices, most commonly a hard drive.
The main purpose of a CCTV camera is to capture light and convert it into a video signal.
The first known CCTV appeared in 1942. Walter Dornberger’s V2, published in 1954, indicates Walter Bruch designed and oversaw the implementation of CCTV technology in Nazi Germany to monitor the launch of V-2 rockets.
Features of CCTV System
An Analog Camera sends the recordings through a coaxial cable to a DVR (Digital Video Recorder). The DVR converts the video signals from analogue to digital and then compresses the file to store in a hard drive. All the functioning of analogue cameras depends on this DVR.
In analogue systems two separate coaxial cables needed for power and video signal. On the other hand, the POE technology in IP is more convenient and flexible. The cable cost is less in IP which will reflect in the total cost.
Internet Protocol Camera
IP Camera is a digital surveillance device which transmits data using Internet Protocol system. Due to this feature it is also called Internet Protocol Camera. The video captured by an IP camera is broadcasted over an IP network. Here a Network Video Recorder (NVR) decodes and records the transmitted data. This NVR is a recorder that records the video and stores it in the attached drive.
Features of IP Camera System
The advantage of using an IP camera is that the video resolution is high. Higher video resolution leads to the better picture quality of whatever is meant to be recorded.
Multiple cameras can be added to the same IP network, which is the reason why a large number of cameras can be employed over a large area for surveillance.
Also, no cables are required to transfer data as the data transfer is via the internet, and hence there are no issues with tangled cables or short cables.
IP cameras also do not require a power cable as they use Power Over Ethernet (POE) protocol that is the only power source, and hence it is easily managed and installed without a tussle over power cables.
It works under a Wi-Fi or mobile data connection and is comparatively cheaper than a CCTV camera.
Difference between CCTV & IP Surveillance System
- IP cameras do not need any cables to transfer data as they make use of the internet to do so, while CCTV cameras are linked to their monitors via cables.
- IP cameras are also powered by POE technology, while CCTV cameras are plugged into a power source.
- The video quality of IP cameras is better in comparison to CCTV.
- IP cameras also possess data encryption, while CCTV cameras do not.
- IP cameras have more remote access due to the absence of any cables and the ability to add multiple devices to the same IP network while. These features are limited in CCTV.
- IP cameras have higher resolution than conventional analog cameras. It provides a wider view of the site without distortion and loss. So the no. of cameras can be reduced and thereby the total cost.
- Zooming is another attractive feature of IP cameras. The video can be zoomed in on both live streams and recordings.
Main Parts of a Surveillance System
A conventional CCTV system consists of the camera the power supply and the Digital Video Recorder (DVR).
While selecting your preferred security system, the 7 essential components you need to give importance to for consistent service are:
1-Camera : Choose the camera according to your requirement.
2-Monitoring Stations : Monitoring Station helps record and survey both internal and external areas.
3-Video Recording System –There are mainly two types of recording system available in market – first one is DVR and second one is NVR.
4-Supporting Accessories: Cable, Wires and Bracket etc.
5-Storage Devices : Choose from HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive)
6-Power Supply: Outdoor security cameras typically use a 12V DC power source, while PTZ cameras use a 24V AC power supply. IP camera uses POE. PoE operates by sending direct current (DC) electrical power and data signals over standard Ethernet cables. PoE stands for power over Ethernet.
7-Video Management System: VMS is a software that is used to manage and control video surveillance cameras, recording devices, and other security components.
Types of camera
There are rich ranges of Camera devices available in the market as per your requirement. You can choose the camera according to your need and situation. But three (3) factors you need to consider before selecting cameras for your security system.
- The correct lenses
- The correct sensor
- The correct output resolution
There are some selected cameras for your knowledge and reference.
PTZ Camera
The PTZ security cameras can be moved in four directions, right, left, up and down. Their lenses can even be zoomed in for closer views. It is ideal for live monitoring. The tilt and pan mode enables you to get a 360-degree view. It records in HD for unmatched clarity.
Dark Fighter Technology Cameras
Even in very low light, these cameras are able to capture coloured images. With its many functions, dark fighter technology is useful both during the day and at night and provides the best results.
ANPR/LPR Cameras
Automatic Number Plate Recognition, or ANRP (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) and Licence Plate Recognition (LPR) cameras are devices that assist in gathering a lot of data in a busy location to maintain the security of any property.
Dome Camera
One of the most popular types of cameras for surveillance and security, both inside and outside, is the dome. An excellent design element of the camera is its shape, which makes it difficult for bystanders to determine which way the camera is facing. This confusion serves to discourage illegal activity.
C-MOUNT CAMERAS
Coming with detachable lenses, C-mount cameras allow for simple lens changes to fit different applications. C-mount cameras can cover distances beyond 40 ft.
Bullet Camera
It is a common type of CCTV camera used on the market these days. These type of camera can be used indoor or outdoor. The shape of the bullet camera comes with a thin cylindrical shape that looks like a bullet. Bullet Camera is used to capture image or video from a fixed position.
Infrared Camera
This device is equipped with high quality infrared system, so you can record any images or videos during night-time.
The modern necessity is security and monitoring. To help you plan if you want to install a security surveillance system in your home, business, or apartment, this post clarified certain things regarding security systems.
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