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In this article, the premises security experts discuss best practices with CCTV security systems for deterring and investigating criminal actions.
Closed circuit television (CCTV) technology has improved significantly in recent years. There has been a dramatic improvement in the quality of the video images, storage, and viewing the images on a monitor. Digital technology has been responsible for this improvement in CCTV today. The technology seems to be changing constantly, but the idea about how the systems operate remains relatively the same: utilization of a video camera to transmit a signal to a monitor. There are three major components of a CCTV system: camera, cable, and monitor.
The specific purpose of the CCTV should determine the type of equipment that should be installed. With the ever changing advancement in technology, the system will eventually become obsolete. When an obsolete system still satisfies the purpose of the system, the equipment installed was the correct equipment.
Purposes of CCTV:
CCTV provides surveillance that can allow the operator to detect criminal activities and record the camera footage. CCTV surveillance loses its effectiveness without a meaningful response to a situation. Without a meaningful response, CCTV video becomes an aid in the investigation of a criminal act, not an effective deterrent. Established policies and procedures have to be in place, so the appropriate personnel respond to a situation. Without the physical response of appropriate personnel, the security measure (CCTV) becomes less and less effective over time. People learn that an area that is properly monitored will have more patrons, and criminals are more likely to be found in the insufficiently monitored or unmonitored area.
The purpose of the application often times determines how the cameras of a CCTV system will be installed, mounted, and housed. There are three basic options available for installing/housing the cameras of a CCTV system:
In order for a CCTV system to satisfactorily obtain video footage of something about to happen, something that is happening, or something that has happened; the right camera system has to be chosen. Camera systems are made up of the camera, lens, and housing. Camera housings were discussed in the preceding section. The camera should be selected before the lens. In selecting a camera, the following considerations should be made:
When selecting a camera for a CCTV system, remember:
Lenses determine what type of image will appear on the monitor. It is important to know why a location is going to be under surveillance by CCTV. Is it to be able to accurately identify an individual? Is it to be able to accurately identify a location or the actions taking place at a location? Different lenses allow for different images to be viewed. It is important to remember to choose a lens that is compatible to the camera. Some types of lenses are:
Monitors are devices that display the camera images. A monitor is needed so the camera images can be seen. Traditional monitors were televisions without the tuners and came in various sizes. As a result of digital technology, camera systems can be controlled by a PC (personal computer) and the images can be displayed on the PC.
Recorders could be considered a fourth component of a CCTV system. They aren’t because a CCTV system can still function without a recorder; but the video images will not be recorded for future review and analysis. Recorders store the video images, so they can be reviewed at a later time. This helps determine the details of what occurred during an incident or if the incident even happened. The storage of video images can assist law enforcement in the investigation of incidents. Time-lapse recorders were the standard a few years ago. They looked like a VCR and utilized tapes to record the video images. The images were compressed on the tape, so as to extend the hours of recording on one tape. The problems associated with time-lapse recorders were the tapes degraded quickly, so the image quality was affected. Also, the compression of images on the tape often resulted in some images not being recorded. This resulted in a choppy appearance of the video. Event recorders are similar to time-lapse recorders, except they record when triggered by an event. An example is a motion detector being activated.
Digital recorders, known as DVRs (Digital Video Recorder), capture the video images on a hard drive, CD, or DVD. There are distinct advantages over time-lapse recorders: The image quality is superior to tapes and it’s easier to review images because of not having to rewind a tape. The costs of digital recorders have come down and they have become the industry standard for recording.
There are many accessories and features for CCTV systems. Use of CCTV will increase in the future. New technology and equipment will be developed to meet these growing demands.
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