Introduction
CCTV surveillance systems are often popular solutions for homes and businesses in deterring intruders and capturing suspicious activities. Depending on your usage needs, you can choose between IP, analogue and wireless systems. As an overview, security surveillance systems usually consist of security cameras and a recorder for capturing footage of your designated areas.
Understanding IP / Analogue / Wireless Surveillance System
- IP Security Systems are made of video cameras that transmit video footage via IP network. Its plug-and-play installation makes it easy for most users to set up on their own. Footage is stored using an NVR (Network Video Recorder).
Features of IP Security System:
- Easy to set up
- High-resolution video quality
- Access video footage easily via smartphone
- Needs only a single PoE cable
- Encrypted security
- Covers up to 3 times more area than analogue cameras
- Higher storage capacity needed for high-resolution videos
- Analogue Security Systems are made of video cameras that transmit video footage via a coaxial cable to a VCR or DVR. Cameras need to be directly plugged into the DVR and require power through a low voltage power cable.
Features of Analogue Security System:
- Lower cost in comparison to IP systems especially if many cameras are needed
- Consumes less bandwidth than IP camera systems
- Needs coaxial cable and power cable for each camera
- Lower video image quality, may appear blurry or grainy for high motion areas
- Lack of encryption, system may be open to outside hacking
- Wireless Security Systems connect to the NVR through Wi-Fi. Wired Power is needed for each camera. Wireless systems can usually only support up to 4 cameras.
Features of Wireless Security System:
- Easy to install, no need for cables between the cameras and recorder
- Easy to relocate, good for temporary setup
- Easy to conceal without wires
- Wireless cameras still need power source, unless battery operated
- Lower bandwidth capacity
- Interference may cause Wi-Fi loss
- Open to hacking, strong passwords & encryptions required
- Cameras need to be within Wi-Fi range
- Low video image quality
- May be laggy
Top 3 Common CCTV Camera Designs: Bullet / Dome / Turret
Features of Bullet Cameras:
- Good deterrence as cameras visually stand out
- Easy to mount on walls
- Easy to adjust viewing direction compared to domes and turrets
- Longer IR range compared to domes and turrets
- Usually made of steel case, IP76 weatherproof
Features of Dome Cameras:
- Visually more discreet
- Dome casing to protect camera
- Viewing direction is concealed
- Difficult to tamper with
- Easy to mount on ceilings
- Great for indoor spaces
Features of Turret Cameras:
- Versatile design, can be mounted to ceilings or walls
- Viewing direction is flexible due to ball-and-socket design
- Low maintenance and easy to clean
- Easiest to install compared to bullets and domes
Other CCTV Camera Designs: Fixed Lens / Varifocal Lens / PTZ
As its name suggests, a fixed lens camera maintains the same area view once it is set in place. You will not be able to adjust the focal length or pan and tilt movement.
Varifocal lens cameras have optical zoom to maintain video quality with focal adjustment. Of course, the more you magnify an image, the more pixelated it is. The higher the resolution of your video, the less pixelated.
Features of PTZ Cameras:
- Has optical zoom and varifocal functions
- Has in-built motors for cameras to pan and tilt
- Can Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ camera) so you can cover more area with fewer cameras
- Great IR night time range
- Usually costs more due to advanced features
- Great for business and commercial spaces such as airports, train stations, stadiums, hospitals, and school campuses.
Conclusion
At Kirin CCTV, we offer guidance and installation services for your CCTV Security Systems. We hope this article has been informative for your understanding. Should you need clarification or advice on your enquiry, feel free to contact us via WhatsApp.