A CCTV System or a Security Camera System are one and the same thing. CCTV means Closed Circuit Television, but since the development of digital Security Camera Systems the phrase CCTV does not reflect what can be achieved now.

A Security Camera System can do all that an alarm system can do but with eyes (cameras). One of the first of many advantages of the security CCTV industry going digital was the ability of a camera to detect motion without a separate PIR. The second benefit was the ability to record digitally to a hard drive, the same as in a computer.

This development meant VHS tape systems would become obsolete. Now, if there has been an incident, and you want to review on your digital Security Camera System, you do not need to run through hours of a VHS tape to find the incident.

A digital system records each incident (motion detected by a camera) as a separate file and logs each file in date and time order. Theoretically if there has been, no incidents, then the system will not have recorded any motion detections. So a quick look at where the files are recorded should show nothing to view.

Unlike a VHS tape which would have recorded for 4 to 8 hours of a cameras view whether there was any detected movement or not. Digital Security Camera Systems (CCTV) were a great advance for the security and monitoring industry as they could reduce the time spent on viewing hours of recordings.

There are basically two types of digital Security Camera Systems available today. PC based surveillance systems and Digital Video Recorders (DVR), which both come as 4, 8, 12, 16 channels (camera inputs). PC based surveillance systems can now have up to 32 channels (camera inputs).

Although these systems are digital, cameras are analogue. It is a bit like the signal we receive for our TV’s, it is analogue but is converted by the TV to digital. Very soon that TV signal will be digital and we must have suitable receivers to handle the new digital signal.

In the same way as TV, Security Camera Systems (CCTV) are now digital but the signal from each camera is analogue. But now that is also changing to a digital signal by way of IP (Internet Protocol) cameras. Although these new IP cameras look similar to analogue cameras the images it sees are processed digitally and transmitted back to the PC based surveillance system or DVR digitally over computer network cable (CAT5/6).

Although CCTV moved into the digital age at the beginning of 2000 it was only the digital video recorders (DVR) that you can call digital. The cameras were and still are mainly analogue. But that is slowly changing with the development of Internet Protocol (IP) cameras. These are truly digital and in some cases are computers in their own right.

Most people’s perception of CCTV is a large retail outlet with a CCTV control room with a security man sitting in front of banks of camera images. Many companies today rely on these CCTV systems to help combat the theft of their stock and protection of their staff. Also most councils and government departments operate CCTV surveillance systems in the fight against crime.

Now the cost of digital Security Camera Systems has come down dramatically due to technological developments and a growing market almost every home owner and business can afford a Security Camera System if they feel they have a need to protect their family, property, business, staff, stock, equipment, etc.

The increasing demand for security camera systems goes to show that more people are spending money for their home and business security amid heated debates over the effectiveness of these systems in stopping crimes in real-time. Why the rush for these systems?

Wired and Wireless Security Cameras

On a grander cloak and dagger scale, security camera systems are installed to track and trap terrorists before any bloody harm can be done on an unsuspecting public. All told, public places are outfitted with these systems and people have learned to live with these electronic eyes. Fact is, homes and business outlets are outfitted with these gadgets. You bet, even the tiniest apartment is outfitted with security cameras.

What are security camera systems? The term refers to the different types of security cameras available for business and home surveillance. These are differently designed to achieve different results.

Wireless camera systems have no telling tapes and cables. Posh homes and offices prefer to go wireless since these won’t mar the interiors and these can be placed anywhere. The downside?

These cameras have battery packs, which have to be recharged periodically. For non-stop surveillance, you need an extra camera to take up the slack when it’s time to recharge the batteries. Except for the battery recharging these cameras work non-stop unobtrusively.

Wired security camera systems need no recharging and there is no video interferences since these cameras are directly hooked to the recording device. The downside? The length of unsightly cables that connect the cameras to the monitor. You can’t do covert surveillance with this type of camera but these are perfect to alert people to watch their step.

Smart Cameras

Covert security camera systems are those creatively hidden from view or assume different disguises. These can be inside cuddly teddy bears, a popular choice for nanny cams. There are those that are hidden in computer speakers, clocks, radios, and picture frames. Fun covert cameras parade as sunglasses, ball pens, and even rings, thanks to James Bond.

Non-covert cameras are the usual dome cameras you see in banks and museums. With its dome shape, there’s no way of knowing where the camera lens are angled at. In casinos, dome-shaped cameras are larger and their size and obvious presence stop players from pulling tricks on their way to the slots or tables.

There are different security camera systems for different surveillance needs and these are priced to suit different budgets. Overall, these cameras are designed to capture images in black and white or in color, which are fed to a video recorder that transmits the images to the monitor.

Not only are they smart in function, they are also smart in assuming disguises. This way, you can place them in full view without people knowing that they are being “shot at” by cameras hidden in radios and calculators.

They Better Behave

People are wary of hidden cameras and they all suspect that these may be hiding anywhere or just maybe, they are even looking at it. In your business, people have to think twice before they do anything that will land them in hot water.

In the home, the choice of obvious cameras deters any hanky-panky and thwarts plans for a bold break-in. Your outdoor camera sends a message – you have security camera systems planted inside the home. So if anybody wants to break-in, he has to think twice before getting in through the bathroom window.

Find More Covert Security Cameras Articles

Many homeowners today are starting to consider installing wired or wireless security systems in their homes and in their businesses. This is due to the alarming increase of home robbery and theft cases and even murder. So if you have been considering investing on IP security camera software for your home and business, yet with second thoughts, this article will help you make up your mind.

Most individuals purchase security cameras and install security systems in their homes and businesses like stores, diners or food shops to monitor what’s going on in and around those places when they are not there. For instance, you own a certain furniture shop downtown. So that means by day, you leave your home and head out to your store. When night falls, you close your business and head back home for a much needed rest.

This is pretty hard because you can’t be in two places at the same time. What if a burglar breaks into your house while at work? Or someone tries to rob your shop while you are at home sound asleep? This is why you should invest on IP security camera software and the whole security system for that matter. If you really want to provide both your shop and your house utmost protection, then you should consider buying this advanced type of home security system.

The IP wireless security system is known to be capable of providing real-time monitoring of your home and your business. Have you ever seen a webcam? That’s how the security cameras work in this system. While webcams need to be connected to the computer through a cord, IP cameras send back signal through a wireless connection in your home’s network or that of your store. Thus, the term, “real-time” was coined.

This is great because no matter where you are and no matter what time of the day it is, you will be able to log in and use the cameras. All you need to have is a direct access to the Internet and a stable connection for that. This is just as cool as those CCTV cameras they install in public places and buildings.

Going back to the example earlier, you can clearly see how beneficial this wireless IP system is. You will be able to monitor your home while you’re at work. At night, you can view from time to time what’s happening to your shop. This will ultimately give you some peace of mind, knowing you can check for suspicious activities happening in both places anywhere, anytime.

Investing on this wireless security system will be a great move but it won’t be that easy especially if your budget is limited. One nice tip is to use dummy security cameras while you are saving up for the real ones or searching for cheaper options. You can start your search with Swann security system and move on to other companies offering the same product.

VideoSecu Dome IR Day Night Vision CCTV Security Camera Surveillance for Home Security Systems 1YH

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GX301-C Additional Digital Wireless Camera with Long Range Night Vision for SVAT GX301 Security Systems

GX301-C Additional Digital Wireless Camera with Long Range Night Vision for SVAT GX301 Security Systems Setup in seconds with digital wireless technology for clear video and audio Expand your system to monitor multiple locations on your property Motion detector is built into the camera to ensure that all movement is detected Long range night vision camera can view up to 40ft away in the dark

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