What is CCTV and is it worth the investment?

Up your security and protect your property and Assets

Imagine you are on your well-deserved vacation and you are having a great time. Everything is so good, life is beautiful.  After a week you are recharged and ready to take on your usual tasks.

 

However, you come back home only to understand you are the victim of a robbery. No matter where you live, or how supposedly safe is your neighborhood, safety should be your priority.

 

Everyone has valuable items in his house. Not to mention the items that have sentimental value for you. Losing a part of you is a disaster no matter how you look at it.

 

This is why we will take a look at one of the best investments you could make for your security.  Camera surveillance…

What is CCTV and its types?

The abbreviation CCTV stands for closed-circuit television which is mainly known as video surveillance. The concept of “Closed-circuit” means that the broadcast is received by a limited number of monitors instead of large amounts of monitors aka the public.

These CCTV networks are mainly used for detecting criminal activities or monitoring traffic violations.

 

However, the use of CCTV is far from limited. In recent years these cameras have been invented as a means for public surveillance (the cameras are attached to a policeman’s chest or head) for example.

 

The technology can even be used in the industrial space as a way to observe a place that is not highly favorable for humans.

 

There are three main types of CCTV:

 

• Analog – The analog type of CCTV are low resolution but they are a cheap and effective method. They usually don’t transmit audio so you should take a note here if you need the potential record with audio. The records require a video capture card. The data can be stored on a PC or a tape recorder.

 

• Digital – The digital CCTV systems can be used without a video caption card. This is because the recordings are stored directly on a computer. The drawback here is that you need a lot of free space to store all the data. However, the files can be compressed which will take less of your hard drive in general.

 

• Network – This type of CCTV system uses either digital or analog cameras. The video is streamed directly over the internet. People often prefer this kind of system because it’s very convenient. You can access the data from anywhere as long as you have a stable connection. The records will also have better resolution and available audio which is another plus.

Is it worth getting a CCTV?

You are probably wondering is it really worth getting a CCTV system? As I said above in the article, in my opinion, this is one of the best investments you could make, and here I will present the facts that support this.

 

The technology has been growing rapidly and it is estimated that there will be around 1 billion surveillance cameras worldwide by 2021.

 

And it’s not hard to see why. The main purpose of these cameras is to detect any criminal activity which is a must in today’s world and it is an essential part that is often overlooked by people.

 

Here is why CCTV systems are so effective in preventing crimes, especially burglary.

– It has been found that a visible CCTV system around your home reduces the chance of your home being robbed by at least 50%.

 

– If for any reason there is a break-in in your home, the cameras can help identify the criminal and the evidence can be used in court.

 

– You can monitor your home remotely, from anywhere in the world as long as you have a stable and secure internet connection.

There are also other benefits from the use of these systems:

• CCTV system Provides you with a piece of mind.

You rest assured that your home is protected at all times, so you can be focused on your activities or be on a holiday without having to worry about anything.

• CCTV system proves to bring you an enormous value.

There are a lot of different options out there that can suit any budget. But if we have to be completely honest with ourselves, there is not a price tag when it comes to protecting our loved ones, isn’t it?

Which is Better, Wired, or Wireless CCTV?

I will directly answer the question. There is not a better option here. You have to choose a wired or wireless CCTV system depending on your needs.

• Wired CCTV

Pros:

– Wired systems do not interfere with any wireless devices. The signal goes directly to your recorder.

– With a wired system, the signal can’t be lost.

– Wired systems can provide you with high-resolution footage and you can transmit large amounts of data over the installed cabling.

Cons:

– The installation of a wired CCTV system is a difficult process and it takes a lot of time.

– You are not flexible. If you want to change your location you will need to rewire the cameras.

• Wireless CCTV

Pros:

– The installation is faster and easier

– You have the desired flexibility if you change locations rather frequently

– You can connect the system to your existing Wi-Fi network

Cons:

– You can have issues with the connection if your network is not reliable

– You may encounter frequency issues due to overlapping of other wireless networks

– The signal can be lost in bad weather conditions if the cameras are placed outside of your home

Most Common Concerns Regarding CCTV

There are two main concerns regarding the use of CCTV systems.

• Can a CCTV Camera Zoom in?

A CCTV camerca can zoom in, and generally, a home security camera can be used perfectly fine in a range of up to 70 feet.

 

The cameras can zoom in even after the video has been recorded.

 

However, the images can be a bit blurry if they are zoomed too closely.

 

• Do CCTV Cameras Work Without Internet Connection?

It may come as a surprise to many but you can use your CCTV system not only without an internet connection but also without electricity.

 

These are also two of the main reasons why many people are starting to consider the installation of CCTV in their homes.

 

I recommend you to consider it too as I will repeat myself: This can prove to be one of the best investments you could make.