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Security Camera Styles, where, when, why and how? To Use

Security cameras come in several different types and styles with features and specifications there can be overwhelming for a person who does not have an electronics engineer. We will go through all the major types of CCTV security cameras, which can use each style and explain some basic specs so you can decide what type of CCTV equipment is right for your security system.

Bullet Cameras

Bullet cameras are weatherproof, and tend to be smaller than other forms of security cameras. They come in all sizes and shapes from the size of a tube of lipstick to the size of a typical soda can. Bullet cameras are also called lipstick cameras, cameras or missile tube cameras. If you is looking for night vision or infrared cameras, you will find the largest selection of bullet cameras.

Dome Cameras

Dome type the security cameras are the most popular style security cameras. They normally have a base with a screw-on dome. Domes are dyed, so it is difficult to see where they want to go, which makes them very popular for retail applications. Most dome cameras are Plastic, but you can check armor dome section for vandal-proof domes that seem to be weatherproof with metal bases and sealed polycarbonate domes.

Armor Domes

Armor dome security cameras, or Vandal domes tend to be a little bit larger than standard globes. They are more robust in their construction and normally has heavy seals that make them weatherproof for outdoor installation. Most of higher quality armor domes have a 3 axis gimbal, allowing them to be mounted on a wall and a ceiling. Armor domes available with fixed or adjustable lenses and lenses with or without nightvision.

Box Cameras

Box cameras or professional style security cameras are the most versatile style CCTV camera available. As they usually do not contain a lens or a mount, so you'll have to buy the lens mount and an indoor or outdoor housing separately. They are more complicated than domes or bullets, but box-cameras allows for specialty lenses (ie, number plate recognition) and generally have more video quality than other styles of security cameras. If you mount a box camera without it will require an outdoor housing.

PTZ cameras

PTZ cameras or Pan Tilt Zoom cameras most complicated style security camera. These PTZ cameras are generally large dome cameras with motorized and computer-house allows the camera to be controlled from the DVR, remote or through a PTZ controller. These cameras use RS485 for receiving control and programming, so your DVR may require a RS232 to 485adapter. PTZ security cameras can also be programmed to run patterns. Speeds vary from 10 degrees per second to speed domes, which can move in more than 300 degrees per second.

Hidden Cameras

Hidden security cameras, hidden cameras or spy cameras are some of the most popular style security cameras are available. These cameras use pinhole lens with very small lenses and are usually surrounded by some other device that does not look like a camera. Motion detectors, sprinklers, smoke detectors, wall clocks, and custom configurations common building for hidden security cameras. Some hidden cameras come with built-in microphones as well. Contact your local laws for audio monitoring.

Infrared / Nightvision

Infrared cameras or night vision cameras are very popular with our customers. These night vision security cameras provide clear color images during the day and monochrome images at night. At night, infrared security cameras, lights red and give the camera with artificial light that can only be seen by the camera. These IR cameras operate even in total darkness. The more LEDs the camera has, the farther away it will look at night. Night Vision cameras are available in weatherproof bullet, dome and cupola armor styles.

Low Light Cameras

Low light cameras are generally not able to see in total darkness, but is excellent for areas where clear security responsibilities video is needed 24 hours a day, and there are some lighting available. These cameras, also called Low Lux cameras, or day / night cameras can use a feature called sense-up to provide color images even in very low light. Cameras with sense-up will sometimes have to be programmed during installation as photosensitivity and shutter settings adjusted via On Screen Display (OSD). Low Light security cameras are usually available as domes, high-end balls and box cameras.

Prescribed lighting

Cameras tagged with prescribed lighting tile require better lighting. These cameras have a lux rating of 0.1 or higher and are generally best suited for installation in offices or homes where there would generally be better lighting available. (The lower the lux rating, the better the camera can see in low light. Some sellers will call this Day / Night cameras because they have a relatively low lux rating of 0.1lux however in our experience, which may be technically correct but far from the low light video quality most expect.

Indoor

Indoor security cameras have no weather sealing. Water and moisture will kill a security camera faster than any other condition, therefore, these cameras be installed indoors where they will not see condensation or temperature extremes. Indoor only security cameras coming into the dome styles and hidden and PTZ styles.

Outdoor

Outdoor Cameras come in different ratings. Weatherproof ratings starts with "IP" (international protection rating), and ends with a series of 54th The higher the number, the more weather-resistant camera. Typically, IP65 is the standard rating which means that a camera with an IP65 rating to withstand an explosion of direct water. IP67 means that the camera is underwater vehicle up to a meter. Use weatherproof outdoor cameras or where temperature and condensation is a problem in a walk-in cooler or in a workshop with lots of dust.

Outdoor Housing Required

The outdoor housing category is required for our more advanced camera styles such as box cameras that require a separate housing must be located outdoors. Containers are available separately in our accessories section and come with or without heaters and blowers to thaw the winter and the camera cooling in summer.

Fixed Lens

Cameras that are marked with solid lens tile come with a fixed, non-adjustable lens. These cameras typically have 3.6mm semi-wide angle lenses gives an image that is 74 degrees wide. The higher the number the lens in millimeters, the tighter shots will be and vice versa. Indoor Domes with fixed lenses can be adjusted by purchasing separate mini-lenses in our accessories section.

Adjustable lenses

Security cameras with manually adjustable lens, also called Vari-Focal or "zoom" lenses allow the user to manually adjust the angle when installing cameras. These cameras allow the installer to call in the level of detail they wish to see in their shots and are very useful for the front door shot or cash register views when details are very important. The lower lens number, the more Wider shot will be and vice versa. Lenses with wider intervals are more versatile and can be adjusted over a wider viewing angle range. These lenses also control Iris apertures that give the user the best light level adjustment without making any setup changes. Focal Length Lenses are available in domes, armor dome and bullet cameras.

Motorised lenses

Security cameras with motorized lenses are commonly called zoom cameras or PTZ cameras. These cameras can be controlled electronically to zoom in and out in real time. They require RS232 to 485 adapters to control and is nice to have when someone is sitting in from of the DVR and is able to find the best viewing angle for the situation. Motorized lenses usually found on PTZ dome style cameras and an option box style security cameras.

What is a TVL?

TVL is a resolution rating meaning TV lines, the higher the number of TVL camera has, the higher the image quality of the camera. Basic TVL is a count of the number of horizontal lines the camera can reproduce. This measurement was started as a means for the original television station to claim they had TV in higher resolution than they actually were, but today it is a useful measure in determining the comparative video quality between two separate cameras. Today, the industry standard resolution seems to be 420TVL. High pulp begins around 480TVL, although many cameras are available with resolutions far above it. 540TVL, 600TVL, 650TVL and 700TVL cameras are not uncommon. This is a sliding scale of course. The difference between a 350TVL camera and a 420TVL camera will be more dramatic than that between a 420 and 480TVL rating. Still as a general rule, when it comes to TVL, the higher the number, the clearer picture.

What is Lux, and why is it important?

Lux is a measure of illumination, or in other words, a measurement of the amount of light available. The lux rating of a camera telling you how much light is needed for the camera to provide a usable image. Remember that the term "usable" is very subjective and that lux ratings can be "adjusted" by unscrupulous manufacturers and marketers to make it out they have a better CCTV camera. Generally, the lower lux rating of a given camera, the better the camera will perform at night or in low light. Be vigilant comparing lux ratings of cameras from different manufacturers as lux rating is dependent on F-stops, where it was measured, generally regarded as 0.1 Lux@F1.2. This subject requires an entire article to discuss properly, although you now have enough information to make an informed decision about which product is right for you.

About the Author

Alex Underwood is Director of Product Development at CCTVDynamics. http://www.CCTVDynamics.com is working to make high end security surveillance solutions available to every American who wishes to protect their property, their families and their businesses. We believe a secure home or business doesnt need to break the bank. Check our catalog to explore different styles of security cameras.

 

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