cctv4u Blog

If you are running a business or you are in charge of security at the company, then you will need to consider having CCTV systems installed. There are many reasons for having CCTV security on your premises, the most obvious being that it allows you to see exactly who is entering or leaving the building and surrounding area. This is important in many respects. First of all, it allows you to indentify unauthorised people who may be entering a dangerous area of the premises. The last thing you want is for someone who shouldn’t be there becoming injured, which apart from anything else could leave you open to litigation and a costly settlement fee for any injuries received.

CCTV will also allow you to make sure that theft is dramatically reduced as surveys have shown that thieves are less likely to target a business which has overt security. If you have CCTV security cameras located in key positions around your premises, it would have to be a particularly foolhardy thief who would attempt to break in.

Before you buy CCTV cameras, it’s advisable to get an assessment of your needs. Many of the suppliers of CCTV systems will be happy to do this for you, and then advise you on which systems best suit your needs. Depending on the size of your business premises, you may need nothing more than a basic CCTV system, but if you are in charge of a larger operation this can be tailored to suit your needs.

Many people are under the impression that only those who live in large expensive houses need to buy CCTV cameras in order to protect themselves and their property. The fact is, it doesn’t matter what size house you live in, having CCTV cameras installed can help cut the chances of burglary, while giving you peace of mind. This is particularly the case if you live in a rural area and your home is isolated. If you hear a knock on the door in the middle of the night, do you really want to open it without knowing who is there? If you have security cameras installed – as well as a floodlight system – you will be able to check who is outside before you open the door.

To look at another scenario, imagine you live on an estate and you’re having trouble with neighbours. This can take many forms, from verbal abuse to actual physical assaults, but whatever the problem is you are facing, by installing CCTV cameras you can reduce the chance of your home being targeted by neighbours who may have a grudge against you. In the worst case, if the CCTV does not deter them, you will be able to present evidence to the authorities that they have been causing a problem.

So wherever you happen to live, in a stately home or a more modest house, using CCTV security can make a big difference to your life. Peace of mind is what it’s all about, and CCTV security cameras can help you achieve that.

Crime experts are divided about just how effective CCTV is when it comes to stopping or even reducing crime, but one thing is clear from independent research carried out in the UK. CCTV systems do have a dramatic effect when it comes to reducing fear of crime among the public, and they do ensure, in the event of an assault being picked up by the CCTV cameras, that the rapid response of police officers gives less time for offenders to inflict more injuries on the victim.

In order to really discover if CCTV systems are truly effective, police authorities have to conduct their evaluations over a long period of time to eliminate any inconsistencies in the data. This is why, to a certain extent, the jury is still out on just how effective CCTV is.

There is another element to this. It is essential that the CCTV operators are well-trained and are aware of the fastest way to deploy police officers. The correct, up to date training will ensure that CCTV systems will be more effective when it comes to tackling crime on the streets, and local authorities are now well aware of this and ensure that their staff are given refresher courses about the best way to use security camera systems.

The consensus seems to be that CCTV cameras are going to become more important in the future when it comes to preventing crime, and as the CCTV security cameras become more sophisticated, more offenders will be caught and – perhaps even more important – more crimes will be prevented.

Installing your own CCTV systems can be a tricky business, so it’s often wise to consult the professionals. They’ll have all the experience necessary and will be able to install your new system in the best possible way to give you the security you need, but just what should you be looking for in CCTV installers?

For starters, you need to be looking for experience. You want to get the best results possible from your new security system, but you can’t hope to achieve that if your installers can’t get everything set up correctly. You need to be positive they can do the job properly, so make sure to check that they’re a reliable company with great recommendations from past customers.

You also need to make sure they can offer you top-quality equipment. You shouldn’t be looking for anything less than the best, and any CCTV camera installation company should be able to offer you exceptional systems combined with great service.

Budget will also be a big consideration, so any company needs to be able to offer their services at a price you can afford. But at the same time steer clear of anyone that offers their services too cheap – you often get what you pay for, so always ensure they can offer a quality service at the right price.

These are just a few things you need to be looking for in CCTV installers, and if you come to us here at CCTV4U we’ll be able to tick all the boxes. We’re confident you’ll be happy with your choice, so come and see for yourself and look forward to your new system being expertly installed.

There’s been a lot of news press in recent years about the level of CCTV in place across the country, and whether or not it’s really necessary. Many would argue it infringes on our privacy, but is this really the case?

Well, it’s certainly true that there are far more CCTV security cameras in the UK than just about anywhere else in the world. We’re a nation that’s constantly under surveillance, with 2.5 million cameras catching the average person roughly 300 times per day. But does it mean that it’s infringing on our rights?

Not always. The cameras are there for security and to act as a deterrent to criminals, and they can also be used to help convictions come to fruition. If you’re an average person going about your daily business then there’s no reason to worry, as the cameras won’t even notice you’re there. And besides, most people wouldn’t feel half as safe if there weren’t the cameras around, so although some may feel our privacy is at stake the benefits far outweigh it.

There have even been talks in recent weeks about downgrading our reliance on security cameras, so anyone that is concerned is sure to be relieved. But really there’s no reason to worry, because as long as the cameras are in the hands of the professionals they’re not going to abuse their power.

So, while some people may feel that CCTV cameras infringe on privacy, for many there’s really not much to be concerned about. They can provide valuable security and peace of mind, and if you think you need a camera or two make sure to come to us here at CCTV 4U.

In the world of CCTV surveillance, there is a new type of security camera system which is rapidly replacing old, traditional analogue camera systems. Internet CCTV cameras, also known as Digital CCTV cameras, IP cameras or Network cameras are the latest innovation in CCTV systems and are an increasingly popular security option. The main reason for the popularity of these new cameras is their ability to be remotely viewed and operated over the internet.

Internet CCTV security cameras are very different to web cams. Web cams plug into the PC and actually need the computer to be running in order to work. Internet CCTV security cameras work independently, are not plugged into a computer and do not need a computer in order to operate.

To communicate over the internet these cameras just need to be connected to a computer network (a standard home router qualifies as a ‘network’). This is the great advantage over traditional CCTV, as once connected, you can then see live CCTV video feed, view recorded images and even switch motion detection on and off from anywhere in the world using a standard PC or mobile phone. Internet CCTV cameras do not need separate motion sensors as they are able to detect movement by themselves, and send you an email or immediate SMS text message to alert you to a potential incident. You can then log on to the internet to see exactly what is happening and take appropriate action, all within a few minutes.

For many years, CCTV equipment used VHS systems to record security camera video feed. Now, with the advancement of technology, Digital Video Recorders (DVR) systems are more widely used. Although initially more expensive to purchase than VHS, there are many advantages of having a DVR system. Installation is quick and easy; all you need to get started is one DVR unit, one to four CCTV security cameras (depending on your needs), and you are ready to go!

When using VHS, the video cassettes need to be changed every day – sometimes even twice a day, even when using a time lapse VCR which allows for longer recording. In addition to the inconvenience of constantly changing the cassettes, plenty of storage space will also be needed to retain them. The standard of the VHS video playback is initially fine, but when stored over time, the overall quality will decrease.

The most obvious advantage of DVR is that there are no longer any cassettes which need to be constantly changed. The average DVR system will retain video for up to 180 days, depending on how the security cameras are set-up to record; that is six months of retained video! This accessibility is very convenient when travelling, as the CCTV video will be recording whether you are there or not. Reviewing video footage is quick and easy as it is just a click away. For further convenience, DVR can be linked to an Internet connection and accessed remotely from anywhere in the world.

There have been many debates recently as to the legality of having CCTV security cameras in public areas or workplaces. Opponents of CCTV systems are most concerned about the loss of civil liberties as well as the negative impacts of surveillance of peoples’ privacy. Opponents of CCTV have also claimed that, rather than lessening crime, CCTV just displaces crime by encouraging criminal behaviour to move to locations out of its observational reach.

The development of using security camera systems on housing estates has also raised some serious issues. Civil Liberties groups and concerned citizens are questioning the extent to which CCTV is being used more as a tool for social control instead of an effective deterrent to crime.

Many authorities, local businesses and private citizens believe that CCTV is an indispensible tool which is essential for safeguarding the general public. Supporters justify CCTV by stating “if you’re doing nothing wrong then you’ve nothing to fear”. If you have a business establishment in a local shopping precinct and have doubts or concerns regarding security, then CCTV will mean more to your peace of mind than the civil liberties of the vandals who keep damaging your shop premises.

Similarly, an estate resident who is concerned about the safety of their home and family will be more interested in using CCTV to stamp out anti-social behaviour and less interested about any lack of privacy which may result from its use.

CCTV, whether you agree with it or not, will be watching you some time to come.

The basic set-up of a CCTV security system involves a camera, a monitor, wires to connect the camera to the monitor (unless using wireless security cameras), and some form of recording equipment, should you wish to retain and store footage. The live feed that is transmitted is only available for you to see, making the whole set-up ‘closed circuit’.

The number of security cameras that you may need will depend on the size and layout of the area you wish to supervise with CCTV products; additional cameras might be needed just to cover awkward corners at unconventional locations. Generally, more cameras means greater supervision, but there is no point in having excessive numbers of CCTV security cameras just for the sake of it.

Once you have your security cameras in place and connected to your monitors, then you are ready to begin operating. Depending on preference and how many cameras you have, you will be able to either view all transmitted images at once as one multi-view screen on the monitor, or view one full-screen image at a time and switch between different camera angles.

It is worth bearing in mind that images from colour cameras are going to be of a much higher quality, and therefore can make the identification of intruders and troublemakers much easier.

Installing and operating a new CCTV security system is a fairly straight forward process and you will find that you will be able to monitor every corner of your property in no time at all.

Crime and anti-social behaviour in Britain is now more of a concern than ever, and protecting your family and belongings has become increasingly more important. People were once able to leave their front doors unlocked but sadly, the times we now live in require us to lock our doors and develop a more robust attitude to security.

Although the threat of crime is the main reason to purchase CCTV systems, people are now acquiring home security cameras for other purposes. Some people use CCTV to help monitor their pets while they are away, while others use security cameras to make sure their kids behave themselves in their absence. Whatever your reason for considering CCTV security cameras, rest assured that there is a solution available to match your budget.

The cost of your new home CCTV security camera system will vary greatly on the features you may require. State-of-the-art systems which include Digital Video Recorder (DVR) units and spy cameras will cost a lot more than a system using standard cameras or basic webcams.

The typical starting cost for the most basic home CCTV systems can be about £300. Naturally, you can help lower the costs if you are adept enough to install it yourself. While £300 will get you a decent but basic security system, around £1,500 will get you a comprehensive CCTV system with multiple cameras that can be placed anywhere at your residence, inside and out. Whether basic or comprehensive, home CCTV systems will ensure increased peace of mind.