cctv4u Blog

Although we tend to think of CCTV systems being used to help reduce crime on our streets, or being placed in strategic positions in shops and factories, there are other uses for CCTV cameras.

One of these uses is concerned with town planning. A city council in the north of England used CCTV equipment to help them determine the traffic flow at a junction where major changes were to be made. This junction was a complicated intersection consisting of two main trunk roads and three local roads. Before any work could begin, it was necessary to carry out an analysis of traffic flow. The usual method employed to do this is to use council staff as observers who would sit by each junction and count the vehicles passing.

The council decided that this was not only expensive but also not a very accurate method of gauging a complete week’s traffic twenty four hours a day. Another problem was that although traffic flow could be counted at the junctions, it would be difficult to determine once the vehicles had passed the particular spot in question.

With all of these factors in mind, the council opted to use CCTV systems to monitor the traffic flow. There was a multi-storey car park right in the centre of the intersection and the CCTV cameras were mounted on the building which covered every junction and allowed the council to compile an accurate report of the traffic flow. This is just one example of how CCTV equipment can be used for many purposes, and not just as a tool for cutting crime.

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.

If you are concerned about security, either in your home or at your business, there are many benefits to using CCTV. If you are considering a CCTV camera installation in the workplace this will give you two major benefits immediately, in that it will help to provide a safer environment for you and your staff as well as making the business less likely to be targeted by thieves.

Depending on your needs, CCTV systems consist of either a single camera and monitor or they can be very elaborate, with several cameras located around the premises which are monitored from a remote location by a security expert.

Deterrence is the main reason why many companies install security cameras. Most thieves don’t just strike at random, but decide which building is vulnerable and easy to enter. If the building does not have CCTV, this will make it more attractive to them and before you know it, the gang has entered the building and cleared it out.

The same applies to shoplifters. If you are a retailer, you will know just how bad this can be for your business. If the potential shoplifter sees that your store is well protected by CCTV systems, they will more than likely move on to a shop which doesn’t have security camera systems.

CCTV cameras can also be used to keep an eye on the cash till, which will help you to resolve any misunderstandings which may take place when your staff are handling large amounts of money every day.

When you think of CCTV, you probably picture the cameras which line our streets and those in shops and businesses. But have you ever thought about using it in the home? CCTV can be incredibly beneficial and there are numerous reasons to try it, and you could soon wonder how you ever coped without it.

By installing CCTV systems in your home, you have complete peace of mind as your security needs are fulfilled. You can’t put a price on feeling safe in your own house, and if you’re in a neighbourhood that suffers from problems such as theft or anti-social behaviour then security camera systems can be a valuable lifeline.

There are plenty of other reasons to have such systems in your home, for example if you’re a wildlife lover and want to see who comes into your garden on a daily basis. It’s a great way to keep track of animal movements, and you could end up with your own wildlife TV show from your very own back yard.

Luckily, with so many different security camera systems available, there’s bound to be something to suit your needs. Fully-assembled kits allow you to get set up in the quickest possible time, and if you’re in the market for security products make sure to come to us here at CCTV 4U. We’ll be able to advise you on what pieces of equipment would be best for you, so make sure to get in touch and experience what complete peace of mind feels like.

Infra Red or IR cameras boast a wealth of features not found on other CCTV security cameras. Having previously been most strongly associated with defence and other security areas, IR cameras have, down the years, become a more frequent fixture in the home as prices have gradually come down.

The predominant advantage of an IR security camera system is its performance in low light, in which it can produce consistently high quality images. So in the dark, this type of camera produces black and white footage in high resolution, as well as very good quality colour video images during the day. This makes it a perfect choice for such environments as night clubs, car parks or even the outside of your property. As IR CCTV cameras use LEDs to illuminate their view, they are also more energy efficient than normal cameras. They are even a great choice of CCTV cameras for outdoor use due to their ability to see through smoke or haze.

There are, however, also many misconceptions concerning Infra Red CCTV cameras. It is not necessarily true, for example, that they are the best choice for more covert surveillance, as the cameras emit a discernible glow that is not easily hidden. On sunnier days outside, they also have a tendency to attract bugs. Nor can they always practicably have Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) capabilities as is sometimes supposed.

Here at CCTV4U, we can provide you with all of the requisite information concerning the purchase and installation of Infra Red CCTV cameras.

Covert CCTV cameras are a perfect surveillance solution whenever you desire a more discreet way of keeping an eye on your investments. Although they do not serve the purpose of being a physical deterrent to any wrong-doing in your office or home, they are a highly effective and popular choice when it comes to catching more wily perpetrators off guard. Our online CCTV store offers a range of covert CCTV cameras from Genie, and we can also help you with every stage of your covert cameras’ installation process, taking a tailor made approach to customer service from start to finish.

Prices start at £89.60 for the Genie GC4JB and rise to £176.40 for the GC3HSMO/DA Smoke Detector DownView AUDIO. The Genie GC4JB is a standard resolution colour camera in a wall mount junction box 350TVL, with such features as 1/4″ Sharp CCD and a con. pinhole 3.6mm lens. Our range-topping GC3HSMO/DA, meanwhile, includes such features as digital noise reduction (DNR) and a 4mm lens with AUDIO. Our other covert CCTV cameras include the Genie GC3HPIRWA Covert, the GC3STAT Wall Thermostat Covert (which is a standard resolution colour camera obscured within a wall mount thermostat), the GC4SMO Side, the GC3HSMO Side, and the GC3HSMO/D Smoke Detector, which is a high resolution colour DNR camera hidden within a smoke detector case.

For more information on our range of covert CCTV cameras, as well as about other products in our online CCTV store, just telephone our order hotline today on 0845 226 31 91.

A bullet camera is a type of surveillance camera that is shaped like a cylinder. ‘Bullet camera’ is simply this type of camera’s most frequently used nickname, with alternative names for them including ‘helmet’, ‘micro video’ and ‘lipstick’ cameras. Bullet cameras make plenty of sense as a CCTV solution. Not only are they generally cheaper than other types of CCTV cameras, but they are also very easy to install, are discreet in their appearance, tending to be of a length of only a few inches, and also have an superb image quality, being capable of showing both colour and black and white images. They are also capable of functioning both indoors and outdoors, as well as both at night and during the day.

We sell a wide range of CCTV bullet cameras in our online store right here at CCTV4U, including from Genie, a trusted name in CCTV systems. Indeed, another advantage of bullet cameras is that they are available at a variety of prices and specifications, with our own prices ranging from £66.01 to £278.60 for bullet cameras incorporating such features as wall and ceiling brackets, vandal proof hoods, high resolution, both day and night capabilities, different numbers of infrared LEDS, varifocal lens, privacy zone masking, motion detection, optical zooms, digital noise reduction (DNR) and selectable digital zooms.

CCTV4U is the only company you’ll need for the finest in CCTV equipment, as well as for the most comprehensive installation services and technical support.

Our online store sells a range of CCTV cameras, including many of a ‘bullet’ (also sometimes known as a ‘helmet’ or ‘lipstick’) design. There are many advantages to choosing a bullet camera. These include their general inexpensiveness, ease of installation, discreet appearance and often brilliant image quality.

Prices for our range of CCTV bullet cameras start at £66.01 for the HI Res IR Bullet 4.3mm, and go up to £278.60 for the Genie ZB5 451IR Hi Res DNR IR ZOOM. The former bullet camera is a 1/3″ Hi Res IR Camera with a built-in lens, while the latter model is a high resolution TRUE day/night DNR zoom bullet camera with features such as a 10x optical zoom, digital noise reduction (DNR) and selectable digital zoom.

Other available models include the Genie GS5324HIR – Super Hi-res Bullet, which is a super high resolution day and night IR bullet camera which has an integrated 3.6mm fixed lens, 24x infrared LEDs and a wall/ceiling bracket. Also available in our range of bullet cameras are the Genie GS53CNV, which is a black standard resolution day/night bullet CCTV camera boasting 12 x IR LEDs and a lens bracket and sunshield, and the Genie Gs5330, which is a silver high resolution day/night bullet camera with 30 x IR LEDs and a lens cable managed bracket and sunshield. We also sell various other Genie bullet cameras as well as the Super Hi-Res Day/Night camera with its in-built varifocal lens.

Come to CCTV4U for the best CCTV products, installation services and technical support.

Housings and brackets are not the most glamorous and exciting elements of most CCTV systems. Nonetheless, they play an obviously vital role in protecting the possession that protects all of your other possessions. The last outcome that you want from your camera is for it to end up being damaged in some way or left hanging by its cable as a result of not buying the correct housings or brackets or installing them properly. The area of your surveillance camera housings and brackets is therefore not one in which it is wise to take shortcuts in the name of saving money.

We sell a selection of CCTV housings and brackets of a wide variety of designs in our online CCTV store. Products in stock include everything from DOME and fixed camera housings to housing accessories and brackets. Our housings include outdoor, indoor, wireless, clear, pressurised and vandal proof dome housings, as well as the Sony Outdoor Fixed Camera Housing SNCA-HFIXED. Our camera housing accessories, meanwhile, include mini dome mounting kits, wall mounts for dome camera housings, and the Sony Pole Mount Adapter, Corner Mount Adapter and Mounting Adapter for Pendant applications, as well as the Sony Mounting Pipe for Pendant applications. We also have brackets suitable for every type of camera, including bodied CCTV cameras, mini cameras and finger cameras.

Our online store is the perfect place from which to buy CCTV camera housings and brackets. For more information, just telephone us today, on 0845 226 3191.