cctv4u Blog

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.

Wireless CCTV is a relatively recent innovation which has many benefits, including easy-to-fit cameras and remote viewing of camera feed over the internet. However, this kind of CCTV system is not just limited to security cameras, as the technology of wireless CCTV systems can be applied also to some of the functions of the traditional burglar alarm system. This is an exciting application and is worth considering when choosing CCTV equipment to protect your home or business.

Traditional alarm systems have always used sensors such as simple magnetic door contacts that create a change in circuit voltage when the sensor is “tripped”, i.e. when the door is opened and the contacts are separated. These sensors are wired to an alarm system control panel and the change in voltage causes the alarm to sound. The same sensors that are used in these alarm systems can be connected to the digital input ports of wireless CCTV cameras. The real innovation though, is that the camera is connected to a web application which can take more intelligent action than simply sounding an alarm.

For example, if a door or window sensor in your house was tripped in your absence, the security camera could send an instant SMS text message to your mobile phone. You could then log in to see the recording of that door or window being opened, and more importantly, who opened it, all just seconds after the incident happened; enabling you to decide whether the alarm needed to be raised or not.

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.

Privacy intrusion has been a major concern since the introduction of CCTV surveillance early in the 1970s. The major reason for resistance by people regarding security surveillance is the feeling of being watched constantly. However, since the security surveillance follows strict privacy guidelines and makes sure that privacy is not invaded, CCTV cameras have increased in number to the present 4.5 million across the UK.

The Government has issued strict legal guidelines and privacy policies regarding security surveillance from the streets and public places to workplaces and offices. Privacy encroachment is especially an issue in offices, where employers use covert security cameras for monitoring work progress and tape conversations amongst their employees. This is a major violation of privacy and can even lead to litigation if the employee chooses.

It is important that employers understand the fine line between monitoring and intruding and maintain a balance so as not to make the employees feel spied upon. Where the right kind of monitoring can increase productivity and make employees feel safer, intrusive monitoring can lead to just lead to the opposite. So it is essential that employers notify the employees in advance that they will be monitored and inform them where the security cameras are operating.

By implementing a surveillance system ethically, it can bring about the desired results not just as increased safety at the workplace but also as increased productivity and a better working environment. To know more about CCTV systems and surveillance, don’t hesitate to contact us at CCTV4U.

From bus stops to school premises and even school buses, security cameras have become a part of the security measures taken by the school authorities to ensure the safety of the students that thousands of parents entrust them with. Now that activities of violence and crime are not restricted to any particular kind of surroundings alone, school authorities and parents are equally at peace when such security measures are taken.

Most school buses uses multi-channel DVRs that record various views from different security cameras installed inside and outside the bus entrances. These cameras are generally equipped with audio and GPS functions as well. However, recording audio is not usually permitted as it is illegal in most countries. There are instances where school authorities have been sued for recording audio, as it is a breach of privacy and can be mistaken as a wrong disciplinary measure taken by the school.

Also the security cameras in school buses are not meant to be kept covert and the students are to be aware that the cameras are in action. However, even though the cameras are not used as a measure to induce discipline, many school authorities claim the awareness about the security cameras has helped in bringing about discipline without making the students self-conscious or uncomfortable. If implemented in the right way, security cameras in school buses can be a very successful security measure for schools.

We at CCTV4U have a wide range of security cameras and equipment fit for all kinds of surveillance.

With terrorism threats from various quarters, authorities are always on the alert to spring to action without leaving any breaches in security measures. With about 4.5 million security cameras deployed across the UK, technology has enabled the authorities to fine comb billions of video footages every day for any suspicious activity. However as it is practically impossible to manually spot any particular faces in the random images from the security camera footages, biometric technology has come as a boon for such purposes.

The ‘fish-eyed’ biometric cameras with 360-spherical lenses are capable of identifying particular faces stored in a database and following their movements. Biometric details such as face, iris, voice, fingerprints and hand geometry of people who have been entered into the database are verified against the images appearing on the camera, and authorities are alerted immediately upon finding a high-degree of match.

Some biometric cameras are even capable of emitting infra red light that is not visible to the human eye, on to people’s faces to trace the contours of their features to verify if it matches with that in the database. There are also biometric surveillance systems which use a number of security cameras to generate three dimensional images of the faces captured, and produces extremely high level of accuracy by combining two dimensional, three dimensional and fingerprint biometrics.

This technology has proved its worth as crucial sources of evidence and weapon for thwarting crime and is increasingly being employed by authorities across the world. For more information regarding the latest in CCTV systems and technology, we at CCTV4U can help.

Occasional night outs once in a while are no longer the only time when we return home late at the night. With working hours spanning beyond the 9 to 5 routine hours, scuttling forth from work and back home even late into the wee hours of night is becoming routine for a good many of us. In turn, greater is the need for more effective security measures both at home and in the office during every hour of the day.

Night vision security cameras have become a useful gadget for security surveillance for such purposes. Whilst ordinary CCTV cameras are very efficient in broad daylight, they are almost totally ineffective when it comes to capturing any useful images in low light conditions. Yet the advantage of night vision security cameras is that they capture high quality colour images during the day time and black and white pictures of the same quality in low light. Though colour security cameras are also available for night-use, the pictures are found to be of better quality in dark conditions in the black and white ones.

Wireless night vision security cameras are also available now, which are easy to install and manage. Price shouldn’t be a setback, as they come in easily affordable ranges and are an investment worth every single penny. At CCTV4U we have a wide range of the latest wireless security cameras and equipments, suitable for various uses. To know more, just browse through our online catalogue or give our team a call, and we will be happy to be of assistance.

Ignoring the blaring red light on the traffic post is found to be the major causes of crashes and accidental killings during the rush hour traffic. The red light security cameras have come as a very useful tool for thwarting the tendency of poor drivers to ignore the red sign.

The red light security cameras installed at major intersections has helped in bringing down red light running to a large extent. These security cameras automatically take the photographs of vehicles that drive past the intersection after the light turns red. Sensors embedded in the cross walks are activated when the vehicles violate the red light, and cameras mounted on the poles capture the picture of the vehicle along with the date, time and its speed.  Citations are then mailed to the driver to pay a fine or sign an affidavit indicating that they were not driving at that time.

This system, which has been extensively tried out in many parts of the world, has yielded very good results and has helped in bringing down the rate of red light runners considerably. However, there are some arguments against the system as well, as some people argue that this is leading to rear-end collisions as many drivers stop abruptly at the signals. It is argued that some authorities are using this as a money-making device.

If implemented correctly, this security system can go a long way to increase the security on the roads. To know more, our friendly team at CCTV4U are experts at dealing with queries about CCTV equipment.

With the seeming trend of increasing numbers of incidents of vandalism to school property, security systems in schools have arguably become imperative for student and school safety. However, owing to the initial cost involved and concerns regarding the intrusion into privacy, many schools are refraining from adopting the security surveillance option.

It would be beneficial for the school authorities to weigh the reasons as to how the installation of a security system could benefit them to reach the right decision. The school authorities can go through the problems and analyse what security threats the new CCTV cameras would address, and how those cameras would help in addressing those issues. Consideration also needs to be made on how the security system will be maintained and personnel allotted if the system is installed.

Once these issues are considered, it would be easier for the authorities to decide if the benefits would outweigh the costs. Moreover, as privacy issues are also concerned it should be considered if installing the cameras in the entrances, common areas and parking lots alone would serve the purposes they are aiming at.

Even though the initial costs are slightly high, many schools who have adopted CCTV surveillance claim that the CCTV systems are quite cost-effective in the long run and have been extremely beneficial in bringing down the damage to school property as well.

At CCTV 4U we ensure that the best CCTV equipment and services are made available that make the investment worth its cost, for security is one thing that no compromises ought to be made upon.

As with every technology, video analytics too comes with its constraints. When CCTV systems with video analytics clearly have several advantages over the conventional systems, there are a few factors which determine the performance of the system. Though it is sometimes said that the chances of false alarm is quite high when using video analytics, their chances of occurrence can be brought down to quite a considerable extent if other governing factors are taken care of.

Processing Rate: Higher processing rate is essential as the system would require a higher frame rate and resolution to detect small objects moving quickly.

Frame rate: Most systems require a frame rate of at least 5-8 Frames per Second (FPS). Tracking requires higher frame rates for faster moving objects, in order to reduce the chances of false alarms.

Memory: An additional 10-100 MB of memory is required when used on a PC.

The resolution of the camera and the camera angle: Video analytic security cameras require a minimum pixel size of 15* 15. Resolutions much higher or lower than that can resulting in distorted images, often leading to false conclusions. The camera angle also determines the proper segmentation etc of the images.

Choosing the right video analytics for specific CCTV systems requires extensive research and very good awareness of the right kind of equipment suitable for your specific need. It is always advisable to seek the guidance of experts in the field who can assist you in identifying the right kind of CCTV equipment. Should you need any help in choosing your video analytics or CCTV system, please feel free to get in touch with our friendly team at CCTV4U.