How Do CCTV Camera Systems Work?
Imagine being able to monitor your property, right from your smartphone or computer. That’s the power of CCTV camera systems. Let’s take an inside look at how these incredible systems work their magic to keep us safe.
The Basics of CCTV Camera Systems
CCTV stands for Closed Circuit Television and simply refers to a video surveillance system where cameras transmit signals to a specific limited set of monitors. Unlike broadcast television, CCTV has the design for security and monitoring purposes.
How Do CCTV Camera Systems Work?
Camera Capture: It all starts with the cameras. These are positioned at strategic places around the area you wish to monitor. They capture real-time video footage, which can range from wide-angle views to close-ups of specific spots.
Transmission of Signals: The recorded visuals are then transmitted to the recording device via cables or wirelessly in the case of modern systems. This recording device is normally a Digital Video Recorder or Network Video Recorder.
Recording and Storage: The recording device then stores this footage for later use. Most modern systems store footage on cloud servers due to advances in technology, having more storage capacity and easier access.
Monitoring: The live or recorded footage is viewed on monitors. At home, this could be an instance where you will watch the footage via your smartphone or computer, while the larger ones would have several screens showing footage from different cameras.
Motion Detection and Alerts: Most of the modern CCTV systems boast motion detection. This means it only starts recording in case of any movement, which also saves storage space and therefore makes it easier to review important events. Furthermore, it may also send alerts to your device in cases of unusual activity.
Night Vision: To ensure 24/7 surveillance, many cameras are designed to include infrared LEDs. These enable the cameras to capture clear footage even in complete darkness
Benefits of CCTV Camera Systems
Enhanced Security: The CCTV systems discourage intruders from attempting a crime since they would be recorded. This is quite a factor in preventing crime before it actually takes place.
Peace of Mind: You can be at your house, in the office, or on holiday, and still get a chance to see what is going on at your property at any given time.
Evidence Collection: If a crime were to happen, recorded footage serves as good evidence that law enforcement can use.
Remote Access: You will have access to your CCTV feed from any part of the world, with apps designed for easier access to information.
