Best Practices of CCTV - Implementing Successful Video Security Systems

This CCTV Buyers Guide provides a comprehensiveapplication, the following questions need to be
overview of deploying a successful video surveillanceanswered.o How many channels (cameras)?o What
camera system in your business or residence. Thisspeed of recording is required?o How long to retain
guide contains information to help in the design ofvideo files (Hard Drive Size)?o What features are
your video surveillance system, select the productsimportant to the application?o Where will DVR
that best fit your CCTV system requirements, andsystem be located?o Remote monitoring
help make key installation decisions that will save yourequirements?
time and money.The information was derived fromIn choosing the right DVR for your CCTV application,
deploying 100's of CCTV systems and gathered fromensure that you are determining the quantity of
CCTV call centers who answer questions fromcameras needed now and in the next 24 months.
commercial and residential customers. This guideDVRs come in 4, 8, 9, and 16 channel increments and
combines the data from past CTV projects andthis selection is critical because adding cameras above
gives the reader a head-start in the successful CCTVthe DVR channels available will require an additional
projectDVR, not just additional channels. DVR systems in
There are many details to consider when specifyinglarge installations are segmented into 16 channels units
the correct CCTV Camera System. Professionaland are monitored and managed through a Central
Video Surveillance is not a cheap endeavor and aManagement System.
budget should be outlined and the best possibleThe speed of recording is critical to many CCTV
system should be considered. This guide will help theapplications. 30 fps (frames per second) is considered
novice CCTV buyer in reviewing camera andreal-time video, therefore to obtain 30 fps for the
recording system for their CCTV and Videoapplication, 480 fps for 16 channels and 240fps for 8
surveillance requirements.channels is required. Many CCTV applications will
The first task in a successful CCTV project is toprovide real-time (30 fps) live viewing of video
outline the key CCTV objectives.o How manychannels and 7-15 fps for recorded files. It is
cameras are required?o What are the key FoV (Fieldacceptable to have 7-15 fps for recorded files in
of View(s))?o What are the recordingmany applications, but technology in DVR systems
requirements?o What are the lighting conditions ofhas pushed real-time video for the masses and 30
each camera location?o Where do I need live videofps recording will soon be the standard recording
monitoring or a second video monitor?o How long dorates across all channels as available today.
you need to retain the video files?Storage of vide files is much easier and cost
Cameras There are specific cameras that need to beeffective in 2007 than ever before. DVR storage at
selected based on the FoV, lighting conditions, andthe TeraByte level is common and drives have
the mounting location of the camera. There is nobecome faster and more reliable. Retention of video
such thing as a one-size fits all in the successfuldata files can be managed by corporate IT
CCTV project. It is important to note each cameradepartments as any business critical data and
location and select the camera best suited for thatnetwork drive archiving is common. All of the top
location.DVR systems have USB ports for external storage
Answer these questions:o Indoor or Outdoor?odevices and LAN-based video servers are common. A
Lighting conditions (during day and night)?o Mountingcritical component of any DVR system is the ability
locations?to access the video files. The software provided by
Indoor Dome CameraDVR manufacturers is proprietary to the DVR unit
The indoor dome camera is used in 90% of generaland the ability to retrieve files chronologically or
indoor applications. It comes in a variety ofbased on certain security events is vital to the DVR
configurations including standard color, Day/Night, andproduct.
Infrared versions. It can be mounted on a horizontalPC-Based vs. Standalone DVRs
or vertical surface but is typically ceiling mounted.Standalone DVR systems were the majority of video
Lens options on dome camera may restrict their userecorders sold in the marketplace up until 2006.
in certain applications such as requiring more than aComputer-based DVRs have become increasingly
20mm video lens. Dome cameras are a primarypopular due to the cost and features provide in the
choice in indoor camera locations.latest generation of DVR cards on the market in
Box Camera2007. The Windows XP PC computer is providing the
A box camera is a standard camera that can bereliability and performance in today's DVR systems
mounted alone or in an enclosure. The box camerathat are required for mission critical video security
uses a separate lens that screws on to the frontsystems. The open architecture of PC-based DVR
surface and provides flexibility for different FoVsystems allow easy integration into corporate LANs
requirements and is sold without a lens. An auto-irisand technology upgrades are at a component level.
lens will have a small cable that connects to theSoftware upgrades and hard drive storage additions
camera for iris control in various lighting conditions.are far less costly that proprietary DVR systems.
Outdoor Dome CamerasStandalone DVRs are imbedded recording systems
Outdoor Dome Cameras are typically hard shellusually operating under Linux OS. The standalone
vandal-roof casings that offer the same versatility inDVRs are widely used in retail security sites and
a variety of lens options. Day/Night outdoor domeprovide reliable video recording for 4-16 channels.
cameras are common in applications that have entryMost DVRs on the market offer network remote
and exit points with limited lighting during the night.access and CD R/W archiving.Computer-based DVR
Day/Night Camerasystems are reliable, fast, and have many advanced
The Day/Night camera is the best choice for low-lightapplications not found on standalone systems.
conditions. The cameras are standard color duringVideo compression
daylight conditions, the Day/Night camera switchesMPEG4 and H.264 are the video compression of
either digitally of mechanically to a low-lux B/W mode.choice in 2007. In summary, MPEG4 is good and
Infrared CameraH.264 is better. The key to video compression is the
During No-Light conditions, Infrared cameras provideresolution and the size of the video. High resolution
infrared illumination of the FoF allowing monitoring ofvideo files are monster size files and video
areas with no light available. Te IR LEDs arecompression for storage and streaming is critical to
automatically illuminated and the camera switched toany video application. Major advancements in video
the B/W low-lux mode offering camera views in totalcompression will be seen in 2007 and H.264 will be
darkness.the codec of choice for DVR manufacturers.
PTZ CameraH.264
Pan-Tilt-Zoom camera offer the ability to view in allThis uses the latest innovations in video compression
directions and optically zoom in as required. PTZtechnology to provide high resolution video quality
cameras also include standard color, Day/Nightfrom the smallest amount of video data required.
modes, and a few IR PTZ cameras have beenSmaller files will save bandwidth and storage costs
introduced recently. The CCTV operator can set theover previous generations of video codecs. H.264
PTZ cameras to automatically rotate to differentdelivers the same quality as MPEG-2 at a third to half
FoVs. Options include Auto-tracking applications thatthe data rate and up to four times the frame size of
dynamically track objects in defined areas.MPEG-4 Part 2 at the same data rate. H.264 is used
About the Camera technologyin the latest video devices for High Definition video
Sony CCDs are the predominate video element indevices, BluRay DVDs and should be considered for
security cameras today. Sony makes few cameras,any professional CCTV project.
but they own the CCD market. Do not think thatNetwork Access and Remote Viewing
Sony makes the camera touted as " Sony 1/3" SuperNetwork access is the ability to remotely monitor a
HAD Camera" as many vendors advertise theirvideo server across the LAN, WAN, or internet. A
cameras. The camera has a Sony CCD, however thevery important application for any DVR system is the
camera is not from Sony and could be almost anyability to monitor live and access to recordings
brand camera out there. Important factors of lensthrough remote access. Most DVRs today have a
quality, vari-focal and auto-iris ability, quality ofLAN RJ45 connection that allows the Video Recorder
camera housing or enclosure, and lens optics are theto connect to the LAN just like any other PC in the
difference in a professional CCTV camera.office.
Facts about Cameras:o If you buy an $80 camera,Advanced DVR Features
you will get an $80 view.o 480 TVL should be aMany CCTV systems are releasing advanced security
minimum requirement in any professional CCTVand specialty software for security enhancements.
project.o Location of the camera and the correctThese include:o Object countingo POS Integrationo
lens are keys to quality video captureo Cameras lovePTZ Auto-Trackingo Face Recognitiono Access
light and thieves hate the light! Add lighting whereverControl Integration
possibleCCTV Cabling and System Layout
Camera EnclosureDVR Location In choosing the optimal location for the
Box cameras can be mounted in a variety ofDVR system, consider the access of the area for
enclosures. Outdoor enclosures in cold climates shouldcentralized control and security of the area. The DVR
include a heater/blower that keeps frost andis the heart of the CCTV system and should be
condensation from forming on the lens and camera.protected as necessary to ensure it is safe from
Heater/Blower are commonly 24VAC and should betheft or damage. If the security breach includes theft
considered when selecting the CCTV power supplyof the DVR component, all evidence is carried off
system.under the arm of the thief. And the thieves know
Camera Locationthis, so ensure that the DVR system is in a lock-box
Camera mounting location is critical to the success ofor an appropriate secure area.
the CCTV project. Cameras should be mounted asCamera Power Supply
close possible to the field of view required, and theEach professional camera requires either 12VDC or
closer the camera to the subject the better the24VAC. Both power options are acceptable and
identification of the subject will be. Proper lenssome CCTV installations will require both. Central
selection relative to the camera location and the FoVPower Supplies are available in 4,8,16 and more
required is essential to a quality picture.channels.
Digital Video RecordersCable Options
DVRs are an important part of any successful CCTVTraditional video cable is RG59 coax cable. Siamese
project. Video resolution is getting larger, recordingdual cable is commonly used that provides RG59u
speeds are getting faster, and video datacoax together with a pair of 18 gauge wire for the
compression is reducing the video data file size.camera power requirements. The dual cable allows
TeraByte storage capacity is becoming common insingle cable runs to each camera for both video and
many CCTV applications. Network or remotepower.
monitoring of CCTV video is standard in allCat-5 Options
professional DVRs on the market in 2007 and videoUTP (twisted pair) cabling is becoming more popular
distribution across LANs, WANs, and the Web havewith Cat-5e/Cat-6 cabling used in networks. CAT
given the DVR a new market outside of videocabling is lighter and less expensive than coax cabling
security known as Business Systems Monitoring thatand requires balun connectors to match the
allows management to monitor specified key businessimpedance of the video signal. Coax and UTP
areas 24 hours a day. No longer just a security videoconnections up to1000' feet are acceptable. A balun is
recorder, the DVR has become a business tool forused to match the impedance on Cat-5 connections
management with remote monitoring applications.on the DVR and camera connections.
In order to choose the correct DVR for any