CCSG, Inc. Custom Communications Services Group
The Southeast's number 1 choice for infrastructure installation solutions.

Where Quality is NO Question

Home

Services

Customers

Materials

About Us

Contact Us

Shop Online

Search

               
 
  PC Based   Stand Alone    PTZ Cams   Cams      Covert
Surveillance Cameras

Sound Masking
Data
Voice
Video
Audio
Surveillance
Twisted Pair
Fiber Optics
Comm Room "Build-Out"

Surveillance cameras come in all shapes and sizes. Each with their own Pro's and Con's. When determining which camera is best for your location and situation, the following elements should always be considered:
 
  • Distance from Camera to desired "Field-Of-View"
  • Width of desired "Field-Of-View"
  • Lighting Changes or requirements. (High sun light, Low Light)
  • Color or Black/white. (Black/White cameras work well in low light)
  • Complexity of the "Field-Of-View"

All of these elements are needed to determine the correct cameras needed for each location. Many make the mistake and buy several of the same cameras because it is easier, when actually, it could have been less expensive if they had determined each locations elements and purchased the camera needed for each location. There is no "One Fits All" for cameras.

 However, when installing in a location where each camera location is in the same environment, systems can contain many of the same cameras.
 
Overall
, the "Rule of Thumb" is to evaluate and breakdown your system to every location, then determine which camera is best for each location before purchasing any system. In many cases, a "Pre-Packaged Kit" is not the best solution, even though they are less expensive.

  
Continue reading below for more detailed information on Surveillance cameras and which one fits your locations elements and requirements....

 
Click on any link below to read more detailed information about each topic.

Lux DVR Storage FOV Zoom
Lens TV Lines PTZ Complexity FPS
Day/Night Infra-Red
 

 

 
LUX   
This value determines the cameras ability to see in low light. The lower the value, the better the camera will operate in low light levels. LUX values are usually only referred to when dealing with Black and White cameras. Some color cameras have a Day/Night function that turns the color off and switches to Black and White mode when lighting levels drop to low. Also, when cameras use the Infra-Red functions, also called Night Vision, they must be in Black and White mode to work.                                  Back to Top
  

DVR   

 
This is the main component of the CCTV system. The DVR can be a Stand-Alone device that operates much like a VCR or DVD player, or can be a PC-Based computer that operates as the Video Server. Both provide many different functions and controls, but acts as the central control unit.

The DVR also contains the storage space and is what determines the FPS rate that the video will be recorded and/or displayed at. It also adds Motion Detection, PTZ, LAN and Remote access controls.

So when you are comparing DVR's, the main factors to consider are: FPS Rate and Storage capacity. Then compare the options and functions that are available.                                                                            
Back to Top

 

Storage   

 

The storage amount required is determined by 5 factors.

  • FPS rate. (Frames Per Second)
  • Recording Type and Resolution
  • Recording Quality and Complexity
  • Number of hours being recorded per day.
  • Number of days to be stored for review.

For example: Your DVR records at 60 fps, and the files are being stored as a MPEG-4 @ 640x480. All cameras are set to record Full time, and the owner wants to view back 15 days. The Recording quality is set to MED, and the FOV is Simple. The recommended Hard Drive would be 432 gig.

However, setting the system to use the motion detection functions, and only record when there is movement, the Hard drive could be lowered, or the number of "Go-Back" days would increase.
 
Also, in retrospective, adding more cameras to the system would either require a larger Hard Drive or accept less "Go-Back" days available. So always keep in mind the possibility of future expansions or changes to your system. 

This "Hard Drive" Work sheet will help you determine the size HDD needed.

Select DVR's Frames Per Second :
Select Recording Type and Resolution:
       

Wavelet:

320x240 640x480

MPEG-4:

320x240 640x480

Geo MPEG-4:

320x240 640x480 720x480

Select Recording Quality:

Select complexity of the recording video:

Low
Med
High

Simple   
Complex

How many hours per day to record:

How many days of recordings are stored 

Hour(s)

Day(s)

Suggested HDD Size: Gigabyte(s)

Back to Top

 

 

 

FOV  

The Field Of View (FOV) is the actual location the camera is viewing or recording. It is a very important factor to take in to consideration when building or purchasing any CCTV or Surveillance system. Each camera location can have many different aspects, thus requiring a camera or lens change at each location to provide the best performance. In most cases an "All-In-One" kit does not provide the best solution.

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

There are 4 factors to consider for each FOV.

  • Distance from camera to FOV.
  • Height of FOV.
  • Width of FOV.
  • Lighting conditions and changes.

Once the above factors have been determined, the correct camera and lens can be determined for each location that will provide the best outcome.

Click here for more information on lenses, and a worksheet that will help determine the correct lens for you FOV.
Back to Top

 

 

Zoom    

Many cameras offer some type of ZOOM feature. The important question to ask is, What type of Zoom is it?

The two types of zoom are:

  • Optical - Actually physically changes the lens configuration.
  • Digital - Uses Software to enlarge the Image.

The biggest difference between the two above types of ZOOM is, Digital Zoom uses software to just make the

Optical

Digital

 

Lens    

Custom Communications Services Group
© 2006 CCSG, Inc. All Rights Reserved
   

Home

About Us

Contact Us

Sign In

 

 

(904)626-9854 | (904)641-9854 | Jacksonville | Florida | 32246
Last updated November 16, 2008