CCTV FAQ

CCTV Cameras

The problem with purchasing CCTV cameras for many people is that they are not familiar with this type of product. They don’t understand what the terms mean and what differences between two similar cameras there might be. Unfortunately, many websites advertise camera products that look identical to cameras that are much higher quality. The only difference the customer can really notice is the price, obviously the lower quality camera will be cheaper. Some key things to look for are:

1. CCD vs. CMOS: We only sell CCD cameras. This is the best way to capture video and is considered “standard” by CCTV industry professionals. CMOS units use a lower quality method to capture video that results in a much lower quality image with lower resolution.
2. Resolution: The resolution of a camera is important and affects the overall picture quality. Cameras with a lower resolution will have a picture that is more “grainy” and images will be less sharp. Ex. A resolution of 420 (lines res) will provide a much better picture than a 300 res. Resolutions sometimes aren’t as crucial unless you are viewing the cameras on a large monitor (say well over 20 inches).
3. Camera Features: Cameras can have many features that will drastically affect the quality of the camera and the camera’s overall versatility. We sell cameras that have Auto BLC (backlight compensation) –they automatically adjust for changes in lighting, AGC (auto gain control) to adjust for changes in signal strength, AWB (auto white balance) to keep picture from appearing washed-out.
4. Lux rating: Cameras have a lux rating to determine how well it will “see” in low light conditions. A lux rating of 1.0 will not be able to see as well in low light as a lux rating of 0.001. Unfortunately, lux ratings are not always a “solid” indication of a camera’s “true” low-light capabilities. Some general rules to follow are: Black & White cameras see much better in low-light vs. color. If you have a low-light application, look for cameras that are advertised as being “low-light” or night-vision cameras. We have several models that contain built-in infrared lights that illuminate at night, we also have day/night cameras that will switch from color during the day to B/W at night.
5. Bullet Cameras vs. standard CCTV cameras (box or square cameras): Bullet cameras are all-in-one cameras that come with lens, mount and power supply. Basically they are plug-n-play. They provide a lower cost solution and easier install. Higher-end bullet cameras provide excellent picture and save time and money. Bullet cameras are not as versatile as standard CCTV cameras. These conventional square or box-shaped cameras generally have more options and capabilities. They can be equipped with manual or auto-iris lenses and have user selectable settings that can be adjusted such as back-light, auto-gain, white balance, mirror image, OSD (on-screen display), shutter speed, etc. For many applications, bullet cameras are more than adequate. For higher-end applications and when versatility is a must (ex. Lighting conditions change a lot), a standard CCTV camera would be appropriate.

The bottom line with CCTV cameras is, you need to determine what your application is, and then choose a camera that will meet the requirements.