No one needs to explain how vital security is these days, and one of the best ways to feel secure is by installing a CCTV system.
We can find CCTV cameras at homes, banks, airports, schools, hospitals, and malls. But do you know there are different types of CCTV cameras?
Don’t be surprised! Though they do the same job, CCTV cameras are of different types. We’ll examine these CCTV types in this article and hope you find it insightful.
What is a CCTV Camera?
CCTV stands for Closed Circuit Television. A security camera watches activity within a restricted area, such as a building or parking lot.
A CCTV camera has three main components: a lens, a light source, and a recording device.
The main advantage of CCTV systems is that they provide a clear image of what happens in the monitored area. Also, they offer benefits like high-quality recording and low maintenance costs.
Besides recording events, CCTVs can allow you to alert people whenever something happens.
This allows law enforcement agencies to check crime scenes without waiting for police officers to arrive.
Different Types of CCTV Cameras
1. Bullet Cameras
Bullet cameras are small surveillance devices that look like guns. They allow you to see what’s happening in your home or office without going inside.
People usually mount these cameras outdoors, providing long-range viewing with a protective case.
These cameras use infrared light to capture images of people and objects up to 30 feet away.
Thus, they are ideal for monitoring areas where installing traditional video cameras is difficult.
Bullet cameras have night vision features, making them great for your security system.
Most models come with a built-in motion sensor and infrared LEDs. These features illuminate the scene while providing clear images in low-light conditions.
It’s best to check the specs carefully to ensure it meets your needs. Some models even include zoom capabilities.
2. Dome Cameras
A dome CCTV camera is also among the different types of CCTV cameras. Its name is from the dome-shaped casing, not the shape of the lens.
You’ll find domes in high-risk areas like prisons, airports, shopping centers, and banks.
People often mount the dome camera on a pole or wall, and it looks like a small white ball.
There are four main types of dome CCTV cameras: bulletproof, vandal-proof, thermal imaging, and infrared.
Bulletproof domes are common in prisons, while vandal-proofs are common in public places. Thermal imaging domes pick up heat signatures, making them useful for detecting intruders.
However, infrared domes use special lenses to detect movement in low-light conditions.
Further, bulletproof domes provide extra protection against bullets. Vandal-proof domes protect against vandalism and theft.
Thermal imaging domes allow you to view objects even in dark conditions. Infrared domes help you identify moving objects in low-light environments.
3. C-Mount Cameras
A C-mount CCTV camera is another type of CCTV camera. It’s compact and lightweight and is often used with detachable lenses.
C-mount cameras offer great versatility because you can attach several lenses to them. These include fixed focal length lenses like prime lenses and zoom lenses.
Also, because they use many lenses and have sensitive imaging chips, c-mount cameras are ideal for indoor photography.
When you buy a C-mount camera, you’ll find that most manufacturers offer different lenses. Some offer wide-angle lenses, while others provide telephoto lenses.
If you want to keep costs low, choose a zoom lens that covers a wider distance.
On the flip side, you can opt for a fixed lens if you’re looking for a longer focal length.
4. Day/Night CCTV Cameras
Day/night cameras are among the different types of CCTV cameras. They record video footage during the day and switch to infrared mode at night.
You’ll find day/night cameras in places with ambient lighting, such as offices and retail stores.
The main benefit of a day/night camera is that it provides better visibility. While doing this, a day/night camera lets you see what is happening around the clock.
You also don’t have to worry about switching modes every few hours.
5. Wireless CCTV Cameras
Wireless security cameras are becoming popular because of their fast installation and tidy appearance. These cameras don’t need wires to connect them to the central system.
These cameras come in different shapes and sizes. Some look like traditional wired cameras, while others resemble small boxes.
Here are some of the benefits of wireless cameras
- Fast Installation – Wireless cameras are easier to install than wired systems.
- Tidy Appearance – The camera looks neat and clean with no cables connecting the camera to the main system.
- Easy to Use – You can use the camera without worrying about where the cable goes.
- Multiple Functions – Most wireless cameras offer various functions, including motion detection, night vision, and audio recording.
6. Infrared Cameras
Among the different types of CCTV cameras existing, we have infrared cameras.
The term “infrared” often mixes with “daylight,” but there is a difference. Infrared light does not emit visible light as daylight does. However, it emits invisible wavelengths of energy.
The human eyes can’t see this invisible light, but infrared sensors can detect them.
These sensors pick up the heat given off by objects emitting infrared radiation. Thus, it lets you see what is happening in the dark.
Infrared cameras work best in low-light situations where there is little ambient lighting.
In such cases, the camera’s ability to detect movement becomes much easier. Because infrared light is invisible to humans, the camera doesn’t disturb people passing by,
There are different types of infrared cameras on the market today. Some use thermal imaging technology, while others use passive infrared technology.
Passive infrared systems don’t need batteries, making them ideal for outdoor applications.
However, thermal imaging cameras are most common indoors due to their high cost and size.
7. Varifocal Cameras
Varifocal cameras allow you to change focal length while maintaining sharpness. They do this by moving the lens elements closer together or farther apart.
Thus, they enable you to zoom in or out without sacrificing image quality. The most common type of varifocal lens is the zoom lens.
These lenses usually consist of three groups of glass: one group focuses light onto the film plane. Another group adjusts the focal length, and the third group corrects aberrations.
Zoom lenses often include a focusing ring that controls how far away the front element moves from the rear.
However, some zoom lenses have no focusing ring; others use a small knob or button.
Zoom lenses come in many types. The fixed focal length zooms, where the entire lens assembly stays still during zooming.
Then, there is the variable focal length zoom, which moves the front and rear elements. Fixed focal length zooms cost less because they don’t need as much manufacturing precision.
8. IP CCTV Cameras
The IP or network camera is one of the different types of CCTV cameras. IP cameras are usually installed indoors and outdoors.
They allow you to view live feeds from anywhere within the camera range. You don’t need to worry about cables or wires either.
The best thing about network cameras is accessing the recorded footage online. This feature makes it easy to watch recordings remotely.
You can also download videos onto mobile phones and tablets.
9. High-Definition Cameras
“High definition” refers to a digital camera with 1280 x 1024 pixels resolution. This is equal to what we see on our computer screens.
In comparison, standard definition (SD) video cameras provide a resolution of 640 x 480 pixels.
So, you’ll be able to make out every detail of your home – even those further away objects. You’ll also be able to record everything in crystal precise detail.
Furthermore, a high-definition image contains less data than an SD one, so it takes up much less space on your hard disk. As a result, you’ll save money on storage costs.
You’ll also enjoy that a high-definition image won’t look like it’s been compressed. Instead, it appears crisp and clean.
Also, you can view recorded footage on a large screen without zooming in. Finally, a high-definition image will appear sharper and more precise than an SD one.
Conclusion
So, here are the different types of CCTV cameras available today. Hopefully, this article has helped you understand each of these devices better.
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