CCTV Video Camera
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CCTV Video cameras come in a wide variety of quality, styles, performance, and cost. Here are key features and functionality.
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Color or B&W. For many applications it is simply not necessary to monitor events with anything more than B&W. A video shot in color is significantly more complex and requires much higher bandwidth to transmit the signal. This can be a real limiting factor if you want to utilize a wireless type of camera.
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Type of housing. The video cameras normally housed in either a sheet metal housing or molded housing. The sheet metal housing provides good protection against dirt and unwanted handling of sensitive parts inside. However if you prefer better protection against moisture, dust, etc. than a ruggedized molded housing is better suited here.
These kinds of housing can be well sealed against cold, heat, moisture, dust, and other contaminents which could affect the operation of the camera. This kind of housing also provides a more streamlined look and offers different color choices. This allows them to fit well in home settings for example.
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Wired or wireless. The camera can transmit the signal through a conventional video cable or fitted with a wireless transmitter. The wireless transmitter provides a great deal of flexibility in how the unit is positioned and mounted. And for home use, it makes installation much easier since it avoids having to route the cables through walls, under floors, etc.
However the bandwidth for a wireless transmitter is much more limited than through a cable so the user needs to keep this in mind. And all things being equal, a wireless camera is normally more expensive than one with a cabled video connection.
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Night vision cameras. These cameras are designed to operate in low light. There are also IR cameras which can operate in complete darkness. Choose the type of camera best suited for your planned environment.
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IP cameras. These kinds of cameras can be controlled through an Internet connection. The video signal and power to the unit comes through a conventional Ethernet connection. So these cameras fit well with office environments which are often already wired with Ethernet cabling.
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IP cameras can also transmit audio. This can come in handy for many kinds of security applications. So for people monitoring activities, they can not only view events but listen in on key aspects of it. The audio portion can also alert someone monitoring the activity to move the camera (if possible) to zero in on specific actions.
