What to Look for in a CCTV Security System

Setting up a CCTV system can be a great security feature in your home or business. The most important part of any CCTV system, is the camera. The cameras are what actually record images, serving as the “eyes” of the system. However, with so many options, choosing the right camera can quickly become frustrating. Thankfully, RBM Lock & Key is here to help with a breakdown of the specs to consider when choosing a camera for your CCTV system.

Type of Camera

There are different types of CCTV cameras to consider. A bullet camera is a small cylindrical camera that is used when discretion is important, but a protective dome is not necessary. If you want to install a CCTV system in a store or restaurant to monitor staff, this could be a good choice. A dome camera is another option, especially if you need to protect a camera from vandalism, or keep the focus of the camera hidden. This is a good option if you are installing one outdoors to prevent against theft.

Lens

Lenses gather light for the sensor to read. The lens is what will determine how far the camera sees, and with what clarity. Having a zoom lends is a great idea, especially if you can get one with optical zoom. Optical zoom is handled by the lens and can actually add more information to the image by changing the light that reaches the sensor.

Sensor

Digital sensors are important for CCTV systems, and they come in different types and sizes. Sensors generally come in two types – CMOS or CCD. CMOS is cheaper and doesn’t drain as much power as the CCD models, but it often does not produce as clear of an image. If you need to recognize identities, CMOS might not be a good option.

Sensor size is also another thing to consider. The larger a sensor is, the more light that it can process, which results in a clearer image. The options for sensor size are generally ¼ inch or 1/3 inch. The larger 1/3 inch sensor is able to gather more light and generate a clearer image for you.

Resolution

Just like a regular camera or television, resolution is important for determining image quality. For CCTVs, this is measured in the number of horizontal lines of TV resolution it outputs, also known as TVL. Many cameras comes with a TVL between 380 and 540, but 420TVL is usually the lowest you should go for commercial purposes.

Not sure which CCTV system to get? RBM Lock & Key can help.

If everything you just read went right over your head, it might be time to call in the professionals! RBM Lock & Key has over 51 years in the business and knows the difference between an optical and digital zoom lens, and a ¼ inch sensor and 1/3 inch sensor. We will be happy to work with you to determine the best CCTV security system for your home, officer or business. Let RBM Lock & Key keep you protected. Give us a call today at 909-980-3448!