How to Choose a CCTV Surveillance Monitor

CCTV Surveillance Monitors by Mark Allen

First, make sure to purchase a monitor specially to handle the type of use it will receive. Televisions are not good monitors, since TVs are built to be on for a few hours per day, not the 8 to 24 hours per day surveillance monitors endure. In some cases, computer monitors do make acceptable substitutes. Flat-panel LCD screens make great CCTV monitors for larger systems because they take up little space, have excellent resolution, and generate less heat than regular monitors.

As discussed earlier, make sure your monitor resolution matches your cameras. Buy a monitor with lower resolution and your cameras' capabilities won't come through; buy one with higher resolution and you are throwing money away. And of course, make sure you buy color monitors if you opt for color cameras.

Also consider the size: a 9" monitor may be sufficient if the operator is sitting directly in front of it, but a 15" monitor is the smallest you should choose if you plan to combine images from multiple cameras onto one monitor. Merging multiple images onto one screen can be an effective way to save space, and appropriate if there is a dedicated employee who has the ability to zoom in on suspicious activity.

Mark Allen is a frequent contributor to www.LosAngelesCCTV.com and www.OrangeCountyCCTV.com

How to Use the Events Feature on the DS2 DVR.

This is a video demonstrating how to utilize events on a Dedicated Micros DS2 DVR.

Also, you can view more videos at our web site for all the uses of a Security Camera System.

Los Angeles Security Cameras Capture Ghost on Video

LosAngelesCCTV.com has compiled security camera videos on Ghosts to the earthquake in Sichuan.

Check them out by clicking here.

Los Angeles Security Camera Terms

Los Angeles Security Terms

Glossary provided by Tech-Army.org

AC adaptor - Also called a power supply. All CCTV devices needs power of some sort. Each device has its own power requirements (usually 12 volts with a minimum amperage). The power coming out of the wall (in the US) is 110 to 120 AC. The adaptor converts the AC power to DC power and will adjust it to a specified amperage. The power supply should be included with each item - you usually don't have to buy these separately.

alarm input - An input connection to a security VCR or DVR that triggers the unit to start recording if the alarm is triggered.

analog - There are two main ways of doing things electronically, analog or digital. An analog signal can be represented as a series of sine waves. The term originated because the modulation of the carrier wave is analogous to the fluctuations of the human voice or other sound that is being transmitted.

analog system - Most cameras used in cctv applications are analog. Security VCRs, switchers, multiplexers and quads also are analog devices. Any cctv system that consists of analog devices are considered analog systems. Compare to 'digital systems'.

angle of view - For security cameras, this refers to the angular range in degrees that you can focus the camera on without distorting the image. When focusing close up, you can generally see a wide angle of view. If the focus is distant, the angle of view is smaller or narrower. security cameras

apurture - The opening of a lens which controls the amount of light let into the camera. The size of the aperture is controlled by the iris adjustment. By increasing the f stop number (f1.4, f1.8, f2.8, etc.) less light is permitted to pass into the camera.

armor dome camera - These cameras are designed to resist vandalism by using a hi-impact reinforced polycarbonate dome casing. security cameras

audio - Most cameras capture 'video' only (what you can see) - some come with audio too (sound). You can add a microphone to a security system to capture audio if needed. To record the sound, your recording device needs to support audio (must have at least one audio input). security cameras

auto electronic shutter - The ability of the camera to compensate for moderate light changes in indoor applications without the use of auto iris lenses

auto iris control - A lens in which the aperture automatically opens or closes to maintain proper light levels on the faceplate of the camera pickup device.

auto gain control - An electronic circuit used by which the gain of a signal is automatically adjusted as a function of its input or other specified parameter.

back light compensation - A feature on newer CCD cameras which electronically compensates for high background lighting to give detail which would normally be silhouetted.

bullet camera - A type of camera with a bullet like shape. Can be used inside or out. Some come with infrared lighting.

These are just a few of the terms, please see our website www.LosAngelesCCTV.com for a complete list of CCTV and Security Camera System Terms.

CCTV Monitors-What to Look For

CCTV Surveillance Monitors by Mark Allen

First, make sure to purchase a monitor specially to handle the type of use it will receive. Televisions are not good monitors, since TVs are built to be on for a few hours per day, not the 8 to 24 hours per day surveillance monitors endure. In some cases, computer monitors do make acceptable substitutes. Flat-panel LCD screens make great CCTV monitors for larger systems because they take up little space, have excellent resolution, and generate less heat than regular monitors.

As discussed earlier, make sure your cctv monitor resolution matches your cameras. Buy a monitor with lower resolution and your cameras' capabilities won't come through; buy one with higher resolution and you are throwing money away. And of course, make sure you buy color monitors if you opt for color cameras.

Also consider the size: a 9" monitor may be sufficient if the operator is sitting directly in front of it, but a 15" monitor is the smallest you should choose if you plan to combine images from multiple cameras onto one monitor. Merging multiple images onto one screen can be an effective way to save space, and appropriate if there is a dedicated employee who has the ability to zoom in on suspicious activity.

Mark Allen is a frequent contributor to www.LosAngelesCCTV.com and www.OrangeCountyCCTV.com

Who Needs a Surveillance System?

Who Needs a Surveillance System?
Business owners and homeowners in California can benefit from the use of a surveillance system. If a business owner wants to monitor employees while they are not on the premises, there is no better way to do so than by installing camera systems. The use of security camera systems will lower incidents involving employee theft and can thwart shoplifting.

In fact, the presence of a camera may deter theft entirely. Meanwhile, home security cameras offer similar advantages of business security cameras and digital surveillance systems allow the homeowner to monitor the home while they are in the location as well as when they are away. Thus, California homeowners can feel safe leaving their home and belongings while they vacation or when they go to work.

Read more at LosAngelesCCTV.com

Security Camera Glossary

In yesterday's post I forgot to include the link to the security camera glossary.
LosAngelesCCTV.com has just compiled an exhaustive list of terms for Security Cameras and DVR. Security Camera-Surveillance Definitions.

Also, here is a link for ideas for uses of security surveillance cameras in a restaurant.
Security Camera-Surveillance Definitions.

CCTV Security Camera Glossary and Videos

CCTV Security Camera Glossary and Videos

LosAngelesCCTV.com has just compiled an exhaustive list of terms for CCTV, Security Cameras and DVR. To read more, view the Glossary with the complete list of CCTV-Security Camera-Surveillance Definitions.

They have put together a video compilation on How to Use CCTV. You may view the video on how to use CCTV at their website.

At www.LosAngelesCCTV.com:
You may view their videos on Security Cameras in Bars at their website.

Who Needs a Surveillance System?

Who Needs a Surveillance System?
Business owners and homeowners in California can benefit from the use of a surveillance camera system . If a business owner wants to monitor employees while they are not on the premises, there is no better way to do so than by installing camera systems. The use of security camera systems will lower incidents involving employee theft and can thwart shoplifting. In fact, the presence of a camera may deter theft entirely. Meanwhile, home security cameras offer similar advantages: camera systems and digital surveillance systems allow the homeowner to monitor the home while they are in the location as well as when they are away. Thus, California homeowners can feel safe leaving their home and belongings while they vacation or when they go to work.

Home security cameras can be installed both inside and outside the home so that the homeowner can monitor the surrounding areas of the home as well as the inside of the home. In the event that a robbery does occur, the homeowner may have a system that sets off an alarm that alerts the police. Further, some home security systems automatically call a home security monitoring company that will alert the police, fire department and the like.

While there is an initial investment required of the business owner or home owner for a surveillance system, the cost is more than worth it. Not only does the home owner feel secure at all times, they may also receive special discounts on their home owner’s insurance. Further, if an individual is in the market for a new home, they may find that such systems are already installed in the newer homes. Essentially, home security cameras are becoming the norm for homeowners when it comes to home security.