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Are you a bit confused by the world of CCTV and finding it difficult to decide what you need to create a good CCTV system? You are not alone, there is a lot of conflicting information out there, we're here to help.
If you are looking for CCTV technical guides and manuals to help with the use of your new equipment.
Looking for help with first steps and frequently asked questions.
Do you need a bit of help deciding what to buy in order to create a new CCTV system or upgrade an existing camera setup? Our Buying guides cover what to look for when comparing different equipment. It is broken down into 2 sections which cover DVR recorders & CCTV Cameras the main elements of any system. There is also a section on HD CCTV that helps you understand the benefits of fitting HD security and explains what to look for to ensure you get the most from your kit.
We have a series of Video Tutorials that cover everything from equipment basics to camera selection, location and installation. Our installation area has information on how to wire CCTV cameras to the DVR and a technical section which houses all our user manuals. We also discuss common situations where CCTV is fitted in our Typical uses for CCTV section. We focus on specific things to consider for each of the examples. As always if you need specific help or advice relating to your project please don’t hesitate to get in touch, we are always happy to offer no-obligation one-to-one assistance free of charge.
The ability to film in low light conditions or even complete darkness is essential for many CCTV applications. Part of that ability is down to using the right electronics which are sensitive enough to work in low light, the other tool used is infrared or IR lighting. We have a guide to infrared in our camera buying guide.
Infrared light isn’t visible to the human eye but CCTV cameras switch to black and white as light levels fall and can film the IR light spectrum. This means that to the camera it’s like shining a torch. IR has to bounce off something but providing there is a hard surface to reflect the infrared your camera is able to see in the dark.
Previously cameras had separate infrared light lamps bolted onto the side of their housings. It made the whole unit very large and industrial looking. In more recent times cameras have been designed with IR lighting built into them. This greatly reduces their overall size and visual impact. It also reduces cost when compared to modular cameras using separate lighting units.
Many people selling CCTV cameras describe them in terms of the infrared range. Do not confuse this with the optical range of the camera or the distance at which a camera can record detail. That is determined by the lens. Wider angle lenses will have a shorter optical range, more telephoto lenses a longer range. The IR range is a largely immaterial figure, often made up and is supposed to represent the distance at which the camera’s infrared can be detected. In reality, the ability of a camera is a combination of the lens, how powerful the IR is and how sensitive the electronics are.
Something you might see mentioned is an IR cut filter. This is a mechanical filter that moves in front of the camera lens during the daytime. The filter is designed to improve colour rendition during daylight filming. Electronic adjustments can also be made to the camera to improve colour representation.
We get a number of calls from people experiencing problems with their CCTV cameras at night. They install a CCTV system during the day then at night find they have issues. We have created this page to cover some of the most common symptoms and causes.
The most extreme problem is seeing nothing at all on the screen. Check all the same things you would look at during the day. Make sure the camera has power, ensure all the connections are secure and that the infrared is illuminating (this will mean power is getting through to the camera). If that is all in order then stand in front of the camera quite close to it. Infrared needs to bounce off a surface back into the camera. If you just point the camera into space it won’t see anything.
If you have bought a camera with a long-range, 20 or 30 metres plus from someone and you are expecting it to work at that distance don’t rely on quoted specs. IR range is pretty much made up and shouldn’t be used as a guide to effective range. You could be trying to film too far away. Stand closer to the camera and see if you can see an image. Failing that you may be suffering a voltage drop.
One of the most common problems experienced is voltage drop. When the IR illuminates the power requirement of the camera increases, if the cable run is too long or there isn’t enough copper you will experience a voltage drop. This could cause the camera to stop working altogether. It could also cause the camera to cycle on and off. The IR illuminates which cause the camera to switch off. The camera re-starts and works until the IR switches on again. You may also see image deterioration when a voltage drop occurs. If you are using a CAT5 cable to join the cameras to the DVR and power supply make sure you are using a pure copper cable rather than CCA or copper-clad aluminium. Wire the cameras as per our guide to using CAT5 cable in CCTV. In particular, make sure you use 3 pairs of wires for the 12-volt supply.
This is another common issue. If you see a white screen at night or a white haze then the most likely cause is infrared light reflecting back into the camera lens. The wider the angle of view the more chance there is of this happening. Have you got the camera’s sun visor too far forward? We suggest having the rear of the visor in line with the back of the camera body. Is there something just out of shot but in front of the camera which can reflect IR back into the camera, guttering and soffits are common culprits. On vandal dome cameras check to make sure any sealing rings which fit between the lens and the inside of the clear plastic cover are securely in place.
Whilst you can’t see the infrared light in the camera it is extremely bright and any surface close to the front of the camera can reflect the light back into the lens. Even if the surface is out of the screenshot it can still reflect the IR. If you can’t move the camera try zooming it in more so you narrow the field of view. Light pollution from other sources can also cause white areas to appear on the screen. Vandal dome cameras are particularly prone to corruption from external light sources.
Well, it will do. The glass is a reflective surface and is right in front of the camera. The infrared will bounce off the glass straight into the lens causing the camera to dazzle itself. It’s a bit like taking a flash photograph in front of a window at night.
When the infrared switches on the camera draw more current. If your power supply is not powerful enough this extra current draw could cause problems. Also, make sure you have not exceeded the recommended cable run length and that the cable is substantial enough. Voltage drops along the length of the cable and the thinner the cross-sectional area of the cable the more this happens.
Check the camera for spider webs. During the day you don’t notice spider webs. The camera focuses beyond the web and it appears invisible. At night the infrared bounces off the web and it shows very clearly. We do sell a spider spray to help reduce this problem.
This is similar to the spider’s web problem but instead of a web, the light is reflecting off dust or particles in the air. This is particularly noticeable in fog where the water droplets suspended in the air reflect the infrared. Warm currents in the air can cause particles to rise as well as fall.
This isn’t an exhaustive list of problems encountered at night but it covers the most common ones.
The motion-detected recording is a feature on all our DVR recorders. The DVR monitors camera images and decides when it thinks there is movement. To do this the DVR looks at individual image frames and compares them to the previous one. If it sees differences then motion is assumed to have taken place. It is the DVR, not the cameras which are looking for movement.
A DVR isn’t as intelligent as you or I and can’t differentiate between background movement, changes in light and someone coming to break into your property. To help minimise false triggers it is possible to limit where on the screen the DVR looks for movement and limit this to a small area or a number of areas. You don’t have to use the full screen. You can set the trigger area using the setup menu on the DVR, you can also set the trigger area remotely if the DVR is connected to your local network / the internet.
Some people only record footage when motion is detected in an attempt to extend the time footage is stored. We are not big fans of doing this. We would rather see motion triggering being used to create bookmarks within 24/7 recording rather than the sole means of capturing footage. Use it to identify which sections might be important but still have constant footage on either side of the trigger.
Systems that use motion triggering as the sole method of recording are usually trying to compensate for too little memory. We recommend allowing 250GB of hard drive space per camera on SD systems, and 500GB per camera on HD systems. See our guide to hard drives.
A CCTV system will be based around a DVR or digital video recorder. CCTV cameras are connected to the DVR using cables and there will be some ancillary items such as a power supply for the cameras.
The DVR is the heart of the CCTV system. It takes all the camera inputs, arranges them on screen for live viewing and also stores footage onto a hard drive for viewing at a later date. Our DVRs record all the cameras regardless of what you are viewing live on your monitor. It is possible to view 1 camera at a time or several cameras in various combinations depending on how many channels the DVR supports. We sell 4, 8 and 16 channel DVRs which are suitable for 4, 8 or 16 cameras respectively. They can be combined, so 2 16 channel DVRs could host a 32 camera CCTV system.
Our DVR recorders also support remote access over the internet. You need to connect the DVR to your internet router. This can be done either with a cable, a power bridge adapter that uses your electrical wiring or a wireless network point. Then wherever you are in the world you can view live footage from your cameras, see previously recorded footage, make backups of important events and even make settings changes to the DVR.
CCTV cameras are the most important thing to get right and we have devoted quite a bit of space on our website to help you make the right choice. We are always glad to offer help and advice if you are planning a CCTV system so pick up the phone and give us a call. We can have a look at your property using aerial images whilst talking through your specific requirements and select which cameras will best suit your requirements.
Network Cameras commonly draw from the NVR via POE, so just need a c able running from one to the other. The cable from the DVR to the camera does 2 jobs. It transfers video from the camera back to the DVR and it supplies 12-volt power to the camera. Video connection is via a BNC connector. If you are using CAT5 cable then the BNC connector will be part of the video balun. 12-volt power connections are 5.5mm jack plugs. At the camera end, there is a DC plug, and at the DVR end a DC socket into which the 12-volt power supply for the camera connects. For this reason, you would normally locate the camera power supply next to the DVR unit. The DVR will be supplied with its own 12-volt power supply.
PTZ stands for Pan, Tilt, Zoom. A PTZ camera can be remotely controlled allowing it to move up and down as well as zoom in on potentially important targets. You can also program a tour between pre-set points. In theory, PTZ cameras sound great, they can cover large areas and even zoom in when more detail is required.
PTZ cameras are expensive, certainly good ones are. There are a few low-quality products on the market aimed at the bottom end of the DIY market, these should be avoided. However, the biggest problem with PTZ cameras is that you need a full-time operator to control them. When pointing in one direction they can’t see elsewhere.
When the camera is moving the image will be blurred meaning you can’t get any detail or identify people. So when you set the camera on a tour between preset points the image will be blurred for a large part of the recording.
Infrared illumination is often not fitted to PTZ cameras meaning they are less effective at night. It is possible to find PTZ cameras with effective IR and our PTZ cameras feature zoom sensitive IR which increases brightness as you zoom in, the assumption being you are hoping to see further away.
Latency when remote accessing the cameras. When remote accessing PTZ cameras there is a delay between you asking a camera to move and seeing the result of that movement on your remote monitor or computer. This is known as latency and it can make it difficult to accurately control PTZ cameras remotely over the internet.
Rather than use a PTZ camera consider fitting more fixed cameras for the same cost as a single PTZ camera. That way you will cover all the views all the time. You also don’t need the expense of a full-time operator. There are some “self-tracking” cameras that identify targets and keep following them, the problem is the image will be blurred when the camera moves and how does the camera know who to track when faced with multiple targets. Thieves often work in gangs.
PTZ cameras do have their uses but in the vast majority of cases, you are better off using more fixed cameras.
Like everything in life CCTV is available at a range of different prices points and quality levels. You can fly on a plane for £500 in the economy or you can pay £5,000 to fly on the same plane in a first-class suite.
The problem with CCTV is a lack of regulation and failure to understand the basic principles means people often sell systems that won’t do what they claim. They sell you a first-class suite but you board the plane to find yourself squeezed into a small economy seat. Actually, it’s worse than that, they sell you a first-class suite to New York but you get to sit on an orange crate whilst the plane flys to Luton.
We set up CCTV42 for frustrated customers. We did our homework, looked at the specifications, listened to the sales patter and were very disappointed with what turned up. When you know what you are looking at the claims made by people selling CCTV are appalling. It isn’t just the odd seller on eBay, it’s rife across the industry. Big national retailers are misleading buyers in an attempt to get their money.
When you see a camera with a claimed range of 25 metres you assume it’s capable of filming something 25 metres away. You might allow a bit of artistic licence and work on 20 metres to be safe but the reality is it might only have an optical range of 3 or 4 metres.
Sticking with CCTV cameras as our example retailers often use TVL (television lines) as a determining factor in how good or bad their products are. The number of TV lines has little to do with the quality of a camera, that is more to do with the lens fitted and its optical range. Even if TVL was important retailers rarely quoted TVL correctly, they advertise 560TVL cameras as 1000 TVL cameras because they don’t understand how TVL is calculated.
This is easier said than done. There comes a point where it becomes almost impossible to distinguish truth from reality, particularly when many of the retailers are well-respected household names. Whether deliberately or through a lack of technical understanding they are making claims for their products that simply aren’t true.
We don’t just sell boxes. We listen to customers’ needs, advise them as to the most appropriate equipment and then support them once their purchase arrives. That advice and support are vital but usually lacking at the cheaper end of the market. CCTV isn’t difficult once you understand a few basic rules but most people struggle because they are misled by false claims. Only a tiny proportion of CCTV fitted actually does what it should. We want to ensure you are one of those small minority who owns effective CCTV solutions.
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you are planning a CCTV system. Call during office hours and we can talk through your requirements whilst looking at your site or property using aerial images. From that, we will be able to tell you
We have recently created a CCTV camera buying guide which should answer most of your questions relating to cameras and which one to use.
When people call us on the phone to discuss their needs they usually start by describing each area of the property to be secured. “I want a camera to cover my front garden which is 23 metres long by 18 metres wide. We need to cover the gate in the middle and driveway to the side and I’d also like to cover my ornamental fountain which is over by the neighbour’s wall”
The problem with CCTV is that you can’t cover vast areas with a single camera. Or rather you can, but the trade-off is no one area will get special attention in terms of detail recorded. Even with high definition CCTV cameras once you widen the angle of what the camera sees recorded detail drops off dramatically. Think about it, you have a given number of pixels across the screen and as you move away from the camera the area the camera sees increases but that means the pixel density decreases. It doesn’t help that many people selling CCTV tell lies and claim their wide-angle CCTV cameras can film crystal clear detail at distances of 20 metres or more. Typically a 75-degree angle of view camera has an effective optical range of up to 3 metres in standard definition, 6 metres in HD1080P.
When that person looked around their garden they moved their head and focussed on the areas of interest, the gate, the fountain and the driveway. A CCTV camera can’t do this, it shares its attention across the whole screen.
Zooming in electronically, increasing the TVL (number of TV lines) or increasing the number of megapixels won’t help. You need to increase pixels by a factor of 4 to double the identification distance of the camera. The only way to get more detail in these areas is to optically zoom the camera in on an area, but it can only look at one place at a time. So there is a trade-off with CCTV cameras, you either have a wide angle of view or you have good levels of detail. You can’t have both.
Think carefully about where you actually need to film and how much detail you need to capture when calculating which CCTV cameras to use. Don’t try to machine-gun the whole of an area with CCTV, it won’t work. Instead, try to think of your site in terms of specific target points where you can capture information. Obviously, there might be some instances where all you need is an overall view, but don’t kid yourself that you will be recording footage from which you can read number plates or identify people. Here in our offices, we have a camera which films the front car parking area. It can’t be seen from the office and so we just want to know as and when someone arrives. A separate camera films them close up as they drive in to record number plate details and so on.
If you are planning a specific CCTV project we are always happy to help. We can look at your site using internet mapping from which we can take accurate measurements. At the same time, we can chat on the phone to understand exactly what you want the CCTV system to do for you. From there we will be able to put together a list of equipment including the correct cameras. There is no charge for this and you are under no obligation.
Each week we speak to a lot of people planning CCTV systems. No two conversations are ever the same but the subject of wireless CCTV and in particular wireless CCTV cameras often comes up. In theory, wireless offers the ideal solution, no cables to run means installation times are reduced. So why don’t we sell wireless CCTV?
There are a number of problems with wireless CCTV. Firstly it isn’t actually wireless, you still need to power the cameras via a cable. Wireless cameras tend to be fairly poor quality aimed at the lower end of the DIY market. The electronics aren’t great and you only have a limited choice of lens options. Choosing the correct lens CCTV camera is the single most important factor in determining the overall quality of your CCTV system. Read our camera buying guide to understand what you need to consider when looking at CCTV cameras.
The wireless link itself often causes problems. In the UK a lot of other devices share the relatively narrow frequency bands allocated to this sort of device. Wireless routers which stream the internet around your home share the same 2.4GHz frequency as many wireless CCTV systems for instance. Microwaves, baby monitors, Bluetooth devices, structural building components, cordless telephones, walls and other solid objects are just some of the things which can get in the way of a potential signal.
There are 2 frequencies in use, 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz. In theory, 5.8 GHz wireless transmission is supposed to suffer less interference than 2.4 GHz but that is changing as more and more devices switch to the higher frequency. The higher frequency also tends to be blocked more readily by solid objects such as walls. Whether you choose 2.4 or 5.8 GHz there is one thing that is unavoidable, the power limit imposed on unlicensed wireless devices in the UK. Keep this in mind if you ever watch a demonstration of wireless CCTV technology, was it made in the UK using unlicensed equipment or overseas where no such limitations exist?
There are wireless solutions with improved power outputs but these require specialised professional licenses and the systems are expensive. Often the wireless link alone costs more than a typical system from ourselves. Unlicensed wireless cameras totally ignore the claims in terms of range and image quality.
A wired solution will always give the best results. It might take a little more time to install initially but you only have to do it once. CAT5 cable when used in conjunction with a simple pair of passive video baluns can transmit video signals up to 300 metres without deterioration. Switch to active baluns and that distance increases to an incredible 1,200 metres far in excess of any wireless Camera.
Lots of people are buying CCTV for their home or business these days. Advances in technology mean high definition HD1080P CCTV is available as a realistic and credible solution. The benefit of CCTV is that it runs 24 hours a day and can capture footage that helps identify culprits after an event. Alarms sound a noise that everyone ignores and if the police are alerted the thief is long gone by the time they arrive. CCTV identifies and helps secure prosecutions.
CCTV is easy to fit and well within the scope of a competent DIY’er. There is no mains voltage involved, all our equipment uses 12-volt power. All you need to do is fix the camera to your wall and run a cable to the DVR recorder which could be located in a loft space to make wiring runs easier. A single cable provides power to the camera and also transfers the video signal to the DVR recorder.
Cable technology has improved to the point where you don’t need specialist tools. Using CAT5 cable, our video baluns and power connectors all you need is a small screwdriver to make the connections. The whole system runs on 12 volts so you don’t have to touch the mains 240 volt supply.
Unfortunately, the CCTV industry is not regulated and there are some shockingly poor quality systems on the market. Reading through the marketing material you would be forgiven for thinking they were great solutions but the reality falls well short. Have a look at our guide to Maplins CCTV solutions. They are one of the worst culprits when it comes to marketing making promises the products can’t achieve.
There is some homework and planning to do if you want to get the best from your CCTV system, but that’s what we are here for. We have a large CCTV buying guide but we are also a real company with real people only too happy to offer advice on your specific needs. We can view your property using internet mapping from which we can take accurate measurements whilst talking to you on the phone to establish exactly what you are hoping to achieve. We can then put together a list of equipment. We offer this as a free service and there is no obligation on your part, we won’t keep hounding you afterwards.
DVR recorders can be a bit tricky to set up initially so we do that bit for you. If you buy the DVR and hard drive together we will install the hard drive, format it and configure the DVR with basic settings so it arrives plug and play, connect the cameras and start recording.
All our CCTV systems can be accessed remotely using a phone, tablet (iPad etc.), PC or Mac. You need to do something called port forwarding on your internet router but don’t worry, if computers and IT aren’t your things we have a remote set-up service that does everything for you via live screen sharing session with one of our technicians.
By taking the time to understand a little bit about CCTV you will end up with a better system than if you’d just gone to one of the big security brands. They just want to get you signed up for that monthly direct debit and don’t put as much time and effort in as you are prepared to. The fact you’re reading this means you are taking CCTV seriously. The national firms tend to market a one size fits all solution and usually fit cameras that are too wide-angle and fail to capture sufficient detail. See our guide to CCTV camera optical range. We help you understand the basic principles so you know what is and isn’t possible.
Feel free to get in touch if you are planning a specific CCTV project or just want some general advice.
