Products What exactly is a CCTV camera system?

CCTV is the acronym for Closed Circuit Television (or Closed Circuit Television). The expression "Closed Circuit" means that it is an installation of directly connected components, which create an image circuit that cannot be seen by another person outside it. And it differs from the broadcast of ordinary television signals in that they can be seen by anyone with an antenna or other equipment to receive them, while CCTV cannot.

CCTVs are customized to adapt to the nature and security needs of each client. The ideal CCTV system should provide good quality images day and night, and should be easy to use and flexible, to record images that serve as evidence in a useful way and help analyze incidents. If the images do not have quality, then it will be of little use.

How does a CCTV systems work?

There are many different systems of CCTV security cameras available, analog and digital, with and without cable, and their ways of operating vary. However, the basic components are basically the same: CCTV cameras, a CCTV lens, a CCTV monitor and (for wired systems) the cables that carry the signal from one place to another.

CCTV security cameras

The received images are sent to a CCTV monitor and recorded. Depending on the lens, the camera may have one range or another of vision. The camera picks up the signal from the area being monitored, and in wired systems, the CCTV camera sends the signal through a coaxial cable to the CCTV monitor. In wireless systems the camera emits the signal without needing cables. Monitors may be observed by qualified personnel or not be supervised in real time by anyone.

Recent advances in technology and software make it possible that many recorders are now equipped with motion recording or incident notification. With motion recording, devices will only record when CCTV cameras detect motion. This saves storage space during periods of inactivity. Event notification consists of the process of sending text messages, telephone or emails when activity is detected.

This is particularly effective for equipment without human supervision. The recorded information can be stored or viewed by those with access whenever they want. Many of the current recorders also have an Internet connection so you can access the images remotely with a computer or even a mobile.

A multi-camera CCTV system?

Most systems today consist of more than one camera, but you don't need a monitor and recorder for each of them. Several CCTV security cameras can share monitor and hard drive. There are teams that for example separate the screen into four to see four images, or that allow you to choose which camera you want to view. However, the most common way to control several cameras is with a multiplexer, which incorporates the previous services with a code, so you can then see the camera you want knowing that code. Before, multiplexers and recorders were separated, but now units have been developed that do everything.