Choosing CCTV Cameras

If you are considering purchasing a security camera system, the choice of CCTV cameras is an important one. They are the basis of your system, and need to match what you intend the system to be able to do. There are a number of factors involved in choosing CCTV cameras. One of the first factors to consider is the location of the camera. If the camera is to be mounted outdoors in an exposed location, then you need a weatherproof model. Also, if you live in an area subject to extreme temperatures (less than -10 degrees F or more than 110 degrees F for color cameras, -10 degrees F to +122 degrees F for black and white cameras), then you will need a camera with a built in fan and/or heater. The fan and/or heater will broaden the temperature range that the camera can operate in. Cameras mounted indoors in a temperature-controlled environment do not require any special temperature considerations.

Another factor to consider when choosing a CCTV camera is whether to use a wired or a wireless model. Wired cameras will produce better images overall, with less interference from outside sources. Wired cameras are also cheaper than wireless models, but they will cost more to install because of the video cable that has to be run. Wireless cameras cost a bit more to begin with, but cost much less to install -- you don't have the expense of the video cable or the labor involved in running it. A wireless camera that operates on the 2.4GHz frequency band can transmit its signal, even through walls, doors and ceilings, a few hundred feet. If you require the cameras to be located further away than this, they will need to be wired cameras.

Another factor to consider is whether to use color or black and white CCTV cameras. Color cameras provide more details about what is recorded, but black and white cameras actually have a higher resolution. What this means is that, while a color camera can tell you the color of a car in a parking lot, a black and white camera might allow you to read the license plate on the car. So you need to consider your typical subject when you choose between color and black and white. In addition, a black and white camera can usually take pictures in less available light than a color camera.

Resolution is another factor to consider when choosing CCTV cameras. Resolution is usually specified as the number of horizontal lines in the image. A typical standard resolution for a color camera is 320 lines, while 380 lines is typical for a black and white camera. For high resolution cameras, a typical color camera resolution would be 460 lines, and for black and white it would be 560 lines. The higher the resolution, the more detail will be shown in the image.

These are just a few of the factors you need to consider when choosing CCTV cameras. For more detailed information on CCTV cameras and where to buy, visit the Total Security Warehouse website.

Buy your own spy equipment

Not too long ago, most spy equipment was only available to government, big business and other high budget organizations. It was simply too expensive for the average person. But thanks to advances in technology, many devices similar to the ones James Bond gets to use have come within reach of the average person. This article will discuss a few of these items.

One of the first things that comes to mind when thinking about spy equipment is a camera contained in a briefcase. Now you can purchase a complete surveillance system, including cameras, a DVR (Digital Video Recorder) and a display, all concealed in an every day briefcase. You can also get a complete surveillance system that's concealed in a backpack or a purse. And the price is much more reasonable than you might think.

Another piece of spy equipment that can be purchased at a reasonable price is a hidden camera, or spy cam. This is a small electronic camera designed to be hidden in a wall or a bookshelf. These are available at very reasonable prices nowadays. In addition, you can buy cameras that are disguised as working, everyday objects, such as a working cordless phone, a fully functional CD boombox, or a desktop pencil sharpener. These devices are wireless and are designed to "hide in plain site". The person you are keeping an eye on will never suspect they are being watched. They are easy to use, since there are no wires to run and they operate on batteries. You simply place them in the area you want to keep an eye on, then plug the wireless receiver into a VCR or DVR to record the images.

Another piece of spy equipment that comes to mind is a digital voice recorder. These devices are small enough to hide in a shirt or pants pocket or a purse, and sensitive enough to pick up any conversation in the room. They are in effect a self-contained "bug", like the ones you see the police and government using on TV. You can also get a microphone disguised as a necktie or a baseball cap. These digital voice recorders are easy to use -- you can use them to play back the recording or you can transfer the voice files to your PC or to a CD.

One final piece of spy equipment that is relatively inexpensive nowadays is a bug detector. These devices allow you to conduct a "sweep" of a room to see if there are any hidden transmitting devices such as a wireless camera or voice transmitter. If you suspect someone is watching you or listening in on your conversations, one of these devices can tell you for sure.

As you can probably see, there is quite a bit of spy equipment that is available to the average person these days. If you have need of it, you can find out more about these devices at the Total Security Warehouse website.