Pick the Right Camera Lens to Fit Your Needs

CCTV cameras play an important role in deterring crime. You can use CCTV camera installer to secure your workplace and home premises. With a number of surveillance system variants available in the market, it can be difficult for you to choose the correct one. The system specifications need not be maximum and most recent but rather in accordance with your specific security needs. The camera lens is one of the most important factors while considering the specifications of your surveillance system. Right lens resolution will ensure good quality surveillance and can help you in identifying criminals. This blog post will explain to you the different types of lenses and how to choose the best one.

Type of lenses

There are three different types of lenses for a CCTV camera – fixed, varifocal and zoom. Each of them has applications in different areas and their characteristics differ from each other. Focal length and the capability of the adjustment of the focal length determine the type of lens in the surveillance camera. The focal length is expressed in millimetres and it is inversely proportional to the field of view.

Fixed lenses –

This type of lens has a fixed horizontal field of view and a set focal length. The operator must physically move the camera to change the amount of detail that can be viewed. Fixed lenses are suitable for general applications and they can be used to monitor small areas, such as an entrance or a lobby. This type of lens is cheaper as compared to zoom or varifocal lenses.

Varifocal lenses –

The focal length of varifocal lenses can be adjusted as per the requirement. Generally, you can adjust the focal length between 3mm and 9 mm. You can also adjust the horizontal field of view of the camera which can be helpful if there are restrictions on where you can mount the camera.

Zoom lens –

Zoom lenses provide you with the ability to adjust the focal length of the lens from a user interface, such as the video management software. The range of a zoom lens is typically much larger than the fixed and varifocal lens. Although zoom lenses are expensive, they can be the most affordable security solution for your business.

The Different Type of Camera Lenses and How to Select the Best One

How to select the best lens

Here are some factors that you should consider while selecting the camera lenses for your system.

Focal length

The focal length or the lens size determines the field of view and it is also called as the viewing angle for a particular camera lens. The smaller the focal length number is, the wider area you can see but with fewer details; the bigger the focal length, the further you can see with a narrower viewing angle. The focal length can vary from wide angles that can capture an entire landscape to a telephoto lens which can be used to focus on a small object.

If you want a camera lens for your warehouse or construction site, the wide-angle lens can be the best choice for you. The narrower angle lens is ideal for critical entrances, such as cash registers and doorways.

 Aperture

Aperture controls the brightness of the image that passes through the lens and falls on the image sensor. It is expressed in f-numbers, such as f/1.4, f/2, f/2.8, /f4, f/5.6, f/8, f/11, f/16, f/22, or f/32. A lower f-number represents a wide aperture. For instance, f/1.4 is a large aperture and allows for more light to pass into the camera.

The CCTV system will allow you to control how much a scene is in focus by adjusting the lens aperture. A wider aperture will focus on a specified object and will make the background blurry. Whereas, a small aperture will focus on everything within the range of the camera.

Iris

An iris is the part of the camera that controls how much light comes through the aperture. In simple words, more light can pass through the iris when it creates a large opening. However, you cannot get a better image by the wider opening of the iris. Too much amount of light can wash out your image and little light makes the scene dark.

The fixed and manual iris lenses are usually used for indoor applications while the auto iris lens is ideal for outdoor locations where there are variations in lighting conditions.

C or CS Mount for your CCTV camera installer

You can either select from the C or CS-mount option while installing the Camera. The major difference between the two is the distance from the image sensor to the lens. The distance for C mount is 17.5 mm and it 12.5 mm for the CS-mount.

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How to Choose the Right CCTV System Installer

CCTV systems can dramatically increase the security of your property and keep your loved-ones protected. Calling a professional person can be a low-stress way to get your CCTV installer monitor system up and running. This blog post will explain to you the importance of hiring a CCTV installer and how to choose the right one.

Why you should hire an installer?

A CCTV installed by a professional person ensures total peace of mind. After assessing all your requirements, the installation company will provide you with the best CCTV system. Some DIY kits in the market can offer similar features but you won’t get the best out of them. Even worse, they could actually be a security risk for you and your business.

How to Choose the Right CCTV System Installer

Hackers

With the advancement in technology, you can now access the video footage from your laptop or smartphone. This means you can keep an eye on your premises anywhere, anytime. However, the problem with this system is that it is connected to the internet. As home DIY kits are usually set up in an improper manner, your system may be vulnerable to attacks from hackers. Professionally fitted CCTV is less likely to be vulnerable because the security settings, such as port numbers and default passwords are changed after installation.

Picture quality

Imagine a burglar enters your home and steals some valuable items, such as jewellery or your laptop. You won’t worry much at that moment because you had installed a CCTV system in the previous year. But when you play the video footage, the camera resolution is not proper and you can’t see the burglars face. In such situations, a camera with a good picture quality can be really helpful. Professionally installed CCTV cameras could give you a lifeline – so you might see the burglars in the video footage and call for police assistance.

What should you look for when choosing an installer?

Modern CCTV camera systems have more in common with computers than the analogue systems that were very popular in the last decade. The CCTV installer should have the knowledge of computer networking for you to take full advantage of the features your surveillance system can offer.

Here are the three main types of surveillance systems:

Analog

Analog CCTV systems use the oldest technology and they are cheap as compared to other systems. Analog CCTV cameras are connected to the monitor using coax cable such as RG59. They are easy to install but the image quality is poor. For instance, it would take about 6 analog cameras to capture the level of detail of a single HD camera. If you need a high-quality image to identify burglars, then you may consider the other technologically advanced system. If the fitter only installs analog systems, you may want to contact someone else.

HD-TVI

HD-TVI stands for High Definition Transport Video Interface. The HD-TVI cameras currently support 720p, 1080p and 4K video resolutions. These cameras use the same coax cable used by analog CCTV cameras which makes it easier for people to upgrade to an HD system. They offer a range of 1600 feet from the DVR and are available at lower prices than many similar IP camera systems.

IP

Internet Protocol (IP) cameras are currently the best cameras that are available in the market. The images captured by an IP camera can be viewed from anywhere around the globe via the internet. These cameras are a versatile security solution and they require nothing more than a network connection. IP cameras don’t need coaxial cables and they can also be relocated. These cameras are available both for indoor and outdoor use with the ability to pan either remotely or via operator command. They also have features like 360-degree fisheye lenses, pin-hole style cameras and thermal imaging.

Things that you should ask the installer

All manufacturers offer warranties on security cameras, but to take advantage, you will have to dismount the camera and send it to them. Meanwhile, as you wait for the repairs, your surveillance system isn’t protecting you. Some of the best installers in the United Kingdom offer additional warranties that help you through the gap of waiting. You will always need a warranty on your security system because anything can happen.

You must ask the installer if they provide workman’s compensation and general liability insurance. Having insurance will ensure that they are professional installers. Even professionals can slip while installing the cameras. If they are insured, you don’t have to worry about being liable.

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The Basic elements of any CCTV camera system

CCTV cameras provide surveillance capabilities used in the protection of people and assets. A CCTV camera installer links the monitor to a video camera using a direct transmission system. Surveillance systems can be extremely simple, a camera lens with a monitor or very complex that use the latest technology. Here are some key elements of all CCTV systems.

Image acquisition of CCTV system installer

The first stage of any surveillance system is the image acquisition stage. It is an action of retrieving an image from the camera. It is the first step in the workflow sequence because processing cannot be done without an image. The image acquired from the camera is completely unprocessed. You can start with a simple camera. It has a chip at the front that transforms the light or infrared into an electrical signal. The incoming energy is transformed into a voltage by the combination of electrical input power and a sensor material that is responsive to the light. The output voltage is the response of the sensor and it is converted into a digital form that can be displayed on the screen.

The Basic elements of any CCTV camera system

Add a lens to the camera as it will give you a focused image. Adjust the focal length of the lens so that the field-of-view suits your scene and records the footage as per your preferred details. Photons are required to create the picture. The image acquisition can be done by using a variety of sensors. The motion should be in both x and y directions to obtain a two-dimensional image. The rotation of the camera provides motion in one direction while linear motion provides motion in perpendicular directions. A CCTV camera installer cannot capture good images without sufficient light. Hence, you should ensure that there are no objects in front of the camera lens.

Place a protective casing outside cameras as it will protect them against dust, dirt and rain. A wall bracket with a manually adjustable joint will keep your static camera oriented correctly in any weather. If you want to operate your camera with remote control, you can add a motorised pan and tilt unit between the camera and mounting. As the pan needs to decode the remote-control signals, an elementary receiver will also be needed.

Sturdy mounts such as purpose-built poles or lattice towers are needed for heavy loads. Consider tilt-over type of mounts that will allow you to do fitting and maintenance of the CCTV equipment at ground level.

Signal transmission

As we’ve successfully completed image acquisition, let’s progress to the next part – signal transmission. Video output from the CCTV camera could be:

  • IP video as TCP/IP or UDP multicast
  • Composite analogue signal
  • HD-SDI and High Definition

To produce a good quality picture on the screen, the video signal must be applied to the monitor with no distortion of any of its elements. The camera should be connected to the monitor by using Fibre Optic cable or MicroWave link. Fibre Optic cables will transmit the signal effectively because they have a higher bandwidth and low loss characteristics. The composite video output from the average CCTV camera covers a bandwidth ranging from 5Hz to many MHz’s. Almost all cables produce a loss of signal that is primarily dependent on the frequency. The higher the frequency, the higher the loss. This means that as a video signal travels along a cable it loses its high-frequency components faster than its lower ones. A significant loss of detail is not usually objectionable unless it is very large.

Wireless cameras are alternative to cameras using cables. The wireless transmissions include microwave line-of-sight links and microwaves over short distances. These cameras allow you to access the video footage from your smartphone.

Managing the arrived picture

The video signals from the camera arrive at a CCTV control and monitoring point. Hence, a switcher is necessary to direct the images to the system. Analogue video switchers might be desktop ‘8-in, 1-out’ or ‘128-in, 32-out’ matrix. Sometimes the images are digitised before or after they arrive. Software such as DVR/NVR can be used to switch the images. The output is then transmitted to the display and the recorders. Analogue signals go to the LCD or plasma screens while the digitised signals are fed to displays via the computerised innards of DVR, NVR and Virtual matrix.

The telemetry signals come from the operator’s control keyboard or automatic preset positions triggered by the alarm sensors. As recorders are universally digital these days, you can export the footage to CD, DVD or other portable drives.

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Can a CCTV system help you with your home security?

CCTV systems are used by various businesses to protect their assets and premises from burglars. According to a report from the British Security Industry Association (BSIA), there are over 6 million surveillance cameras in the United Kingdom. These systems are one of the easiest and most cost-effective security solutions. You can also use a CCTV installer monitor to keep an eye on the activities around your house. This blog post will give you an insight into the pros and cons of installing CCTV cameras outside your house.

Cost-benefit analysis

There are several types of CCTV systems in the market, each with its own operating characteristics. It is necessary to compare the costs and benefits of a surveillance system before installing it. Initial costs depend largely on the size of the house and the type of security solutions needed. For instance, your house may need a more complex system than a warehouse monitoring system. You can purchase domestic CCTV for as little as £50, so it’s potentially a cost-effective way to improve security at your home. You can spend more on a top-of-the-range system and this will help you in identifying a criminal in case a burglary takes place.

You can use a wire or wireless system depending on your budget. Although wired surveillance cameras are cheap, wireless ones will be convenient as you can access them from your smartphone anywhere, anytime. You can store the footage on a hard drive or a separate digital recorder to store the recorded footage. Along with the installation cost, the next cost associated with security systems is maintenance and repair. Maintenance cost may include software upgrades, camera cleaning and hardware replacement due to normal wear and tear. These costs are very minimal to initial investment costs.

Can a CCTV system help you with your home security?

Will it stop crime?

The psychological effect of the presence of surveillance serves as the greatest step in crime reduction. A CCTV system reminds the residents of their security measures that they would otherwise forget easily. Psychologically, people residing in protected areas take more measures to protect their assets. Thus, the surveillance system prevents crime by identifying potential victims. The burglars can also experience the same psychological effect and they won’t commit a crime in secured places. A number of robberies took place on moving trains in Brazil before the trains started using CCTV because the criminals felt no pressure in executing the illegal activities. These cases almost disappeared after the installation of CCTVs on the trains. The criminals fear to carry out illegal activities as the authorities can easily catch them. Surveillance cameras thus affect the criminal psychologically to stop their activities.

Why your CCTV installer monitor could be breaking the law

The home CCTV systems don’t come under the jurisdiction of the Data Protection Act. But if the system is used to monitor other activities than its intended purpose, you may have a case for taking further action under totally different laws. For instance, if your camera is directly pointed towards another person’s property, they have the right to file a case against you under the Human Rights Act.

Private house owners filming outside their premises are no longer covered by an exemption to the Act. Hence, filming your neighbour’s house or road could get you into serious trouble. “Private property owners must operate within the law, for instance by ensuring that their usage and siting of the camera is well justified, that their recordings are not excessive, that it is kept only until it is required and then it is kept secure,” said an ICO spokesman.

You can install the system on your own, but it’s best to ask the ICO for advice first. If you break the laws, you could get involved in proceedings which could end in disdain of court charge.

What about privacy?

“It is still unclear what the implications might be for the citizens of the UK,” says Kate McMullan, an associate at Hogan Lovells. “You have to be careful about the recorded footage. You must inform your neighbours and other people that you are using CCTV, for example by putting a signboard.”

The ICO says that you should still consider whether a CCTV system is wholly necessary, and says you should consider whether other options, such as extra lighting, locks or alarms could solve your security issues. Ensure that your system is not recording audio and the law restricts users to publish the video footage online. Keep in mind to follow all the rules before installing a CCTV system and don’t film outside your premises.

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