CCTV GUIDE

1 System objective

2 CCTV Cameras

This guide can give an idea on your CCTV systems and 3 Control & recording equipment
allow you to make the right choice.
4 Monitors

5 Accessories

1. Decide on the objective of your CCTV system

Monitoring Only
You just need to monitor one or
more cameras on a screen.
Monitoring & Recording
You need to monitor one or
more cameras AND record them.
up to
16 cameras
Monitoring, Recording
& Remote Viewing
You need to monitor one or
more cameras, record them AND
access them over the internet
remotely.

up to
16 cameras

Now select your cameras

 2 Select your cameras Lens Type

The smaller the lens size, the wider the camera

Cameras are essential part of any CCTV system and their choice is crucial factor of effective functioning of the system. view. The larger the lens size, the narrower the view.
The following factors have to be considered to help you choose appropriate CCTV cameras which will meet your
business needs. g Camera Format ie. 3.6mm lens = wide angle
12mm lens = narrow angle
Body Camera
a Purpose The wider the angle the smaller things will
Dome appear. The narrower the angle, the bigger things
What will the camera see? will appear.
Pan/Tilt Dome
To monitor and control Detection What do you want it to Ask yourself:
Pan/Tilt/Zoom Dome What will be the maximum viewing distance I need to
capture? focus on?
What is the maximum width of that view at that point?

h Lens Type/Picture View

b Performance
Fixed Lens
Camera Visibility
Monitor and control
general situation Varifocal Lens
Overt/Derrent styles of CCTV
Recognition Identification Lens Size needed: cameras usually are bigger and
Detection of person have a visual presence in the
Max. width needed (m) __ environment.
Recognition of person
Max. view distance (m) __ Covert/Hidden styles of camera
tend to be very small or
Identification of person disguised as another object (ie.

Number Plate i Camera Visibility smoke alarm).

Recognition Overt/Deterrent Small and discreet styles of CCTV

Your CCTV requirement will determine performance requirements cameras have a contemporary
of your cameras. Covert/Hidden design and are usually small Picture Quality
to medium in size. These are
The most common complaints for the disappointing performance of many
c Type
Small/Discreet normally ideal for residential or TVL (Television Lines) are
CCTV systems include: small business purposes. the number of horizontal
- the subject was too small, or not in view long enough
Analogue
lines produced by a security
- the images were out of focus or moving subjects were blurred Ask yourself: camera and is a measure
IP (Internet Protocol)
- cameras were not covering the relevant area i Picture Quality Where will the camera be mounted? of picture resolution or
Do I need it to be hidden for sharpness. The higher the TVL,
Standard under 420 TVL surveillance purposes?
the better the image quality.
d Environment
High over 420 TVL Ask yourself:
Go for the traditional analogue Indoor What sort of image quality do I need
or the newer digital network (IP) dry and reasonable temperatures for the purpose of this camera?
cameras that connect directly External
into your network. wet and varied temperatures k Cabling Does the purpose require a good
image or a general overview of the
environment?
Vandal Resistant Wireless (2.4 GHz) Is it required for evidential purposes?
potential for damage quite high Cabling
Picture Format Wired:
There are 3 main ways to connect a CCTV camera.
The most popular picture format is in e Camera Mount DIY Cabling
Colour, to give you pictures as you are used Wireless via a 900MHz, 2.4 GHz or 5.8 GHz
to on TV. Wall RG59 analogue or Network Local Area
.
Using traditional copper wire - the most common
You should consider Black/White cameras if Ceiling Cat 5 / LAN way of connecting a CCTV camera. Usually DIY
your budget is limited, light conditions are cabling that is pre-terminated and ready to use or
low or variable. Other _________________ Cabling Distance to control
RG59 which will need to be crimped at the ends.
equipment?
Day/Night Cameras are ideal for seeing in full Or finally using Cat 5 network cabling to transmit
colour during the day and in B/W at night.
(ie. to TV or DVR) __ data over a Local Area Network/Internet
They use Infra-Red LEDs to see at night and f Picture Format Ask yourself:
can see varied distances when dark.
Colour What is the ease of running the cable ?
Here is more questions should be asked: Will visible wiring be a problem ?
Do you need to see at night? Black/White
Do the light conditions vary a lot?
2 What type of light is there (if any)? Day/Night: 3
(ie. strip lighting, light bulb etc)
Max. viewing distance
needed in the dark (m) ___
Now select your control/recording equipment
CAMERAS
 3 Select your control/recording equipment
3.2 Using a Digital Video Recorder set-up

single camera set-up One camera All-in-one solution DVR set-up with optional viewing connection to TV and/or Internet/LAN
Direct connection of your camera (wired or wirelessly) to a Record multiple cameras
video or DVD recorder and/or television. Nothing more required. Wired set-up

Wired set-up Monitor cameras live

multiple camera set-up
Playback footage easily DVR
Wireless set-up
Control equipment is required when you
want to monitor more than one camera
or record live footage produced by the Wireles
camera. See the following sections to find s set-up a No. of camera inputs
Footage/Data Retrieval via VCR/Remote
out more about recording using: Up to 4 Connection and/or built-in CD/DVD writer
Maximum for wireless set-up
1 Video/DVD Recorder Up to 8 Note: You can also view your DVR on a standard LCD or PC monitor by using a BNC to VGA
2 Digital Video Recorder Up to 9
Convertor, available from iViewCameras.

3 PC Based Software Up to 12 Recording Time required

4 IP Camera Software
Up to 16 The length of time you can record for is
affected by:

b Recording time required Hard Drive size: 120/160GB standard, 250GB,

500GB, and 1000GB options. DVRs store
3.1 Using a Video/DVD Recorder set-up Have you considered: recordings directly onto a Hard Drive. Once
Hard Drive size storage space has run out, most DVRs can
be set to automatically erase old footage as
Simple set-up Number of cameras new footage is recorded. Choosing a Hard
Using a Video/DVD Recorder or time lapse video recorder Drive size can depend on how long you
Remote Viewing wish to keep footage stored for.
Ideal for low cost set-up Frame rate for DVR
As video or DVD recording devices only record one ‘feed’, a method of
combining the multiple feeds to the recorder is required. A control device Resolution Viewing your camera images Number of cameras: Most DVR units come in
such as a switcher, quad processor or multiplexer is required. over the internet or over a 4, 8/9, and 16 camera varieties
Quality of recording Local Area Network (LAN) is
A Switcher device will allow you to automatically switch between feeds a Control device needed Usually 5 levels possible with DVRs which
have an ethernet (RJ45)
Frame Rate (fps - frames per second): 25 fps
so each camera can be viewed/recorded for a few seconds. Some models Compression method per camera is ‘real time’ as you would normally
allow you to adjust the dwell time between screen changes and some Switcher used connection. TeleEye units are see on TV. 4-6 fps per camera is suitable for
will even switch to a camera when movement is detected. particularly good for this. most situations. The fps rate is split between
Quad Processor the total number of cameras connected to
Quad processors simply split a single screen into quarters so up to four
cameras can be viewed/recorded simultaneously as a ‘quad’ image. Multiplexer c Extra Features the DVR unit. So, a 100fps DVR with 4 cameras
inputs will record at 25 fps per camera.
Motion Detection Reducing the frame rate can save HD space.
Multiplexers allow each camera feed to be viewed as single or split screen. Only records when DVR software
Multiplexers can allow each camera to be recorded as a full screen image no b Cabling detects motion Resolution and the Quality of recording: The
better or bigger the image, the larger the
matter what live viewing option is selected. Footage removal options
Cabling Distance required size of the recording will be as more ‘image
Wired set-up Connect DVR to Video data’ is stored.
(total between devices) ___
USB connection to PC Compression methods: JPEG, MPEG and
MPEG4 are all different types of image
Built-in CD/DVD writer compression, all giving varying file sizes.
Switcher
OR Quad Processor
Networkable Ask yourself:
How long do I need to keep footage available for in
OR Multiplexer
Removable Pen-drive SITE 1 SITE 2 order to retrieve footage later?
Wireless set-up Will I be away for long periods of time while my CCTV
system will need to be operating?
Remote Viewing Note: Software is normally provided
to view your cameras using Windows
Alarm Inputs/Outputs based software. Some DVRs will
allow you to download footage via
Ask yourself: remote connection at another site.
4 Do you need to be able to view all cameras at once? 5
Do you need to view the images as a full screen?

control/recording equipment
 3.3 Using PC Based Software 3.4 Using IP Software

PC Based Software set-up with optional connection to Internet/LAN

All-in-one solution All-in-one solution IP Camera set-up
You can view and record your CCTV footage using an existing PC. The PCI Card Record multiple cameras Record multiple cameras When using IP cameras, control software needs to be installed onto your PC
is slotted inside the ‘tower’ of your PC and the CD is used to install the CCTV which allows you to use different cameras.
software.
Monitor cameras live Monitor cameras live PC
Wired set-up
You can then view your images on the PC screen, record to the hard drive and
remote view the footage Playback footage easily Playback footage easily

Wired set-up PC Use an existing PC or Use an existing PC or

laptop to record footage laptop to record footage Wireless set-up

Inexpensive installation Excellent functionality

Wireless set-up Powerful functionality

a No. of cameras in network SITE 1 SITE 2

No. of cameras to be
a System set-up
recorded using software __
Note: See DVR set-up on page 5 to find out more about the factors which will affect recording
times. The same principles of recording CCTV footage will apply when using IP cameras.
Via Desktop PC
SITE 1 SITE 2
Via Laptop PC
Using a Laptop to view/record footage

For laptop viewing and recording, a USB

b No. of camera inputs
4 Select your monitor
Box is available to connect your cameras
without having to install any hardware. Television monitor
Up to 4
Max. for wireless set-up or
A single camera can be connected to the RCA or Scart
Laptop connection
connectors on your Television.
Up to 8 a Options
Up to 12 Television
Up to 16
CCTV Monitor Multiple cameras can be connected to a TV via a Switcher,
USB Box Quad Processor, Multiplexer or DVR by using a
PC LCD Monitor BNC to Scart Convertor.
c Version required
Have you considered:
Number of cameras
Note:
Frame rate required
USB Box & Software works with up to 4 cameras For more information, see p5 If the monitor is always on it is recomended SCART CONNECTION
Software is still required to operate the CCTV to use a CCTV Monitor (CRD or LCD), as
viewer and or recorder.
Audio requirements the screen are designed to last longer with
reduced boom out.
The USB Box can also be used for standard PC Software features
if PC card option is not required.

PC LCD monitor
Additional features d Additional considerations
If the DVR has a VGA output, then it can be directly connected
Have you checked your
PC Based software features vary from brand to brand. These are to a PC Monitor.
the features available on the AVerMedia PC recording system: PC/Laptop for: Ask yourself:
Minimum system What size screen do you require?
If no VGA output is available from the VGA CONNECTION
• Hybrid system: Unique feature to support both analogue & IP • Adjustable
frame rate and resolution on each camera • Motion Detection • Complete requirements What resolution does the screen need to be? DVR then a BNC to VGA Convertor
control during playback: forward, rewind, speed up, slow down and digital Hard Drive Size & What inputs will be required from the recording is required. See diagram.
zoom of any area • Auto Scan • Pan/Tilt/Zoom control • Intelligent Pre- device or camera(s)? (ie. BNC, VGA, Scart etc)
motion recording • Mulitple masking zones • Auto recycling of storage Capacity for recording
Will you require any additional devices/connections
space • Central management controls • Remote Recording and Playback
• Full control of footage • PDA and mobile device viewing • Simultaneous
CD/DVD writer for viewing your cameras on the monitor?
(ie. BNC to Scart lead etc)
real-time playback, recording & networking • Intelligent Search • Visual DVR WITH NO
Search by the second - not available on any other system • Till POS Network capability VGA CONNECTION
6 integration • E-Map • Email and voice call out on alarmed alert • Easy to use 7
graphical user interface • Software Update online and more...

Now select your accessories next

5 Select the right accessories

Power supplies

Wireless systems require no cabling to transmit the video signal. (The cameras
a Cabling for system must be powered)

Wireless system(2.4/5.8GHz) DIY Cabling is pre-terminated & ready to use. It will feed video, audio (if
Only required power cabling required) and power back to the montoring/control point.
Wired: VIDEO SIGNAL
DIY Cabling 18m/36m length
!8m or 36m lengths available POWER 12V

RG59 AUDIO (optional)

Cat 5 / LAN RG59 cabling is professional standard cable and can be bought in 100m reels
which will need to be ‘crimped’ with BNC connectors. RG59 shotgun cable also
Cabling Distance includes the power cable.
Cameras to control
recording equipment __ Cat 5/LAN Cable is used for IP network camera connection.
Control/recording
equipment to monitor __
Power supplies

b Power supplies Individual power adaptors can be supplied

for each camera, where each will plug into
Individual the mains power supply.
Remember DIY cabling will allow you to
Multiple power the camera through the length of
the cabling rather than powering it locally.

c Brackets
Warning Signs
Multiple cameras can be powered from
a single power unit (up to 16 cameras)
Alternative required? which will plug into just one mains power
Cameras are supplied with a Under the Data Protection socket.
standard bracket Act, warning signs should be This will usually need to be fitted by an
Housing required? displayed in public places. electrician.
For outdoor use
Ask yourself:
General external type Is it possible to run/extend each camera’s power
cable back to its own mains power supply?
Heated housing
Note:
Wireless cameras must be powered locally

Warning Signs
Quantity required __

Dummy Cameras Dummy Cameras

Standard version Dummy cameras are often a

low cost method of providing
Dome version a further deterrent.

External version

For more information about selecting the right CCTV system for you,
contact our team at iViewCameras on 0800 180 4260 or visit www.iviewcameras.co.uk

Unit 7, Hurlingham Business Park, Sulivan Road, Fulham, London SW6 3DU www.iviewcameras.co.uk
t: 0800 180 4260 (i: +44 (0)207 610 7141) f: 0870 011 6920 (i: +44 (0)207 751 3450) e: info@iviewcameras.co.uk

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