cctv 4 channel dvr recorder

Recording Options

If you want to be able to record your CCTV footage then the following factors need to be taken into account:

• Maximum length of recording time required
• Quality of recording
• Method of recording:
  • Continuous
  • Manual

Stand Alone CCTV 4 channel dvr recorder

These are rapidly becoming the most popular method of recording CCTV footage. Essentially a DVR is a standalone piece of hardware that is designed exclusively for recording CCTV footage. It has a number of clear advantages over the traditional analogue systems and these include:

• Storage Capacity – Days, weeks and even months of high resolution recording is possible through use of large capacity hard drives
• Consistent Quality Recording – No deterioration of image quality no matter how many you overwrite onto the recording device or how long you store the images for
• Viewing and Retrieval – Quick and easy access of footage due to digital format
• Transfer and Storage – The digital format allows ease of transfer and storage of footage. Transfer and storage capability is further enhanced by DVRs with built-in CD writers and USB ports.
• Remote Access – Many DVRs have the capability for remote access from anywhere in the world through use of a remote PC
• Multiplexed Recording – Capability to view and record multiple CCTV cameras simultaneously.

PCI Cards

These are digital video capture cards that can be fitted inside your existing PC to allow the connection of multiple CCTV cameras. The functionality and benefits of PCI cards is very similar to that of DVRs.

Detection

Even with systems that have a very long recording capacity, it is not always desirable to record continuously. Event-led recording is a more efficient means of capturing relevant footage and can be achieved by:

PIR Movement Detectors

Some cameras have PIR detectors built-in and for those that don’t it is possible to install a separate PIR as part of the overall system. In multiple camera systems with PIRs the footage that is being displayed on screen will automatically change to the area that has detected movement.

Video Motion Detection

This is used in digital CCTV systems and works by analysing the video signal from a camera. Changes in signal are recognised as movement and subsequently used to trigger recording if required.

All CCS digital systems allow users to mark one or more rectangular areas within the display screen and only when motion is detected within these areas will the system begin recording.

Where possible, use of PIR movement sensor is preferable rather than video motion detection, as it more reliable particularly for external use.

Time and Date Stamping

This feature superimposes the time and date onto your CCTV footage. Having this feature can be really useful to identify when an event occurred and was recorded, particularly if the footage is to be used for evidence purposes.

CCTV Bullet Camera

Installing CCTV Bullet Cameras

Important reading before you make your purchase

Is the CCTV Bullet camera to be located indoors or outdoors? If outdoors then you need to ensure that it is appropriate for the environmental conditions that are likely to be encountered such as rain, snow, sun-glare, low light etc.

Outdoor CCTV bullet cameras should either be classed as weather resistant or mounted in a special enclosure to provide protection.

All Bullet outdoor cameras are weather resistant and the cable entry points are sealed. The leads are of sufficient length to enable connections to be made inside the building.

CCTV Camera Light Levels

Choosing the right CCTV Bullet camera based on the amount of available light is very important for an effective security system. An ordinary cctv camera will not give very good pictures in low light conditions although the monochrome will perform better than colour at night.

For low light conditions can include:

• B&W cameras with built in IR illumination
• Colour Day / Night cameras
• Use of additional security lighting
• Use of a separate IR illuminator in conjunction with a monochrome camera. When using IR cctv cameras ensure that the range of the illuminators is adequate for your needs.

Light levels are usually measured in lux and although full daylight can be around 10,000 lux, dusk can be as low as 1-10 lux, complete darkness is 0 lux and side street lighting can also be less than 1 lux . The closer a camera is rated to 0 lux the better its performance in low light levels.

Day Night Cameras

B&W bullet cameras generally provide much better image quality than colour ones at lower light levels. They are also usually cheaper than colour ones of equivalent specification.

Color bullet cameras require the availability of good lighting and will generally provide better recognition capability.

Day Night bullet cameras provide the best of both worlds in an external environment. They operate as color cameras during the day (or in good light conditions) and automatically change to B&W when the light levels drop. All CCS-Imports Day Night cameras are supplied with built-in Infra-red which enable the cameras to see in darkness.

Wired Cameras or Wireless

Wireless CCTV Bullet cameras are easier to install. There is no cabling to run from the camera to the receiver and they are ideal for temporary applications, rapid deployment or where running cable is not desirable.

The Bullet cameras do however require a power source and whilst most will have the capability to be powered by batteries these do not have a very long life - a matter of hours in some cases. Wherever possible the cameras should be powered by the mains.

Typical range for wireless CCTV camera systems is 100m free-space but this can reduce significantly to around 22 meters in a small household environment.

In some cases there is also the potential for interference when using wireless systems.

Visible Deterrence or Covert / Discreet Monitoring

For visible deterrence the use of larger cameras housed in traditional enclosures are ideal.

For covert or discreet applications CCS imports can supply cameras that are:

• Very small and can be installed in covert locations, or
• In enclosures designed to disguise the presence of a camera.

Many of the cameras manufactured by Yoko International are both stylish and discreet in the design of their enclosures and this makes them very suitable for domestic applications.

Bullet camera with Audio

If the ability to monitor or record sound is important then the CCTV Bullet cameras needs to have a built-in microphone. This enables one-way audio monitoring.

Camera Viewing Quality

The resolution, size and type of a CCTV camera sensor will influence the quality of the viewable image.

Resolution – This is expressed as the number of television lines tvl that the camera is capable of producing. The higher the tvl value the greater the resolution and hence the quality of the images. A typical entry-level camera will be around 300 tvl with higher resolution cameras having a value of 540+ tvl.

Size – A larger image sensor will give a better image definition than a smaller sensor. For example, a 1/3” image sensor will produce a better image than a 1/4 ” sensor.

Type – There are 2 types of image sensor. CMOS sensors are mass-produced and used in entry-level cameras to provide cost savings. CCD sensors are used in professional CCTV cameras and provide a higher quality image.

It is important to remember that the quality of the video recorder also influences the quality of the CCTV footage. For example, if you use a high-resolution camera but a low-resolution recorder then the CCTV footage that is captured will still be of low resolution.

Single Bullet Camera or Multiple Bullet Camera Systems

Do you need to protect and view a single area or multiple areas? If you are likely to require protection of additional areas at a future date then consider buying a system that can be expanded as and when required.

CCS has a range of products that will allow you to connect and use up to 4, 8 or even 16 cameras. These include:

Standalone DVR - Use of digital video recorders allows single or multi-camera systems to be viewed and / or recorded simultaneously.

Ccs supplies a range of 4, 8 and 16 channel DVRs allowing you to install a very comprehensive cctv system.

PC-Based Systems - These make use of a PCI card that is fitted inside your computer. They will allow connection of upto 4, 8 or 16 cameras and help turn your existing PC into a sophisticated cctv system.

Understanding CCTV

How is a Camera’s TVL Determined?

Television Lines (TVL) is a measure of the quality of a camera and is usually used to

describe an analog system. TVL is measured in lines of horizontal resolution (the number

of alternating light and dark lines that can be resolved in the X-direction).

Traditionally, the measurement of television lines for an analog system is in lines per

picture height. This is the number of television lines that can be measured in the largest

square (1:1 area) of a screen.

For example, the active window of a PAL signal is 720/704 x 576 depending if it is DVD

(720) or TV (704) quality but the maximum TVL for this signal can only be 576 since

this corresponds to the 1:1 area. This is shown in the picture below. The black rectangle

represents the 720/704 x 576 picture while the red square shows the 1:1 area of the

picture. This area only has 576 pixels in the X-direction.

Note that even though a camera may output a PAL TV signal, its TVL can be

considerable less than 576. TVL is a product of many factors including the sensor size

and the quality of the camera’s lens.

A standard method of measuring TVL is by the use of a video resolution pattern such as

the EIA-1956 pattern shown below.

Using a proper set-up, the TVL of a camera is determined to be the point at which the 4

triangular lines converge into 3 lines.

What does TVL mean in a CCTV system?

TVL is a representation of the quality of an image. As such, this parameter can be used to

properly pair a camera with a DVR.

A DVR digitizes an analog signal and stores that information on a hard disk drive. There

are 3 parameters that can be used to quantify this process. They are:

• Analog-to-Digital conversion resolution (ADC resolution)

• Compression algorithm

• Compression bandwidth

The ADC resolution is the number of pixels (data points) that are used to represent the

analog signal. The more pixels that are used in this process, the better the representation

that the digital image will have to the analog signal. Common resolutions are:

• CIF 352 x 288 pixels (288 maximum TVL)

• 2CIF 704 x 288 pixels (288/576 maximum TVL*)

• 4CIF 704 x 576 pixels (576 maximum TVL)

• D1 720 x 576 pixels (576 maximum TVL)

*Some people might argue that this is really 576 TVL since this resolution can capture 576 TVL in the

horizontal direction (even though the vertical resolution is limited to 288). Recall that TVL is defined as the

number of alternating light and dark lines that can be resolved in the X-direction.

The ADC resolution will determine the maximum TVL that a CCTV system can represent.

The compression algorithm MJPEG 4 H.264etc.) and bandwidth (500 kbps, 1 mbps,

etc.) determine how much disk storage is used to store the digital image. The better the

compression algorithm or the higher the bandwidth, the closer the digital image will be to

the analog source.

The compression algorithm and bandwidth will determine the actual TVL that a CCTV

DVR can capture. This will almost always be less than the maximum TVL since the

compression algorithms used are lossy (information is lost in the compression of the

image).

The ADC resolution, compression algorithm, and bandwidth of a DVR should be chosen

to properly match a camera’s TVL number.

For example, it makes little sense to purchase cameras that are capable of 540TVL and

then use a DVR that can only record CIF images at a very low bandwidth. CIF has a

maximum TVL of 288 which can easily decrease to below 200 depending on the

compression algorithm and bandwidth used.

How to measure the TVL of a DVR?

To measure the TVL of a DVR, a test pattern should be recorded and then played back on

a high quality monitor. The TVL can then be measured by noting the point at which the 4

triangular lines converge into 3 lines.

Note that the recorded and not the live image must be used to determine the TVL of a

DVR.

Even though a high quality camera can be used as the test pattern source, this could easily

lead to discrepancies since test set-up might not be 100% reproducible due to differences

in lighting condition, camera position, and so forth.

Another approach would be to use a pattern generation such as the one available from

CCTV Labs (http://www.cctvlabs.com/testpatterngenerator.html). This pattern generator

comes pre-programmed with various patterns that can be used to measure the quality of a

DVR.

CCTV Camera Supplier

CCTV Camera supplier

Affordable protection is something that most people want. People want to feel protected when they are at home or in there work place, but many do not know where to look to get that security protection. At CCS-Imports, you can purchase a CCTV camera system that will be a great addition to your home or office protection. It will be able to keep you up to date on everything that occurs on your premises.

All of our CCTV products are of a professional standard. They all must pass a quality controlled inspection from the factory before they are delivered to our customer. A CCTV camera system is an affordable way to control the happenings around your home or office, and when you use a quality CCTV camera supplier. you know that you are getting a product that was quality made.

When you use a CCS-Imports, you will get:

* A two year warranty on all products
* A seven day money back guarantee
* Free technical support


Our support team can help you install your CCTV camera system in a way that will help it capture all of the very best images necessary for your business to be protected. Our support team understand this industry and have vast knowledge of all of our products, so they can answer any of your questions.

Also, a CCTV dome camera from us has good cable management, and all of our products are easy to set up. We do everything we can to make them easy for our customers to setup, so they can take them out of the box and get them installed.

As a small CCTV Camera Supplier, we are able to offer a good service to all of our customers. We only have four full time employees, which means we are able to operate like a small business. We care about our customers in ways that bigger companies are incapable of doing.

you can look through our inventory to find out more about a CCTV security system, or any other product that interests you. We can answer any questions you might have and help you protect your home or business today. we will find a system at a price that is right for you. You can also receive next day shipping so you will not waste any more time worrying about protecting your property.

Home Security Cameras

Affordable protection is something that most people want. People want to feel safe when they are at work, or at home with loved ones, but many do not know where to turn to get that protection. At a CCTV suppliers, you can purchase a camera that will be a great addition to your home and business protection. It will be able to keep you abreast on everything that happens inside and outside your property.

All of our products are of a professional industry standard. They all must pass a quality controlled inspection from the factory staff before they are shipped to our customers. Home Security Cameras are an affordable way to control the happenings around your home and business, and when you use a quality CCTV kit. you know that you are getting equipment that was quality made.

When you use CCS Imports, you will get:

· A two year advanced replacement on all products

· A twenty-one day money back guarantee

· Free technical support

Our technical support can help you install your Home Security Camera in a way that will help it capture all of the images necessary for your property to be protected. Our support team are skilled in this industry and have vast knowledge of all our products.

Also, a bullet camera from us has good cable management, and all of our products are easy to set up. We do everything we can to make them easy for our customers so they can take them out of the box and get them working immediately.

As a CCTV supplier, we are able to offer specialized service to all of our customers. We care about our customers in ways that bigger CCTV Suppliers are incapable of doing.

View our categories to find out more about Home Security Cameras or any other product that interests you. We can answer any questions you might have and help you begin securing your property today. You can browse through our inventory and find a camera at a price that is right for you and your business. You can also get next day delivery so you will not waste any more time with protecting your property.