CCTV Solutions

CCTV Solutions

There are several reasons why a retailer might want to install CCTV, one reason is to capture shoplifters red-handed, but also an increasing reality in the retail industry is combating staff theft. Cameras can be placed around tills, stock rooms and staff exits in order to monitor the activities of retail staff.

ADT specialises in providing CCTV systems which meet the requirements of a variety of property types, such as retail premises, educational establishments, industrial sites and offices. CCTV can be simple or complex, for example to identify individuals or vehicles, to alert an operator to the presence of an individual or to visually patrol a pre-defined area. Once objectives have been agreed, an appropriate mix of system components can be recommended.

How do you know your Needs?

Surveillance-cameras: this article will show you the importance of selecting your surveillance camera according to the use to which you want to put your system, without spending a fortune in the process.

Surveillance-cameras have the task of capturing images by transforming the visible scene observed by a Camera Lens and projected upon an imager or Camera Sensor, into an electric signal to be further processed.

Surveillance cameras perform their function mostly unattended. That is why they should be selected so that their images are understood and useful most of times, even when no operator is there to optimize the viewing parameters.

For an informed decision when choosing from Surveillance-cameras the equipment for your CCTV video system you have to take into account a few considerations:

• The task that Surveillance-cameras systems are intended to perform (detection, assessment, alarm, identification, documentation).
• The overall characteristics of the system you specify according to the actual application (space to observe, details, sensitivity).
  See Fundamental Concepts.
• The light available at the selected location, its amount and variability.
• The environment, exposed or protected.
• The cost.

Conciderations

To consider the alternatives of the different types of Surveillance-cameras, you should examine the characteristics as follows:

1. Color vs. Black & White
2. Outdoor vs. Indoor environment
3. Fixed vs. PTZ
4. Dome vs. Bullet

Color vs. Black & White (Monochrome)

The amount of light available at any time on the scene, and its constancy in time will influence the choice of Black and White vs. Color.
Color Surveillance-cameras generally require a higher level of lighting than black & white.

Color produces a more natural, richer image than black & white. If the scene has to be monitored constantly, color may keep the observer's attention for longer periods of time. It may also make it easier to detect suspect persons. With a color system a viewer can easily distinguish colors, while on a black & white system any color would appear a similar shade of gray.

While the use of color cameras is growing, black & white Surveillance-cameras continue to offer some unique advantages because they are better suited for extremely low light situations and for IR (Infrared) illuminated scenes. At low illumination levels most color images look anyway like black & white on monitors.

Capturing good quality images in low light increases the cost of both black & white and color Surveillance-cameras. It is possible, and has to be determined, if low-light cameras (that is with increased sensitivity, lower lux rating) will cost less than the expense to increase and maintain lighting.

Day/Night color Surveillance-cameras are available that see colors during the day in full light, but switch to black and white for clearer pictures after dark.

Environment

It is quite sure that indoors applications poses to the Surveillance-cameras a much more friendly environment that what is likely to be found outdoor.

Given the object and the purpose of the surveillance one should select the most suitable equipment (Outdoor vs. Indoor). It is recommended to consider the options before performing the final selection.

For outdoors applications, Surveillance-cameras come with a more durable and watertight housing, usually sufficient for light rain, although not waterproof if immersed.

Outdoor Surveillance-cameras are designed to keep the camera's parts at an optimal temperature in outdoor weather conditions. If in a certain location environmental conditions may be occasionally extreme, provisions like internally mounted heaters and blowers can be selected to guarantee continuous operation.

For applications in conditions of high humidity, completely sealed cases may be needed to avoid condensation inside the camera at low temperatures.

In regions frequently subjected to lightning, the protection of properly installed nearby lightning rod should be assured.

Furthermore additional protectors should be selected for power supply and video signal cable. A grounding cable should be provided to the camera.

For interior use, cameras are more aesthetic, less protected. Even if in full view, cameras may match the interior decor without being unduly coarse.

Fixed vs. PTZ

A camera can be fixed in space so that its field of view is not going to change. This will probably be the case for most of home surveillance cameras except for those continuously monitored by operators.

Alternatively the camera may be given the motorized capability to pan (move from side to side to cover a panorama) to tilt (to search from floor to ceiling), and to zoom in (to enlarge the image and reduce the field of view) or zoom out (to reduce the image and enlarge the field of view) from near to far.

This faculty, called PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom), needs be commanded by an operator with a joystick or through mouse and software in a PC based system. This is not normally the case for home security applications where the camera has to work unattended.

In principle PTZ Cameras can be programmed to run automatically through predetermined movements or be auto commanded if the system detects motion or if an alarm condition is determined.

However, given the complexity of the system, it could be considered for home surveillance only if a setup of a few fixed cameras (preferable) would not achieve the same effect at the same or lower price than the complex solution.

It is strongly suggested to avoid assuming that a single camera can perform spatial surveillance of a large space. That could better be performed by two or more dedicated cameras, each one centering on a spot of interest.

Dome vs. Bullet

Regular cameras come full size like a short tube (bullet), a cylindrical body, or a square section box. They may be either exposed or protected in a dark dome or a mirrored finish (which reduces some of the illumination and distorts color accuracy), or an elongated body dome to hide the real line of observation. For use in extreme low light conditions, a series of infrared lamps may surround the lens. See hereafter additional considerations.

Many PTZ cameras today are disguised in dark colored plexiglas housings called domes. Dome cameras are found practically everywhere. They are particularly popular wherever aesthetics are important.

The benefits of dome cameras are:
Deterrence: Domes in full view conceal where the camera inside it is pointed. Whoever sees the dome cannot know whether or not he/she is under surveillance.

Aesthetic appearance: A dome makes the collection of equipment more aesthetically acceptable, and does not detract from the interior design.

Mount

For installing Surveillance-cameras a suitable mount should be selected. Depending on the location fixing the mount to a wall, to the ceiling or to a pole may be most suitable. In general the camera should not be accessible without a ladder or a construction.

This is to avoid interference or sabotage or even remotion. If the selected camera has to be fixed in position, the mount should permit easy orientation and final permanent set.

Power

The usual power supply for most of the surveillance cameras is a simple adapter (transformer) providing 24 Volts of alternating current. It may be included in the package or else it may need separate purchase.

For multiple camera setups, depending on outlet locations, it may be more economic to procure a central adequate power supply with individual wires to the different cameras. In any case the power supply has to be plugged in a normal household outlet with a power cord of about 2 m (6 ft).

If the camera is placed far from available current taps but no more than 100 m (350 ft.), a pair of low voltage (24 V) power wires (speaker wire, 18 or 20 gage) is all that is needed.

Surveillance-cameras can be obtained plugging directly in house AC (alternating current) mains outlets (120 V in the USA, 220 V in Europe). If not readily available near the camera location, long lines may need to be laid down, which is probably a disadvantage.

Other Surveillance-cameras work with 12 Volt of direct current. They could receive their power supply from large batteries. This can be useful, especially for a car installation. Otherwise there would be a continuous need of substituting spent batteries with new ones. (Note: Four AA batteries providing 6 V, doubled internally by the supplier, would last for about four hours).

This solution cannot be used with long lines because of voltage drop. Also for multiple cameras it is not recommended because of the lack of synchronizing signals from the power supply. In case of alternating current power supply there is an integral signal used for synchronization with the mains frequency.

Coaxial cables (for video transmission) are available with power wires embedded in the insulation. Another combination system exists that lets the video signal and the power supply run on the same coaxial cable, especially convenient if the camera is to be driven from a central location. This solution may have some merits in certain situations, but it is definitely discouraged for simple do-it-yourself applications.

CCTV CAMERAS

Sony CCD 480 Line Vandal Dome Varifocal Lens included	Sony Color Ccd Outdoor Weatherproof Day & Night Camera	Sony ccd 420 Lines see in the dark IR Color Camera
Sony Super HAD ccd Color Camera	Toshiba IKWD01A IP Network Mini Dome Camera	Sony SSC-CD43V Series Color Mini Dome Camera
Sony SSC-CD73V Series Day/Night Mini Dome Camera	Sony SSC-DC374 1/3" High Res Color Security Camera	Sony SNC-P1 MPEG-4/JPEG Network Color Camera
Sony SNC-CS50N Network Color Camera	Sony SNC-CS11 Color Fixed Camera with PoE	Sony SNC-CS10 Network Fixed Color Camera
Sony SNCZ20N Fixed Network Color Camera	Sony IP Network Cameras Lowest Prices Anywhere Click and See	Sony SNCDF40N Network Indoor Minidome Video
SONY SNC-DF70N NETWORK Day/Night Color Camera Weatherproof	Sony SSCCD45 Color Mini Dome	NAV 15RTC High Resolution LCD
NAV 17RTC High Resolution LCD	4 Channel DVR with Built in 8" LCD Monitor tcp/ip networking	Portable DVR runs on batteries or Included 12 Volt Adapter. Built in Laser to line up view
Arecont AV5100 5.0 MegaPixel Camera	Honeywell V100 Bullet Resistant High Resolution Color Bullet Camera Series	Highwire Ethernet over Coax
Honeywell HCC484L High Resolution Color Camera	Honeywell HCC484TP High Resolution Color Camera	Honeywell HCC334L Standard Resolution Color Camera
Honeywell HCC80354 Bullet Camera	Broadcast Quality 4" Color LCD Monitor dual Video Input	Video Server two way audio with recording software
Speco High Resolution OSD Cameras HTD8SCS	GE DR-1800-VFA3 Rugged Dome Varifocal Lens	VideoBaluns Unlimited BL3265, 2000' + Transmitter

Securing Your Retail Location With Cameras

One of the most difficult things about designing a system to go in a store or other retail location is that, with a bit of creative thinking and a large enough bag (or deep enough pockets), virtually anyone can steal anything they can hold in their hand. This presents a huge challenge to owners and designers alike: since everything in an average store is potentially at risk, everything must therefore be monitored. At this point it’s easy to imagine a skyrocketing price to defend one’s store, however with a little advanced planning it is possible to cover even a very large location very efficiently and cheaply.

The first (and most important) area to consider for a surveillance system in a retail location is the sales floor. As the area of the store vulnerable to shoplifting and (considering the sales staff must help customers) the most difficult to monitor, it is crucial to cover as much of this area as possible. Depending upon the size of the store this can be a daunting undertaking, however with a bit of thought and planning, even a large area can not only be covered with relatively few cameras. The first step is to identify areas where shoplifting is most likely to take place; any areas that management already knows are being hit should be prioritized, however the best systems will always anticipate others, as well.

Coverage should be emphasized on areas where small items are kept (such as candy, key chains, magnets, or anything else that can be easily slipped into a pocket), especially if those items are kept in difficult areas to keep visual watch over. Giving these areas their own cameras provides a triple-threat in terms of store security: it’s a visual deterrent to would-be thieves, provides coverage for a vulnerable area, and when combined with a line splitter and a nearby ceiling-mounted monitor showing the video taken by the camera, can even let customers know beyond the shadow of a doubt they’re being watched. At the same time, though, it is important not to neglect less-vulnerable areas, however in this case the aim would be for general coverage shots that can take several areas into account at once. For either tight-in or general-overview applications, the KG-602DSP dome camera would be ideal with its high-resolution, color imaging coupled with a versatile 3.6mm lens that can identify a face anywhere from up to 25 feet away.

Even with total coverage over the sales floor, though, it is conceivable that shoplifting would occur in an area that was more than 25 feet away from the nearest camera or in a blind spot, meaning that identifying a face from that footage alone could be very difficult. Especially in larger locations, covering every square inch of the sales floor can be an expensive and inefficient undertaking, but by pairing the standard dome cameras on the sales floor with varifocal dome cameras like the KG-602VF watching entryways the general coverage would be hugely bolstered. Because varifocal lenses can be manually zoomed in on a particular area, placing cameras equipped with them over entryways guarantees a tight, color face shot of every customer who walks in the door ensures that management can identify any given person who came in.

Away from the doors, though, varifocal dome cameras are also useful to monitor the cash registers for employee theft as well. Simply mounting one above each register and focusing each in to watch the cash drawer could do wonders to eliminate register theft, however retail locations (like bars) also face the threat of cashiers giving friends discounts or free items by purposefully neglecting to scan an item before it goes into the bag, or by scanning a less expensive item and giving them something else. Spotting these without keeping a constant vigil over the checkout area can be very difficult, however when pairing register cameras with Point of Sale Capture Boxes (which record each transaction, display the details onscreen, and store the data from each transaction in a database on the DVR) attached to each register, the process is essentially foolproof: if management has suspicions about a transaction, they can simply find a transaction in the database (by time, date, or sale) and review its details against what the cameras show actually happened.

Up to this point we have neglected the exterior of the building, though, but retail locations with outside storefronts would do well with cameras outside, too. For a basic level of coverage, simple black and white bullet cameras (the KG-190SWB would be an excellent example) would not only keep a watch over windows and their displays but also provide low-light security as well. Remember, the inside is covered with color, so outside this becomes a bit less important unless there is a specific reason why color is necessary. Along those same lines, if there is a drive-up area or parking lot to be covered, smart box-style cameras such as the KG-802 , coupled with auto-iris lenses, would not only provide a highly-adaptable camera for monitoring in varying degrees of light and dark, but when placed in a weatherproof housing for outdoor use would also act as a strong visual deterrent to would-be burglars.

All of these cameras, both inside and out, will ultimately run back to a DVR, but it is important to choose the right one for the job; namely one that runs at a high enough framerate to catch suspicious activity with a high level of detail. Though the 1304NET could work for smaller installs (of four cameras or less), most locations would more than likely want to go for the PC-Witness Pro V\RT, which can be run at high resolution and a high enough framerate (up to 15 fps per camera) to allow even quick hands to be caught. As the heart of the system, it is important not to let this wing get cost prohibitive, however it is also important to remember the system is an investment that will keep money inside the store where it belongs. At the end of the day, a well designed, high-functioning system will not onlyprovide security, it can even prevent incidents from happening and, on a long enough timeline, even pay for itself in recouped losses.

Bar & Nightclub CCTV Systems

With an average loss of 25% ~ 35% due to shrinkage and wastage, combined with one of the greatest exposures to civil liability, it's no surprise that bar owners have a lot to gain by investing into a quality CCTV system. Digital CCTV systems, such as the PC-Witness Pro series, allow bar owners and operators the opportunity to dramatically reclaim lost profits by cutting dead weight, curbing poor work habits, and reducing civil exposure in addition to maintaining a more secure environment.

Bars, taverns, nightclubs... the problems are mainly the same, and typically involve employees who are outright greedy or may simply just have a sense of entitlement. Given such, the greatest source of profit loss is due to employees that intentionally over pour, give free drinks, or free brand upgrades to satisfy friends, generous tippers, or simply someone they wish to barter services with (free drinks = new brake job, repaired PC, sex, etc).

You don't have to be a criminal to be a big problem. Rounding off the next source of substantial profit loss is “wastage.” Typically involving employees that simply do not understand the negative impact of their behavior, wastage typically involves unintentional over pouring due to carelessness. An amazing stat, many surprised bar owners who recently purchased a digital CCTV system reported a discovered lost of 1 in every 5 to 7 kegs of beer due to careless bartenders that allowed themselves to be sidetracked after placing a pitcher under the tap.

In the bar industry, not only can problem employees cost an organization and exorbitant amount of money, but they can create major legal hassles while endangering minors and the general public. Digitally recorded surveillance video is the perfect tool for bar operators to prove to law enforcement that IDs are being checked at the door or helping to prove that an individual was already drunk when entering the establishment.

With a multitude of video surveillance cameras and DVRs on the market, the next question is what works best to address the problems of the bar industry. Here's a run-down:

Windows vs. Non-Window's DVRs:

For family run bars and taverns that do not employ outside the family, a non-windows based stand alone DVR will provide crystal clear video in the event of a robbery. Units such as the 1304-NET cost very little, are operated by a VCR style remote, require no maintenance (records to internal hard drive and auto erases the oldest video and replaces with new video), and may be viewed via the Internet.

Larger bars and nightclubs should always protect themselves with a quality Windows-based DVR featuring strong archiving capabilities. When considering your budget, it's almost always a good idea to sacrifice recording frame rate (if need be) with greater storage capabilities in effort to assist with exposure to law suits. Windows-based DVRs, such as the PC-Witness Pro series, feature rock solid reliability, point and click ease of use to promote everyday use, and extremely advanced functionality. Make sure that your next DVR allows you to view live and recorded video via the Internet, and that you can see multiple business locations via a single screen to assist with current needs or future expansion.

For the ultimate in positively adjusting your pour cost, nothing beats a Windows-based DVR with POS (Point of Sale) integration. With POS integration, you can watch what your bartender pours, and see what he charges on the register. This allows you to easily identify cases of theft and shrinkage.

B&W vs. Color Cameras

Above, we addressed much about internal related problems involving wastage and shrinkage. When selecting cameras, be practical while considering the even more immediately dangerous problems ... robbery, fights, and drugs. Typically, we find that bars and taverns have enough ambient light to allow quality low light cameras such as the KG-230EX to provide a superb picture. At the very least, you want to have a color camera on each entrance to capture a full and accurate clothing description of everyone entering. Provided that color cameras are placed at all entrances, either color or B&W cameras should be placed in common areas (pool tables, seating areas, etc) as well at each pour station to monitor employees.

Considering the combination of exceptionally dim lighting, black lighting, multi-colored lighting, and strobe lighting of nightclubs, greater care is required in selecting the proper camera for these venues. High-quality is the absolute key. Again, color cameras on all entrances is of paramount importance. For high-energy dance floors with lighting effects, you may intentionally wish to use B&W as the lack of color may be less distracting to the eye. As coolness is key in popular nightclubs, we recommend a low-profile box style camera such as the KG-830EX which is not only extremely low light capable, but blends well into the décor.

You may already know our take on IR emitting cameras. If not, please see our article on why IR emitting is most likely not a good choice. This is especially so for nightclubs, as high-energy light displays can reek havoc on IR emitting cameras by tricking the camera's photo electric cell to rapidly turning on and off the IR emitters.

My overall suggestion: A video surveillance system is worthless if not used, or not capable of recording quality video for the environment in which it was purchased for. Invest in a good system, and it will quickly repay you in kind. Great features is good... but having great features and being easy to use is much better! Don't use it just in the event of an emergency... help it reduce your pour cost and raise your bottom line. Let it help you correct unwanted behavior, and always... always, archive important video that may be used to prove your case in a wrongful termination, workman's comp, or injury suit. Above all... make sure that your next CCTV vendor has qualified in house personal to help you with any questions you may have about your system. Vendors claims of free tech support mean absolutely nothing if they do not employ quality technicians who can help you when you need it.

Buying the Perfect CCTV system for your warehouse

Warehouses are unique in the scope of closed-circuit television systems for the same reason it so crucial that they be equipped with cameras: their inventory. Though homes and businesses do have assets that can be targeted by thieves, they both pale in comparison to a large warehouse with literally millions of dollars worth of inventory moving in and out on a daily basis, every bit of which a tempting target for an employee who needs an extra buck.

The problem is that even the most stringent inventory control can still suffer from holes. Especially when moving high-value commodities such as liquor or clothing, it is not at all uncommon for workers to help themselves to entire cases of products while loading trucks, or to simply wait until no one is looking and fill a backpack, either to keep for themselves or to sell online (for instance, on eBay or Craigslist). Of course, what’s easy cash for them is a major problem and extra expense for you. The main problem, and what makes warehouses so vulnerable to this kind of theft, is that with a large inventory moving on a daily basis, it can be easy for stolen units to go unmissed for days or even weeks after the original theft. At that point it’s like trying to find a needle in a haystack when all of the sudden someone changes the haystack.

The presence of cameras can do a lot to ameliorate this. Even considering that, though, it can be overwhelming to contemplate the internal scale of a warehouse-based camera system. Even the smallest warehouse is a large building by normal standards, so how can it be possible to cover everything at an acceptable cost, especially if overages have already cut into profits? With a bit of planning, though, covering a warehouse can not only be simple, but also inexpensive. This is because, for a basic system, it is not necessarily the best strategy to cover every square inch of the building, but rather a simpler option would be to just cover entrance and exit points. From the perspective of a surveillance system, this can almost always be accomplished on a much smaller scale.

The main emphasis of a system such as this one would be the loading areas. Here, adding cameras outside over every bay (simple outdoor bullet cameras such as the KG-230CWB would be ideal for this application) would not only allow managers to monitor for theft, it would also help monitor the supply chain as well since these cameras would also provide visual records of the exact times trucks arrived and departed. Adopting this strategy not only means management may never have to hear a story about a box mysteriously falling off the truck again, it also means that incidental inefficiencies within the shipping process could also be identified and corrected.

Once that has been taken care of, a similar setup could be applied for the doors leading out of the warehouse as well, but in this instance identification of the employees walking out would be key. Mounting cameras indoors with the intent of getting tight facial shots (virtually any camera in the KG-602 family would excel at this, especially the 602VF) would not only allow managers to catch when employees come and go, but also provide valuable evidence as to, for instance, who seems to always have a backpack when they come out of the shop.

Aside from internal theft, though, since most warehouses are located in remote, industrial areas, and have large, featureless walls, they are also prime targets for graffiti and other forms of vandalism. Though it doesn’t affect the company books quite as directly, the fact of the matter is that having to clean or repair the building after even one episode of vandalism can be just as expensive as losing a few boxes of product. Bearing that in mind, it’s usually wise to equip the outside perimeter of the building at the same time that cameras are being installed in theft-sensitive areas, not only to take advantage of the economy of scale of the installation, but also to proactively deal with an outside threat.

Here, depending upon the situation, IR cameras can sometimes be appropriate (when trying to catch the vandal), but their limitations make them impractical for long-term use. A better option is usually to use box-style cameras (for instance, the KG-802), which can not only intelligently adapt as lighting situations change but are also highly-visible deterrents when put in their weatherproof housings. The idea at that point is that one can not only catch a vandal, but maybe even stop him from trying in the first place. Even when coupled with internal cameras, though, a warehouse system including anti-vandal cameras can usually be out the door at around $7000.

Recording for a warehouse-based system is generally the last thing we would want to consider, simply because the number of cameras that the building necessitates is largely the determining factor as to what kind of DVR would be right for the system, and in a situation such as this one where the emphasis is the coverage itself, the cameras should be stars of the show. Smaller systems on warehouses that aren’t experiencing any serious losses may do well with a simple four camera system and a1304NET standalone DVR, while a larger warehouse (or a warehouse with larger problems) would benefit more from the power and robustness of an industrial-quality PC-based system, such as the PC Witness Pro V\RT system, which can handle up to sixteen cameras recording at a high framerate. The important thing to remember, though, is never to fall victim to a cookie-cutter CCTV system. Your building is not exactly like your neighbor’s, so your surveillance system shouldn’t be exactly like his, either. Additionally, it is important not to lose sight of the fact that the system is an investment – curbing thefts and vandalism will serve to keep money from seeping out of the company.

Surveillance for Schools and Universities

Big or small, the benefits that can be had from having surveillance cameras up around a school, college or university can be huge. Not only do they provide added security (and, by extension, peace of mind) for administrators and students alike during times when classes are in (for instance, helping watch for students sneaking out of class or providing valuable evidence should a fight break out), they can also watch for vandalism and theft when school isn’t in session. Perhaps most grimly, though, the staggering instance of violence on school campuses both in the United States and abroad has made surveillance cameras a necessity for many schools.

Unsurprisingly, though, many administrators have no choice but to place surveillance systems on the back burner indefinitely, most often due to time or budget constraints (especially in the case of public schools), or sometimes even thanks to the unfamiliar territory surveillance presents. Even with the tightest budget and busiest schedule, though, a school or university of any size can achieve the level of security it desires that will last for over a decade to come.

This can primarily be accomplished with the use of mesh technology, as seen with the PC Witness Pro series of NVR\DVRs. To explain how this works, consider a large university with a campus spread out over several acres of land that needs to place cameras on several buildings around campus. Conventional wisdom dictates that the school would have to figure out some way of running cable the entire distance between the buildings to be monitored and the base DVR where recording takes place, however with mesh-capable systems this is not the case. By simply equipping each building to be monitored with an internet-capable DVR (even one as simple as the 1304NET for basic surveillance) and an internet drop, it is possible to use the campus’ existing local area network to allow a remote mother station (an NVR\DVR like the PC Witness Pro V\RT, for instance) to consolidate all cameras on the network to one location (in other words, the daughter systems will use the internet to "talk" to the mother by transmitting the video taken by their cameras). This offers two distinct advantages: firstly, since we’re using the internet to accomplish this, the daughter and mother systems can literally be anywhere in the world and still mesh, and secondly, since the remote cameras have their own separate DVR, should the connection between the two DVRs ever be lost, recording will still take place locally, maintaining the cohesion of the security system on a local level (a feature not even IP cameras can offer).

That said, the question of where to physically place cameras around campus still remains. Even though mesh technology can save on installation (since all cable runs would be relatively short, no costly trenching or poling of cable across campus would be necessary), the cost of an all-encompassing surveillance system can get costly very quickly even for a small school. It’s possible to escape this with a bit of forethought, though, since it’s rarely necessary to cover every square inch of a school.

One quick and easy way to monitor a campus is by simply covering the entry and exit points. Simple bullet cameras placed on the outside of the school (the KG-190SWB would provide an expensive but high-quality solution to this end) would not only monitor students as they enter the building but also watch the perimeter of campus as well, while as an alternative (or possible addition) color dome cameras on the interior catching face shots as students walk in (for example, the KG-602DSP) would not only provide easily-verifiable evidence of students’ attendance, but also catch students leaving, as well. Using this method, even a fairly large campus can be secured very cheaply and easily without any aid of mesh technology: simply hard-wiring each camera into a single DVR would prove more than sufficient.

The possible layout above does assume that all buildings are relatively close (say, within a few hundred feet) of each other, and that’s not always the case. Especially once we start considering colleges and universities, even a relatively small campus is still very large by normal standards. It is in these instances that mesh technology makes surveillance systems much more feasible than they would be otherwise since potentially thousands of feet of cable ceases to be a necessity. When securing individual buildings, it’s still easiest to focus on entry and exit points as described above, however it is easy to branch beyond that if it is necessary to monitor points of sale, dining areas, information desks, or other sensitive areas of interest. In cases such as those, all that would need to be done would be to add more cameras (usually domes or bullets as the case may be) and provide a DVR that could handle more cameras wiring in (for instance, a PC Witness Pro LT system). If there are open quads or exterior areas that need to be covered bullets may still do the job, however to see longer distances varifocal lens cameras (Such as the KG-230VFX or the KG-802) may also be necessary. Like interior cameras, these would usually be mounted on the building that houses the local DVR they would plug into.

Regardless of how many cameras are on each individual building, all that would be needed back at the main office would be a single NVR\DVR (ideally the PC Witness Pro V\RT
, or RT for added power) to accept the incoming feeds from the remote DVRs and consolidate all recording into one location. Additionally, since in this scenario both the daughter and mother DVRs would be internet accessible, administrators will have the option of logging onto any single DVR, or onto the mother DVR to view all cameras at once, and since each building has its own independent DVR, recording is completely insulated from network blackouts.

At this point, the interesting thing that sticks out is how very similar providing surveillance for a very small or very large campus is. On a small scale, one need only provide cameras for sensitive areas around a building or cluster of buildings, on a larger scale one simply takes several different and remote small systems and networks them together to make a centrally monitored large system. The basic principles that govern the two are remarkably similar, and appropriately their ultimate goal, the safety and security of campus and those who learn there, is the same. Perhaps most importantly from the outset, though, is that either system can provide that security at an attainable cost in a reasonable timeframe that should be able to keep even the most stringent budget plans and schedules satisfied.

Restaurant CCTV Systems

Just like bars and nightclubs, the security issues that restaurants face come primarily from inside the business, and with the potential for up to 25% of profits to hemorrhage out on a monthly basis due to employee carelessness or theft, an increasing number of restaurant owners are turning to camera systems for help. Though outside threats such as robbery or break-ins are also a constant reality, not only do internal leaks cause a large loss in revenue and inventory, they do so on a daily basis and, if allowed to go unchecked, can do irreparable damage to the revenue stream of any restaurant.

Despite this, the catch-22 with adding cameras is that, if overages have already taken a bite out of profits, the cost may be difficult to bear, and especially for nicer restaurants that need to preserve the ambiance and décor of their dining areas, adding cameras to the interior of the building might just seem unfeasible. It’s a delicate balance to strike, but with just a little planning a surveillance system in a restaurant can be an effective, unobtrusive investment that keeps money in the business without making customers wonder why Big Brother is watching them.

The starting point of restaurant coverage should always be the points of sale. This is because one of the most common forms of employee theft happens here; a waiter doesn’t feel his tips for the night were good enough so he takes a few extra dollars from the till. Simply stationing a dome camera with a varifocal lens (such as the KG-602VF) above each register would be ideal as they could be focused to provide a tight field of view, allowing them to watch bills as they enter and leave the register. To preserve décor, though, using a pinhole camera such as the KG-700P1 would also be a means to the same end. Managers who have noticed serious deficits in their cash drawers would also benefit from a point of sale capture box, which adds a text overlay of the details of the transaction (amount due, payment method, change due, and soforth) onto the footage from the camera to provide a rock-solid visual record of every transaction during the course of an evening.

After the registers have been covered, the next two priorities should be the kitchen and any storage areas. This too is to guard against employee dishonesty; cameras in the kitchen will ensure that cooks don’t sit down on the job, while cameras monitoring storage ensure inventory doesn’t go home with employees at the end of the night. Here, since customers don’t see these areas, using dome cameras (the 602DSP, for example) would be a great remedy to issues in these areas; everything that happens is recorded, and since the cameras aren’t hidden employees are left with constant incentive to stay honest. The only trick here would be freezers; though they may not be very camera-friendly, simply covering the entrance and exit points works just as well to record who went in and what they came out with.

Aside from these three, one area that’s commonly overlooked is the actual dining area. As the public part of the restaurant, it might not seem that this is an area that needs coverage, however even well meaning employees can occasionally take a chunk out of the bottom line. For instance, consider a waiter who gets distracted by some friends who happened to come in, causing him to forget a table and bring a customer’s entrée out fifteen minutes after it was finished. Though this kind of an issue isn’t as malicious as register theft, it can end up costing just as much money if that customer is dissatisfied enough not to return. By covering the dining room, management can not only watch out for this, but also use the footage obtained to critique existing employees and to help train new ones. Even given this, because customers constantly see these areas, tastefully blending cameras into the décor is crucial.

Though dome or bullet cameras would work fine from a technical standpoint, even the low-profile KG-600DSP or KG-190SWB may prove to be too large to be acceptable. In this case, the use of covert or pinhole cameras would provide the same crisp picture that a standard camera would, but in a much easier to conceal package. Cameras such as the KG-700P1 could be easily hidden in a variety of places given their tiny size (one square inch), while at the same time disguised cameras such as the PIR or Smoke Detector Cam would allow cameras to be hidden in plain sight, making the layout much easier while keeping customers from ever knowing they’re there. When pursuing this option, though, it’s always wise to consult an attorney about the legality of hidden cameras in your city and state before you buy any equipment; you wouldn’t want to purchase something you couldn’t actually use!

Even considering the delicate layout of the cameras, the heart of a restaurant surveillance system will be the DVR, where all recording will take place in a digital format. The reason for this is that the DVR controls the framerate (the number of pictures recorded per second), and, especially where cost is concerned, getting the right framerate for your individual restaurant is crucial. For instance, a system that only monitors the serving floor may not require as high a framerate as a system that monitors points of sale, where fast cash counting can take place. Additionally, the size of the system may also determine the DVR for you. A small, family-run restaurant that never experiences register theft and only wants to monitor for general liability purposes would do well with the standalone 1304NET DVR and four cameras, while for a larger restaurant with multiple rooms and several registers a larger, PC-based system such as the PC Witness Pro V\RT would accommodate more cameras while also doing so at higher resolution and higher framerate. In either case, though, it’s important to get what’s needed for your specific restaurant, not necessarily what’s the most expensive (or, on the other hand, the cheapest). Think of shopping for a system like interviewing new staff: it’s not just how much they’ll work for, it’s how much they’ll bring in and how well they’ll do the job.

Alternative Uses for CCTV

The Other Side of Using CCTV

Nearly all the articles and examples published about CCTV relate to security applications. However, there are many far more interesting uses where imagination and flare can bring immediate and tangible benefits. So, in this issue we are looking at non-security applications for CCTV. Many of these applications were one off requirements, which for a purchased installation would have been impossibly expensive. The solution was the short term hire of a system with temporary cabling, this made it affordable for the customer and very profitable to the installer.

Time lapse recording for animating plasticine puppets

The original experimental animation of plasticine puppets was made using a time lapse video recorder and replayed in real time. The rest is history.

Carrying out a traffic survey for a town centre regeneration

A town was planning a major reconstruction of the town centre, one problem though, was that it was also an intersection of two main trunk roads and three local roads. An analysis of traffic flow was obviously a necessity and the usual method was for observers to sit by each junction and count the vehicles passing. It was considered that this would be expensive and not very accurate to cover a complete week's traffic twenty four hours a day. Another problem was that although traffic flow could be counted at junctions, it would be difficult to determine where it went off.

The solution proposed was a CCTV system to monitor the traffic flow. There was a multi-storey car park right in the centre of the intersection where cameras could be mounted covering every junction. To purchase such a system would have been very expensive (although not prohibitively so) for just a couple of weeks. The answer was to hire the complete system on a short term contract.

The system consisted of eight fixed monochrome cameras, connected to a multiplexer and 12 hour time lapse video recorder. The installation would be temporary with cables simply laid along the roof, therefore, 24 volt cameras were used to eliminate the need for the expense of complying with wiring regulations. This made a significant reduction in the potential installation costs.

Two tapes were used each day to provide a continuous record of traffic for the seven days. The tapes could then be analysed in significant detail including the types of vehicles and the routes taken in and out of the intersection. This proved to be not only a cost effective solution but provided far more useful data than a manual survey could achieve.

Monitoring traffic on a bridge

This was similar to the first example, in that a very old bridge could no longer take two-way traffic and a bypass was needed. Once again a time lapse VCR and two cameras provided far more information on traffic flow than manual logs could have provided.

Recording inside a baking oven

A large bakery was producing thousands of Danish type pastries every night for distribution to a chain of high street shops. The pastries were conveyed on a wire mesh chain conveyor through the oven and discharged onto a flat belt conveyor to cool and pass to packing.

On rare occasions, maybe four or five times a year, instead of discharging, the pastries jammed at the transfer with the following pastries piling up behind. It only needed a couple of minutes for the entire oven and feed line to be a complete mess of uncooked, overcooked pastry filling the space. Not only was a complete night's production lost, but it needed several days to clean up the mess and start production again. The repercussions could be that it was not just the Danish pastry sales that were lost but confidence in the company would be diminished. On every occasion, the conveyors and drives were stripped down, inspected and reassembled, but nothing untoward was found.

Again the solution was simple and temporary. A small camera was fitted in a water-cooled housing and mounted inside the oven, viewing the discharge area. This was connected to an 8-hour video recorder and the entire production shift recorded. The tape was simply overwritten each night there was no incident. It was over two months before disaster struck again. However, this time there was a video from inside the oven.

Detailed analysis of the tape produced an answer that could never have been found by any other means. There was a small kink on one side of the conveyor chain, and a small flaw in one of the driving sprockets. Due to the gear ratios and a fluid coupling the possibility of the mesh kink meeting the sprocket flaw was thousands to one. To make the incidence even more remote, this coincidence had to occur just as the first batch of pastry emerged from the oven, once it was flowing there was no problem. However, it was determined that this was in fact what had occurred. It was decided to leave the camera in place permanently, but once cured the problem, never presented itself again and they all lived happily ever after.

Recording the birth of a gorilla in a zoo at night

Apparently gorillas are very private animals, particularly when expecting a birth. The BBC wildlife programme wanted to record the events leading up to and after the birth, but the problem was during the night when any illumination would be unacceptable. The solution was to use an infrared illuminator with an 850 nanometer filter which would be totally unobtrusive with an infrared sensitive camera and time lapse VCR. The result was the first recorded birth of a gorilla in captivity.

Making a wildlife program in an isolated area using a model helicopter

Many exotic locations for wildlife filming are too remote or inaccessible to reach on foot or from conventional helicopters. One solution was to fit a miniature camera and radio transmitter to a small model helicopter. This was radio controlled and comparatively unobtrusive to the local wildlife, creating unique footage of film.

Reproducing the infrared vision of a goldfish

A university was studying the ability of fish to apparently ‘see’ and navigate through murky water. The theory was that goldfish had vision that was sensitive to infra light. It would seem that where the visible part of the spectrum was largely reflected by water, infra light penetrates further. To simulate this, a camera was fitted with a filter that restricted its sensitivity to only the infrared part of the spectrum. An infrared illuminator was directed from above and the views from the camera noted. I never saw the results of this and don’t know what, if anything, was proven. It was interesting to set up and different from run-of-the-mill CCTV.

Safety at Grand Prix racing

After the tragic accident of Nicki Lauder at The Nurburg Ring in Germany, Grand Prix racing drivers banned the track for major events. In May 1994 a new Nurburg Ring was opened with a computer-designed track and many new safety measures. The particular item of interest is a Geutebruck system of cameras connected back to a video motion detection system in the control room. Each camera monitors an area of the track, with zones defined alongside the track. If a car leaves the track it is detected and a view of the area instantly displayed at the control room and the appropriate action can be set into motion. If it is an accident, emergency teams can be directed to the scene immediately, even saving seconds can make the difference between life and death. The system would also detect a spectator straying onto the trackside. If a car leaves the track and rejoins the race, the system is automatically reset.

There are many other examples of the innovative use of CCTV, other than security, such as:

Production control in factories.

In a stage show to see obscured parts of a set.

Use at football stadia.

Arial photography from a hot air balloon.

Many of these applications require some lateral thinking and flexibility on the part of installation companies, maybe this is what is lacking today. Many of these systems have provided excellent value for money for the end user and can be very profitable for the installer.

Introduction

What is Closed Circuit Television (CCTV)?

CCTV or Closed Circuit Television refers to a visible or covert video system intended for only a limited number of viewers. In Closed Circuit TV (CCTV), the picture is viewed or recorded, but not broadcast. It was initially developed as a means of security for banks and casinos; however, today it has been developed to the point where it is simple and inexpensive enough to be used with Home Security Systems, and for everyday surveillance.

More specifically, CCTV is a television transmission system in which live or prerecorded signals are sent over a closed loop to a finite and predetermined group of receivers, usually as scrambled radio waves that are unscrambled at the point of reception. CCTV takes numerous forms and performs a wide range of functions ranging from image enhancement for the partially sighted to the transmission of pay-per-view broadcasts. Although cable television is technically a form of Closed Circuit TV, the term is generally used to describe systems with more specialized applications than a standard broadcast or cable television. Such specialized systems are not subject to regulation by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC); however, Security Cameras using scrambled radio waves are in fact subject to common carrier tariffs and FCC conditions of service.

What is CCTV’s primary function?

CCTV is most commonly used for surveillance. Security Cameras are now universally featured in many public and private institutions, from a correctional facility to the convenience store. In prisons, reduce the costs of staffing and operating observation towers and make it possible to maintain a constant watch on all areas of the facility. CCTV has become so much less expensive over the years that both large and small stores are able to install cameras as a deterrent against theft and robbery, a practice, which municipal authorities have adopted as a way of curtailing crime in public housing and even on city streets. In many areas of the country as well as in Europe, Security Cameras have been placed in highly crowded public areas as a security measure against terrorism.

What are some other common uses of CCTV?

CCTV has many industrial and scientific applications outside of the world of surveillance. Electron microscopy, medical imaging and robotics are all common uses of CCTV, however, the term "Closed Circuit TV" does in fact most often refer to security and surveillance camera systems. Other common forms of CCTV include live on-site video displays for special events such as various conventions, arena sports and concerts as well as pay-per-view telecasts of sporting events such as boxing and pro wrestling. Also a common user of CCTV is "in-house" television channels that broadcast to very small and specific receivers such as in hospitals, airports, racetracks, schools, malls, grocery stores, and municipal buildings.

What are the different CCTV model types?

In-Line: These are the most simple model and thought of as the traditional CCTV. The monitor or video display is mounted over the camera.

Out-of-Line: These models have a camera unit and generally use a television as their display. They are not "portable" in the sense that the camera unit is a full size camera and the devices should be used on a desk. The camera unit would sit beside the monitor, or "out of line."

CCTV's that use Computer Monitors: These CCTV’s connect simply to a computer monitor. They are not interchangeable with a television, but are made specifically for integration with a monitor. They offer access to the print material, the computer application, or both using a split screen function.

Portable: These CCTV’s can be considered portable in that you do not have to use a television with them. You can purchase a display that will allow you more freedom in how it is used.

Hand Held: A Hand Held CCTV is not always portable. Most models depend on the use of a television unlike the purely portable CCTV’s. Generally, the ability to write using a hand held or Portable CCTV is not as functional as with In-Line or Out-of-Line models.

What are the different types of CCTV lenses,
and how does one choose which lens to use?

There are four types of lenses for CCTV use: Fixed Aperture, Manual Iris, Auto Iris, and Zoom. If the area you wish to observe experiences infrequent changes in light, use a manual iris lens, which can be adjusted for light only by hand. If the area the Security Camera will be observing experiences frequent changes in light, use an auto-iris lens. These lenses adjust to light changes automatically. Auto-iris lenses come in Video or DC, and cameras generally support one format or the other. Be sure your lens matches the camera. To perform close-ups, get a zoom lens, manual and motorized zoom lenses are easily available from most retailers.