Finding the Right CCTV Camera for You

Closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras are a common sight in modern life. They are used for a variety of purposes, including security, surveillance, and traffic monitoring. In this blog, we will discuss the basics of CCTV cameras, their different types, and some of the advantages and disadvantages of using them.

CCTV cameras are electronic devices that capture and transmit video and audio signals to a designated place. They are typically mounted on walls or ceilings and connected to a monitoring system, which can be viewed remotely or in person.

Types of CCTV Cameras:

There are multiple kinds of surveillance cameras available on market. They differ in size, shape, specifications, and other features. Some important CCTV cameras are discussed below:

Dome Surveillance Cameras:

They are dome-shaped cameras that are typically mounted on the ceiling. They are usually installed in retail settings.

Pros of Using Dome CCTV Cameras:

  • Dome-shaped cameras are discreet and their form factor makes them less noticeable. Therefore, they are most often deployed to secretly monitor and surveillance the premises
  • They are vandal-resistant because they are manufactured with more durable material like polycarbonate which makes them vandal- and tempering-resistant. This feature also enables them to last longer in comparison with other kinds of security cameras.
  • They are capable of providing a wide-viewing angle that ensures that you can capture and record the activities in a wide area within a single shot.

Pros of Using Dome CCTV Cameras:

There are disadvantages associated with Dome cameras as well like:

  • Their shape makes it extremely hard to clean them which causes poor image quality in the longer run.
  • They are typically mounted on the ceiling which makes them fixed in a particular direction/angle. That makes it difficult to adjust the cameras to get possible viewing angles. They have very limited adjustability.
  • Dome cameras are comparatively expensive which explains their limited deployment for home applications

Applications of Dome Cameras:

They are usually installed for indoor surveillance such as in retail stores, hotels, restaurants, and office buildings. In outdoor settings, dome cameras may be used to monitor entrances, parking lots, or other areas where security is a concern. Like other security cameras, they are installed to meet various purposes like deterring theft, monitoring employees, keeping track of inventory, and monitoring traffic flow in retail stores.

Bullet CCTV Cameras

They are cylindrical in shape and can be deployed for both indoor and outdoor surveillance. They are usually deployed at walls or ceilings to perform multiple surveillance tasks.

 

Advantages of Installing Bullet Cameras:

They offer some specific advantages, for example:

  • They are cost-effective surveillance solutions in comparison with other security cameras.
  • Bullet cameras are more durable than other cameras because they are built to withstand tough outdoor conditions like extreme weather and temperature.
  • Their pronounced visibility could have deterrent impacts because the would-be burglars or theft would find it hard to commit crimes under the gaze of bullet cameras.
  • Sometimes, narrow viewing of bullet cameras comes in handy to get a detailed analysis of the footage. In addition, they can be panned left or right to get better footage at a longer distance. For instance, if you want to capture the footage at the far end of the parking lot, bullet cameras can be more helpful than a dome or other kinds of surveillance cameras.
  • Bullet cameras are more durable than other cameras because they are built to withstand tough outdoor conditions like extreme weather and temperature.

Disadvantages of Bullet Cameras:

  • They have very limited viewing angles, so bullet cameras are not effective in monitoring the wide area in a single shot.
  • They are vandal-proof because they are more discernable and can easily be detected.
  • Bullet cameras are also difficult to adjust because they are mounted on ceilings or walls in a fixed direction.
  • Since they can only be mounted on walls or ceilings, they have limited installation options which makes them less flexible.

Applications of Bullet Cameras:

Bullet cameras are installed for both indoor and outdoor surveillance purposes, but they are found deployed in outdoor settings, for instance, they are installed at parking lots, entrances, or other areas of security concerns. In indoor settings, they can be used for monitoring and surveilling retail stores, office buildings, and warehouses.

PTZ cameras: PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom):

These security cameras can be moved horizontally and vertically as well as zoom in and zoom out to meet specific requirements. Therefore,PTZ cameras are deployed to monitor a large area because they have a wide view angle.

Benefits of PTZ Cameras:

  • PTZ cameras are used to monitoring very large areas like farms, malls, and parking lots. Their ability to pan, zoom and tilt enable managers to cover much larger areas than traditional fixed cameras do.
  • PTZ provides greater object detection capabilities. They are programmed to pan, tilt or zoom in on moving objects or detect suspicious movements automatically.
  • PTZ cameras offer greater flexibility because of their capabilities to pan, zoom, and tilt.

Disadvantages of PTZ Cameras:

  • PTZ cameras are more expensive than traditional fixed cameras.
  • They are complex in installation and maintenance. They usually require deeper calibration by an IT expert.
  • In comparison with Bullet and Dome cameras, PTZ cameras offer a limited field of view because they can pan and tilt within a narrow-angle.
  • Since they need to move physically to monitor an object, they have a slower response time.

Eyeball/ Turret Security Cameras:

These are cameras in which the lens is housed within an enclosed dome-shaped housing. Since the housing is transparent and the lens resembles the eyeballs, they are termed Eyeball or Turret security cameras

Advantages of Deploying Eyeball/Turret Security Cameras:

  • Eyeball cameras are versatile, they are available in both fixed and PTZ models, thus allowing users to choose the right kind of camera depending on their specific needs.
  • They are discreet like the Dome camera and less visible in the surrounding which makes them the best option for recording the activities.
  • They are available in different resolutions and lens sizes that can help cater to your particular needs in the best possible manner.
  • They are durable as well and easy to install. That proves cost-effective in the longer run.

Disadvantages of Eyeball Security Cameras:

  • They are expensive comparatively, particularly the PTZ models are very costly.
  • They have a limited field of view and sometimes, the glare on the dome could not let managers get clear footage.
  • Eyeball cameras are complex and require greater care, maintenance, and calibration.

Fisheye Security Cameras:

These are types of CCTV cameras that have been equipped with ultra-wide-angle lenses which make them suitable for a 360-degree field of view. They are deployed in malls, airports, and warehouses where there is a need to maintain close monitoring over large and open spaces.

They are cost-effective and capable of recording and monitoring activities in a very large area. But they also suffer from drawbacks like the wide-angle lens distorts the image and it becomes difficult to identify or detect an object from the footage.

How Can We Help You?

If you are looking for a cost-effective and personalized video surveillance solution that reflects your needs and budget in the best possible manner, you are at the right place. Morgan Ingland FZ LLC has always served its customers with cost-effective IT hardware including CCTV cameras of every kind as well as their accessories (camera cables, camera control units, and more).

Feel free to contact us at +971 72091222 or email us at marketing@miatlantic.ae and share your requirement so that we can design a customized surveillance system to tailor your needs