CCTV Security Cameras Cyprus

CCTV / Video Surveillance


XS Engineering offer a complete design and installation service for CCTV for both residential and commercial properties. information.

Overview

The key components of every Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) system are: single or multiple cameras, a monitor and a recording device.

Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) systems are broadly divided into two known types, namely:
  • wired CCTV systems - combine all three key components of a CCTV system with cables
  • wireless CCTV systems - comprises of a wireless camera that need not be connected to the recording device and monitor
Both of these systems have distinct advantages and disadvantages associated as different types of technology are employed to provide security and reliable monitoring.

Wired CCTV Systems

Wired CCTV systems connect the camera to the recording device and monitor with the help of standard coaxial cables or Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cables or fibre optic cables. The key advantages of wired CCTV systems are:
  • Provides the best picture quality with zero interference
  • The camera can be located hundreds of meters away from the recording or monitoring equipment.
  • All sensors can be run from a single power supply
The key disadvantages are:
  • Cabling and installing can be a tedious task, requiring help from experts
  • Observation is fixed to a specific area and the camera cannot be easily moved to another location.
  • Overall, wireless cameras are relatively more expensive than traditional wired cameras. Wireless CCTV systems are a preferred choice in specific locations devoid of easy cabling facilities and for individuals requiring an easy-to-install solution. The wired CCTV system is a preferred choice when good picture quality and economy considerations gain precedence
Wireless CCTV systems

Wireless cameras are proving very popular among modern security consumers due to their low installation costs (there is no need to run expensive video extension cables) and flexible mounting options; wireless cameras can be mounted/installed in locations previously unavailable to standard wired cameras.
Wireless security cameras are becoming more and more popular in the consumer market. They are a cost-effective way to have a comprehensive surveillance system in your home or business without needing an expensive installation. Wireless cameras are also a great for people renting homes or apartments. Since there is no need to run video extension cables through walls or ceilings (from the camera to the receiver or recording device) one does not need approval of a landlord to install a wireless security camera system

The key advantages of wireless CCTV systems are:
  • A wireless camera can be moved to other locations requiring observation while it is difficult to move a wired camera
  • Best suited for locations requiring temporary observation or in a temporary location
  • Wireless camera can be hidden to detect theft or pilferage
  • Wireless recording and monitoring device need not be in the same line of sight allowing observation of any place from another remote location.
  • Wireless systems are cost effective, re-deployable and portable
  • Affordable: the cost of individual cameras is low
  • Multiple receivers per camera: the signal from one camera can be picked up by any receiver; you can have multiple receivers in various locations to create your wireless surveillance network
The key disadvantages of wireless CCTV systems are:
  • Wireless systems require a dedicated frequency to transmit signals from the camera to the receiving and recording station.
  • Frequencies may be subject to various interruptions by use of electric motored products, air conditioning, fluorescent lighting or cordless telephones which affect the picture quality.
  • Wireless camera may not provide the best picture quality as such systems are susceptible to picture distortion while wired cameras provide relatively better picture quality.
  • Wireless CCTV cameras may need electric power which implies a wire runs through the camera though the video connection is wireless.
  • Range limiting factors (see below)
  • Susceptible to interference from other household devices, such as microwaves, cordless phones, video game controllers, and routers
  • Signal is not secure—neighbors can pick up the transmission on their radios or other devices on a similar bandwidth
Range limiting factors

Wireless security cameras function best when there is a clear line of sight between the camera(s) and the receiver. Outdoors, and with clear line of sight, digital wireless cameras typically have a range between 250 to 450 feet. Indoors, the range can be limited to 100 to 150 feet. The signal range varies depending on the type of building materials and/or objects the wireless signal must pass through

CCTV Considerations

The type of camera impacts the quality of pictures received for monitoring or recording- therefore, the CCTV camera along with the lens is an important component of the CCTV system that helps capture images and convert those to electrical signals which are observed or recorded.
To ensure the camera effectively converts light into a video signal; all cameras require an optical lens to focus the light onto an image sensor located directly behind the lens inside the camera.
There is a wide variety of cameras and lens available for CCTV systems which make the task of choosing a system a little difficult. Here are some purchase considerations that need to be assessed when purchasing a camera:
  • Lighting conditions: Image capture during day and night. The level of light has a direct impact on the quality of images.
  • Position of camera: Indoor or Outdoor. Outdoor camera may require protective enclosures to resist weather and criminals apart from aluminium housing and sealed cable entry.
  • Field of View: Wide angle or narrow angle- the distance within which objects are in focus.
  • Focal Length: The distance between the camera and the objects to be recorded.
  • Sensitivity and resolution: Sensitivity means a camera's response to lighting levels while resolution implies the picture quality or details in image produced by the camera.
  • Colour or monochrome: Certain cameras can also switch between colour and monochrome depending on lighting conditions. Monochrome cameras are best suitable for low light conditions.
  • Price: The price of the camera as compared to the features, benefits and after-sales service.
The different types of cameras are distinguished on the basis of the features and benefits offered. Some popular types of cameras include:
  • Indoor Dome Camera: Generally used indoors and provides a variety of configurations such as: standard colour, day/night, and Infrared versions.
  • Outdoor Dome Camera: Such cameras have protective enclosures or weather-resistant, vandal-proof casings with flexible lens options.
  • Box Camera: The box camera can be mounted or enclosed as desired. The lens is screwed on the front surface of the camera and provides flexibility in terms of field of view requirements.
  • Day/ Night Camera: Such cameras switch digitally or mechanically to suit lighting conditions such that image quality does not suffer due to change in light levels.
  • Infrared Camera: This type of camera provides infrared illumination in conditions devoid of natural light. IR cameras have Light Emitting Devices (LED) that automatically illuminates the field of view to help capture images in black and white mode.
  • PTZ Camera: PTZ is an abbreviation of Pan, Tilt, Zoom(PTZ) which offers the ability to focus in all directions and zoom as required.
  • Covert or Specialist Camera: Such cameras are located hidden from the view of the persons being monitored in the specific camera coverage area.
The images captured by a camera are effective depending on the type of lens used. The primary function of the optical lens is to:
  • Limit and focus light onto the image sensor of the camera.
  • To control the depth of field of the image, either for a wide angle image or a narrow angle image depending on the distance of the object.
Auto Iris lens are generally used to automatically limit and focus light and is also recommended for varying light and weather conditions. Portable cameras usually have zoom lens to allow varying points or distances to be monitored effectively. A CCTV operator controls the zoom lens in a CCTV system.

For further information please contact XS Engineering.

XS Engineering are reliable, professional Electricians who are trained to deal with all aspects of CCTV and electrical installations. XS Engineering electrical services is a reputable installation, repair, testing and maintenance service company covering the Paphos area in Cyprus. Our team of electricians provides you with maintenance of your electrical installation and appliances as well as a fast and reliable breakdown service. As qualified electrical engineers all works are carried out in accordance with the British Standards BS7671. This enables us to offer the highest levels of professional service to you.