The World of CCTV Cameras is Bigger Than Anyone Thought
The world of security equipment supply is considerably vaster than what most people would think. For instance, many people think there are only two or three types of audio recording devices outside of traditional tape recorders. Moreover, they wouldn’t assume that they have much to do with private security. Audio recorders, after all, are the tools of lazy college students. However, they’re also excellent for monitoring areas with compromised security or recording the results of an experiment. They’re perfect for anytime that someone isn’t in a room, but has to hear what was going on in it. Modern audio recording devices have long recording times, and their recording medium usually involves high quality MP3 files. Nevertheless, they do make a great gift for college students who have a reason to record lectures.
Network Internet Protocol security cameras are a growing segment of the security equipment supply marketplace today. An IP camera module can be connected to a particular computer by way of the Internet. This means that two cameras could be on the same network, despite very vast geographical distances in the real world. Businesses that are particularly large might see this as a method of maintaining useful CCTV surveillance over a number of facilities from a central location. Professional security monitoring organizations can also receive video from a number of cameras from any location. These individual cameras might even be located in different countries, if someone really wanted to push the envelope.
Some factories work with harmful materials, and these sorts of facilities represent a unique segment of the security equipment supply industry. Explosion proof cameras are an example of very well made machinery. They are designed for use in areas that are work with volatile chemicals and gases. Electrical components are a hazard in this sort of environment, since they can ignite flammable materials. However, explosion proof cameras are delivered in a protective housing that is designed to prevent this from happening.
Naturally, many industries are involved in manufacturing products that are otherwise quite hazardous. This is not to say that they are in any way illegitimate. Indeed, the security equipment supply industry does not knowingly pander to any business that engages in questionable activities. Instead, the safety and health of individual employees who work in the facilities that make many of the products that private citizens use in their day-to-day lives is a paramount concern. Factories that work with dangerous chemicals should be sure to select the correct piece of equipment for the job. Explosion proof cameras might make up part of the ideal CCTV system in this sort of environment.
Hidden cameras are another segment of the security equipment supply market that might sound like they’re designed for some unlawful use. No legitimate security equipment supply firm condones the use of this technology for any unacceptable or illegal purpose. Instead, they are supposed to be used in situations where covert monitoring operations are necessary to maintain safety. The smallest of these devices are the size of a screw’s head.
There are also many types of security cameras that are designed to look like something else. For instance, a covert camera could be delivered in the body of a ballpoint pen. This is perfect for situations where the physical image of a security camera isn’t desirable. Considering the fact that wireless installations can make it so that a camera can be dropped anywhere, this is a perfect way to set up a portable monitoring station. However, even if one were to have every type of camera on the market today, they wouldn’t be much good without accessories.
Security equipment supply stores are all about being prepared, and this can also include having ready access to spare parts. When security equipment breaks down, it usually does it at the least opportune times. If an organization has extra parts on hand, they are more likely to be able to weather the worst accidents and breakdowns. Power supplies, lenses, microphones, cameras and monitors are all spare parts that are
These some components can be used to upgrade an existing installation. With the appropriate purchase of accessories, legacy technology can be interfaced with newer technology. There are those that always want to upgrade their basic devices as soon as new machines come out. For those sorts, there is a vast catalogue of new pieces of camera equipment. However, engineers who would rather work with their existing installation shouldn’t be viewed as people who are stuck in their ways. Instead, the security equipment supply industry has a number of products that can meet their needs. New cables, cameras, lenses and microphones are perfect for those that want to replace some broken components.
In many cases, broken components are really all that need to be replaced. If a camera goes bad, only a single new camera needs to be purchased. Having a good rapport with one’s equipment dealer can go a long way to always having a ready supply of such equipment on hand. When one piece goes bad, it is much easier to find a replacement if one knows where to look. Security equipment suppliers are also a great place to look for hard to find components. Many legacy cameras or monitors will require an oddball adapter, and some of these parts have become rare. However, a well-stocked supplier shouldn’t have too much of a problem.
Fake cameras represent the sort of accessory that even those with established installations can appreciate. If a business has two or three cameras, expanding the actual number of cameras is an ideal way to expand coverage. However, this can be extremely expensive and finding the personnel to monitor each of these new units might be impossible. Purchasing several fake cameras can give the illusion that a CCTV network is much larger than it really is. Critics of this sort of behavior might bring up the fact that shoplifters are already familiar with the practice. However, they have no way of knowing which cameras are real and which aren’t. Therefore, this can still be an effective way of reducing the amount of merchandise that gets stolen.
Of course, there are those who need to investigate things from the other side of the surveillance equation. Many security equipment supply agencies will also stock counter surveillance devices. Those who are suspicious of bugs or covert wireless camera technology will certainly find numerous uses for these sorts of devices. Again, this sort of equipment is not intended for criminals. Instead, people who have a genuine reason to believe they are being unlawfully scoped out should be able to take comfort in the results of a bug check.
Security cameras themselves are a very popular product, but digital video recorders are also important for those who want to capture footage. Naturally, there are plenty of businesses that continue to use VCR technology to capture video. However, DVR technology will often allow people to capture a great deal more of footage than a traditional VHS tape. Moreover, they might be able to save some space by eliminating the numerous shelves of VHS tapes that often have to be stored in video surveillance rooms.
There are also small versions of the DVR units available for those who have extreme space concerns. As well as taking up less space, these might attractive to those who are on a very stringent budget. Budgetary concerns have always been one of the most important driving forces behind decision-making among business owners. The least expensive solutions are often the ones chosen. Nevertheless, no one wants to get stuck with something that is so cheap that it doesn’t work. Miniature DVR systems are usually inexpensive when they’re purchased for use with CCTV networks, but that doesn’t mean they’re poorly made in any way at all. In fact, many people might go out of their way to order them since they take up so little space. Naturally, an in demand product isn’t the sort of thing that is associated with cheap quality.
There are various designs of security DVR units that might help people in different situations. Models are available that ship in 4, 8, 16 or 32 channel modes. Network Video Recorders are designed to operate with Internet Protocol cameras. Since IP camera technology represents a growing facet of the market, these DVR machines are probably going to grow along with them. Instead of working on hardwired principles, NVR machines are connected to the Internet or some other sort of computer network. This connectivity allows them to enjoy all of the advantages that other IP devices do. Since IP devices can be connected through the World Wide Web regardless of their geographical location, these devices might be another good fit for those who are looking for something that can span the globe without requiring a large amount of infrastructure.
From a purely technical standpoint, that sort of opinion is incorrect. The Internet relies on a massive amount of infrastructure that spans the globe just as much as its data packets do. However, that isn’t infrastructure that the individual security installer has to worry about if they’re working with IP technology. Nevertheless, there are those who are worried about what might happen if there was a major Internet connectivity blackout. Individual Internet connection methods could also fail. Thus, there are those who might feel that IP technology is entirely inappropriate.
Some security experts might also be afraid that an IP system isn’t secure enough for their purposes. Hackers aren’t as threatening as they might have been made to seem in the mainstream media, but the security equipment supply industry is all about being prepared. There needs to be a number of alternatives for those who don’t want to have to work with Internet technology.
People need to keep in mind that there is nothing that actually compels them to invest in technology that isn’t appropriate for their setting. Even in today’s world, a CCTV camera that sends an analog RF signal to a cable with a BNC connector can work just fine. A BNC to VGA converter system can even be used to make sure that it can interface with an LCD computer monitor, if something besides a regular television set is desired. In fact, the security equipment supply industry can be a great place to purchase these sorts of solutions in the first place. After all, most regular hardware and electronics stores won’t carry specialized equipment like BNC to VGA converter boxes.
Television sets that feature native BNC jacks can be quite expensive. Therefore, a BNC to VGA converter system can save some money if one already has a computer monitor lying around that isn’t getting any use. Of course, purchasing new computer monitors is far less expensive than purchasing a series of new televisions that ship with BNC jacks. There are still people who might really prefer the ability to plug their CCTV camera system straight into the monitor, since simple solutions are less likely to fail.
For this sort of engineer, a security equipment supply company should be ready to provide the appropriate equipment. There is certainly something to be said for reliable machines, even if they seem overly simply. Security equipment supply personnel aren’t the type of people who should be criticizing their cliental. Instead, they recognize that many people have a lot of experience in the field and know exactly what they want. While they might make suggestions, the customer is always right.
On the other hand, some people might know what their security needs is, but not what technologies are appropriate to solve their problems. This is where the security equipment supply industry is supposed to be helpful and reach out a hand to those who are in need. Anyone who wants to receive suggestions may, but once more, there is never supposed to be any pressure. Instead, they’re simply there to lend a helping hand and guide customers through the motions. Only an individual customer truly knows his or her own security needs, and this always had to be respected.
