cctv buying guide – security camera buying guide

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Surveillance and Security Camera Buyer's Guide Save this on Delicious Today’s security camera system equipment is smaller, less expensive, more sophisticated, and is packed full of features. This is great for you as the consumer as you have more high quality options at your fingertips than ever before! However, there are a ton of options and it can be very confusing telling the difference between two particular products if this is your first time dealing with the security industry. You’re going to come across a lot of terms, types of products, and information that you might have never heard of before, but that’s okay! We’re here to help out with that and make this process easy for you. If you have any questions while you read this guide, give us a call at 800-997-8460 and we’ll help however we can! I'm looking for more information about... Security Cameras Home Security Systems Business Security Security Cameras Security cameras come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and types with each kind of camera having different sets of features for different environments. Select one of the options below to learn more about each type of camera. General Information Indoor vs. Outdoor Color vs. Black & White CCTV Camera Lenses Network IP Cameras Lux & Light Sensitivity Video Recorders CCTV Accessories Wired vs. Wireless 4 Channel H.264 Standalone Security DVR iPhone / Smartphone Enabled 4 Camera Inputs 120fps Display / Record [12] Part #: AP-604 Price: $179.00 - In Stock Outdoor Infrared Dome Security Camera Color Indoor / Outdoor 480 TV Lines 40' Illumination Range [8] Part #: AP-LIRDBP Price: $49.00 - In Stock 4 Camera Complete Home Security System iPhone / Smartphone Enabled Night Vision Cameras Indoor / Outdoor Part #: AP-SAPKG4-1 Price: $479.00 - In Stock CCTV Buying Guide – Security Camera Buying Guide http://www.apexcctv.com/CCTVBuyerGuide.aspx 1 of 18 29/07/2013 11:44

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Page 1: CCTV Buying Guide – Security Camera Buying Guide

Surveillance and Security Camera Buyer's Guide

Save this on Delicious

Today’s security camera system equipment is smaller, less expensive, more sophisticated, and is packed full of features. Thisis great for you as the consumer as you have more high quality options at your fingertips than ever before! However, thereare a ton of options and it can be very confusing telling the difference between two particular products if this is your firsttime dealing with the security industry.

You’re going to come across a lot of terms, types of products, and information that you might have never heard of before,but that’s okay! We’re here to help out with that and make this process easy for you. If you have any questions while youread this guide, give us a call at 800-997-8460 and we’ll help however we can!

I'm looking for more information about...Security CamerasHome Security SystemsBusiness Security

Security Cameras

Security cameras come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and types with each kind of camera having different sets offeatures for different environments. Select one of the options below to learn more about each type of camera.

General InformationIndoor vs. OutdoorColor vs. Black & WhiteCCTV Camera LensesNetwork IP CamerasLux & Light SensitivityVideo RecordersCCTV AccessoriesWired vs. Wireless

4 Channel H.264 Standalone SecurityDVR

iPhone / Smartphone Enabled4 Camera Inputs120fps Display / Record

[12]Part #: AP-604Price: $179.00

- In Stock

Outdoor Infrared DomeSecurity Camera

ColorIndoor / Outdoor480 TV Lines40' Illumination Range

[8]Part #: AP-LIRDBPPrice: $49.00

- In Stock

4 Camera Complete HomeSecurity System

iPhone / Smartphone EnabledNight Vision CamerasIndoor / Outdoor

Part #: AP-SAPKG4-1Price: $479.00

- In Stock

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General Information

This section will help you understand basic camera specifications and their effect on the performance of the camera.

Analog camera resolution or picture quality is measured by the number of horizontal lines the sensor chip in the cameraprovides and is called "TV lines of resolution" or TVL. Naturally, the higher the TVL the better the quality of the image.

Standard Image Quality: 380TVL - 420TVL.High Image Quality: 480TVL - 520 TVLVery high Image Quality: 540TVL - 700TVL

Infrared LEDs allow security cameras to see in dark areas by flooding the area with infrared light. This light reflects offsurfaces in the area and is picked up by the camera's sensor chip which allows the camera to see as if the area was lit byvisible light.

# of LEDs: The more LEDs, the better a camera can see in low light environments.Illumination Rage: Refers to the maximum distance at which an object is visible at night.

Vandal resistance is in reference to whether or not a camera is reinforced with a hardened plastic or metal housing so that itis more ruggedly built. If a thief or burglar wants to get on your property bad enough, they will try to damage or break yourcameras so they are not seen.

Price: $49.00

Infrared Security Dome CameraSKU: AP-LIRDBP

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Indoor VS Outdoor Cameras

CCTV Cameras use electrical components that are senstive to the elements. If water or dust gets inside of your camera, thequality of your video feeds will suffer and your camera may even stop working. Weather proof housings help keep moistureand dust where it belongs, on the outside.

If you are installing a camera outside and it is not in a weatherproof camera housing, you will defintely want to doublecheck the camera specs to make sure that it is weather resistance rated.

There are many different levels of weather resistance that range from minimal protection all the way to airtight, waterproofenclosures and all of our outdoor cameras are fully weather resistant.

Price: $75.00

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Outdoor Bullet IR CameraSKU: AP-138CT

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Color VS Black & White Security Cameras

Color cameras are the preferred choice for most security systems. However, black and white cameras are slightly cheaper,more sensitive to light, and can see better in darkness.

Infrared (IR) security cameras switch to black and white mode during low light conditions to improve their night vision andreturn to color in good light conditions.

IR cameras have gained popularity because of their flexibility and become the standard type of camera installed in systemstoday.

Price: $109.00

700 TVL Infrared Dome Security CameraSKU: AP-E700G

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CCTV Camera Lenses

Naturally, lenses are on every security camera and have a dramatic affect on the area that the camera can monitor. Installinga security camera with the wrong type of lens can make that camera's video feed of little use.

A good rule of thumb to keep in mind when shopping for cameras is the smaller the lens' focal length, the mm spec, thewider your field of view will be.

For example, a camera with a 50mm lens will have a very narrow field of view (FOV) and be able to focus on objects faraway while a 3mm lens will have a wide FOV and be more suited for short range monitoring.

CCTV Camera LensesLens Field of ViewAuto vs. Manual Iris

Varifocal vs. Fixed Lenses

A fixed lens is a lens that has a set focal length which you'll see as a 'x'mm spec. These lenses are only capable of viewingpeople / objects / areas a set distance away from the camera which will affect where you can install the camera.

A varifocal lens is a lens that has an adjustable focal length which you will see as an 'x-y'mm spec. This allows the lens to

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be adjusted to view people / objects / areas at a distance of your choosing, grants you more flexibility with cameraplacement, and gives you more control on the focus clarity of that specific camera.

Each type of lens will aid in the capture of video regardless, but the varifocal lenses allow much more flexibility in theinstallation of a security camera system and allows you must more control over the quality of your video feeds.

Price: $27.95

3.5-8mm Auto-Iris, Varifocal Camera LensSKU: AP-0358A

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CCTV Camera Lenses

There are many security cameras available and it would be impossible to cover them all in this guide. Security camerasproduce images using CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) or CCD (Charge Couple Device) sensor chips.The size of the chip is normally 1/4", 1/3" or 1/2". As a rule of thumb, the larger the chip size, the higher the quality of theimage produced and the higher the price. As technology has advanced, higher density 1/4" and 1/3" CCD chips can nowproduce as clear of an image as the older 1/3" & 1/2" chips.

Most cameras have the industry standard 3.6mm lens that provides roughly a 72 degree field of view. Figure 1.2 shows somepopular lenses and their respective field of view:

Figure 1.2

Some cameras come with a varifocal lens so the focal length can be adjusted. Please visit our Lens Comparison Tool to learnmore about lenses and field of view.

Price: $16.95

3.5-8mm Varifocal, Manual-Iris LensSKU: AP-0358

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^Back to Lenses ^Back to Security Cameras ^Back to Top

Field of View

The field of view (FOV) is the height and width of the picture size produced by a lens. FOV can be adjusted by using adifferent lens on your camera. There are two basic types of camera lenses: fixed focal (or monofocal) and varifocal (orzoom). FOV of a fixed focal lens can not be adjusted. FOV of a varifocal lens can be adjusted. Varifocal lenses are usuallymore expensive. Figure 1.3 illustrates the FOV of various lenses.

By knowing the object distance and the required target area, you can determine what lens is going to give you the bestimage.

For example, using the chart above for a 1/3-inch format camera, viewing an object at a distance of 50 feet with a target areaof 15 feet by 20 feet, scan down the "50 feet" column to the stated target size; scan left to see that a 12mm lens is requiredfor that area.

Price: $7.95

6mm Manual-Iris, Fixed LensSKU: AP-0600Specifications

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Auto Iris VS Manual Iris

Detailed Lens Chart

5 feet 10 feet 25 feet 50 feet 75 feet 100 feet

2.8mm 6.4 X 8.6 12.9 X 17.1 32.1 X 42.9 64.3 X 85.7 96.4 X 128.6 128.6 X 171.4

4.0mm 4.5 X 6.0 9.0 X 12.0 22.5 X 30.0 45.0 X 60.0 67.5 X 90.0 90.0 X 120.0

6.0mm 3.0 X 4.0 6.0 X 8.0 15.0 X 20.0 30.0 X 40.0 45.0 X 60.0 60.0 X 80.0

8.0mm 2.3 X 3.0 4.5 X 6.0 11.3 X 15.0 22.5 X 30.0 33.8 X 45.0 45.0 X 60.0

12.0mm 1.5 X 2.0 3.0 X 4.0 7.5 X 10.0 15.0 X 20.0 22.5 X 30.0 30.0 X 40.0

16.0mm 1.1 X 1.5 2.3 X 3.0 5.6 X 7.5 11.3 X 15.0 16.9 X 22.5 22.5 X 30.0

25.0mm 0.7 X 1.0 1.4 X 1.9 3.6 X 4.8 7.2 X 9.6 10.8 X 14.4 14.4 X 19.2

50.0mm 0.4 X 0.5 0.7 X 1.0 1.8 X 2.4 3.6 X 4.8 5.4 X 7.2 7.2 X 9.6

75.0mm 0.2 X 0.3 0.5 X 0.6 1.2 X 1.6 2.4 X 3.2 3.6 X 4.8 4.8 X 6.4

Figure 1.3

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Auto iris lenses are a fantastic choice for outdoor surveillance where light is constantly changing. The iris for these lensesautomatically opens and closes according to the amount of ambient light so that your video feeds are not affected by thechange in lighting conditions.

Manual iris lenses are well suited for areas with consistent lighting like shopping centers, schools, libraries, and officesbecause the iris only needs to be set once during the installation of the lens. Manual lenses are less expensive than their autocounterpart since they do not come with the auto-adjust mechanics, but are more limited becuase of that distinction.

Price: $44.95

2.8-12mm Auto-Iris, Varifocal LensSKU: AP-2812A

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Network IP Cameras

Analog security cameras have long been the standard type of camera used in surveillance systems, but IP cameras havesurged in popularty over the last five years. When IP cameras were introduced, they were prohibitively expensive and didn'tproduce noticeably greater quality videos than analog cameras did.

However, as the technology has become more readily available and more surveillance companies have invested indeveloping this technology, IP cameras have dramatically increased in quality and decreased in price which has made themmore affordable than ever!

IP Camera popularity is on the rise and it is estimated that over 60% of all security camera systems sold over the next fewyears will be IP based. The advantages of IP cameras over analog cameras are below.

High Res HD VideoElectronic PTZWider CoverageVideo Analytics

Higher Resolution and HD Video

Megapixel IP cameras can capture High Definition Video (HD Video) and provide greater detail improving identification. A2 megapixel camera is an excellent choice for capturing license plates and can cover a 24 foot wide point of entry or exit.

When monitoring an area, a megapixel camera provides superior image quality compared to analog cameras. We illustratethis below by comparing an analog, 1.3MP, and 2MP image, the license plate in the 2MP image can be easily identifiedwhen zoomed into, but this is not the case at an analog resolution.

When you need a clear shot of what a person looks like, a megapixel camera image can provide a level of detail that can't bematched by an analog camera. The improved pixel count also allows for the use of ePTZ technology.

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Price: $199.00

Geovision GV-CB120 1.3 MP Cube CameraSKU: GV-CB120Specifications

^Back to Network IP Cameras ^Back to Security Cameras ^Back to Top

Electronic Pan/Tilt/Zoom (ePTZ)

Zoom has always been available with analog cameras, but is often slow and can only be used on live video as events occurand you can't zoom in for more details with a PTZ camera.

With megapixel IP cameras, you can zoom, pan, and tilt on live footage and your previously recorded video! The NVRsoftware allows you to select a video clip and zoom in on any part that you want. This lets you catch all the detailsregardless of when the video was recorded!

Price: $289.00

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Geovision 1.3 MP Mini Fixed Dome CameraSKU: GV-MFD130Specifications

^Back to Network IP Cameras ^Back to Security Cameras ^Back to Top

Wider Camera Coverage

One of the factors that has contributed to the explosive popularity of megapixel IP cameras is their ability to provide widercoverage and more detail on a per camera basis. A single 2-megapixel IP camera can cover an area 6 times greater than ananalog camera. With a 2-megapixel camera potentially taking the place of 6 Analog cameras, the installation costs can besignificantly reduced.

This is especially true for fisheye IP cameras that come with a special fisheye camear lens. This type of camera recordseverything in a 360° view and comes in models up to 5 megapixels for high definition video resolution. One single fisheyeIP camera can cover a 3,000 square foot warehouse with ease!

Price: $369.00

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Geovision 2MP Fisheye IP CameraSKU: GV-FE2301Specifications

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Lux & Light Sensitivity

The light sensitivity of a camera is measured in Lux and this is the standard specification you will see that defines how wella camera can see in poor lighting conditions.

If a candle is one foot away from an object, it throws one foot candle of light illumination onto the object. This is about 10"Lux" and is the unofficial definition of Lux. The luminescent value of Lux tries to relate the energy per unit area falling ona surface to what the human eye perceives.

We've compiled the table below to give you a better understanding of the concept.

Direct sunlight 100,000 - 130,000 LuxFull daylight, indirect sunlight 10,000 - 20,000 LuxOvercast day 1,000 LuxIndoor office 200 - 400 LuxVery dark day 100 LuxTwilight 10 LuxDeep twilight 1 LuxFull moon 0.1 LuxQuarter moon 0.01 LuxMoonless clear night sky 0.001 Lux

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Home Security Camera Systems

Our homes are our havens; it’s where we feel safe and comfortable.If a thief or burglar breaks into our home, they don’t just take ourthings, they take our peace of mind and that can't be returned to you.

Installing a simple two or four camera home security system aroundyour house will make thieves and burglars think twice before comingnear your property. Every surveillance system sold by ApexCCTV issmartphone enabled and configurable to let you remotely view yourcameras anywhere in the World with your iPhone, iPad, or Androidsmartphone.

We have a wide range of complete home security packages that werespecifically designed with everything you need to keep your home secure without breaking the bank!

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View the rest of our home & business security systems!

^Back to Top

Security Systems for Businesses

If you own your own business, then you know all about the tiny little details that come with running a successful company.You have to worry about your employee’s showing up on time and doing their job while they’re there, theft by customersand employees alike, inventory shrinkage, and providing a shopping experience where your customers feel safe andconfident.

Keeping a solid grasp on all of these issues while managing your company can be too much for one person to handle.Adding one of our affordable and easy-to-use security camera systems to your business is the first step in the right direction.Video surveillance isn't just for the huge companies with deep pockets anymore. We have a wide selection of completesecurity camera packages that are plug and play straight out of the box!

LPR CamerasVideo AnalyticsVideo RecordersWired vs. WirelessPerimeter SecurityCCTV Accessories

License Plate Recognition (LPR) Cameras

License plate recognition cameras, also known as LPR cameras, are an advanced type of security camera that is builtspecifcially to give you the clearest image of license plates as they enter or leave your property. These cameras come withspecial infrared (IR) cut filters that cancel out ambient lighting and poor weather so it gets the clearest image possible!

These cameras can do more than just capture a license plate and store it to an easy to use database. LPR cameras are used atour location to track our freight provider, employee punctuality, and we have it hooked up to an I/O card to trigger the lightsat the employee entrance after hours!

Having a high definition LPR camera system will help capture time stamped, high quality video of vehicles and thisevidence is extremely important in legal / criminal trials. LPR cameras are ideal for border patrol, parking garages,

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perimeter security, shipping hubs, government buildings, and public transportation.

Benefits to LPR Cameras

Razor sharp video at high speedsCapture license plates day or night with ease!Easy-to-use management softwareConfigurable alarms that send alerts to your phone or e-mailCan be hooked up to an I/O card to trigger other devices; door locks, lights, gates, etc.

Price: $639.00

Geovision Infrared LPR CameraSKU: GV-LPR-CAM-10ASpecifications

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Video Analytics

Video analytics is an industry term for software features and it covers a wide variety of useful functions from missing objectdetection to tampering alarms. Using a digital video recorder or network video recorder with analytics is like driving a fullyloaded car, you may not need all of the features, but they sure are nice to have!

The biggest benefit from using video analytics is that you don't have to sit a person in front of your security monitors all daywatching video feeds in case something goes wrong. By putting in a little bit of time configuring your settings, your DVR orNVR can do all the work for you while you spend your time doing things that are more important to you!

Video Analytics Features

Missing Object Detection: Detects when an object goes missing and sends an alertMotion Detection: Detects motion and cues the DVR to recordUnattended Object Detection: Detects when an object is left and sends an alertPeople Counting: Counts the number of people or objects entering / leaving an areaScene Change Detection: Detects when a camera's field of view is changed and sends an alertFace Detection: Detects facial features and saves the image to a thumbnail index for quick recallAnd many more!

Price: $219.00

Geovision GV-CV2Pro SoftwareSKU: GV-CV2ProSpecifications

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Video Recorder Equipment

There are 3 basic types of video recording equipment: PC-based Digital Video Recorders (DVRs), Standalone DVRs, andnetwork video recorders (NVRs). Each of these video recorders has their own strengths and the proper selection will helpyou get the most out of your system. Knowing which one is more suited for your location will not only help you savemoney, but help you get the absolute most out of your system!

PC Based DVRsStandalone DVRsNVRs

PC-based DVRs

PC based DVRs are easier to use, more flexible, and come with software that provides live view, remote access, and otheradministrative features that make your DVR more than just a recorder. One thing that makes PCs stand out over standalonesis that you can add more cameras to this type of digital video recorder by using a different DVR card setup. However, onething to keep in mind is that these units usually cost more than standalone DVRs because of the high performancecomponents.

PC DVRs are essentially a standard PC with a DVR capture card installed to convert the video feed from your securitycameras into a file to be stored on the hard drive. However, some people are under the misconception that any personalcomputer with a DVR card will do the job, but it isn’t a simple "plug and play" situation. Many crashes, system lock-ups,and instabilities can be blamed on computers that do not have enough processing power for handling multi-camera videoprocessing.

Our PC-based DVR systems use name brand components and are hand-built by veteran CCTV technicians in our state-of-the-art lab. After a PC is built, a second technician performs a 72 point inspection of the system to ensure that everysetting is correct before it is cleared to ship.

The surveillance system you get from ApexCCTV is preconfigured and plug and play ready so the only thing you need to dois connect the cameras to your DVR! Our PC DVR parts and labor are covered by a 1 Year Warranty and free lifetimetechnical support!

Price: $1,229.00

8CH Geovision PC Based DVRSKU: AP-8060Specifications

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Standalone DVRs

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Standalone DVRs use Linux based operating systems that are designed to run just the DVR software. Standalone DVRs arenot as feature-rich as their PC counterpart, but are a solid alternative for those less comfortable with PCs or for locationswhere a the use of a PC is inconvenient.

Our extensive line of standalone DVRs are versatile enough to cover most homes & small businesses with ease and comewith software that provides live view, remote access, camera control and other administrative functions. However, some ofthe entry level models may not offer remote access.

Price: $179.00

4CH Standalone Security DVRSKU: AP-604

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Network Video Recorders (NVRs)

Network video recorders, or NVRs, are video recorders designed to function specifically with IP cameras. These systemsfeature high performance components that capable of processing video from numerous multi-megapixel camerassimultaneously.

For the most part, a NVR is very similar to a DVR except that an it does not need a pricey DVR capture card to recordvideo. Because of that you will find that the PC based NVRs are a good deal less expensive than their DVR counterparts.

Like our DVRs, every one of our PC based network video recorders uses name brand components and are hand-built byveteran CCTV technicians in our state-of-the-art lab. After the PC is built, a second technician performs a 72 pointinspection of the system to ensure that all the settings are correct before it is cleared to ship. The surveillance system you getfrom ApexCCTV is preconfigured and plug and play ready so the only thing you need to do is connect the cameras to theNVR! Our PC NVR parts and labor are covered by a 1 Year Warranty!

Price: $799.00

12CH AV Tech Stand Alone NVRSKU: AP-AV312Specifications

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Wired VS Wireless Security Cameras

Wired security cameras are the best choice since they provide the highest video quality, no interference, and are lessexpensive than wireless networks. They can be installed hundreds of feet away from the security DVR system without a tinydrop in performance. Figure 1.1 shows a typical connectivity diagram.

You do not have to power the camera locally with wired security cameras since siamese cable provides video and power inthe same cable. This lets you connect your cameras to the DVR and power them remotely. We have a large inventory ofwired security cameras and siamese cable pre-cut to commonly used lengths as well as on a spool. For runs longer than 700Ft., we recommend using CAT5e cable and video balun connectors. Using this method, the video signal can be transmittedup to about 1,300 Ft.

Wireless cameras are rather expensive and not as reliable as wired systems. Most wireless systems are Line of Sight (LOS)so if any object , be it a swaying tree or a flock of birds, passes between the transmitter and the receiver, the wireless signalwill be interrupted and your video quality will be affected. Remember that wireless security cameras still require power tooperate so they will have to be powered locally.

Price: $229.00

Geovision 1.3 MP Cube IP CameraSKU: GV-CBW120

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Figure 1.1

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Perimeter Security

Your first line and most important of defense is around the border of your property. If you can make thieves, vandals,burglars, or invading mongolians think twice about whether or not it's worth entering your property, you've already won. Noone wants to be caught on camera doing something foolish or illegal, it's human nature.

Setting up a visible perimeter of security cameras or even setting up keycard / keypad access to your building will make surethat only the right people are allowed in. If someone is foolish enough to break in, then you've got them on camera and areahead of the curve.

The main goal is to stop intrusion before it happens by turning away the threat.

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CCTV Accessories

Accessories often go overlooked because of how much focus is placed on the cameras and recording servers used in asecurity system. It's understandable, cameras and recorders can be expensive. It's hard not to focus on them.

Skimping on these smaller items can degrade the quality of those higher ticket items. Maximizing the use of the categoriesbelow will help you squeeze out the best quality system possible. Make sure you get the biggest bang for your buck bysweating the small stuff.

CCTV Power SuppliesCCTV Cable TypesVideo BalunsBNC Connectors

CCTV Power Supplies

Every camera requires a power supply whether it's 12v DC, 24v AC, or power over ethernet (PoE). The two types of powersupplies are DC and AC as PoE is mainly used on higher end IP cameras and will be discussed in a later section.

Individual power adapters are a solid, inexpensive choice for 1-2 camera projects, but if you have 3+ cameras, a multi-portpower supply is recommended. We maintain a large stock of single and multi-camera power supplies at all times.

Most cameras run on 12v DC, but it is not uncommon to find cameras that are AC powered. One thing to keep in mind whenyou're building your system is that if you cross voltages, power a DC camera with an AC power supply or vice versa, youwill overload the camera and cause it to short-circuit. This will void the warranty and leave you with a costly paperweight.

Price: $10.95

12vDC CCTV Camera Power SupplySKU: AP-DC1500

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CCTV Cable Types

Most security camera video signals are transmitted using coaxial cables like RG59 and RG6. The most popular cable issiamese cable which is a combination of RG59 coaxial for video transmission and a pair of 22-gauge wires for supplyingpower to the camera.

This convenient design makes it so that you only have to run one cable per camera. Coaxial cabling is excellent for runsunder 600' and comes on spools of 500' and 1000'. Using RG6, you can achieve runs longer than 600', however most CCTVprofessionals use CAT5e and video balun connectors for long distance runs as they produce clearer and more reliable videofeeds.

We also carry a wide selection of pre-cut, plug and play siamese cables that are available from 25' up to 150'. Pre-cut cablesare perfect for a casual install or a novice installer.

Price: $16.50

75' CCTV Siamese CableSKU: AP-Y3-75B

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Video Baluns

Video baluns are a type of cable accessory that is an excellent choice for long cable runs. Regular coaxial cable (RG59 /Siamese) is great for transmitting video up to about 600' before the video quality degrades. If you want to run cable anyfurther than that, you'll have to switch over to Cat5 cable and that's where a video balun comes into play.

A video balun has two connection ports to translate the coaxial video signal into a Cat5e signal. Your BNC coaxial cable ishooked up to the "in" connection port and the cat5 cable is connected via the RJ45 "out" port. The video is translatedinbetween and transmitted via Cat 5 cable which allows the signal to travel over the ethernet cable for thousands of feet.

There are two types of video baluns, active and passive. Passive baluns are capable of transmitting video between 1-2,000feet. Active baluns can extend that range up to about 4,000 feet, but they require 12v DC power.

Price: $12.99

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Pair of Passive CCTV Video BalunsSKU: VB-T1P

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BNC Connectors

There are dozens of types of BNC connectors that are dependent on the cable run, but, fundamentally, there are three maintypes of BNC connectors; crimp-on, twist-on, and compression. As you may have already deduced from the names, eachtype is determined by the method in which it is attached to the coaxial cable.

BNC connectors form a terminal and junction point for the end of your coaxial cable runs so that the cable may be hookedup to either your security camera or security DVR. If you're installing the connectors yourself you'll want to make sure thatthey are snugly installed so they produce the highest quality video possible. A loose BNC connector is one of the leadingcauses for fuzzy video feeds.

Overall, there's no difference between the connectors in terms of video quality produced, but the crimp-on and compressionconnectors are more reliable than the twist-ons since twist connectors are more prone to gradual loosening over time whichwill in turn reduce the quality of your video feeds as well. Crimp and compression connectors, when installed properly, areset rigidly in place on the end of the cable and are far less likely to degrade over time.

Price: $0.55

RG59 BNC Twist-on ConnectorSKU: AP-013

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Motion Detection

Motion detection is often thought to be a camera function, but it is actually built into the DVR's software. The DVRsoftware analyzes the video frame by frame as it comes in from the camera and when it detects movement in the frame, itwill cue the DVR to start recording. This helps make sure that you don't end up recording an empty area all night.

When configured properly, this will dramatically increase the amount of storage on your DVR's hard drive. However, thisfeature can also cause a DVR to record every video feed, 24/7 if it is improperly configured. When you deal with thisfeature, be sure to set the sensitivity function to the appropriate level so it eliminates false triggers.

The more sophisticated DVRs allow the user to define areas where motion can be ignored, like the movement of a ceilingfan or a tree branch swaying in the breeze.

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Security Monitors

Depending on the type of DVR, video from cameras can be displayed on a regular TV monitor or PC monitor. Most

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PC-based DVRs and recent Standalone DVRs provide both options.

We hope this guide has been helpful to you. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call our knowledgeable staffat 800-997-8460 for expert advice.

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