CCTV cameras are made with a very specific purpose in mind, namely keeping an area, and the people inside that area, safe from harm.
The exact set up of the camera can be customised based on the needs of the user, but in general, all CCTV is comprised of the same vital components that help them do what they do best.
The main sections of a CCTV camera include:
Lens
No camera is complete without a lens, and CCTV cameras are no different. The only difference from a standard camera lens is that these cameras are responsible for recording footage that may be used in evidence for police investigations or even in court cases. CCTV cameras usually have a 3.6mm lens but there are plenty of other options, including zoom lenses, wide angle lenses, and much more besides.
Infrared bulbs
CCTV cameras must be capable of recording both during the day and at night. The nigh vision portion of CCTV is produced by a ring of infrared bulbs that will activate when light levels fall sufficiently low. CCTV cameras fitted with infrared cameras are capable of seeing infrared light invisible to humans and are a critical part of why CCTV is seen as the number one security priority for any modern business.
IR filters are also placed beneath the lens so that only infrared light is able to pass through, ensuring that the images that are produces are as sharp as they possibly can be.
Main Board
This is the section of the CCTV camera where the magic really happens.
This board contains the CPU of the camera that does the image processing and a sensor that determines the image quality. The quality of the sensor determines the quality of the camera so this should be one of the most important determining factors when picking a new CCTV camera.
If you are unsure on the best option, talk to a security professional who will be able to advise you based on their experience in the industry.
Wiring
This is an interesting one, as whilst all CCTV cameras do have a certain amount of wiring within the camera itself, they are not all ‘wired’.
Many home cameras, for example will be powered using a battery instead, whilst in commercial properties it is much more likely that the system will be plugged into the mains.
Normally, wired systems are seen as a bit more reliable as they will never need to be charged or have their power source replaced but there are exceptions to this rule, with power cuts being the most obvious one. The most reliable CCTV systems are those which are mains powered but are backed up by a generator or fail-safe battery just in case.
In more recent years, rapid deployment CCTV towers have emerged as a genuine alternative to wired CCTV for locations where mains electricity is not readily available or where CCTV is only required for a short period of time.