CCTV

Mar 1, 1997 12:00 PM, By DR. STEPHENIE SLAHOR

If you think you want to buy closed-circuit television (CCTV) to enhance security, be sure you know what you need; otherwise, you may end up with too much, too little, or the wrong equipment for your application.

Why do you want CCTV? * Is your purpose maintaining security, watching for safety hazards such as fire and injury, watching vehicles, identifying people, or detecting intruders? * Will CCTV monitor just one place or will it have to cover a number of rooms and doors?

Analyze each area to be served by CCTV. * What is the available light? * Are there windows? * Will the camera have to work in darkness? * Will the camera and mounting be hidden from view? * Will the camera's location be subjected to extremes in heat, cold, dryness, wetness and dust? * How easy will it be to reach the camera if it needs maintenance? * How far from the mounting location will the subjects be from the camera? * Where will the monitors be? * Is there enough room for a person to sit or work comfortably while watching the monitors?

Know your specifications. * Do you need a telephoto, wide-angle or standard lens? * Do you need color or black and white? * Do you need fixed or pan-and-tilt cameras? Answer these questions, and you will be better able to shop for the right system.

Want to use this article? Click here for options!
© 2012 Penton Media Inc.

This month in Access Control

• Targeting The Customer
• Electronic Pedigrees
• One Hero Among Many
• Who? What? When? Where? Why?
• More from September's issue