INTRODUCTION TO VIDEO SURVEILLANCE
CCTV video surveillance has formed the base of many private / public security systems in the last few decades. CCTV – the popular abbreviation of closed-circuit television term, usually refers to remote surveillance: having network cameras viewing various areas of our interest, recording what is happening and checking these signals live, by a security team.
Components of a smart video surveillance system
Generally, a video surveillance system consists of:
- CCTV cameras, installed locally to observe the area, and a
- Security surveillance system, either locally or remotely, to view all recordings live
Types of CCTV cameras
Video surveillance a wide range of cctv cameras – depending on the local area and its requirements. Here is a list of the most popular constructions:
Dome cameras
A dome CCTV camera has a dome-shaped casing in which the camera is located. Though these surveillance cameras have relatively discrete appearance, it still has a great effect in deterring criminals. A key advantage of the dome design is that it makes difficult to see which direction the camera is pointing. This creates an air of uncertainty for potential thieves or vandals approaching from any direction.
Bullet cameras
Bullet surveillance cameras come with an iconic, highly visible design. These units have a cylindrical shape and are capable of long distance surveillance. Bullet cameras are most commonly used outdoors so their casings have to be resistant to water, dust and dirt.
PTZ cameras
A security team can get the most benefits from a PTZ camera, that got its name from the abbreviation of Pan, Tilt & Zoom camera, referring to its free movement capabilities. Its lens easily pan left and right, tilt up and down or zoom in and out, with easy remote control. It’s the ideal choice for a security guard to monitor live video feed on site.
The key difference between a regular and a smart video surveillance system
A regular video surveillance system provides the live views of the cameras, usually splitting large display to include various camera views, and these are supervised by a security team. Though human workforce is often required in smart video surveillance systems as well, these systems include many integrated analytics to detect possible threats automatically – not necessarily requiring constant human supervision. Some of these smart functions are listed below.
Main features of a smart video management software
The system automatically detects if a person crosses a (virtual) line.
Pre-defined objects are tracked and the software sends automatic alerts when the objects are moved or taken away.
The system identifies if a camera got any external impact or moved to another direction – the last recordings of its original operation can be easily viewed.
On the live view, the user can select a person or object and – when having motorized cameras – the cctv camera will move accordingly and follow it, keeping the element of importance constantly in clear view.
When looking for an event, there is no need to watch hundreds of hours – the system identifies those moments automatically when something actually happened.
The video management system shows only those camera views that show movement.
