• Easy operation
• Reliability 
• Commercial Security Cameras
• Viewable over the Internet 
• Home Surveillance
• Nanny Cams

Closed circuit TV systems have been available for many years; they have also undergone what can be called "miraculous transformations" in recent years. What used to be extremely expensive, hard to operate, cumbersome and hard to configure, video systems are now very reasonable, easy to operate, configure, and easy to maintain, and they provide much more versatility and usefulness than just a few years ago.

When deciding to purchase a system components the first decision you need to make is what are you using it for.
 
The primary uses for CCTV systems are surveillance,  theft, shoplifting, employee theft, robbery deterrence, identification, teenage monitoring or nanny cams and security. 

Color cameras present a better picture and people have a higher average of idenification with color cameras vs. the older black and white models.
For prosecution a court will require color to make positive identification, on a black & white recording a blue sweatshirt would appear to be gray.
 

Next, you need to decide what exactly do you want to see, how far away is it, what are the lighting conditions, is it indoor or outdoor, how wide a viewing angle is desired to achieve maximum security?

The answers to these questions will help you choose the system combination, Your security professional will then be able to determin the correct mounting or enclosure, even what kind of cabling needs to be provided.

Deciding how you will view, record and store the information is next on the list of system decisions to make your system work to best provide the needed security for your application. 

The choices for viewing include a central monitoring point, multiple monitors, single monitors that can show multiple images, on your computer via the Internet, how about on a special cell phone from anywhere in the world. Recording and storing information can range from a time lapse recorder, your computer, or a DVR recorder.

If you use a time lapse recorder, you need to be aware of the limitations on what is recorded and when, and you may need more equipment, such as a switcher and/or multiplexer. Storage of video tapes can also be a challenge.

With a DVR recorder, all you need to decide is how long to you want to save events at one time, the longer time frame you want to save, the bigger hard drive you need. Events or time periods that need to be saved can be downloaded to a computer, or burned to a CD, very economical and easy to manage. A DVR, unlike the time lapse recorder will record continuously from all camera's, they also incorporate the switcher and multiplexer functions into one unit. A few years ago, DVR recorders were very expensive, today they are very sost effective and will continue to go down in cost and provide more advanced features. 
 

A couple of words of caution; some businesses have been known to display a fake camera in their place of business with the idea that this will deter shoplifting, robbery or employee theft. In light of some recent court case this practice should be discouraged, it has been successfully argued that the presence of a "dummy" camera can provide patrons or employees with a false sense if security that is not there. This false sense of security has led to injury.
 
Advanced Alarm Technologies can design a system to fit your security needs.