Advances in CCTV Systems

For several decades, CCTV systems made do with VCRs and VHS tapes for recording. Even now, many court systems are only equipped to view video from surveillance cameras if it comes in VHS format. But over the last ten years, DVR – Digital Video Recorders – have taken a larger and larger share of the market. Today, few people looking for CCTV systems would even consider one that’s recorded to VHS tape.

But if you think a CCTV system is up-to-date because it uses DVR technology, you haven’t been paying attention to the latest advances. While it took nearly 20 years for the security camera to evolve from recording to VHS to recording to hard disk, the advances in security systems since then have come fast and furious. The newest and highest tech systems not only record in digital format, they offer many other advances as well.

Wired or Wireless CCTV Systems?

One of the biggest advances in the CCTV industry is the loss of wires. Installing a CCTV system used to be a labor-intensive process that often included laying wire from the camera to the VCR or DVR. Nowadays, you can easily afford a CCTV camera that connects wirelessly to the recording media, giving you far more flexibility in designing and repositioning cameras.

Audio Security Cameras

You can also buy a surveillance camera that does more than watch – it listens, too. An advanced CCTV system often includes audio recording so that you can listen in as well as watch. The best systems are capable of real-time recording and seamlessly lip-sync the audio and video so that you can get a full picture of what you’re watching.

Color Recording

No more grainy black & white security recordings from the best CCTV cameras. Now you have the choice between a black & white or color security camera with your system. Color digital recordings can provide detail for daytime security recordings, especially indoors. Black & white still works best for nighttime security uses, but you’re not stuck with dimly lit security footage any more. Many CCTV camera systems include infrared lighting so that you can capture high quality footage even in low light situations.

Remote Camera Control

One of the most valuable advances in CCTV systems is the ability to control the entire system, from surveillance camera to recorder, remotely using PC software. Even small home security systems now offer this capability, which allows you to adjust focus, camera direction and even more from the office or anywhere you can access the PC on which the software is installed.

Learn more about the latest advances in CCTV systems by visiting an installer or manufacturer of security cameras and systems today.