A Few Interesting Facts About CCTV Systems

CCTV is rapidly becoming the state of the art for home security and business surveillance. CCTV systems have broad applications in industry, business and government operations, but the falling prices and increasingly handy technology have made increased their usage in smaller businesses and private homes substantially over the past several years. How much do you know about CCTV systems? Here are a few interesting facts that you may not know.

In 80 percent of court cases where the police seek to use security camera footage introduced as evidence, the surveillance camera footage is inadmissible. In many cases, it’s because the CCTV camera doesn’t have the necessary focal length to adequately cover the area.

Even if you choose a proper lens, the DVR you choose for your CCTV system can compromise the quality of your surveillance footage. The quality of the footage taken by your security camera will be compromised if your DVR isn’t capable of recording at the right resolution. Working with a professional can ensure that your CCTV system is compatible and meets all your needs.

In 13 states, you may be violating the law if you install a CCTV camera system in a “private place” without the permission of the people being observed. In some cases, you can meet the requirements of the law regarding CCTV systems by posting notification that a security camera is in use. A “private place” includes any area where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy. One state specifically prohibits the use of a surveillance camera to view any area where people will be in a state of full or partial nudity.

If you use a CCTV camera to monitor your property outdoors, you must take care to position it so that it doesn’t infringe on your neighbors’ property and privacy rights. Avoid angles that capture house windows and fenced backyards, at the very least. The laws may be more restrictive in some areas.

In London, CCTV systems capture almost every square meter of public space. The average inhabitant of London is captured on a security camera about 300 times per day.

A visible security camera is a powerful deterrent to crime. Most store owners report a significant drop in shrinkage after installing a visible CCTV camera.

CCTV systems are tools to help you keep your home and business safe from thieves and intruders. If part of your intent in installing a CCTV system is to have evidence in case of a crime, make sure that you choose the right CCTV camera and recorder for your needs.