Unusual Uses for CCTV Systems

We’re used to seeing CCTV systems used for security and surveillance purposes, but we’ve also seen CCTV camera systems used in creative and unusual ways. A CCTV camera can be installed to monitor just about anything, and can transmit the signal to linked monitors or to an Internet feed, where it can be viewed by others. CCTV systems are much sturdier and often offer better capabilities than your typical webcam or nanny cam, making them the perfect choice for some of these CCTV applications we’ve seen recently.

Polar Bear Cub Cam

When the Buffalo New York zoo acquired a newborn polar bear cub, the staff wanted to show her off – but she was far too young to be let loose to play in the standard polar bear exhibit that awaited her. The solution? The staff set up a CCTV camera to allow zoo visitors to “meet” the three-month-old cub via video feed. Little Luna, named because she was born on the night of the full moon, will be viewable via CCTV camera periodically until she is old enough to move into the zoo’s polar bear exhibit.

Of course, this isn’t the first time that zoo staff has used a CCTV camera to keep an eye on newborns inside den areas in zoos around the world. Mothers and nursing cubs need privacy, but staff needs to be able to monitor for any potential problems. Entering the den with a nursing mother bear, wolf or other animal is a poor idea, but a surveillance camera can be installed well in advance and be used to monitor progress and reassure zookeepers that everything is going well.

City View Cams

The city of Worcester, Massachusetts allows city residents and others to get a glimpse of the most popular views in the city with a series of CCTV camera setups that transmit pictures to a network. Homesick former residents can log into the city government website and watch the sun rise over the Quabbin Reservoir or view the holiday lights on Worcester Common behind City Hall. Of course, Worcester isn’t the only city in the country that shows off its views via CCTV. Many cities maintain CCTV systems with similar capabilities.

A Peek Behind the Scenes

Ever want to see what the executives at your favorite company are doing at work? Want to watch workers assemble a car? While many companies use CCTV surveillance camera setups to monitor their workers, a few have put their CCTV systems to use for something a little different: giving the public a peek behind the scenes at their operations. Customers and clients can check in to see the staff at work – or at play – fostering a closer connection and relationship.

CCTV systems are great for security and surveillance monitoring, but they also can be used in more fun ways. These are just a few examples of ways that creative organizations have put CCTV systems to work for purposes other than security.