CCTV surveillance systems used as a crime fighting and prevention

CCTV surveillance systems play an important role in fighting and preventing local and international crime. These closed circuit television systems were in place in London before the July 7th bombings and this footage is being used to identify suspects and investigate the attacks.

Besides fighting terrorism, CCTV security systems installed in public places or retail markets can deter crime, provide the police with leads, help citizens feel safer, and improve the economy of a crime-stricken area. Most CCTV systems have now gone digital for improved performance, urveillance camera maneuverability, and quicker feedback as compared to analog systems.

Implementing CCTV systems

Law enforcement or security professionals best support CCTV systems. These teams of rofessionals need to monitor the CCTV video evidence on a timely basis and they need to be properly trained in order to interpret suspicious behavior caught on the system. When all of these factors are in place, then the CCTV security system will be effective for keeping citizens and shoppers safe. In the case of some municipalities or businesses not being able to afford all of the necessary components of a CCTV system, many CCTV providers can recommend a scalable approach so that priority security needs may be addressed first. Then, additional surveillance cameras can be purchased in ucceeding years as the budget allows.

Digital CCTV systems and surveillance cameras

A modern digital CCTV security system consists of hardware and software components that collect and transmit vital surveillance camera information over fiber optic lines to control rooms staffed by security professionals and equipped with digital CCTV monitors. An example of the surveillance cameras used for reducing crime in LA's MacArthur Park include CyberDome DayNite 25X cameras equipped with removable infrared cut filters, 25x optical zoom lenses, 12x digital zoom capabilities, and 360-degree PTZ (pan tilt zoom) capabilities. This MacArthur Park system also includes GE Storesafe DVRs (digital video recorders) and GE KTD-405 keypad controllers. DVRs are capable of saving CCTV data to a PC for up to ten weeks of recording and some even feature motion etection technology, which means that the footage is only recorded when motion triggers the DVR system. Digital surveillance cameras range in type from compact, fixed cameras to direction-controlled models that can see in the dark under various lighting conditions. CCTV decision-makers need to know what kind of job each surveillance camera must fulfill. Will it watch the flow of passerbys (fixed cameras) or will it need to monitor a crime-targeted area (dome cameras with PTZ functions)? These video security managers also need to consider weatherproofing their surveillance cameras if the cameras are mounted in an especially hot or cold climate, or if the viewing fields could be obscured by dirt or dust.

What kind of crimes do CCTV systems prevent?

Evidence has shown that CCTV systems mostly deter property crimes and robberies, but not more violent crimes such as rape and aggravated assault. CCTV systems may not catch these crimes because they may occur away from the surveillance cameras in more deserted areas.
Fortunately in most situations, when a CCTV system is in place, criminals generally shy away from these monitored areas fearing prosecution since these recorded images can be used in court. As noted previously, in order for a CCTV system to be effective, the electronic system must be used in conjunction with human know-how and skills and it should be carefully integrated into existing security plans.

CCTV: Looking ahead

In the next few years, digital CCTV systems will evolve into wireless CCTV systems that employ GSM (global system for mobile communication) or 3G (third generation) onnections. These wireless systems are completely portable and can deliver live images to a PC, an Internet phone, or a laptop. The cameras are tiny, but include many of the sophisticated features of full size digital CCTV cameras. CCTV customers are also seeking IP-based solutions with LAN/WAN delivery options despite some lags in the technology's image quality and frame rate. "Make no mistake about it, the future is wireless," says Thomas M. Wade, president of Samsung CCTV. "We'll be pushing crime-related images to police cars in the future. Imagine an abduction or robbery in which the responding units are seeing the video and the suspects as they are rolling to the scene. It's all possible and it is the general direction of the industry."

There is also talk of linking CCTV cameras together to form a worldwide network to prevent terrorism, but this international surveillance system would cost billions of dollars and would require extensive international cooperation.

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Advantages of IP-based video surveillance The leap into completely IP-based technology is the best bang for your buck both monetarily and in terms of security by far. Digital surveillance can be done over a LAN network, of course, but TCP/IP transmittal of surveillance makes sense for remote monitoring of multiple locations and for remote recording of data onto back-up servers and hard disks for long-term storage. 

With IP-based video surveillance, you can connect your surveillance camera or cameras to any network or wireless adapter, and you are extremely flexible in your placement of the camera itself. A typical PC-attached video camera, while providing digital picture image quality, still has to be within approximately ten feet of the computer itself. 

Set-up of an IP-based video system is easy -- once you’ve set up an IP address, you’re up and running and it’s extremely stable and reliable. Because this is the technology of the future, it is also upgradeable. You won’t be outgrowing an IP-based video surveillance system any time soon because new developments are based on improving this market. Therefore, you will be able to add on and improve this system for years to come while older, CCTV+DVR hybrids will dead-end and become obsolete. 

Comparing analog and IP-based video surveillance 

A better way to understand the differences between analog and IP-based video surveillance may be to compare the two and how they work: 

Analog or CCTV+DVR video surveillance 

 * Easy to use -- operates like a VCR 

 * Changing cassettes and rewinding regularly means human error frequently interferes with effectiveness 

 * Image quality is poor 

 * Storage tapes wear out over time 

 * Broadcasting images live isn’t practical 

 * Storage is bulky 

 * Uses analog recording, recording in low-grade picture quality and inability to search and track easily   * Adding DVR systems must be done in ‘blocks’ of 16 channels 

IP-based video surveillance 

 * IP-based recording means instant transmittal of images anywhere in the world 

 * Can monitor multiple cameras from one remote location 

 * No decrease in recording quality over time or with repeated replays 

 * Digital picture quality far superior to analog 

 * IP-base recording is highly compressed for easier storage and can be transported over a variety of media 

 * Digital images can be encrypted for security purposes 

 * Updates and add-ons are relatively inexpensive through software packages and Internet computer networking 

 * Adjustable frame rates 

 * Remote or shared viewing may be done over the Internet or a wireless connection 

 * Standard IP video compression techniques are used 

 * IP surveillance cameras may be added individually or in groups according to your needs 

If you’re considering switching to an IP camera security system, consider these 11 points

An analogue camera is a traditional camera used in CCTV systems. It sends video over cable to DVRs. IP cameras are all digital cameras that can send signals over cable to be stored NVR in the network. 

1. Video quality

IP cameras provide overall higher video quality than analogue cameras. They offer more video site ranges, such as a wide or narrow field of view, and better zoom-in capabilities. And because they transmit truly digital signals, they offer far greater video detail, which makes them much better for facial recognition or detecting license plate numbers.

Analogue cameras have overall lower quality than IP cameras, but perform better in low light conditions. Analogue cameras have more limited site ranges and don’t offer the zoom-in clarity of IP cameras. If you zoom in on the analogue images, you’re going to get a grainier, degraded picture.

2. Resolution

Generally, IP cameras provide resolutions 6 to 20 times higher than analogue cameras.

IP cameras offer resolutions that can range from 1.3 megapixels to 5 megapixels (2560 x 1920) of compressed, encoded transmissions.

Analogue cameras are limited to resolutions of the NTSC/PAL standard of 720 x 480 pixels (NTSC)/575 (PAL) or 0.4 megapixels (4CIF).

3. Transmission media

IP cameras also work over twisted-pair and with wireless connections.

Traditional analogue cameras operate over coax cable.

4. PoE capabilities

One of the advantages of IP cameras is that they can be powered over the twisted-pair Ethernet cable, thus eliminating worries over running electrical wire. No dedicated Power Supply also be need.

Older analogue cameras cannot be PoE powered.

5. Wireless

Wireless IP camera network connections can be a very practical solution in areas where it’s too difficult or expensive to run cable. Wireless can also be used in buildings where it’s impractical or impossible to run cable, such as in historical buildings. But Local power supply unit is required to On camera.

Older analogue cameras cannot be Wireless facility.

6. Distance

IP cameras can send digital video 100 metres over twisted-pair Ethernet cable and unlimited distances over IP networks. Because the images are digital, they maintain 100% of their clarity over long distances and when the signal is converted between different formats.

Analogue cameras can send video over coax cable up to 300 metres away over coax cable. But analogue transmissions lose clarity with increased distance and when the signal is converted from one format to another.

7. Ease of installation

IP cameras can accept power, video, audio, PTZ control, and control signals over a single CAT6 cable.

Analogue cameras require more cabling than IP cameras. For instance, they require a separate cable to control the pan, tilt, and zoom functions. If there is audio, another cable is required. One analogue camera may require three separate cables: power, audio, video.

8. Intelligence and manageability

IP cameras offer network intelligence and remote manageability. They can stream images, and different parts of images, to different recipients simultaneously. They can perform additional tasks such as sending a message when they detect motion. Various type Video verification can be added in footage analysis.

Not possible for analogue camera DVR based System.

9. Reliability

IP systems have built-in reliability due to the data encryption and compression. They are as reliable as the network is, although backup systems can be put in place to minimise outages.

Analogue security cameras have been around for more than half a century and have a long history of reliability.

10. Expandability

IP cameras offer more expandability and scalability than analogue cameras because their cabling requirements are less complex. But it is still possible to leverage your existing cabling infrastructure when migrating to IP cameras with the use of converters and extenders.

Analogue cameras is complex outdated technology.

11. Costs

IP camera systems are thought to be more expensive because the cost of the cameras is higher than for analogue cameras, although the price of IP cameras continues to drop. But the overall cost may be less than anticipated due to lower costs for cabling, recording equipment, and labor.

Analogue cameras is obsolete, now a days AHD technology is there in place of older technology. Older camera cannot support any AHD DVR. Yes AHD camera and AHD DVR are low cost then IP Camera.

Note: HikVision, Dahua Network camera and DVR-NVR both are less cyber security policy. Anyone can get video footage in outside of your Network. Both product has BAN from US, UK, Netherland, Australia etc. Both product are Chinese Govt owned company. HQ is in China. 

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