An Informed Breif History Regarding CCTV security Systems Past and Present
CCTV security systems were brought out in the US and the UK during the 60s and 70s.
CCTVsecurity systems are in excess of a thousand times better than the basic camera and monitor configurations that first came out in the 1960s. Systems from the 60s were basic, comprised of very low resolution black and white cameras connected by coaxial cable. Each camera was connected to a black and white monitor. A 16 camera configuration required 16 monitors. New applications of camera security systems include : belowground trains and stations, sports stadiums, mercantile establishment , plaza , public facilities, community parks, garages and car park.
CCTV Technology Development The basic technology evolved in the 60s. First of all , cctv switch boxes were added. A switchbox would allow the operator to switch between cameras. Operators now could see multiple camera views on one monitor. Only one camera could be seen at a time . The 70′s brought Multiplexers, VCRs and solid cameras. Multiplexers allowed the screen to be broken into multiple frames on the same monitor. VCRs allowed straight forward recording and video distribution . Solid state cameras assisted improve reliability and the integration of VCRs.’First generation’ CCTV security technology was initially impeded by some fairly major functioning related problems .
In the 80s we learnt that VCR recorders had many problems . VCR recorders were temperamental . The quality of the recordings was poor. The combination of low resolution camera images , poor caliber video tapes and low tech solutions meant that grainy and ill defined images couldn’t be relied on even for conclusive recognition purposes.
VCR technology couldn’t allow the operator to review and record happenings simultaneously and it was a very time consuming process to find and review specific events .There was no motion sensing capableness and no way of viewing events from a remote location.
Costly for what you get Even though early CCTV systems provided only relatively introductory functionality and moderate functioning, they were pricey – both in terms of the initial equipment price and the installation . Since this is still a new growth industry, there is still a deficiency of qualified and experienced installers.
The Next Generation CCTV security systems arrived in the mid 90s. The new technology was a computer founded Digital Video Recorder (DVR) DVRs allow images to be recorded at much higher resolution than previously . DVR eliminated a major trouble with first generation CCTV systems Video Tape! Worn out, forgot to change the tape, VCR recording tape.
DVRs are automatic and never require user intervention. When it is time to look at taped images, the DVR continues to record . Images are time and date stamped and are very easy to review. DVRs using IP (Internet Protocol) technology allow authorized removed users to view , transmit two way audio, fully control the cameras and system itself over a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN) or online . With such flexible access, the modern generation of CCTV cameras may be controled remotely from a control center or, in point of fact anyplace with internet access.
Equally, high quality digital images may be streamed anywhere and captured at a convenient and secure location. But it is n’t only the operating platform that has evolved significantly ; camera technology too permits far more functionality.
Today’s generation cameras can PTZ – pan, tilt and zoom, have higher resolution options, a large variety of lenses and are also capable of operating in ‘ scotopic vision. Audio is too now part of CCTV DVR technology. An operator is now able to synchronise movement based video events with audio analysis. Two way audio transmitting allows the operator to query possible trespassers, give instructions to faculty and to record search replay in both audio and visual form. Next generation DDTV DVR systems are interchangeable with former camera technology, and are scaleable, flexible and can be integrated with a broad range of other management systems, such as access control and building management systems.
CCTV has sure come a long way since the 1960s ; it’s clear that the future of CCTV is secure and that technology will continue to develop to meet the necessities of the surveillance market.