CCTV Cameras

Closed circuit television (CCTV) is a collection of cameras, recorders, switches, keyboards, and monitors that allow viewing and recording of security events. The CCTV system is normally integrated with the overall security program and centrally monitored at the security central station.

Within the past several years, there have been enhanced developments in the CCTV industry, particularly better picture resolution, microprocessor-based video switchers, and the ability to transmit video over networks with a compressed bandwidth ratio.

CCTV provides a highly flexible method of surveillance and monitoring. One advantage is its immediate output. There is never a question of whether the equipment works properly or not. In addition, it can be adapted through the use of remote control devices, recorders, and computer imaging to guard against virtually any crime including burglary, unauthorized entrance, and employee theft.?

Uses of CCTV systems for security services include below:

Surveillance: CCTV cameras can be used to give a viewer the capability to be made aware of or view visual events at multiple locations from a centralized remote viewing area. CCTV camera technology makes visual information available that would normally only be available through multiple (possibly roving) human resources.

Assessment: When alerted by an alarm notification, CCTV cameras allow the security control center operators or other viewers to assess the situation and make a determination as to what type of response may or may not be required. An example would be an intrusion alarm at a remote facility. Visual assessment may indicate an unannounced maintenance crew at work. This situation will be handled differently than if the operator viewed an unknown individual removing a laptop from the facility.

Deterrence:?While more effective against unsophisticated burglars, as opposed to trained covert insurgents, CCTV cameras may deter burglary, vandalism, or intrusion due to fear of discovery and prosecution.?

Evidentiary Archives:?Retrieval of archived images may be helpful in the?identification and prosecution of trespassers, vandals, or other intruders.?

Cameras:

Color cameras offer more information, such as the color of a vehicle or a subject’s clothing. Some ultra-low-light color cameras are able to automatically sense the ambient light conditions and switch from color to black and white in low-light conditions. Cameras must have auto-white balance to adjust for the changing color temperature of daylight and artificial lighting needed for night-time viewing. Black and white cameras are more sensitive under low-light or darkness conditions. Color cameras require a higher illumination level than black and white cameras to be effective. Typically, a high-quality?color camera will work well down to fc illumination, whereas a standard black and white camera might only require 0.5 fc. These lighting level requirements vary with the camera model and manufacturer, so be sure to specify the necessary illumination level that is required for camera observation, and coordinate carefully with the lighting levels for the particular area to be viewed. In addition, placement of cameras to allow for capturing and viewing of all activities in the remotely observed area is also an important consideration for the security professional.

Outdoor Cameras:

Outdoor camera installations cost more than indoor cameras due to the need to environmentally house, heat, and ventilate the camera. When mounting a camera outdoors, the lighting requirements change depending on the time of day and the weather.?

Consider the following for outdoor cameras:

Shrubs, trees, and other vegetation in a camera’s line of sight may cause obstructed views. Security professionals need to be aware of this when determining where to place cameras. Also, motion detector systems can register a false positive when plants in the field of view move in windy conditions.

Provide heater blower packages for cold weather applications. Always use auto-iris lenses with outdoor cameras. The iris automatically adjusts the amount of light reaching the camera and thereby optimizes its performance. The iris also protects the image sensor from getting damaged by?strong sunlight.

Always set the focus in low light with an auto-iris lens. If the adjustment is made in sunlight, it is very easy to focus, but at night the iris diameter

increases and the image is not in focus anymore. Special dark focus filters called “neutral density” (ND) filters help reduce lighting by one or more stops of exposure. These filters do not affect the color of the image.

Always try to avoid direct sunlight in an image. Direct sunlight blinds the camera and may permanently bleach the small color filters on the sensor chip,

causing stripes in the image. If possible, position the camera so that it is looking away from the sun.

When using a camera outdoors, avoid viewing too much sky. Due to the large contrast, the camera will adjust to achieve a good light level for the sky, and the landscape and objects that must be assessed might appear too dark. One way to avoid these problems is to mount the camera high above ground. Use a pole if needed. Given mounting choices, mount cameras facing away from the rising or setting sun, but realize that this varies by season.?

This is especially important with a long focal length lens. These lenses amplify even the smallest movement of the mount. Building mounts are generally more stable than pole mounts.

Fixed Position Cameras:

A fixed position camera cannot rotate or pan. A good application for fixed cameras is detection surveillance because video motion detection can be more readily applied to the static field of view. The installation and cost of fixed cameras is lower because there is no associated motor/control wiring.

Fixed cameras are good for review of pre-alarm conditions because there is a static view of the alarm area. Pre-alarm allows the review of video information for the time period immediately before the alarm occurred. Due to the static view, fixed cameras are not as well suited for tracking a dynamic event.

ANPR/LPR Cameras:

ANPR and LPR cameras are used to read and store data on registration plates. They offer a simple and efficient solution to many organizations including tolling, hotel overstay management and the obvious: car parking. ANRP stands for Automatic Number Plate Recognition (LPR cameras stands for License plate cameras) and these devices help to obtain copious information in a high traffic area to keep any premises secure. LPR cameras are advanced traffic sensors used to capture and digitalize images from license plates. This is called License Plate Recognition (LPR). For LPR to be useful it has to be done in real-time (20ms or less) and with very high precision (99% or more); Regular video cameras can't do this. Benefits of ANPR/LPR cameras are that they are having smart features like information storage, can identify cars that have been banned from a premises and allows a business to run smoothly.

Discreet CCTV:

These types of cameras allow for discreet placement which means you can capture good footage of theft and criminal damage. Discreet CCTV cameras beneficial because criminals will be less likely to spot them and therefore, they are less likely to be damaged in the process. Benefits of discreet CCTV cameras are that they can be propped up or mounted and disguised in various objects and effective for indoor use.

Infrared Night Vision Surveillance Cameras:

Night vision cameras are a powerful deterrent to many sites and properties left unoccupied overnight. They can record high-quality footage even in complete darkness, using infrared LEDs to ensure the recording is clear.?Many businesses opt for night vision CCTV if they are at increased risk of break-ins overnight or outside operating hours.

Pan/Tilt/Zoom (PTZ) Cameras:

PTZ camera mounts allow the camera to rotate, pan, tilt, and zoom. Because of the drive motor, housing, and wiring for controls, PTZ cameras are typically three to four times more expensive than fixed cameras. However, the operator gets a much better view of the overall area than with a fixed camera. PTZ cameras are often used to view and assess alarm conditions. PTZ cameras are not well suited for pre-alarm assessment because they may not be focused on the alarm area at all times. When designing CCTV surveillance, consider the lost coverage within the camera sweep field of view when the camera zooms to a fixed location.

Bullet CCTV:

Most conventional CCTV cameras will be bullet CCTV and are instantly recognizable as being a CCTV security system. This design is highly suited for outdoor positioning and is resistant to dirt, water and dust.?CCTV is primarily a preventative, and so is a meaningful way to demonstrate that your premises are protected and under security surveillance. Bullet cameras can also capture footage over long distances and operate in poor weather conditions.

C-Mount Surveillance Cameras:

The next CCTV camera construction is called a C-Mount. These are similar to bullet cameras and have detachable lenses, so can be adapted to monitor different areas and across varying distances.?C-Mount installations have a weatherproof casing for outside use and won’t fail to operate even in extreme cold conditions.?This CCTV type is popular in the construction industry and for monitoring roads and access points.

Dome Cameras:

Dome cameras are actually a cheaper version of the PTZ camera when the total cost is considered (installation, parts, and maintenance). Dome cameras are mounted in a hardened plastic lower dome, which is commonly smoke colored to conceal the camera. The use of smoke-colored domes provides covert lens positioning, while the use of clear domes provides for better low-light performance. Dome cameras are a good design solution for applications where the camera needs to be protected from the environment or it is desired to conceal the axis and field of view of a scanning camera. A common application of dome cameras is in office buildings with suspended ceilings. The dome camera is more aesthetic looking than a standard camera unit. Improvements in product design have reduced the packing to integral units that now fit in the space of a quarter ceiling tile. PTZ features within dome cameras move substantially quicker than conventional cameras with a separate PTZ drive unit on them.

Body-worn cameras:

In recent years, the use of body worn video cameras has been introduced for a number of uses. For example, as a new form of surveillance in law enforcement, with cameras located on a police officer's chest or head. A body camera, bodycam, body-worn video (BWV), body-worn camera, or wearable camera is a wearable audio, video, or photographic recording system. Body cameras have a range of uses and designs, of which the best-known use is as a police body camera. Other uses include action cameras for social and recreational (including cycling), within the world of commerce, in healthcare and medical use, in military use, journalism, citizen sousveillance and covert surveillance.

Research on the impact of body-worn cameras for law enforcement shows mixed evidence as to their impact on the use of force by law enforcement as well as the and communities' trust in police. The publicized deaths of black Americans at the hands of police has been a large factor increasing support for body worn cameras by police personnel. For decades people have protested police by watching them stemming from long term unhappiness with the system, and social media has only bolstered this behavior from the public

Internet Protocol (IP) Cameras:?

An IP camera captures a video image digitally. The IP camera resides on a local area network (LAN). Video data is transmitted via the LAN to a video server that routes the video to end-users and a mass storage server. While this may sound advantageous, there are pros and cons. IP cameras are the least secure CCTV system, but they may have applications where remote viewing over a network is desired or where a high bandwidth and low latency network may exist. With an IP camera system, a network connection between the sites is all that is required to view any camera image on the system. One drawback to IP cameras is that they cost more than a standard analog (non-IP) camera. Due to the security concerns with the Internet, IP cameras will generally not be used on high-risk projects. The possible exception would be CCTV surveillance of low priority assets at remote locations.

Sporting events Cameras:

Many sporting events use CCTV inside the venue, either to display on the stadium or arena's scoreboard, or in the concourse or restroom areas to allow fans to view action outside the seating bowl. The cameras send the feed to a central control center where a producer selects feeds to send to the television monitors that fans can view. CCTV monitors for viewing the event by attendees are often placed in lounges, hallways, and restrooms. In a trial with CCTV cameras, football club fans no longer needed to identify themselves manually, but could pass freely after being authorized by the facial recognition system.

Varifocal Cameras:?

With the ability to zoom in and out without forfeiting its focus. Varifocal cameras allow you to adjust the focal length, the angle and increase or decrease the zoom – ideal for obtaining footage in a square room where you would normally experience a ‘dead zone’ with any alternative, fixed lens camera. These cameras can capture those ‘dead zones’ that other cameras can’t. they offer exceptional focus and work well up close and at long distances. A varifocal lens is a security camera lens with an adjustable focal length, angle of view and level of zoom. This type of lens is often used in facilities like airports, hospitals, government offices and warehouses.

Characteristics to consider while selecting CCTV camera:

Lens Selection:

Another important consideration during installation of a CCTV system is the proper choice of lenses. Focal length is the distance from the surface of the lens to the point of focus measured in millimeters. Lenses either have a fixed or variable focal length.?

Resolution:?

Resolution refers to the “graininess” of an image. The clearer the picture, the more pixels it will have. In addition, the larger the file, the more bandwidth it will consume. 352×288, which is the default frame rate for CCTV digital video recorder (DVR) systems, will generate a satisfactory image that can help with transmission costs because it is a quarter of the data associated with a 640 by 480 image.?

Frames Per Second (FPS):

CCTV cameras transmit video in image frames. The measure of the “smoothness” of the playback of the video is quantified in frames per second (fps). The more frames per second you choose, the more network capacity each camera will require and the more data storage you will need. For most security applications, 30 fps is higher than needed for evidentiary and investigative purposes.?

Compression:

Digital images and digital video can be compressed in order to save space on hard drives and make transmission faster. Typically, the compression ratio is between 10 and 100. There are several standard commercial compression algorithms, but the most common is MPEG-4. Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) is a compression technique for audio and video that balances compression against loss of detail in the image.?The greater the compression, the more information is lost.?

Digital Video Recorder (DVR):

In current CCTV systems, the DVR has become the central focus of the CCTV system. The DVR is used principally for the download of camera images onto a hard drive for recording and storage of historical information. Older systems used VHS tapes but have largely been phased out. This system required tapes to be changed every day for storage, and when an incident occurred, you had to sit in front of the monitor and review the entire?tape.?

Monitor Displays:

Single Image Display: A single CCTV camera image is displayed. It is typical for a receptionist or a guard to monitor an entry door position where they are assigned duties.

Split Screen:

Split screen is most commonly used to describe displaying multiple CCTV camera images on a single display. The display screen is typically split into a square pattern. Typically, if a 16 port DVR is used, then the screen can be installed to monitor 16 specific views. It is recommended that a second screen be utilized to allow the officer, guard, or receptionist to pull one view off the split screen for specific viewing or allow a flip sequencing of selected views to change every second in a larger view.

Matrix Displaying for Large Format Displays:

LCD and flat-screen plasma displays lend themselves to programming to show several camera images. The configuration is best done in a square matrix. A square matrix avoids distorting or stretching the camera image in one direction or the other, as would occur in a 5 by 7 matrix configuration for “alarm call-up” with additional monitors for a fixed view or switching images.

A more open question is whether most CCTV is cost-effective. While low-quality domestic kits are cheap, the professional installation and maintenance of high definition CCTV is expensive.

CCTV can also be used to help solve crimes. In London alone, six crimes are solved each day on average using CCTV footage.

What are the laws related to CCTV cameras?

In India, the IT Act, 2000, is the parent legislation to deal with electronic surveillance. If a camera captures images of the private parts of a person, male or female, or transmits such images without consent, the offender can be booked under section 66E. In most situations, installing security cameras in your home is legal, except if they violate a person's expected privacy. To be safe, keep cameras away from bedrooms, guest rooms, and bathrooms. If a person feels that their privacy has been violated due to the use of surveillance cameras, they may have the right to file a legal case challenging the breach of their privacy. There are several case law examples related to the use of CCTV cameras and privacy concerns.?

As video surveillance varies from one country to another, the requirement of consent for recording videos through CCTV also varies. Consent laws of nations address whether it is allowed to record someone on video or audio without their approval. Usually, consent of one or both parties is required for recording. To comply with GDPR, businesses must put up signs that are clearly visible and readable indicating that CCTV is in operation. It is always better to place security cameras where they can be easily seen. A judge is also less likely to accept video evidence obtained from a camera in a private place such as a washroom or a bedroom unless all parties involved are aware that they are being recorded.

Consent law and the use of hidden cameras are now hotly debated topics. As mentioned earlier, laws vary by state. Evaluation of the legality of hidden cameras is based on where one resides and how it is being used. Hidden cameras are often not lawful to put in bathrooms or bedrooms where someone is staying, or any other area where people would expect to have a higher degree of privacy. However, having hidden cameras in public spaces such as restaurants, outdoor parks, shopping malls, city streets is normally lawful, but it shouldn’t be used to infringe on the right to privacy.

The history of CCTV camera laws in India can be traced back to the Information Technology Act, 2000, which was enacted to provide legal recognition for electronic commerce and to address issues related to cyber-crimes. The Act was amended in 2008 to include provisions for the protection of sensitive personal data and information. In 2011, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology issued the Information Technology (Reasonable Security Practices and Procedures and Sensitive Personal Data or Information) Rules, 2011, under the Information Technology Act, 2000, which provided guidelines for the collection, storage, and use of personal information by organizations. These rules also required organizations to obtain consent from individuals before collecting, storing, or using their personal information, and to put in place reasonable security practices and procedures to protect this information from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. There have been several cases in India where the installation of CCTV cameras in public places or in classrooms without the consent of individuals or parents has been challenged, and the courts have ruled that such installation is a violation of privacy rights. This highlights the need for clear guidelines and specific legislation to regulate the use of CCTV cameras in India, and the importance of balancing the protection of safety and security with the protection of individuals' privacy rights.

It is important to note that the use of CCTV cameras should be in compliance with the Right to Privacy under the Indian Constitution. It's also mandatory to display the signs of CCTV surveillance at the entry and exit points of the premises where the cameras are installed. In summary, while the use of CCTV cameras is allowed in India, organizations must obtain consent from individuals before collecting, storing, and using their personal information, and must put in place reasonable security practices and procedures to protect this information. However, certain exceptions apply, such as in public places or for the protection of safety and security. Overall, the history of CCTV camera laws in India shows that there is a need for a balance between the protection of safety and security and the protection of individuals' privacy rights, and the need for clear guidelines and specific legislation to regulate the use of CCTV cameras.