Using CCTV (closed-circuit television) monitoring is becoming increasingly popular throughout Australia. As security cameras and CCTV systems continue to become more affordable, more and more homeowners are installing them to combat intruders and burglars.
However, a lot of people still don’t understand what CCTV is or how it works. Because of this, they don’t even consider installing it, even in situations where it could be extremely useful.
Because of this, we decided to put together the following guide. We’ve looked at what CCTV is, how it works and a few of the things to consider when deciding whether or not you need it.
What Is CCTV?
In short, CCTV surveillance involves installing some sort of video cameras around your property to detect the presence of intruders or burglars. The technology has been in use for years, but until recently, it was relatively expensive and ineffective.
However, recent advances in surveillance technology have led to much more useful equipment that can be used to accurately capture and identify criminals. If you live in a crime-prone area or store a significant amount of valuables on your property, we’d highly recommend installing some sort of security camera system.
What Sort of CCTV Cameras Are Available?
Currently, there are three main types of CCTV surveillance cameras available on the market. These include:
Analogue cameras – Analogue cameras have been around forever, and are commonly installed by those with a low budget. In general, they include a security tape that continuously records footage. The downside is that all footage is recorded over at regular intervals, so it’s impossible to view anything from more than a few days ago.
Wired cameras – Upgrading to wired cameras will give you much better recording and surveillance capabilities. For example, wired cameras can be connected to a single monitor, and footage can be recorded and stored on hard drives or other storage devices.
IP cameras – Finally, IP cameras are designed to be used as part of a wireless surveillance network. They allow you to view your what’s happening inside your home or business in real-time, which is especially useful if your alarm system is triggered.
Should I Be Installing a CCTV Surveillance System?
In the end, CCTV surveillance and security cameras aren’t necessary for everyone. However, they remain an extremely useful tool for those who need that little bit of extra security on top of a traditional alarm or monitoring system.
For example, security cameras or CCTV systems could benefit:
- Business owners who store large amounts of valuable stock or other items on their premises.
- Homeowners in a crime-prone area who are likely to get broken into occasionally.
- Anyone who leaves their property unoccupied for significant lengths of time.
Ultimately, the decision to install a CCTV monitoring system is a personal one, and not everyone can justify the cost. However, we’d highly recommend doing your research and considering it, because they could save you a lot of money, not to mention the fact that simply having cameras will help deter intruders.