A Thought Out Breif History Regarding CCTV security Systems Past and Present

CCTV security systems were introduced within the US and the UK during the 60s and 70s.

CCTVsecurity systems are in excess of a thousand fold more advanced 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 necessitated 16 monitors. New applications of camera security systems include : belowground trains and stations, sports stadiums, mercantile establishment , shopping center , public facilities, community parks, garages and parking lot .

CCTV Technology Development The basic technology developed 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 once. The 70′s brought Multiplexers, VCRs and solid state cameras. Multiplexers allowed the screen to be broken into numerous frames on the same monitor. VCRs allowed straight forward recording and video dispersion. Solid state cameras aided improve dependability and the integration of VCRs.’First generation’ CCTV security technology was impeded by some fairly major operation related problems .

In the 80s we found out that VCR recorders had many problems . VCR recorders were temperamental . The quality of the recordings was poor. The combination of low resolution camera pictures, poor quality video tapes and low tech solutions meant that grainy and unclear images couldn’t be relied on even for conclusive identification purposes.

VCR technology couldn’t permit 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 detection capableness and no way of viewing events from a distant location.

Pricey for what you get Even though early CCTV  systems provided only relatively basic functionality and moderate performance , they were pricey – both in terms of the initial equipment price and the installation . Since this is still a fresh growth industry, there is still a lack of qualified and knowledgeable installers.

The Next Generation CCTV security systems arrived in the mid 90s. The new technology was a computer established Digital Video Recorder (DVR) DVRs allow images to be recorded at a great deal higher resolution than in the past. DVR did away with a major problem with first generation CCTV systems Video Tape! Worn out, forgot to change the tape, VCR recording tape.

DVRs are automatic and never necessitate user intervention. When it is time to look at taped images, the DVR continues to tape. Images are clock time and date stamped and are very easy to review. DVRs using IP (Internet Protocol) technology allow authorized remote users to view , transmit two way audio, fully command the cameras and system itself over a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN) or on the internet . With such elastic access, the New generation of CCTV cameras may be controled remotely from a control center or, in fact anywhere 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 developed significantly ; camera technology too allows 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 ‘ night sight . Audio is also now part of CCTV DVR technology. An operator is now able to sync motion based video events with audio analysis. Two way audio transmitting allows the operator to query possible intruders , 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 certainly come a long way since the 1960s ; it’s clear that the future of CCTV is secure and that technology helps keep to develop to meet the requirements of the surveillance market.