Technologies

What is CCTV?

CCTV, or closed-circuit television, is a form of video surveillance commonly used for security purposes. CCTV systems typically include multiple video cameras and monitors, with point-to-point (P2P) and point-to-multipoint (P2MP) solutions existing alongside, mesh wired networks and wireless links.

CCTV systems are often used in public areas and can also be employed by police and private security officers. This technology can also be used in factories and industrial plants, to monitor critical events. The ability to remotely monitor criminal and employee activity through a video link, should not be underestimated, especially when advanced hardware technology is integrated with third-party software applications.

CCTV technology is increasingly being used by private businesses, as a way to deter and monitor criminal activity. Advanced forms of CCTV may utilise network video recorders (NVRs) and playback systems, with hard disk or cloud archiving allowing recordings to be kept for many years. The quality and performance of CCTV systems can vary significantly between product lines. Extra features in some systems include motion detection, email alerts, intrusion detection, face detection, and line crossing.

IP vs. Analogue CCTV

Businesses have the choice between internet protocol (IP) or analogue CCTV systems, with IP solutions providing better image quality and greater flexibility at a higher cost. The main difference between an analogue and IP camera is how the video signal is delivered. Standard analogue cameras turn the video signal into a format that can be received by a monitor or television or recorded in a digital video recorder (DVR). In contrast, an IP system sends the video signal via an ethernet cable to a network video recorder or hard drive, either locally or in the cloud.

Additional Security Technologies

While CCTV forms the backbone of most modern security systems, there are lots of other technologies that can also be useful. Here at QUADNET, we have partnered with some of the world’s leading security brands to offer the finest solutions for Access Control, Alarm Systems, and 24/7 Monitoring. Products from HIK Vision, Inception, and Paradox are all available to give your business the security it deserves.