Closed circuit television (CCTV) security cameras are there for video
surveillance and live monitoring purposes. These may be single or a collection
of surveillance cameras which are directly linked to TVs via cables or wireless
means. Although CCTV security cameras are useful tools in areas which need high
security such as banks, casinos and airports, they are also used in public
places and in homes.
The most common usage of CCTV cameras is not crime prevention, but crime
detection and prosecution. Several cases have been solved with the use of these
cameras. These cameras automatically transfer captured images on a time-lapse or
motion detection basis to a PC or laptop using either a USB cable or a wireless
adapter.
Most modern CCTV security cameras are simple, light-weight and inexpensive
enough to be used in home security systems. There are new and advanced CCTV
mega-pixel cameras available which can take 1600 x 1200 pixel resolution images
of the camera scene either on a time lapse or motion detection basis. These
cameras also use a variety of techniques such as Tilt-Zoom, Low Light, Infrared
No-Light and License Plate technologies.
The price of CCTV security cameras depends on many things such as size, type,
display, resolution, zoom and wireless/wired models. The common forms of CCTV
security cameras are dome, bullet, and standard c-mount cameras. There are B/W
and color cameras, and cameras with or without audio. The price starts from $30
for B/W mini hidden cameras without audio and $40 for those with audio. Color
cameras without audio are available from $60 and those with audio are available
from $70 upwards. Wireless cameras are usually 10 to 20 dollars higher than
wired ones. Most decent surveillance cameras are available in the price range of
$100 - $350.
