How Things Work
Cameras come in different shapes and sizes. Know that this in itself does not affect the
picture quality. The shape rather should be looked at in terms of cosmetics, convenience
of installation and camera placement. Two cameras with different housings and similar
components should perform no different if constructed properly.
Dome Camera
Dome cameras typically are the best choice whenever possible
When the camera is within someone’s reach domes cannot be easily manipulated or
vandalized
Domes Installs easy in drop ceilings – usually 2 screws
Since a dome has a covered lens the direction the camera is pointing is hidden
Domes can accommodate infra-red for Night Vision
NOTE: While dome cameras are the installation choice there are limitations. As the domes
themselves are typically small you are limited in the size lens available. If you need to focus
on long distances which requires a lens of 50mm focal length or greater it will not fit inside
a standard dome camera. Dome cameras can be simple plastic ones or metal vandal-proof
for public places.
Box Camera
When mounting to a wall or any vertical area
When viewing long distances where a long lens is required, which would not fit inside a
dome or bullet camera
When extreme low light conditions are not a consideration
NOTE: If the box camera is within someone’s reach the camera is usually inserted in a
protective enclosure. If the lighting is extremely low box cameras can be inserted inside
enclosures that have built-in infra-red illuminators but the camera must be infra-red
sensitive. Meaning it is able to utilize the infra-red illuminators from an external source.
Infra-red Cameras
When there are extreme low light conditions
When the camera is not within someone’s reach
NOTE: The distances infra-red cameras can see are based upon its illumination capacity.
Infra-red cameras have LED’s, which cast out into the darkness. Realistically, a good rule of
thumb (but not an absolute) is figure 1 foot for each LED. Therefore, if a camera has 30 LED’
s then it probably can see about 30 feet. There are some newer LED’s called Cat’s Eyes,
which have more power, but they are not very common. You would notice a Cat’s Eye by
the extra large size of the LED’s. With respect to infrared quality it has more to do with the
intensity of the LED's and the distance they cover. One thing to note is that infrared LED's
do have a limited life since they are illuminating so they do burn out over time. Just
because one camera has more LED's than another does not mean it can cast a longer
distance, there are different strengths in the LED's. Unfortunately, again for the consumer
it is hard to properly compare.
Bullet Cameras
When you want the camera to be inconspicuous but not covert
When the camera is not within someone’s reach
When extreme low light conditions are not a consideration
For shorter to middle distances
NOTE: As bullet cameras are small the type of internal boards and lens is limited.
Accordingly, the picture quality of the bullet cameras cannot compare with other more
traditional cameras, which can have double layer boards and camera function controls.
Covert Cameras
Just as they say, these are meant not to be seen and come in all shapes and sizes from a
wall clock to a sprinkler head or smoke detector
NOTE: It is important to check your local laws with respect to surreptitious recording. In
some states certain types of covert cameras are illegal. For example, in New York State you
are not allowed to install smoke detector cameras. With respect to recording audio, there
are very specific laws, which vary from state to state. Some states require all parties
consent to recording, while others only require a single individual.
Wireless Cameras
When connection to the digital video recorder is not practical
NOTE: Remember though wireless is just for the video signal, you still need a method to
power the camera. Wireless cameras can be found in most styles. For the most part
wireless cameras require a line-of-sight to function properly. Distances will vary depending
upon the strength of the transmitter and receiver, what other devices are in the same
spectrum, etc. Realistically, you are looking at distances of 100’ or less on affordable
wireless equipment. There are external wireless transmitters and receivers that can attach
to any standard camera and make them wireless, but the costs are incredibly prohibitive.
Pan Tilt Zoom (PTZ) Cameras
When you want live control of the camera and adjusting the manual pan, tilt or zoom on a
fixed cameras is not practical
When you want to set up a camera to tour the premises
When you want to view several angles from a single camera
NOTE: Pan, Tilt, Zoom cameras cost anywhere from 5x – 10x the cost of a fixed camera.
The Pan, Tilt, Zoom camera cannot record or see where it is not looking. You cannot pan,
tilt or zoom after it has been recorded (this can only be done with a 360 degree camera).
Making a PTZ camera wireless adds thousands to the cost. PTZ cameras can though
perform various functions not possible with a fixed camera. You can control a PTZ camera
and zoom in optically up to 36x and beyond digitally up to 12x giving zoom capabilities in
the 100’s. The PTZ’s have intelligence and can be programmed to perform pre-defined
tours and upon the event of an alarm the camera can swing to a specified location before
continuing its tour. An operator can override and take control of the camera at any time.
Cameras come in different shapes and sizes. Know that this in itself does not affect the
picture quality. The shape rather should be looked at in terms of cosmetics, convenience
of installation and camera placement. Two cameras with different housings and similar
components should perform no different if constructed properly.
Dome Camera
Dome cameras typically are the best choice whenever possible
When the camera is within someone’s reach domes cannot be easily manipulated or
vandalized
Domes Installs easy in drop ceilings – usually 2 screws
Since a dome has a covered lens the direction the camera is pointing is hidden
Domes can accommodate infra-red for Night Vision
NOTE: While dome cameras are the installation choice there are limitations. As the domes
themselves are typically small you are limited in the size lens available. If you need to focus
on long distances which requires a lens of 50mm focal length or greater it will not fit inside
a standard dome camera. Dome cameras can be simple plastic ones or metal vandal-proof
for public places.
Box Camera
When mounting to a wall or any vertical area
When viewing long distances where a long lens is required, which would not fit inside a
dome or bullet camera
When extreme low light conditions are not a consideration
NOTE: If the box camera is within someone’s reach the camera is usually inserted in a
protective enclosure. If the lighting is extremely low box cameras can be inserted inside
enclosures that have built-in infra-red illuminators but the camera must be infra-red
sensitive. Meaning it is able to utilize the infra-red illuminators from an external source.
Infra-red Cameras
When there are extreme low light conditions
When the camera is not within someone’s reach
NOTE: The distances infra-red cameras can see are based upon its illumination capacity.
Infra-red cameras have LED’s, which cast out into the darkness. Realistically, a good rule of
thumb (but not an absolute) is figure 1 foot for each LED. Therefore, if a camera has 30 LED’
s then it probably can see about 30 feet. There are some newer LED’s called Cat’s Eyes,
which have more power, but they are not very common. You would notice a Cat’s Eye by
the extra large size of the LED’s. With respect to infrared quality it has more to do with the
intensity of the LED's and the distance they cover. One thing to note is that infrared LED's
do have a limited life since they are illuminating so they do burn out over time. Just
because one camera has more LED's than another does not mean it can cast a longer
distance, there are different strengths in the LED's. Unfortunately, again for the consumer
it is hard to properly compare.
Bullet Cameras
When you want the camera to be inconspicuous but not covert
When the camera is not within someone’s reach
When extreme low light conditions are not a consideration
For shorter to middle distances
NOTE: As bullet cameras are small the type of internal boards and lens is limited.
Accordingly, the picture quality of the bullet cameras cannot compare with other more
traditional cameras, which can have double layer boards and camera function controls.
Covert Cameras
Just as they say, these are meant not to be seen and come in all shapes and sizes from a
wall clock to a sprinkler head or smoke detector
NOTE: It is important to check your local laws with respect to surreptitious recording. In
some states certain types of covert cameras are illegal. For example, in New York State you
are not allowed to install smoke detector cameras. With respect to recording audio, there
are very specific laws, which vary from state to state. Some states require all parties
consent to recording, while others only require a single individual.
Wireless Cameras
When connection to the digital video recorder is not practical
NOTE: Remember though wireless is just for the video signal, you still need a method to
power the camera. Wireless cameras can be found in most styles. For the most part
wireless cameras require a line-of-sight to function properly. Distances will vary depending
upon the strength of the transmitter and receiver, what other devices are in the same
spectrum, etc. Realistically, you are looking at distances of 100’ or less on affordable
wireless equipment. There are external wireless transmitters and receivers that can attach
to any standard camera and make them wireless, but the costs are incredibly prohibitive.
Pan Tilt Zoom (PTZ) Cameras
When you want live control of the camera and adjusting the manual pan, tilt or zoom on a
fixed cameras is not practical
When you want to set up a camera to tour the premises
When you want to view several angles from a single camera
NOTE: Pan, Tilt, Zoom cameras cost anywhere from 5x – 10x the cost of a fixed camera.
The Pan, Tilt, Zoom camera cannot record or see where it is not looking. You cannot pan,
tilt or zoom after it has been recorded (this can only be done with a 360 degree camera).
Making a PTZ camera wireless adds thousands to the cost. PTZ cameras can though
perform various functions not possible with a fixed camera. You can control a PTZ camera
and zoom in optically up to 36x and beyond digitally up to 12x giving zoom capabilities in
the 100’s. The PTZ’s have intelligence and can be programmed to perform pre-defined
tours and upon the event of an alarm the camera can swing to a specified location before
continuing its tour. An operator can override and take control of the camera at any time.
