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CCTV Video Surveillance Systems

Types of Applications: 

• Outdoor Perimeter Security Surveillance
• Banking Institutions
• Correctional Facilities
• Computer Rooms
• Video Identification Security Systems
• Parking Facilities (interior and exterior)
• Retail Security Systems
• Traffic Control Systems
• Military and Nuclear Facilities
• Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) areas
• Employee Training and Monitoring
• Elevator Cab Security Systems

Closed-circuit television (CCTV) is typically identified with security and anti-vandalism video surveillance systems since it's proven itself as a reliable and cost-effective deterrent that can also aid in apprehending and prosecuting offenders. 

However, CCTV's true purpose is to provide a view of live action from a safe distance where action(s) can be taken as a result of the events taking place. CCTV also provides the ability of recording those events for future analysis. 

As with any engineered design solution, careful planning is required to ensure a successful installation. Axiom Engineering will specify a CCTV system specifically tailored to your client's needs. If person or product identification isn't critical to the application, there's no need to spend extra for colour video equipment when black&white will suffice. Each installation is site-specific - anyone that tells you otherwise is not being honest. For existing applications, we'll conduct a thorough site review and survey to determine critical locations and to identify camera requirements. 

The following is a list of some of the most common components associated with CCTV video surveillance systems. 
 

• Camera


The function of this component is to convert the image from the camera lens into a real-time video signal. The focused image enters the camera lens and falls onto the camera's internal sensor where the image is examined point by point until the entire visual image can be converted to a signal that is transmitted to a remote video monitor.

The type of sensor, camera features, and colour capabilities determine the cost and quality of a camera. Internal image processing circuitry can filter noise out of the image, automatically compensate for back-light, adjust for low-level lighting, and control lens focus. As camera technology progresses we can expect to see sharper images and smaller cameras. Infra-red imaging technology is advancing rapidly and may result in high-quality, low-cost CCTV camera installations.

The location, application, and purpose of the camera will determine it's specifications for your client's project. We'll meet with you and your client to determine the exact system requirements before we start so the system isn't over-designed for its intended purpose(s).
 

• Lens


The lens collects the light reflected from a scene and focuses it into the camera sensor. There are several parameters involved in lens selection.
 

• The focal length (FL) determines the field of view (FOV) of the lens, or how much of the scene is focused onto the camera sensor.
• The optical speed, or f-number, of the lens is a measure of it's light-gathering ability. The more light a lens can transfer to the camera sensor, the better the contrast and image quality. Smaller lenses require higher illumination levels since they cannot collect as much light as larger ones.


Perhaps the most important component of the CCTV surveillance system, the lens is also the most improperly specified item.  In an effort to reduce the total number of cameras in an installation, many designers specify wide-angle or super-wide-angle lenses to obtain a wider FOV. However, they fail to inform the client that the image on the video monitor becomes distorted and unidentifiable at such wide angles - often defeating the purpose of the system.

Axiom Engineering uses software applications to calculate the exact focal length for each lens based on the object distance, and the size of the image required on any given video monitor. What this means for your client is that he'll be able to visually identify a person on the video monitor at a given distance - with a visual quality sufficient for prosecution of an offender (if required). This type of design process is critical for surveillance systems.
 

• Transmission Media


The proper specification of video signal transmission media is a very important aspect of a CCTV system because it determines the quality and reliability of the signal to be monitored and recorded for future use.  There are several different types of transmission media in use.
 

• Coaxial Cable


This type of cabling is typically used for distances of several hundred to several thousand feet. Coaxial cable is unique in that it has a high bandwidth capacity (translating into a higher image resolution) without signal attenuation (there is no appreciable video signal loss) over long distances, making it ideal for CCTV applications.
 
The type of coaxial cable to be used depends on the environment of the application and the electrical characteristics required for the system. Each type of cable has unique properties and maximum recommended distances between camera and video monitor. For longer distances, video amplifiers must be used to boost the signal.
 

• Fibre Optic Cable

 
This relatively new transmission medium offers high bandwidth, high-quality video, excellent audio, and control signal features over a single fibre. The other major advantage of fibre optic cabling is that it is unaffected by electro-magnetic interference - which ensures that distortion will be minimal. This cable is also unaffected by harsh environments.
 
Although its initial installation cost is expensive, fibre optic cabling can be run for several miles without signal degradation.  Using higher transmission frequencies can result in cable runs of hundreds of miles.
 
There are also a variety of fibre optic cables - the selection of which depends on maximum distances, bandwidth requirements, environmental conditions, and future requirements.
 
• Wireless Transmission

 
Traditional hard-wired transmission mediums are cost-effective, reliable, and provide simple solutions for most CCTV installations. However, there are applications that require the use of wireless signal transmission. Examples include remote sites where cable installation is not practical due to terrain and where the distance to the monitoring station is too great.
 
However, due to the variable nature of atmospheric conditions and other materials through which the signals must travel, wireless signals may be adversely affected and unreliable.
 
There are a few basic types of wireless technologies currently in use. These are radio frequency (RF), microwave, and light-wave. Each have unique transmission characteristics that must be taken into account from the onset of design.  Some remote installations utilize uplinks to satellites that reflect the signal to some other location on Earth.
 
• Video Monitor
 
The ultimate goal of every CCTV application is to provide the best possible video signal output for monitoring and recording. The proper selection of video monitor will determine the success or failure of a surveillance system. Monitor size, resolution, and colour capability will make the visual task simple or difficult for the security personnel.
 
Large video monitors are not always required, and they don't necessarily mean better video output. Every project is different and requires a unique solution.
 
We'll help determine your client's current and future needs and will specify the appropriate monitor depending on required resolution, security system equipment, and camera type. This ensures that your client pays only for what he needs.
 
• Video Switchers
 
The function of a video switcher in any multiple-camera CCTV system is to connect a specific camera to a specific monitor and to display the video image in a logical sequence for viewing. Switchers are particularly useful in larger installations where it is necessary to limit the number of monitors in the system. Reducing the number of monitors also reduces costs, occupies less space, reduces maintenance, and simplifies the task of monitoring the system.
 
Video switchers come in manual and sequential types whereby the video camera signal viewed on the monitor is selected manually by the operator, or automatically selected by the switcher.
 
For automatic switchers, the length of time each signal remains on screen, and the sequence order can be changed by the security system operator.
 
• Multiplexers
 
A multiplexer is a device that has the capacity to receive a number of video signal inputs (typically 4 to 16 individual signals), and compresses those inputs into a single output.  This is achieved by breaking the signals into small segments and then arranging them sequentially as an output.
 
The single output can then be sent to a monitor or to a recording device that is capable of storing all the channels simultaneously. Depending on the multiplexer chosen, the security personnel can then view all the channels simultaneously on one monitor, or select which video signal(s) he wants to view.
 
This compression technology has large cost-savings implications while providing a versatile system for the end-user.  The video signals can be digitally zoomed by 2x or 4x for viewing. Many multiplexers also have built-in signal processing to enhance and filter the video image.
 
• Video Recorder
 
Typical CCTV installations utilize time-lapse video recorders in order to store the maximum number of video signals on tape. While this sounds reasonable, traditional time-lapse recorders have resulted in such poor event recording that they render the CCTV useless.
 
The problem with time-lapse recording is that much of the original video signal is lost.  The playback image on the monitor appears like a series of animated still scenes. In many instances, significant events have occurred between the recorded periods.
 
To avoid such problems, Axiom Engineering specifies almost-real-time VCRs that combine the advantages of normal VCRs with those of time-lapse units. The number of frames recorded for each input is almost four times those of a normal time-lapse recorder - resulting in a much more natural playback and more information recording. In addition, when an 'alarm' mode is activated by a camera, an extra frame is recorded for that camera thereby increasing resolution and information.
 

Click the menubar links to the left under "Services Contents" to obtain detailed information on each of the services we provide. If you'd like us to submit a Fee Proposal for your project, please go to the Fee Request Form. We look forward to working with you.