What Are the Key Specifications of CCTV Cameras?
CCTV camera specifications include resolution (e.g., 2MP to 8MP), lens type (fixed or varifocal), night vision range (infrared or thermal), storage capacity (HDD/SSD or cloud), connectivity (Ethernet, Wi-Fi), power requirements (12V DC or PoE), and compliance standards (IP66/67). These specs determine image clarity, coverage, durability, and integration with security systems.
What Are the Main Types of CCTV Cameras?
How Does Night Vision Technology Work in CCTV Systems?
Infrared (IR) LEDs emit non-visible light to illuminate dark areas, enabling monochrome footage. Advanced models use starlight sensors or thermal imaging for color night vision. Range varies: basic cameras cover 30 meters, while military-grade systems detect heat signatures up to 300 meters.
Modern IR-cut filters automatically switch between color and monochrome modes based on lighting conditions. Cameras with EXIR 2.0 technology distribute infrared evenly across 120° fields of view, eliminating hotspots. For environments requiring stealth, black LED variants provide invisible illumination. Thermal cameras like FLIR models detect temperature differences as small as 0.01°C, ideal for detecting intruders through smoke or foliage. Recent advancements include hybrid systems combining visible light and thermal imaging in a single unit, providing dual-layer verification for critical infrastructure protection.
What Storage Options Are Available for CCTV Footage?
Local storage uses HDDs/SSDs (1TB–10TB) with loop recording. Cloud storage offers remote access and encryption but requires stable internet. Hybrid systems combine both, ensuring redundancy. Compression formats like H.265 reduce file sizes by 50% compared to H.264, extending retention periods.
Enterprise-grade solutions employ RAID configurations for fault tolerance, with NAS devices supporting up to 8 drives. Edge storage in cameras (128GB microSD slots) provides 72-hour backup during network outages. Cloud services like AWS Elemental offer AI-based tiered storage: critical motion events are stored indefinitely, while routine footage auto-deletes after 7 days. For legal compliance, WORM (Write Once Read Many) storage prevents tampering with evidentiary recordings. Below is a comparison of storage types:
| Storage Type | Capacity | Retrieval Speed | Cost/Month |
|---|---|---|---|
| HDD | 10TB | 120MB/s | $0.02/GB |
| Cloud | Unlimited | Variable | $0.03/GB |
| Edge | 512GB | 200MB/s | One-time $80 |
Which Connectivity Standards Do Modern CCTV Cameras Use?
Wired cameras rely on Ethernet (CAT5e/CAT6) for Power over Ethernet (PoE), simplifying installation. Wireless models use Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) for 4K streaming or 4G/5G for remote areas. ONVIF compatibility ensures interoperability between brands, while RTSP enables integration with third-party software.
“Modern CCTV systems are no longer passive recorders—they’re intelligent nodes in a security ecosystem. Features like edge-based facial recognition and predictive analytics redefine proactive monitoring. However, users must prioritize encryption; AES-256 isn’t optional anymore.”— Security Systems Architect, 14+ years in surveillance tech
FAQs
- Does Higher MP Always Mean Better CCTV Quality?
- Not necessarily. While 8MP offers detail, factors like sensor size (1/2.8″ vs 1/1.8″) and low-light performance (measured in lux) significantly affect output. A 4MP camera with a large sensor often outperforms 8MP in dim conditions.
- Are Wireless CCTV Cameras Reliable?
- Modern wireless cameras with dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz + 5GHz) minimize interference. Mesh network compatibility (e.g., Google Nest) enhances range. Battery life varies: 6 months for motion-activated models vs 2 weeks for 24/7 streaming.
- How Long Is CCTV Footage Stored?
- Depends on storage capacity and resolution. A 4MP camera recording at 15FPS uses ~1TB/month. With H.265 compression, 2TB can store 30 days of footage. Cloud plans (e.g., Ring Protect) start at $3/month for 60-day retention.