Aventura Technologies - Camera Tutorialwww.aventuratechnologies.com 1CAMERA TUTORIALThis tutorial will address some of the facts and myths of security cameras. We will try tokeep this as non-technical whenever possible and only provide you with what you need to knowor may be relevant. For more detailed information about the technological aspects you can visitother portions of our website or some of our other tutorials.Aventura Technologies - Camera Tutorialwww.aventuratechnologies.com 2CAMERA STYLESCameras come in different shapes and sizes. now that this in itself does not affect the picture!uality. The shape rather should be looked at in terms of cosmetics" convenience of installationand camera placement. Two cameras with different housings and similar components shouldperform no different if constructed properly.Dome Camera#ome cameras typically are the best choice whenever possible When the camera is within someone$s reach domes cannot be easilymanipulated or vandalized #omes %nstalls easy in drop ceilings & usually ' screws (ince a dome has a covered lens the direction the camera is pointingis hidden #omes can accommodate infra-red for )ight *ision)+T,- While dome cameras are the installation choice there are limitations. As thedomes themselves are typically small you are limited in the size lens available. %fyou need to focus on long distances which re!uires a lens of ./mm focal lengthor greater it will not fit inside a standard dome camera. #ome cameras can besimple plastic ones or metal vandal-proof for public places.Box Camera When mounting to a wall or any vertical area When viewing long distances where a long lens is re!uired"which would not fit inside a dome or bullet camera When e0treme low light conditions are not a consideration)+T,(- %f the bo0 camera is within someone$s reach the camerais usually inserted in a protective enclosure. %f thelighting is e0tremely low bo0 cameras can be inserted inside enclosures thathave built-in infra-red illuminators but the camera must be infra-red sensitive.1eaning it is able to utilize the infra-red illuminators from an e0ternal source.Aventura Technologies - Camera Tutorialwww.aventuratechnologies.com 3Infra-red Cameras When there are e0treme low light conditions When the camera is not within someone$s reach)+T,(- The distances infra-red cameras can see are basedupon its illumination capacity. %nfra-red cameras have2,#$s" which cast out into the darkness. 3ealistically" agood rule of thumb 4but not an absolute5 is figure 6 footfor each 2,#. Therefore" if a camera has 7/ 2,#$s thenit probably can see about 7/ feet. There are some newer2,#$s called Cat$s ,yes" which have more power" butthey are not very common. 8ou would notice a Cat$s ,ye by the e0tra large sizeof the 2,#$s. With respect to infrared !uality it has more to do with the intensityof the 2,#9s and the distance they cover. +ne thing to note is that infrared 2,#9sdo have a limited life since they are illuminating so they do burn out over time.:ust because one camera has more 2,#9s than another does not mean it cancast a longer distance" there are different strengths in the 2,#9s. ;nfortunately"again for the consumer it is hard to properly compare.Bullet Cameras When you want the camera to be inconspicuous but not covert When the camera is not within someone$s reach When e0treme low light conditions are not a consideration For shorter to middle distances)+T,(- As bullet cameras are small the type of internal boardsand lens is limited. Accordingly" the picture !uality of the bullet cameras cannotcompare with other more traditional cameras" which can have double layerboards and camera function controls.Covert Cameras :ust as they say" these are meant not to be seen and come in allshapes and sizes from a wall clock to a sprinkler head or smokedetector)+T,(- %t is important to check your local laws with respect tosurreptitious recording. %n some states certain types of covertcameras are illegal. For e0ample" in )ew 8ork (tate you are not allowed to installsmoke detector cameras. With respect to recording audio" there are very specificlaws" which vary from state to state. (ome states re!uire all parties consent torecording" while others only re!uire a single individual.Aventura Technologies - Camera Tutorialwww.aventuratechnologies.com 4Wreless Cameras When connection to the digital video recorder is notpractical)+T,(- 3emember though wireless is oom cameras cost anywhere from .0 & 6/0 thecost of a fi0ed camera. The =an" Tilt" >oom camera cannotrecord or see where it is not looking. 8ou cannot pan" tilt orzoom after it has been recorded 4this can only be done witha 7?/ degree camera5. 1aking a =T> camera wireless adds thousands to thecost. =T> cameras can though perform various functions not possible with afi0ed camera. 8ou can control a =T> camera and zoom in optically up to 7?0 andbeyond digitally up to 6'0 giving zoom capabilities in the 6//$s. The =T>$s haveintelligence and can be programmed to perform pre-defined tours and upon theevent of an alarm the camera can swing to a specified location before continuingits tour. An operator can override and take control of the camera at any time.I have old security cameras can I use them?The simple answer is yes" but the newest generation of CC# 4Charge Coupled #evice5 cameras"are much better than their analog predecessors of as recently as 7-. years ago. 8ou may say" Ispent a fortune on those cameras. They must be good! Well" is the *C3 that cost @'"///.// twodecades ago 4not even taking into account its real cost in terms of inflation5 better then the oneyou can pick up at Wal1art today for @AB.//C The answer is a resounding no. Technologychanges and advancements are made. %n fact" to the contrary" it is a technologically inferiordinosaur. 1uch the same can be said for surveillance cameras.Future generations of cameras will continue to improve upon this. Although cameras are called#igital CCT* cameras they are not DpureE digital. CC# is defined as follows-(o what is different between the analog cameras % bought a few years ago and nowC %t is mostevident in the sharpness" definition and !uality of the picture. %f you9re still unsure" we recommendreplacing one or two first and compare the old with the new. 1ake sure when you comparecameras that you do it as apples-to-apples" meaning it is a similar shot" as lighting and variousother conditions will affect picture !uality radically.Aventura Technologies - Camera Tutorialwww.aventuratechnologies.com 5I%DOOR vs& OUTDOOR CAMERAS+stensibly" indoor and outdoor cameras are the same in terms of styles" sizes and shapes. Theprinciple difference is outdoor cameras are at a minimum weather-proof.While rain is a primary issue other considerations such as moisture" dust" sand" snow" frost andhumidity need to be addressed. Accordingly" some cameras are e!uipped with heaters andblowers to counteract the elements" while others can be housed in outdoor enclosures for thespecified purpose.+utdoor cameras most likely have to address low light conditions for evenings. Accordingly" theyeither have to have infra-red or some dayFnight technology" which today are !uite affordable.%I'(T)ISIO% A%D DAY*%I'(T CAMERASFor low light situations there are two possible camera technology solutions. %f there is totaldarkness then the only possibility is infra-red or otherwise known as night-vision.Infrared 4IR5 radiation is electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength longer than that of visiblelight" but shorter than that of radio waves. The name means "below red" 4from the 2atin infra"GbelowG5" red being the color of visible light of longest wavelength. The infrared portion of thespectrum has a number of technological uses" including target ac!uisition and tracking by themilitaryH remote temperature sensingH short-ranged wireless communicationH weather forecastingand for our purposes night-vision.%nfrared is used in night-vision cameras when there is insufficient visible light to see an ob