Please spend some time reading through our frequently asked questions about many aspects of Products .
What C-Mount Camera?
The advantage to a c-mount camera is that the lens can be changed. If you need to see further than 35 or 40 ft then you'll need a c-mount camera with a special lens. C-Mount lenses are available from 4mm to 50mm. A 4mm lens provides facial detail and a 70 degree angle of view focused up to about 35 ft. An example of where you might use a fixed 4mm lens is in a small office, or at home to focus on your driveway.
A higher millimeter lens will provide further distance, but narrows the field of view. So, a 16mm lens would provide about a 15 to 20 degree angle of view at a focus distance of about 35 ft (or a 70 degree angle of view at about 140 feet). In general, a 8mm lens is like a 4mm lens zoomed in 2 times. Similarly, a 16mm lens is like the 4mm lens zoomed in 4 times.
Many times, the best option is to use a Varifocal lens. This will allow you to vary the focus from 5 to 50mm. So when you install the camera you can fine tune the focal distance and angle of view. An example of where you might use a Varifocal lens is outside (or inside) a large commercial building where you need more distance than 35 ft. and the Varifocal lens will allow you to adjust the focal distance to your preference.
If you want to use c-mount cameras outside, you must put them in an outdoor camera housing.
What Dome Camera?
The dome camera is obviously named for its dome shape. Everyone has seen these security cameras in businesses and stores. Because of its shape, its difficult to tell exactly where the camera is aiming unless you see it up close. Dome cameras are generally used inside buildings, although the armor domes can be used outside as well (more about the armor dome below). You can mount them on the ceiling or on a wall.
What Bullet Camera?
The term Bullet Camera comes from its resemblance to a rifle bullet. Generally long and tapered like a cylinder, it looks like an oversized ammo cartridge.
Most bullet cameras come with a fixed 4mm lens that allows a 70 degree angle of view. This is the widest angle you can have without distorting the picture. A 4mm lens will allow you to see facial features out to about 35 feet. If infrared is included you can generally see 35 feet minimum with no external lighting, some can see up to 70 feet.
Some devices capture images in color which is best for daytime lighting. For nighttime viewing choosing an infrared camera, which captures images in black and white is better. Many of the products will display color during the day and automatically switch to black and white infrared viewing when light levels are low. Resolution levels for black and white are usually about 400 lines, any higher resolution and the benefits are minimal. For color, the higher resolution the better the picture.
Used in closed circuit television applications, bullet cameras contain essentially the same electronic components as c-mount cameras but have been modified to fit in a weatherproof casing for outdoor use. You can see from the image that some models allow the housing to be removed for installation indoors. Mounting brackets are included with each item. They can be installed on the ceiling or the wall. Voltage is 12V DC. Power adaptors are included with every camera.
What Infrared Camera?
An infrared security camera has infrared lighting (light from a different region of the electromagnetic spectrum than we normally use to see) installed around the outside of the lens of the camera. This lighting allows the camera to capture a good image in no light at all. With a little bit of light (called low light) the infrared camera can capture a picture that looks just like daytime. People use infrared security cameras for businesses that have the lights out at night (in case of break-ins). Or for outside, nighttime viewing. Keep in mind that even at nighttime there is a normally some light from the moon, stars, or street lights.
Infrared cameras are often called "Night Vision" cameras because they can 'see' at night. However, do not confuse "Night Vision" with "Day / Night Cameras". Day / Night cameras do not have infrared lights built in. More about those types of cameras below.
Which Security Camera Lens Should I Use?
How far you need to see will determine what security camera lens you should use to best fit your application. A 4mm lens will give a 70 degree angle of view with 35 feet of facial detail. This works great for residential or small office security camera applications. If you need to see further you would go with a higher powered lens. Keep in mind that the further you want to see will narrow the field of view of your picture.
A rule of thumb is that a 8mm lens is like a 4mm lens zoomed in 2 times. Similarly, a 16mm lens is like the 4mm lens zoomed in 4 times. For example, a 16mm lens would give you about a 15 degree angle of view focused at 35 ft. The further out the focus, the wider the angle of view.
What If I Do Not Know How Far I Need To See?
Instead of going with a fixed focus lens you can go with a Varifocal lens. With a simple adjustment you can manually zoom in or zoom out and focus the camera to the exact distance needed to get a clear picture. Varifocal lenses come in all different sizes: (3.5-8mm; 9-22mm; and 5-50mm) just to name a few. This is the best option for large commercial applications because you can adjust the focal distance to what works just right.
What Is The Difference Between No Iris And Auto Iris?
The iris controls how much light is let into the camera lens. In the old days, cameras came with no iris control. If you needed to control the light levels you would have to purchase a special lens. Nowadays, most cameras come with automatic shutters which perform the same function as the iris - controlling how much light is let into the camera. Unless you have an application with extreme light levels (like at a beach) you probably won't need a special lens with iris control.
What Is DVR?
DVR (Digital Video Recorder) is the industry standard term applied to stand-alone and PC based recorders that import media to a computer hard drive providing the highest quality of recorded video available (unlike other recording media such as VHS tapes and analog equipment that uses magnetic coding and suffer from quality loss).
What Are The Benefits Of A DVR System?
DVR takes the place of a security monitor, motion sensors, time lapse recorder, multiplexers, video motion sensors, remote view hardware, and accessories. Users can digitally record all video and login remotely to see their cameras.
How Do Your DVR Systems Compare To Other Systems?
Our DVR systems are built using quality computer components and include a 17" color monitor. Some systems advertise a high rate such as 480 frames per second. Be cautious. These systems only display this rate and record as little as 30 frames total. That 30 frames has to be divided by the total number of cameras (as with all DVR systems). Our DVW systems offer 120 frames per second display but ALSO 120 frames recording and smart recording technology (SRT) which you will not find with other systems. We also use a proprietary wavelet compression system to maintain the quality of the recorded images and obtain the most video per MB of hard drive space.
What About A Cash Register Interface?
Call us with your specific cash register interface needs and we'll be glad to provide that as well.
What Kind Of Video Tape Do I Use?
The DVR system does not use traditional video tapes. Instead, it records video to a computer hard drive.
Can I Use This DVR System With My Existing Cameras?
Yes, you can. Our DVR system is compatible with all CCTV cameras including speed domes including speed domes based on the RS485 communications platform.
What About Our Warranty?
Our DVRs are warranted 12 months after the date of sale. We gladly offer a replacement for all defective equipment with the same or comparable equipment.
How Can I Pay For My Purchase?
We gladly accept all forms of credit cards. You may also prepay with a money order or check. Checks will be held until the funds clear and checks will be verified prior to deposit. This is done to reduce the possibility of fraud. As with many e-tailors, we receive many fraudulent orders due to the anonymity of the online surfer.
Do You Offer Technical Support?
We have a full technical support staff. We offer support to both our dealers and our retail customers. Occasionally you may have to leave a message and a tech will return your call. We even offer after hours tech support. Just leave a message with the answering service or voice mail and a tech will gladly call you back.
