CCTV Tips for Purchasers
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Introduction
The following puts in perspective tasks and considerations that an organisation would be prudent to consider when investigating the purchase of a CCTV system.
CCTV systems are normally outside the knowledge base of most organisations, therefore when the topic of CCTV comes up to solve a particular problem there is normally a lot of uncertainty as to whether or not it is the right solution - and quite rightly so. I dare not guess at the percentage of badly designed/installed systems that do not fulfil the original intentions of the purchaser. On the other side, in the larger organisations well-planned and implemented CCTV systems normally expand fairly fast over a period of years as the added value becomes clear.
While nearly every CCTV requirement needs a unique solution in one way or another, the immediate visual pointers to a poorly designed CCTV system are often:
- a cramped control/monitoring room
- a poor control room operational environment
- regular viewing of monitors physically mounted at a height above the operator's head
- a large number of monitors
- automatic sequential picture switching
- quad or multiple images on a number of viewing monitors
- lack of marking on boxes and cables
- loose wires coming out of boxes (all too often).
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The Initial Process
First, ask the following questions and record the answers:
- Why are we considering CCTV?
- What are our problems?
- Why do we want to address the problems?
- What is the business case for a CCTV system?
[If it was an incident write down all the circumstances surrounding it - environmental, expected/unexpected, known risk/threat/likelihood/vulnerability, consequences .....]
- What are the prime objectives that a CCTV system needs to address? [e.g. the threats and business requirements]
- In addition to above, what operational requirements/resources are required to fully address the threats/business requirements? [manpower, real time viewing requirements (if any), recording .....]
- Is the intended CCTV system going to form part of a larger integrated security system? - see integrated systems and access control.
- What impact will the proposed CCTV system have on employees, visitors and public?
- What will be the total cost of ownership (TCO) of the CCTV system for the first five years? [Define project budget including CCTV equipment, operations, service, consumables, consultant and staff costs.]
- Will planning permission be required?
- Will registration with the Information Commissioner be required? - see CCTV Guidance at the Information Commissioner's Office
- Will blanking be required to meet local Planning Dept and DPA requirements?
- Can we use our existing computer network for transmitting the pictures?
Secondly, present the business case to the directors. Remember, if the CCTV system is a reasonable size it is likely to have an impact on the day-to-day operation of the organisation.
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Don'ts
- Don't assume putting in a CCTV system gives added security. In general terms CCTV is not a security system. Look at it more as a very valuable tool, which can greatly enhance the efficiency of a security operation.
- Don't assume someone sitting in front of a bank of CCTV monitors is going to see the all-important incidents. Tests have shown otherwise. In general a full time observer of six monitors can be expected to pick up 10% of incidents. Adding more monitors may reduce the percentage rather than increasing it.
- Following on the above point, don't wallpaper a control room with monitors unless you have lots of money to spare and want to make a visual impact for control room visitors. There are very few applications that warrant a large number of display monitors.
- Don't assume the supplier has the time or knowledge to fully fulfil your CCTV system objectives. His world is highly competitive and if he is bidding his first priority is to secure the work - in the best way he can. His second is understandably to make a profit, which may come after the initial bid. The CCTV industry is like most other industries in that there are all types out there, all playing to different game rules.
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Dos
- Do consult with representatives from all departments before making a commitment. CCTV like access control is unfamiliar territory for most personnel. Introducing a sizeable CCTV system will have an impact on the personnel and their behaviour. They may not be able to express it, but they will feel it. Therefore, discuss and inform; get the majority of employees comfortable with the idea, even when you know the installation is a must-do exercise. For public systems consult with the public.
- Even with a small CCTV system, do plan exactly how you are going to manage the monitoring and/or recording of the CCTV camera pictures, before the purchase.
- Insist the CCTV company appointed has installed 50 + CCTV systems and the leading engineering staff doing the detailed design, installation and commissioning have each 10+ systems of 10 or more CCTV cameras per system under their belt.
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Yes, if you get a good one. Some have a great wealth of technical know how, some have the commercial and contractual awareness to ensure a fair price, and a few have both. Gordon Herrald Associates is an independent consultancy and has shown on many occasions it has excellent consulting experience and ability on technical, commercial and contractual aspects of CCTV projects.
Typically it pays financially if the system cost is greater than £25,000 ($35,000 USD). For CCTV systems greater than £250,000 ($350,000) our experience has shown that with a good independent consultant on-board, a purchaser can often be seen to reduce possible expenditure on complete security system project costs by 50%. If you don't have a clue about closed circuit TV systems, it could prove worthwhile getting advice from a consultant even on very small systems.
Being an expert on CCTV, an independent engineering consultant can also ensure a fair and reasonable service and maintenance contract is in place. This can be a small fraction of the standard proposals made today by some system installers.
Don't forget a good independent consultant will have (or should have) your wellbeing and commercial interests at heart, unlike many suppliers whose primary interest is profit.
In security consultancy and CCTV consultancy "small is beautiful" has a lot of meaning. There are always a few rogues and chancers about, but they do not normally last long. With a little care on vetting they can be avoided.
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Case Study
On one project the client organisation embarking on a new buildings project received an estimate from its long established international security supplier for the first phase physical security contract in the order of £400,000 ($600,000). The client concerned about the cost asked our advice. We assisted them by preparing a tender document with a fully detailed specification. This resulted in bids for an enlarged requirement coming in at £200,000 ($300,000) from other reputable international companies. (The company giving the original estimate dropped their initial price by more than one third - this created some embarrassment.)
We then produced the tender documents and detailed specifications for the electronic systems including significant CCTV, access control, intruder, movement control, communications and fire detection systems, all integrated into an easily operated Security Management System. The tender results produced bids between £900,000 ($1,400,000) and £1,500,000 ($2,250,000), all from reputable international companies. Without our help the client could easily have paid up to £2,000,000 ($3,000,000) for his security systems. Most importantly for the client organisation was that its buildings were fitted with quality security equipment and systems that were integrated to maximise operational efficiency from ergonomically designed control rooms.
In addition we assisted with the second phase physical security equipment to the value of approximately £750,000 ($1,100,000). IT security advice was also provided.
Conclusion: a very satisfied client. The savings attributed to the consultant were in the region of £1,000,000 ($1,500,000).
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Glossary of CCTV terms for Purchasers
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ASC |
Association of Security Consultants. The UK association for professional independent CCTV consultants.
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Automatic Iris Lens |
A lens that automatically adjusts the amount of light entering the camera.
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Bandwidth (of a CCTV camera) |
The range of light frequencies the CCTV camera light sensor is sensitive to.
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Blanking |
Areas of a picture electronically blanked out, thus preventing the operator from viewing designated areas such as residential house windows.
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BS 7958 |
Closed-circuit television - Management and operation - Code of practice
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BS 8418 |
Installation and remote monitoring of detector activated CCTV systems - Code of practice
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BS EN50132-2-1 |
Alarm systems - CCTV surveillance systems for use in security applications - Black and white cameras
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BS EN50132-4-1 |
Alarm systems - CCTV surveillance systems - Part 4-1 Black and white monitors
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BS EN50132-5 |
Alarm systems - CCTV surveillance systems for use in security applications - Part 5: Video transmission
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CCD Camera |
CCTV camera where the light sensor is a Charge-Coupled Device
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CCIR |
Abbreviation for comite International des Radiocommunications. The European committee that produced the standards for the European colour television systems.
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CCTV |
Common abbreviation for Closed-Circuit Television.
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Charge-Coupled Device (CCD) |
The most common technology used today for imaging devices.
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C mount and CS mount |
Industry standard types of screw threaded lens mounts.
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Coaxial Cable |
A particular type of cable capable of passing a wide range of frequencies with low signal loss. Used extensively for short distance (<750m)video transmission in CCTV systems.
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Compression |
A technique used for reducing the size of video detail information to enable faster transmission of video frames and reduced storage space on recording devices.
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Consultants |
There are many kinds of CCTV consultant. Some installers call their sales personnel consultants - they are definitely not independent - they are paid to sell only specific equipment, which may not suit your application. Similarly there are free-lance consultants who have associations with suppliers - you should pay less for the consultancy as normally they get a commission on the sale - but you can pay a lot more for your system as it most likely will include the consultants commission, and the purchase price may not be competitive. Independent consultants, who are independent, is the best bet. You may see more expense initially on the table, but you will know where you stand, and there should be no surprises down-line. It takes guts to be an independent security consultant with integrity, so look for one where they have been vetted by their peers and abide by an acknowledged code of practice. The only professional organisation in the UK founded solely for independent security consultants is the Association of Security Consultants (ASC).
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Contrast |
The range of light to dark values in a picture.
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Covert CCTV Systems |
A CCTV system that uses hidden cameras. Becoming more popular than perhaps it should.
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Digital Signal Processing |
The processing of control and video signals by digital means as opposed to analogue techniques.
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Digital Video Recording (DVR) |
The recording of video signals by digital means as opposed to analogue techniques (e.g. VHS and SVHS recorders).
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Distortion |
The amount of unwanted change to a video signal, normally caused by video transmission or processing
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Dome Housings |
CCTV camera housing where the viewing window is a hemisphere. They can be more aesthetically pleasing to the eye and can also prevent people seeing the direction the camera is pointing in.
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F/Stop |
Refers to the speed or ability of a lens to pass light. It is calculated by dividing the focal length of the lens by its diameter.
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Fibre Optic Cables |
A particular type of cable capable of passing a wide range of frequencies with very low signal loss. Used extensively for long distance video transmission in CCTV systems.
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Field |
One of the two equal but vertically separated parts into which a television frame is divided in an interlaced system of scanning. A period of 1/60 (US) or 1/50 (UK, Europe) second separates each field start time.
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Focal Length |
The distance in mm from the focal point of a lens to the principal point of the lens.
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Frame |
One complete video picture or image. Normally composed of two interlaced fields. In Europe 25 frames per second is used to give an illusion of continuous movement. In North America it is 30 frames per second.
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Frame Rate |
Frame rate is the number of frames per second. Important for recording, especially with digital CCTV recording today, where the amount of memory required to store pictures in DVRs over extended time periods restricts the frame rate per camera.
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Gray Scale |
Variations in value from white, through shades of grey, to black of the original image picked up by a monochrome camera.
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Hum |
Electrical disturbance at the power supply frequency or harmonics thereof.
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Image Intensifier |
A device that uses photo multiplier technology to amplify the available light to increase the sensitivity of a closed circuit TV camera.
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Incident Light |
The light that falls directly on an object.
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Infra-red (IR) Lighting |
Lighting just outside the normal human range, but which some CCTV cameras are sensitive to. Enables one to "see in the dark".
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Interference |
Unwanted influences that interfere with the reception of the desired signals.
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Iris |
An adjustable aperture built into a camera lens that permits control of the amount of light passing through the lens.
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JPEG |
Abbreviation for Joint Picture Expert Group. Provides a set of digital compression tools specifically designed for still video images, but now also used for "moving" pictures.
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Lens |
A transparent optical component used for focusing the incoming light image on to the light sensitive part of the camera.
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Lux |
Metric unit of measurement of light
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Matrix Switcher |
Usually a combination or array of electromechanical or electronic switches which route a number of video image/signal sources to one or multiple viewing/recording components.
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Monitor |
Used for displaying images and/or information to system operators.
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Monochrome |
Images without colour, i.e. black and white with a number of grey scales
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MPEG |
Abbreviation for Moving Picture Expert Group. Provides a set of digital compression tools specifically designed for video images.
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Multiplexer |
A component that compresses a number of CCTV camera picture inputs into one output signal that can be recorded on a single tape or disc. The recorded multiplexed signal needs to be decoded before the pictures can be seen again.
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Network Camera (Web Cam) |
A digital CCTV camera suitable for plugging into a PC or computer network.
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Noise |
Unwanted influences that interfere with the reception of the desired signals.
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NTSC |
Abbreviation for National Television Systems Committee. The USA committee that produced the standards for the North American colour television system.
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Pan and Tilt Unit |
A device upon which a CCTV camera can be mounted that allows movement in both the horizontal (pan) and vertical (tilt) planes.
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Pixel |
Derived from Picture Element. A pixel is the smallest area of a television monitor capable of displaying information in the form of a black, white, grey or colour dot. The more pixels in an image, the better the resolution.
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Police Scientific Development
Branch (PSDB) |
The PSDB have produced a series of guides aimed at assisting the development, design and operation of town centre CCTV schemes.
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PTZ |
Abbreviation for Pan, tilt and zoom.
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Quads |
Units that allow you to see four different pictures on one monitor screen.
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Resolution (horizontal) |
It is usually expressed as the maximum number of distinct vertical lines that can be used to make up a picture.
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Resolution (vertical) |
It is usually expressed as the maximum number of distinct horizontal lines that can be used to make up a picture.
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Sensitivity (of camera) |
The amount of light necessary to fall on the image scene to provide a useful picture.
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Sequential Switcher |
An automatic switcher that allows the display of sequenced CCTV camera pictures in a preconfigured order and dwell time.
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Signal-to-Noise Ratio |
The ratio between useful television signal and unwanted interference
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Slow Scan |
The transmission of pictures over long distances via transmission networks like the public switched telephone network (PSTN).
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Snow |
Heavy random noise that gives the appearance of snow on the displayed picture.
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Spike |
An unwanted transient of short duration pulse of electricity.
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Sync |
A contraction of "synchronous" or "synchronize".
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Synchronizing |
Ensuring the scanning processes of two or more pieces of CCTV equipment are in phase
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Telemetry |
Electronic method of controlling CCTV camera functions remotely
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Test Pattern |
A chart especially prepared for checking the performance of a closed circuit TV system.
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Time Lapse Recorder |
A videocassette recorder that allows the recording of video pictures at a lower rate than normal, thus extending the possible recording time on a single videotape. As there can be fewer pictures from a single CCTV camera, the viewed pictures may appear "jumpy".
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Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) |
A balanced cable transmission method, used as an alternative to unbalanced coaxial cable.
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Varifocal |
A manual zoom lens
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Video Amplifier |
A wideband amplifier used for amplifying picture signals
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Video Motion Detection (VMD) |
A CCTV system for the detection of movement within a picture.
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Wavelets |
A set of digital compression tools that gives good picture quality at high compression rates.
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Wireless CCTV |
CCTV system where CCTV camera pictures are transmitted from the camera over the air. In the UK wireless CCTV video transmission is license-free over 2.4 GHz and 5.4 to 5.7 GHz wireless bands.
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Zoom |
To enlarge or reduce, on a continuously variable basis, the size of a picture image, primarily by altering the focal length
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Zoom Lens |
A lens capable of changing the viewed image size.
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