Just How Small Can Your Cameras Be for a Wireless CCTV System?
You know that there are times when size does indeed matter. If you want to install a small camera for your wireless CCTV (closed-circuit television) system, you know that size is of the essence. Are you worried that you will need to sacrifice resolution in favor of a smaller sized camera? Maybe you are wondering about color versus black and white? Do not fear – you will be surprised just how small your camera can be for a wireless CCTV system!
Micro Video Products produces an X-1000CE model camera that is perfect for indoor as well as outdoor usage. Additionally, it is impact resistant, so that even strong winds or other severe weather conditions will have little if any impact on the camera. Of course, since many times the impact on the outside of a camera may also experience some violence aimed at it, such as rocks or even BB’s, this model is designed to handle anything anyone might care to throw at it. You will receive high-resolution color pictures with this 1/3-inch Sony camera. Additionally, you will have 480 lines of television line resolution, and with a need of only 0.01 Lux you will be able to see even in the most dismal of light conditions.
For something even smaller, consider the micro miniature CCD cameras, which measure only .88 x .68 x .98 inches! Sony once again delivers the goods on this one with a super HAD color device. Depending on your lighting situations, you can go as low as 0.5 Lux while other models may require as much as 1.0 Lux to function properly. What these cameras are missing is the ability to zoom in on objects of people.
For those who wish to have the ability to zoom in and maybe even pan and tilt the cameras, you will be able to purchase the 3 X Zoom model. Sony’s 1/3-inch high resolution camera which delivers 480 television lines of horizontal resolution is able to operate with questionable light of only 1.0 Lux. The size of the device is a mere 1.5 by 1.5 inches.
If you are interested in combining sound with sight, you will like the idea of the pinhole CAM-019 which only measures about ¾ by ¾ inches. This camera is so small that it is barely larger than a penny and just about as easy to hide somewhere. Due to the special design of this camera, it can be hidden in tight spaces without overheating or giving away its location by heating up its hiding place.
As you can see, size does indeed matter when purchasing the smallest possible camera for your CCTV system. Yet while there are many models out on the market, here are some things to remember before you head to your camera store:
It is important to make sure that any camera upgrades will be compatible with the CCTV system you already have. It would be a useless undertaking to upgrade your camera only to realize that now you will also need to update your monitors and other devices.
Before installing smaller cameras, make sure that your fitting will support them. Otherwise, you will also need to purchase the proper fittings to permit your smaller cameras to seamlessly blend into the background.
If you are planning on hiding a camera in a spot that may be close to customers or employees, be sure to purchase a model that will not overheat, even in confined spaces, and that will not give away its existence or location by even slightly heating up the object you are choosing to conceal it with.
Always purchase a model that is manufactured locally or where a customer service center is attached locally. If something goes wrong, or if you need technical help, it is good to know that a manufacturer’s representative is just a phone call away and will be able to come out and take a look at your system.
When deciding on a smaller camera, decide if you want to have color or black and white pictures, and also consider if you want to have the ability to pan back and forth and maybe even tilt the camera. Again, if the previous set-up did not permit for these actions, you will most likely have to modify the mountings a bit or simply purchase new ones.
