What type of incidents can CCTV cameras capture?

Installing CCTV cameras at your home or business premises, is one way of protecting what’s yours and hopefully preventing an incident occurring in the first place.

CCTV cameras are the most important part of any CCTV system, as they are the eyes of the set up, picking up all kinds of activity both inside and out.

When it comes to deciding what type of home or business surveillance you would like to achieve, it’s always best to bring in the professionals. They can advise you on the style of camera best suited to your requirements and the number of cameras needed to make sure the surveillance you want to carry out is achieved – call us NOW on 0114 345 0131.

Within a business environment, CCTV cameras are the perfect security measure, they help deter criminals and provide the evidence needed in the event of an incident.

They can capture incidents of shoplifting, vandalism, theft from within the business involving members of staff and can even catch incidents of violence, either towards workers or customers.

CCTV cameras installed around the workplace can also help when it comes to health and safety, to ensure safety measures put in place are being adhered to.

Positioned inside a pub/bar or nightclub, CCTV cameras have the ability of catching incidents of violent behaviour, or people dealing in drugs. They provide the owner and the police with recorded evidence, which could help to bring those responsible to justice.

CCTV cameras located on our streets, are an excellent way of capturing various criminal acts, such as car thefts, vandalism, violent attacks and robbery. They also play an important role when it comes to missing persons, as they could pick up an image of someone walking the streets, which could lead to them being found.

Home CCTV cameras help to protect our property and deter criminals – they’re perfect for capturing unwanted visitors who might be lurking in your garden, or trying to break-in whilst you are sleeping and with new advancements in technology, you can even keep an eye on your property whilst you are away from home, with the added bonus of being able to watch a ‘live’ view of what’s happening via your smartphone, laptop or tablet.

CCTV cameras can even catch out any dodgy workmen you might have doing a job for you – or not doing a job for you as they ought to be!

On a much happier note, CCTV cameras can capture wonderful images of wildlife visiting your garden, such as squirrels, foxes, badgers, hedgehogs and birds.

Please click here for free advice concerning your home or business CCTV needs, or call NOW on 0114 345 0131 to speak to one of our local CCTV installers covering the whole of Sheffield.

Alternatively, fill in our form below for a free no-obligation CCTV quote – one of our expert CCTV installers will reply within the hour.

What are bullet cameras?

With such a wide range of CCTV cameras on the market today, it’s know wonder people looking to invest in a home CCTV security system end up feeling totally confused about which one’s going to be the best for them.

We have dome, bullet, infrared and c-mount cameras to choose from these days, all available with special or extra features and priced accordingly, so choosing the right one for your needs can be difficult and quite daunting.

However, the first thing to decide is what type of surveillance you wish to carry out in and around your property – this should help you to decide what type of camera is best suited to your requirements and budget of course.

Certain types and styles of CCTV camera are best suited to indoor monitoring, whereas a number of cameras have the ability to monitor both the inside and outside of your property, for night time viewing as well as day.

One such camera that’s suitable for both indoor and outdoor surveillance is the bullet camera, named as such because of its long, slim-line bullet shape.

They are generally available in colour and black & white and tend to be weather resistant, so there’s no need to pay out for extra outdoor protection.

Bullet cameras usually come with a 3.6mm fixed lens, which allows for an 80 degree viewing angle, the widest angle possible without distorting the images.

Many bullet cameras on the market capture the images in colour, which is best suited to daytime monitoring, however most colour bullet cameras do switch to black & white viewing once the light level is reduced.

For night time monitoring, infrared bullet cameras are probably the best option, capturing clear, crisp images in black & white.

Bullet cameras are perfectly suited for use as part of a complete CCTV security system. They are a similar camera to the c-mount but have been modified for use outdoors within a weatherproof casing.

To conclude, bullet cameras are suitable for both indoor and outdoor surveillance and can be mounted on the ceiling or walls. They tend to be an excellent choice for outdoor surveillance in particular.

To find out more about bullet cameras, or for help and advice regarding all of the CCTV camera options available for home surveillance, please click here, or call and speak to one of our local CCTV installers covering the whole of Sheffield on 0114 345 0131.

We are experts when it comes to CCTV installations, security systems, CCTV cameras, repairs and maintenance for both residential and commercial properties – fill in the form below for a free no-obligation CCTV quote within the hour from the experts.

CCTV System Installation – the Ins and Outs

Once you have made the wise decision to add extra security measures at home or on your business premises, the next thing you’ll be wanting to know is what a CCTV installation entails and how long does it take to be installed.

The first thing to do is to contact a reliable and professional CCTV installation company – 0114 345 0131.

One of our expert CCTV installers will visit your property to determine what type of CCTV system will best suit your specific needs and requirements, providing you with a free written no-obligation quote.

Once we receive the go ahead from you and everyone is happy, we will give you a time and date for when the installation will commence.

Our team of CCTV installers will arrive on time and will carry out the installation in a clean and tidy manner, making sure there’s little or no disruption to your day.

On the whole, CCTV installation is a relatively quick and easy process but the time it will take from start to finish does depend on a number of issues, such as accessibility, how many cameras there are to be installed and the size of the building.

It normally takes sometime between 4 hours and 1.5 days to install a home CCTV system at your average property in the UK, depending on the issues mentioned above.

However, when it comes to installation at business premises, the timescale is more difficult to pin down. For instance, installation at an owner’s small retail premises can be done fairly quickly but it could take a bit longer at the more larger commercial or industrial premises.

To find out more about our CCTV security system installations, repairs and maintenance services here in Sheffield, please click here, or call NOW to speak to one of our local CCTV installers – 0114 345 0131.

Alternatively, you can fill in the quick form below and one of our expert CCTV installers will reply within the hour.

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How important is maintenance for your CCTV security system?

To ensure your home or business CCTV security system continues to work perfectly, it should be checked over regularly by professional CCTV engineers – call 0114 345 0131.

A monthly, or annual maintenance plan, is one of the best ways of ensuring that you’re whole CCTV system is functioning correctly and to the best of its capabilities. They’re an affordable way of keeping your CCTV system working perfectly, whether it’s a home security system, or a business one.

The reason we choose a CCTV system in the first place, is so that we can stay safe and protected by way of monitoring and capturing images and these images are no good to us if the actual CCTV system is not functioning as it should be because of a simple issue that can be resolved by a professional CCTV engineer; dirty camera lenses, foliage in the way of the viewing angle, or even movement of the camera from its position.

CCTV cameras are no use to any home or business if they are no longer pointing towards the area that needs constant monitoring and a dirty camera lens could mean poor quality images.

Our fully qualified CCTV installers will carry out a full inspection of your CCTV security system, everything from the cameras, to the wiring and the monitors, switches and equipment used. Your system will be checked whilst in operation, so no interruptions to montoring and surveillance will be necessary.

If the CCTV engineer does spot a problem with any part of your home or business CCTV system, they will carry out the work necessary to bring it back to a perfectly working system.

A monthly, or annual maintenance check, carried out by one of our highly skilled CCTV service engineers, will ensure your home or business CCTV security system is up-to-date and in good working order.

A written record of maintenance inspections for business owners is available on request.

To find out more about our CCTV annual/monthly maintenance plans, call 0114 345 0131, or fill in the form below for a free no-obligation quote within the hour.

Our expert engineers are all fully qualified in CCTV installation, repairs and maintenance. For more information regarding the CCTV services we provide, please visit our homepage – www.cctvsheffield.co.uk

A quick guide to the Dome home CCTV security camera

A popular choice for home security but how do I know which one to choose?

There are so many Dome cameras on the market to choose from today, making the task of deciding what type is best suited to the job of protecting your home a bit more tricky.

Dome cameras for the home are now manufactured by numerous companies however, they all play the same role in protecting you, your loved ones and your possessions.

They vary in price and features, ranging from simple to more complex, all of which depends on what type of monitoring you wish to carry out in your home.

Dome cameras are a neat, comapct camera in the shape of dome, obviously. Due to their shape and size, it’s very hard to see exactly where the camera is pointing unless you stand close to it.

They make the ideal camera for home security due to their neat, compact size, more often than not going unnoticed.

Most dome cameras are positioned in the corner of a room, or in the hallway, meaning they can capture a wide area.

Dome cameras tend to swivel to give maximum coverage and are availavle in a wide choice of styles, with a variety of different features, including indoor, outdoor, vandal proof, Pan, Tilt & Zoom, Infrared and Internet Protocol (IP).

A lot of people pick the indoor dome security camera because of its neat, compact size and its ability to monitor large areas because of its rotation feature. They are also very easy to install and come in a wide range of colours, so you can choose the one that blends in best with your rooms.

Dome cameras also come with tinted glass or plastic coverings, to make it harder for people to know which way they are pointing.

The best dome security camera for you depends on what your specific needs may be and what particular features you require.

Which ever one you choose, or is recommended to you by your local CCTV installer, your dome security camera can include a combination of the features described above.

Call the CCTV experts today to find out more about dome security cameras and whether they’re the right ones to complete your home CCTV security system.

Our local CCTV engineers in Sheffield are fully qualified in CCTV installation, repairs and maintenance – please call 0114 345 0131, or simply fill in the free quote form below.

How does a CCTV camera actually work?

A Closed Circuit Television System, or CCTV system for short, is basically a security system consisting of 1 or more cameras that collect images which are then transmitted to a monitor, allowing them to be viewed live, or recorded onto a DVR so that they can be looked at a later date.

CCTV security systems are used for security purposes at homes and business premises throughout the UK and act as a strong deterrent in the fight against crime.

A CCTV system typically consists of a camera (or multiple cameras), the lens, a monitor and a digital video recorder (DVR).

The CCTV camera is the most important part of the whole set up, as this is the part that captures the images. The only difference between CCTV cameras and normal everyday cameras, is that they can be fixed into position and left to work on their own.

CCTV cameras have a motor function which allows the zoom parts to move in and out but these capabilities depend on what type of lens your chosen camera has. The camera lens picks out an image which is recorded by the camera, this is then sent to the monitor, which can either be viewed live, and/or recorded onto a DVR.

Several CCTV cameras on the market today also allow for night vision monitoring and some allow for video sound recording also.

Wireless CCTV systems obviously mean less wires, which is always a good thing, they’re easier to install and use, they’re portable, generally work out cheaper and allow the user via a wireless broadband internet connection, to monitor live activity via their laptop, tablet or smartphone from anywhere in the world.

If you live in Sheffield and would like more information regarding CCTV security systems for your home or business, please call the experts on 0114 345 0131, or complete the form below and receive a free quote within the hour.

Our local experts in Sheffield are fully qualified CCTV installers.

The benefits of a CCTV system on your business premises

From cctvsheffield.co.uk – reasons why a high-quality CCTV system can benefit your company

CCTV cameras located in and around the outside of your business premises, will not only help to catch criminals in the act but will also help to deter them from targeting your business, providing complete protection for you, staff members and your customers.

Protecting members of staff is hugely important – CCTV cameras located in specific areas can help protect against violent customers and from false accusations that could be made against them by a customer or work colleague.

Theft from within is a common occurrence in business and security cameras can be extremely helpful in keeping an eye on your employees. By placing a camera at paypoints, or other areas where staff are working, you could catch them in the act of stealing, or even deter an employee from carrying out a crime knowing they are being watched.

In office situations, the presence of CCTV cameras may help to keep order amongst a large group of employees and encourage work efficiency.

High-risk areas around your business will benefit enormously from CCTV cameras. A camera placed in an area noted as high-risk could help in the event of an incident and draws attention to the dangers of that specific area for employees.

In the event of a crime being committed on your business premises, your CCTV cameras will have caught the perpetrators in the act and you now have the evidence needed to go to the police. The CCTV footage, or images from your security cameras, can then be looked at by the judge and a decision made as to whether they are guilty or not of committing the crime.

When a crime is caught on camera, the footage can be used by the police, or other law enforcement officals, for release to members of the public in asking for help and information regarding the crime that’s been committed. Video footage and/or CCTV images of a suspect can be hugely helpful to the police in making an arrest.

CCTV cameras installed in shops, banks etc.. also provide customers with a sense of security, ensuring they feel safe as they go about their daily business.

To find out more about how you can protect your home or business, please call 0114 345 0131 – our expert installers in Sheffield can advise you on the best CCTV security system for your specific needs.

What is CCTV remote monitoring?

CCTV remote monitoring offers extra piece of mind to homeowners and business owners who want to protect their family, employees and assets to the best of their ability.

Remote surveillance technology uses an internet connection to live-stream footage from a CCTV camera to a device or monitoring hub in a remote location. This type of CCTV monitoring is ideal for business protection during out-of-hours periods and for householders who want to keep an eye on things at home.

Security firm CCTV remote monitoring

A remote monitoring contract with a Security Industry Authority (SIA) certified security company involves 24-hour monitoring of your business or home CCTV system in exchange for a monthly fee. The service can be tailor-made to suit an individual’s unique needs.

Your chosen security professional will access your CCTV camera using an internet connection. The live footage will be monitored by the company’s advanced system. If any unusual activity is detected, the live footage is brought to the attention of security operators who will use the surveillance equipment to monitor the situation.

In the case of a crime being attempted or committed, the security firm can sound an alarm at your property or even use remote technology to speak to the perpetrator via an intercom system.

As a last resort, if the criminal does not flee, the security professional can alert the emergency services to the situation.

Personal CCTV remote monitoring

The same technology used by security companies which offer a remote monitoring service can also be used by homeowners and business owners to live-stream CCTV images from their premises to their electronic device, such as a tablet or smartphone.

For this technology to work, you will need an IP CCTV camera connected to a local-area network and to a router which is connected to the internet. Once everything is set up, you can access your CCTV images from anywhere in the world providing there is an internet connection.

If you would like more information about remote monitoring capabilities from a local security professional, contact us free on 0114 345 0131 or complete our no-obligation quote form for a quick reply.

CCTV explained: surveillance in the workplace

Protecting and securing your business premises with the use of CCTV makes sense

Investing in a CCTV security system for your business should be your number one priority. Not only does it help to protect your premises 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from being targeted by thieves and vandals, it also protects your employees and you as a business owner.

The vast majority of businesses in the UK now use CCTV on their premises as a way of security and protection. The cost of CCTV installation is relatively cheap compared to being broken into and robbed, not to mention the cost to repair the damage they might leave behind.

Crime and vandalism in the UK is on the increase – CCTV does help to deter criminals and could prevent your business from becoming their next target.

CCTV cameras can be positioned inside the building to help protect staff and watch over specific areas, such as till points, entrances & exits and warehouses etc.. and can help to maintain your company’s health and safety regulations.

Outside cameras will monitor the activity around the building, on car parks, staff areas and the perimeters.

In the event of a crime being committed at your business premises, having CCTV evidence to give to the police could help in a prosecution case against the perpetrator/s.

Business CCTV and the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA)

If you have a CCTV security system installed at your business premises, you must comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA) by following their 8 data protection principles of good information handling.

Your CCTV system also has to be registered with the Information Commissioner on an annual basis at a cost of £35 per year and warning signs must be displayed in and around your business premises to show that CCTV cameras are in operation. The signs must state the purpose of their intent and information about who manages the system and their contact details.

For more information about our business CCTV installation service, or for any other enquiries, please click here.

Do CCTV cameras record sound?

There exists some uncertainty surrounding CCTV cameras and whether they can record sound.

The majority of CCTV cameras are not capable of audio recording, however, some cameras do have a built-in microphone or a built-in audio input, to which a microphone can be connected.

CCTV cameras which simultaneously record audio and video are rather unpopular. This is mainly due to two reasons.

The first is that the extra technology involved increases the cost of the CCTV equipment and many people can not justify the extra spend. The second reason is more complicated and is related to data protection and human rights laws.

Although audio recording is used legally on a daily basis by some businesses (I.e. call centres), CCTV audio recording is a fraught issue and you should first understand the regulations before installing audio recording equipment in your business place or in the grounds of your home.

The Technology

Both analog and IP cameras are available to purchase with audio recording capabilities.

• Analog – the audio input (microphone) is directly connected to the DVR. The audio information is digitalised and transmitted to the DVR (digital video recorder), where it is then available for hearing.
• IP – the audio input is transmitted to the IP Camera where it is digitalised. The audio information is then transmitted to the NVR (network video recorder).

The number of microphones installed on a system depends on different factors for both analog and IP cameras. For analog, it depends on how many audio input connections the DVR has; for IP, it depends on the number of video channels on the NVR, and whether each IP camera has its own microphone.

The Legalities

The issue of CCTV audio recording is discussed in the Information Commissioner’s Office’s (ICO’s) Surveillance Camera Code of Practice.

There are strict guidelines surrounding its use. Business owners and homeowners found to have used audio recording in an incorrect manner could find themselves on the wrong side of the Right to Privacy section of the Human Rights Act 1998.

The following is taken from the ICO’s Code of Practice:

“The use of audio recording, particularly where it is continuous, will, in most situations, be considered more privacy intrusive than purely visual recording. Its use will therefore require much greater justification.”

If you are considering CCTV installation with audio capabilities, we commend you contact ICO; they will tell you exactly what you need to do in order to remain lawful.

If you would like our help with your CCTV requirements, please click here for more info.