Algorithm of selecting the equipment for CCTV

No.	Parameter to be defined	Commentary
1	Black and White system or color system?	Black and White system: higher resolution better sensitivity cost effective Color system: more informative
2	Cameras number	"What should be seen?" Camera locations Angles of view
3	Lens focal length	From the obtained angles of view
4	Camera parameters
	Resolution	Generally, the resolution for outdoor cameras should be higher The resolution is selected with certain reserve considering that resulting resolution of the whole video system will be worse as it is effected by all items (from lens to monitor)
	Sensitivity	It is defined by illumination on the object, by presence or absence of artificial light and IR-backlight
	Adaptation to changing of illumination	For indoors installation: the camera EI is enough For outdoors installation the AI lens control is generally required (direct drive is more preferable - the lens is cheaper)
	Observation of quickly moving objects or transient processes	Manually set ES
	Absence of video outline at backlight	Backlight compensation
	Need for camera synchronization	For the cameras with DC power supply: external synchronization For the cameras with mains supply: line lock
	Microphone availability	If audio channel arrangement is needed
	Power supply	Availability of power supply Requirement for uninterruptible power supply
	Design	Standard case (for standard installations) Board (for covert installations) Of special design
	Specific requirements	Availability of built-in IR-backlight Mirror function Waterproof design Availability of connecting to computer net or to PC USB-port
5	Lens parameters
	Format	Depends on the image sensor format, often matches it.
	Iris type	Fixed (illumination level at an object is known and constant) Manual (sensitivity level is constant) Auto Iris
	Auto Iris	VD (it is available for the majority of standard design cameras) DD - it is more preferable (the lens is more cost effective) if the camera allows Remote control (for varifocal motorized zoom lenses)
	Focal length	Fixed focal length Varifocal manual zoom lens Varifocal motorized zoom lens
6	Camera adaptation to environment conditions (temperature, humidity, dust, chemically active agents etc.	Housing Built-in power supply Washer Wiper Fan
7	Camera (housing) support	Fixed (bracket or mounting fixture for mounting on a wall, ceiling, post or pole) The bracket which allows changing of camera angle of view (Pan & Tilt system)
8	Pan & Tilt system	For closely located cameras - Pan & Tilt unit with keyboard For multiple remote cameras - Pan & Tilt units, telemetry receivers and controller High-speed dome cameras
9	Anti-vandal protection at an object	A hollow bracket for cable routing to the corresponding housing, special screws Alarm sensors near cameras
10	Protection against low illumination at an object	Standard artificial light IR-lamp with halogen bulb or IR-LEDs, power supply
11	Method of video data processing	Parallel, without information loss ("own" monitor is connected to each camera) Serial (using a switcher) Quasi-parallel, up to 4 inputs (screen splitter) Quasi-parallel-serial, up to 8 inputs (two-page screen splitter) Quasi-parallel, generally up to 16 inputs (multiplexer)
12	Automatic detection of activity or intrusion	Video sensor
13	Video data display	Standard monitor or the monitor with additional features (built-in switcher, screen splitter, audio channel, etc). If several video observation points are required, the cameras availability per each point is provided for (preferably, in a Table form), the dwell time during 24 hours, functioning in alarm mode Computer with video inputs PCB
14	Video recording	Time lapse video recorder and multiplexer Digital video recorder Computer Note. It is advisable to display the recording time per each camera (in case of multiple multiplexers in a video system it is recommended, in order to reduce camera's strob effect, to connect the cameras recorded at night and recorded in daylight to a single multiplexer. Thus, the number of video inputs in a switchable sequence is reduced), alarm recording, activity mode recording
15	Remote control	Devices with corresponding ports and keyboards
16	Alarm functions	Switching of a switcher to an alarm zone display Switching to a full-screen display of an alarm zone A transfer from a full-screen display of the zone without alarm to a multi-screen display A transfer to alarm recording mode Changing of a camera orientation Buzzer activation Triggering of relay contacts to activate auxiliary devices
17	Video transmission	Coaxial cable (in case of long distances video amplifiers are recommended) Fiber-optic cable Twisted pair cable Telephone line Computer network Radio channel