Closed Circuit TV systems were developed in the UK in 1970s. Of course, there have been major changes and advancements since then. CCTV systems used to be very expensive, cumbersome and had to be installed by a professional due to the complexities of setting the systems up. These systems today are much more reasonably priced, they are easier to configure and they can be installed by the end user if they are only slightly electronically inclined.

The primary uses for CCTV systems are surveillance, traffic control, theft, shoplifting, employee theft, robbery deterrence, and identification. The basic system would include a camera, monitor and recording device to store the video.

There are several decision you will need to make when choosing the components for your CCTV system. First you'll need to decide if you want a color or black & white system. For theft, shoplifting and robbery applications where identification is crucial, color cameras would be desired and in some cases required. If there is an arrest, a court will require color video to make positive identification for prosecution. Black & white cameras are sometimes preferred for surveillance and traffic applications because they can sometimes be higher resolution and have better night time sensitivity. Also, you will need to decide on wired or wireless cameras. Although, wireless is much easier to install, it is more expensive and can occasionally be unreliable. With a hardwired camera, it is more difficult to install, but you don't have to worry about signal loss.

Second, you need to decide what area you need to see. How far away is it and how much area of coverage do you need, what are the lighting conditions and will it be indoor or outdoor? You have to know these answers to determine the correct kind of camera and lens combination to choose.

Third, what type of recorder will work best for your needs. You can choose from a time lapse recorder, your computer DVR, or a standalone DVR(digital video recorder). Time lapse recorders are mostly a thing of the past, even at home most everyone is using a DVD not a VCR. A time lapse recorder has many limitations on what is recorded and when. Additionally, with a time lapse recorder you may need more equipment, such as a switcher or multiplexer. You will also have to find space to store all the recorded tapes and they are susceptible to damage. If instead, you plan to use the same tape over and over again, the tape will become degraded. With a DVR, you can record much longer periods of time. When the memory is full it is simple to download it to a computer or burn it to a CD. You can reuse you memory card over and over again and never experience quality degradation of your video. A DVR also incorporates the switcher and multiplexer functions, so there's no additional equipment that you need to purchase. A few years ago DVR recorders were still expensive but, today the prices are much more reasonable and they provide many more advanced features than their VCR counterparts.

The last choice is the monitor. You need decide what type and size of monitor you want or if you even need one. The space constraints in the area you will place the monitor will determine what size of monitor you should get. If you get a PC based DVR then you will be able to use your computer monitor. If you will view your system over the internet from another location you won't need to have a dedicated monitor. Also, if you want to keep your system inconspicuous or don't want your employees or others to view the activity being recorded, then you won't want to have a dedicated monitor. Keep in mind, if you are installing your own system, you will need to have a small monitor available to check the positioning of your cameras to ensure they get everything you want to see.

If you are not sure or have questions contact a Video Security professional to assist you with your choices. Also, if you want to install your own system but have trouble setting up your home audio-video components, it might be best to have someone install the system for you.