Interior Analog Camera Review
Interior domes are definitely the most commonly used camera in video surveillance. The latest technologies offer the installer a vast array of features over a wide range of price points.
The following cameras represent a good representation of innovative product offerings we’ve encountered in our travels.
Digital ID View IV-V252-4VD
This interior dome camera offers a full set of features, excellent 600 TV line resolution and a price that wins bids and allows us to make more profit on every camera we sell.
With a service monitor output, joy stick and dual voltage power input, we found this camera easy to install.
A client called and requested we come over and replace a legacy camera viewing a sensitive area within the facility. I used this camera and the image quality was amazingly crisp and vivid, especially compared to adjacent camera views on the same matrix. The client started noticing how poor the other camera images were when compared to my newly installed camera.
Features include:
1/3” SONY Super HAD CCD II
Ultra High Resolution 600 TV Lines (BW 650TV lines)
Built-in DC iris Vari-Focal lens (f 2.8-10.5mm)
Minimum illumination 0.03Lux (B/W)
OSD
Auto-White Balance
AGC
SBLC
Flickerless
Mirror Function
Motion Detection
Privacy Zone
3-Axis Movement for free lens rotation
100m Dome size
Vandal-resistant Dome Housing
Surface or flush mount
Optional RS-485(Pelco D, CNB) Interface
24VAC/12VDC Dual Voltage input
For information, visit Web Site: www.idview.com
USAG Midnight Anti-Vandal Dome
Besides a full set of handy features, the USAG US-AVC4-2-MDNT-SV1/3” offers night vision without Infrared illumination. USAG claims that the image produced by their Midnight technology surpasses that of IR cameras.
If you’ve had issues with other IR based night vision cameras due to IR reflection and hot spots in the field of view, check this unit out as a possible solution.
USAG’s extended line of video surveillance products and three-year warranty provides a strong sense of quality assurance.
The USAG website, www.usaginc.com, is full of resources and their 24/7 live telephone support can provide product demos, tech support and take your order for their U.S.A. assembled and tested products.
Features include:
Installers Video
216x Digital Zoom
3-Axis Gimbal Bracket
2nd Generation 3D Digital 1 Noise Reduction
256X Auto Light Amplification
3-Axis Bracket
Lens 1/3”
Midnight Sensor
580 TV Lines Resolution
Min. Illumination .001 Lux
S/N Ratio More than 50dB
Electronic Shutter 1/60 ~ 1/100,000
Flickerless Mode
Auto-Iris Vari-focal 2.8-12mm Lens
Iris Control Auto - Selectable
OSD with Multiple Menus
Configurable Auto Exposure
Auto/Configurable White Balance
Auto – Configurable Gain Control
Auto/Configurable Back Light Comp. BLC & HLC
Internal Sync System Internal
Video Output 2 * Vp-p / 75 Ohms
Waterproofing Criterion IP 66
Input Power : 250 mA 12 Volt DC
Power Consumption 4 Watts
Operating Temp. -4°F to 158°F (-20°C to 70C)
Weight 930g
Networking IP Version Available
NUVICO ZOOM-MATIC
The Zoom-Matic series from NUVICO brings refined technology and the somewhat unique programmable zoom to a fixed camera. There are two camera body styles – the integrated zoom camera and the zoom dome. Between these two cameras are an extensive list of options and features to facilitate a variety of deployments.
These cameras are sturdily constructed, offer easy mounting and aiming, and also include those installer-friendly fine points which streamline installation and setup.
The Zoom feature can be manually adjusted by means of the supplied IR remote, or RS-485 joystick controller or DVR with P/T/Z control. The IR remote is useful for installation setup.
Both NUVICO models offer a video output jack which is accessible with the camera mounted (for performing on-the-ladder fine tuning). The Zoom feature can also be automatically controlled.
Presets can be generated by a DVR or with the remote control the same way as with most P/T/Z cameras. The NUVICO presets can also be triggered by motion or alarm.
MOTION: the camera has motion detection, and the area and sensitivity are programmable in the camera using the remote and On Screen Display. There is one motion zone so one preset can be called up.
ALARM: Presets can also be triggered by 2 alarm inputs on the camera which can be hardwired to external sensors. Each alarm input calls up a different (or the same) preset.
You can program the alarm zone to appear on the image display, so when playing back, you know which alarm sensor was triggered. You can also display which preset has been activated.
A home preset is used where the camera can be set for non-alarm viewing. The camera automatically returns to the home position after a dwell time which is programmable for each preset or after the camera has been manually zoomed by an operator.
Having the option of, local, manual and automatic control makes these cameras useful for a wide variety of applications. Security management can select the field of view, or the camera can be set to auto pilot to respond to actions within the field of view, door or motion sensors, activity from an access control, or preprogrammed on a DVR schedule.
The Zoom-Matics’ exceptional 550 color/600 B&W resolution allows full use of the flexible zoom factor, and makes the auto focus an auto-iris even more dramatic to observe.
Features include:
1/4” CCD Sensor
10X Optical Zoom(3.8~38mm)
Day/Night
RS-485
IR Remote
Fan & Heater Option
12VDC/24VAC Dual Voltage
The Zoom-Matic Cameras feature high resolution 1/4” Interline Transfer CCD Imager for enhanced lowlight sensitivity and high resolution 550 line color and 600 line B&W image.
User-friendly, on-screen pull-down menus and short-cuts make it easy to setup and program functions include 8 zoom presets which can be programmed to be controlled by the included R remote, RS485, motion detection, or the on-camera alarm input.
True Night Shot function is provided with IR built-in illuminators: Normal Mode: Color 0.7Lux; B&W Mode 0.03 Lux, and IR ‘LEDs-ON Mode 0.00 Lux
The camera offers 3-Axis Camera View Adjustments and is IP66 weatherproof-rated.
The two versions (CZ10N & CZ20N) differ in their lens, zoom and night vision capabilities.
For information, visit Web Site: www.nuvico.com
CCTV IMPORTS
CCTV Imports WDR4600 offers wide dynamic range with 540 lines of resolution; 0.5LUX rating, a 1/3” Sony Digital Pixel System; a 2.9-10mm vari-focal lens and a big tool box (OSD on screen display) of setting options to enable the installer to achieve and optimum image under a wide range of conditions. Tri-axis mount allows wall or ceiling mounting.
This camera operates on either 12 VDC or 24VAC.
Having a RJ-45 jack as well as traditional male BNC and a face mounted jack for use with a service monitor during installation and final adjustments, this camera may be connected to the system with either coax or UTP.
Flexible adaptable cameras such as the WDR4600 enable the dealer to have the right product on the truck for quick camera replacements and impulse camera add-ons.
For information, visit Web Site: www.cctvimports.com
SG Digital HDC-DV120AV Dome Camera
This high definition CCTV camera is designed for security surveillance and monitoring systems that require superior quality. High resolution images are up to 1280x960 pixels.
This large image format enables the camera to capture greater details or offer a wider field of view. SG Digital says it provides significant advantages over traditional analog CCTV security cameras. The trick is it delivers megapixel IP performance using non- IP technology.
HDSDIVDC1 features a 1.3 megapixel sensor that delivers highest image quality, in order to get accurate identification of objects.
The resolution of 1280x960 progressive scan reproduces images of moving objects smoothly. If you compare its 1280x960 with traditional VGA resolution (640x480), the resolution (1280x960) covers four times wider areas. This means there is less loss of resolution when the images are enlarged for closer examination.
Typically cameras are deployed and the customer wants to cover as large an area as possible to keep the camera count to a minimum. Then when a crime occurs, they want to take the video and zoom in for a close-up view of the perpetrator.
When you zoom an image, you are enlarging the pixels in the frame. So in many cases the enlarged picture does not reveal detail. It reduces clarity and looks blurry on the evening news when they try to identify the suspect.
Mega pixel resolution helps mitigate this situation, assuming the field of view the camera is deployed to view will have enough resolution to pull up the desired detail when enlarged.
SG Digital’s technology is based on coaxial cable to transmission HD-SDI signal. SDI signal is serial data interface that doesn’t cause delay or buffer during transmission (unlike the existing IP cameras).
SDI refers to a family of video interfaces standardized by SMPTE (The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers), an international professional association, based in the United States of America, of engineers working in the motion imaging industries.
High-Definition Serial Digital Interface (HD-SDI) defines digital video interfaces used for broadcast-grade video which provide a nominal data rate of 1.485 Gbit/s. These standards are used for transmission of uncompressed, unencrypted digital video signals (optionally including embedded Audio and/or Time Code) within television facilities; they can also be used for packetized data. They are designed for operation over short distances (less than 300m. with coaxial cable); due to their high bitrates they are inappropriate for long-distance transmission. Previously SDI and HD-SDI were only available in professional video equipment; various licensing agreements, restricting the use of unencrypted digital interfaces to professional equipment.
The various serial digital interface standards all use (one or more) coaxial cables with BNC connectors, with a nominal impedance of 75 ohms. This is the same type of cable used in analog video setups, which potentially makes for easier upgrades (though higher quality cables may be necessary for long runs at the higher bitrates).
Features include:
1/3” EX-View SONY Progressive Color CCD
3 digital outputs supported: 22.5fps(1280X960) // 30fps (1280X720)
No Video Data Loss
Digital Video Transmission (Serial Data Interface – BNC type)
Min, Illumination 1.0 Lux(DSS off), 0.1 Lux(DSS On) / DSS(Max32)
DSS (Digital Slow Shutter)
Auto White Balance
Provide SDK for developers
Two ways of connection Megapixel camera either HD-SDI (Box Type) or PCI Card.
Transmission distance varies depending on coax cable specifications
Built-in DIO Sensor (Sensor in 2 channels), simply sensor cable can connect with Megapixel camera. The signal goes through coaxial cable with Video data.(Easy/Economy installation)
For more information, visit Web Site: www.sgdigital.com
To read additional Locksmith Ledger articles on CCTV, visit Web Site: tinyurl.com/cameras0610
Tim O'Leary
Tim O'Leary is a security consultant, trainer and technician who has also been writing articles on all areas of locksmithing & physical security for many years.
