The history of CCTV – from 1942 to present

CCTV is now something we take for granted. Many premises, streets and even homes are fitted with
such technology and it is something we have come to accept and expect.

Businesses and consumers alike can benefit from using it to boost security and to increase their
peace of mind.

Of course, the CCTV systems available today are very different from earlier versions. Here is a quick
synopsis of the evolution of the technology.

Live monitoring
The earliest documented use of CCTV technology was in Germany in 1942. The system was
designed by the engineer Walter Bruch and it was set up for the monitoring of V-2 rockets. It wasn’t
until 1949 that the technology was launched on a commercial basis. In that year, an American
government contractor named Vericon began promoting the system.

These primitive solutions comprised cameras and monitors and they could only be used for live
monitoring. They did not have components that allowed users to record footage.

Primitive video recordings

Later, primitive reel-to-reel recording systems were introduced to help preserve the data gathered.
However, the magnetic tapes had to be swapped manually, which was a difficult, unreliable and
costly process. Operators had to thread the tape from the reel through the recorder and onto an
empty take-up real. Unsurprisingly, such systems were rare.

The emergence of VCRs

A major development in the history of CCTV occurred when video cassette recordings (VCRs)
became widely available in the 1970s. This technology was quickly incorporated into surveillance
systems, offering a new way for the cameras to be used.

It was no longer necessary for people to monitor the screens live. Instead, the systems could be set
up and left to run by themselves. Users could then review the information recorded as and when
they wanted to. This made CCTV much more popular among businesses.

However, it’s important to note that these solutions were far from perfect. The tapes had to be
changed on a regular basis or re-written. If users wanted to store information for any length of time,
they had to keep a library of tapes.
Multiplexing
Another significant development in the history of CCTV occurred during the 1990s, when
multiplexing solutions became available. This technology allows video signals from a number of
CCTV cameras to be combined and displayed on one monitor. For example, it means that if a
company has four security cameras, each of these video signals is synchronised by the multiplexer
and recorded on the same tape.

This step forward made CCTV solutions more efficient and it helped to increase their popularity.

Going digital
Progress in digital technology since the turn of the millennium has led to further improvements.
VCRs have been replaced with digital video recorders (DVRs), making CCTV systems simpler and
more user-friendly. Multiplexers are now built into these solutions, meaning the kits are easier to
install and operate. Digital systems have also removed the need for video tapes, meaning
organisations no longer have to stockpile tapes in order to store information.

NVRs
Coming right up-to-date, it’s possible to purchase network video recorders (NVRs). These systems
work by encoding and processing video in cameras and then streaming the footage to NVRs for
storage or remote viewing. The solutions are particularly useful for firms with many site locations
because they allow users to view various departments at any one time across the network or internet
more easily and in higher quality than remote viewing with a DVR allows.

Given the impressive features that CCTV products now boast and the ease with which they can be
used, it is no wonder that the technology is in such high demand.

CCTV, or closed-circuit television, is a system that allows you to keep an

eye on what’s going on in and around your business. Cameras and
monitors enable you to view events live, and recorders archive footage for
later reference. Don’t mistake a CCTV monitor for an ordinary television. It
doesn’t receive publicly broadcasted content—only footage from security
cameras installed on the premises.

CCTV technology has been around for decades, but improvements in

recent years make it even more effective at capturing criminals in the act
and bringing them to justice. Consider the various parts of a CCTV system
and how they all work together.
SECURITY CAMERAS
The purpose of security cameras is to capture footage, especially in any
vulnerable or high-crime places in and around your building. You have
several basic security camera options to choose from:

 Wired cameras use cables to transmit footage. One drawback is that

the signal can weaken when the transmission range exceeds 300
meters. Using the appropriate networking cables, switches, and
signal boosters can help overcome this problem. Several cameras
can be interconnected to a single monitor located in a security room.
 Analog cameras have been around for years and are still the most
common type of CCTV camera installed today. They have basic
functionality and store video onsite.
 IP (Internet protocol) cameras carry out the same functions as their
analog counterparts, but with vastly greater capabilities. IP cameras
boast sharper, higher resolution images and more flexible features
like remote zoom and repositioning. They also give you the option to
view footage on a web browser. This makes it possible to receive
notifications regarding anything peculiar your cameras records—such
as movement inside your business at 3:00 am—and view it live from
anywhere via a computer or Smartphone. The major drawback of IP
cameras is their higher price tag.
CABLES
All CCTV systems require some amount of cabling, even those with
wireless cameras. Cables link different pieces of equipment together,
including monitors, recorders, modems, and wired cameras.

VIDEO RECORDERS
When a CCTV camera spots something of interest, a recorder ensures you
can go back and view it later. You can set up your cameras to record
everything they capture, but that takes up a lot of storage space. For this
reason, you may want to program your cameras to record only during
certain times of the day or when they detect movement. Your video
recording options include DVR and NVR.
 DVRs, or digital video recorders, are the modern replacement for
analog recorders that use videotapes. DVRs capture footage from
analog cameras in a digital format at the desired resolution and
frames per second. When the hard disk gets full, new images will
record over the oldest footage first.
 NVRs, or network video recorders, work similarly to DVRs, but
they’re compatible with IP cameras. Your cameras and NVR connect
via a network switch or router. You can easily access footage on an
NVR through a web browser or mobile app.
 Note about hard disks: Make sure you select surveillance-grade
hard disks for your DVR or NVR. These are built with more durable
components than regular computer hard drives so they can run 24/7
if necessary.
DISPLAY UNIT
To view live or recorded footage from your security cameras, you must
hook up your DVR or NVR to a TV or monitor. The display unit for your
CCTV system can range from a simple monochrome screen to an HD color
monitor. If you have IP cameras, you can also view footage remotely from a
Smartphone or computer.

INSTALL CCTV IN YOUR MID-SOUTH BUSINESS

Whether your goal is to deter break-ins and theft, prevent vandalism,
monitor traffic, or keep an eye on employees, CCTV could provide a
significant benefit for your business. State Systems Inc. can expertly design
and install a CCTV system in your Tennessee, Arkansas, or Mississippi
business.

Whether you need basic wired analog cameras, or you want the latest
wireless IP cameras with every advanced feature available, we can
address your needs. We can also help you overcome problems with
camera vandalism by offering dust-resistive housings and bullet-resistant,
explosion-proof casings. Our wide range of affordable, high-quality CCTV
products are sure to be the perfect addition to your company’s security
efforts.