Also known as closed-circuit television, this is a system used to safeguard your home’s exterior and interior. This technology is divided into four components: VMS (video management software), a monitor, a recording system, and cameras.
CCTVs can also be used in businesses, schools, commercial settings and used by some law-enforcement agencies to help curb/prevent crime. Depending on the quality and type of camera, some are cost-effective and easy to install, while others are on the higher end in terms of price. CCTV cameras come in many different types, the most popular ones being:
9 Best Cost-effective CCTV cameras:
- HD (High Definition)
- Wireless
- IP/Network
- Night Vision/Infrared
- Night/Day
- PTZ Pan Tilt & Zoom
- C-Mount
- Bullet
- Dome
Nine types of Cost-effective CCTV cameras and their benefits
Here is a closer look at the types of CCTV cameras available and their benefits to your home:
1. HD (High Definition) CCTV cameras
As their name suggests, these CCTV cameras will give you supreme picture quality having high-quality images thus being a less cost-effective option. They are known to provide resolutions of up to 4K thereby termed as being one of the best cameras around.
Benefits
- Superior picture definition, which captures subjects in the highest quality available.
- Zoom function gives extra clarity
- It can be found in models like bullets and domes
- It gives undeniable image identification thanks to the crystal clear pictures
2. Wireless CCTV Cameras
These CCTVs cameras help minimize CCTV installation time. They also present a tidier camera appearance, thus not messing with a room’s interior décor. These are not cost-effective as their price is on the higher end.
Benefits
- Easy installation as compared to the average CCTV camera/system
- Tidy and discreet appearance with a fitting that’s less obtrusive
- Enables remote view of images because they are transmitted via the internet
- Easy access and secure storage of archive images
3. IP/Network CCTV Cameras
These are CCTV cameras that give live footage via the internet. That way, images are accessible from remote regions around the globe. Online feed is made reliable because the videos are compressed. The archived footage gets stored on secure software or NVRs (network video recorders) to be accessed later.
Benefits
- Low maintenance
- Easy setup as a computer station and coaxial cables aren’t required
- Archive footage is easy to access
- Remote footage viewing capabilities
4. Night Vision/Infrared CCTV Cameras
These are CCTV cameras designed to optimally operate in pitch-black environments. This is achieved by the infrared technology the cameras have.
Benefits
- Clear video recording in dark environments
- Clear images in lighter surroundings enabled by the infrared cut filter
- Images can be captured in smoke, dust, and fog
- Daytime color imagery recording capabilities
- Night white and black color imagery
5. Night/Day CCTV Cameras
These are CCTV cameras that have been designed to operate in any environment (night or day) effectively. Varying light conditions don’t obscure video image recording.
Benefits
- As casing which protects the camera from outside surveillance elements
- It can function even in glares, poor lighting, reflections, and direct sunlight
- Usually records in white, black, and colored
- It can record even in low light
6. PTZ (Pan Tilt & Zoom) Cameras
This CCTV camera gives your security team complete control of the recordings. The cameras can be tilted right and left, down and up, zoomed out and in.
Benefits
- Ability to closely focus on images
- A 360-degree field vision
- Impeccable image resolutions
- Ability to react to live situations
7. C-Mount CCTV Cameras
These CCTV cameras have detachable lenses which allow monitoring of images having varying distances. They are usually bulky, thus being a visible criminal activity deterrent. These are quite cost-effective as compared to the majority of the ones listed here.
Benefits
- Deters criminals due to its high visibility
- It can be fitted with special lenses to extend the visibility range
- A rugged casing can be added protecting it in cold environments
- It is friendly to outdoor use owing to its weatherproof housing
8. Bullet CCTV Cameras
These have highly-visible iconic designs. They have a cylindrical shape with long-range visibility capabilities. They are commonly placed outdoors as their casings are water, dirt, and dust resistant.
Benefits
- Act as criminal deterrents thanks to their high-visibility
- Provides long-distance surveillance
- Resistant to dirt caused dirt that’s in challenging environments
- It has a casing protecting the camera against rain and glare
9. Dome CCTV Cameras
They are dome in shape and highly visible, thus deterring criminals. They are also cheap as compared to other cameras.
Benefits
- Its design makes it an easy fit
- It can be used outdoors and indoors
- It’s vandal resistant making it hard to interfere with
- 360-degree rotation abilities
Conclusion
You cannot downplay the importance of having the right CCTV camera for your home. All the mentioned cameras can be used in your home. All you have to do is identify the one that best fits your needs based on the benefits listed above and identify how cost-effective they are based on your budget.
