What Type Of CCTV Camera Should I Buy?

A CCTV security system is essential for any type of business or public organization. However, simply having cameras is not enough, choosing the right CCTV system is critical to preventing crime, not just recording it.

Conventional CCTV systems often provide footage only after an incident has occurred, offering little in terms of active deterrence and prevention. Sonitrol takes security a step further with verified CCTV monitoring that prevents break-ins before they happen. 

There are many CCTV cameras available today, each with different features, making it difficult to determine which is best for your business security needs. Below, we explore the key types of CCTV cameras and why Sonitrol’s verified security solutions offer superior protection and deterrence.

Here Are The 8 CCTV Camera Types You Should Know About:

1. Dome CCTV Camera

Dome CCTV Cameras are most commonly used for indoor security and surveillance applications. Dome cameras get their name from the dome-shaped housing in which they sit. These housings are designed to make the CCTV cameras unobtrusive… not covert or hidden. Typical applications are retail, where the camera is designed to be unobtrusive, but visible.

The "dome" shape makes it difficult to tell the direction that these cameras are facing, and thus are ideal for deterring criminals. The “bad guys” will know the facility is being watched and customers will feel at ease knowing the facility is being protected. Units that allow the camera to pan/tilt/zoom and spin quickly within the housing are often referred to as “speed domes.”

Speed Dome CCTV cameras give the surveillance operator the ability to move the camera. There are cameras that have automated pan/tilt/zoom functionality where the camera is moving on a timed basis. These are used to cover a wide area with only one camera, or to avoid poor light conditions at certain times of day.

2. Bullet CCTV Camera

Bullet CCTV Cameras have a long, cylindrical, and tapered shape, similar to that of a "rifle bullet", often used in applications that require long distance viewing. The camera is not typically designed to have pan/tilt/zoom control but instead to capture images from a fixed location, pointing at a particular area.

A bullet CCTV camera is a wall-mount or ceiling-mounted unit that is typically designed for indoor use, but can also be used for some outdoor applications. Many bullet cameras can also be waterproof by being installed inside protective casings, which protect against dust, dirt, rain, hail and other harmful elements.

3. C-Mount CCTV Camera

C-mount CCTV cameras have detachable lenses to fit different applications. Standard CCTV camera lenses can only cover distances of between 35 and 40ft, therefore with C-mount CCTV cameras, it is possible to use special lenses, which can cover distances greater than 40ft.

4. Day/Night CCTV Camera

The day/night CCTV cameras have the distinct advantage of operating in both normal and poorly-lit environments. These cameras do not have Infrared illuminators because they can capture clear video images in varying light conditions and in the dark.

The camera is ideal for outdoor surveillance applications, where Infrared CCTV cameras cannot function optimally. These CCTV cameras are primarily used in outdoor applications and they can have a wide dynamic range to function in glare, direct sunlight, reflections and strong back light 24/7.

5. Infrared/Night Vision CCTV

Camera These night-vision CCTV cameras have the ability to see images in pitch black conditions using Infrared LEDs and are ideal in outside conditions where lighting is poor to zero.

6. Network/IP CCTV Camera

These cameras, both hardwired and wireless, transmit images over the Internet, often compressing the bandwidth so as not to overwhelm the web. IP cameras are easier to install than analog cameras because they do not require a separate cable run or power boost to send images over a longer distance.

7. Wireless CCTV Camera

Not all wireless cameras are IP-based. Some wireless cameras can use alternative modes of wireless transmission. But no matter what the transmission method, the primary benefit to these units is still the same: extreme flexibility in installation.

8. High-Definition HD CCTV Camera

Ultra high-definition cameras are often relegated to niche markets, such as casinos and banks. These give the operators the ability to zoom in with extreme clarity (to look at a poker player who might have something up their sleeve).

The Truth is, CCTV Isn’t Going to Protect Your Business

Many businesses rely on CCTV as their primary security solution, believing that having cameras in place will deter criminals. The reality is, CCTV is not a security system, it is a monitoring tool.

Here’s why:

• CCTV Does Not Prevent Break-Ins: Criminals know that traditional CCTV cameras only record footage. If they wear masks or hoodies, they can easily conceal their identity, making recorded evidence useless. They’ll be long gone before you even know it.
• Delayed Response Times: If an incident occurs, someone must review the footage, determine the threat, and then contact authorities. This process wastes valuable time and increases the risk of loss or damage. To make this even worse, police don’t even bother responding to unverified alarms.
• No Real-Time Intervention: Without professional monitoring and verification, a CCTV system does nothing to stop criminals while they are committing a crime.
• Its Only Purpose is Monitoring Operational Processes: CCTV is great for monitoring employee performance, tracking deliveries, and ensuring safety compliance, but it’s not fit-for-purpose as a security solution.

Why Sonitrol’s Verified Security Solutions Are Different

Conventional CCTV systems act as passive security measures, recording footage that is only useful after an incident occurs. While they are valuable for monitoring operational processes (like watching trucks being loaded or unloaded to check for damage), they provide no protection or deterrence against criminal activity.

Sonitrol’s verified security solutions take a proactive approach:

• Real-Time Monitoring – Our security specialists actively watch for threats 24/7.
• Verified Police Response – We confirm threats before dispatching law enforcement, reducing false alarms. This means police actually respond to Sonitrol alarms, on average in just 3.5 minutes.
• Crime Deterrence – Criminals know Sonitrol’s systems are actively monitored, and that we;ve helped police apprehend more than 188,000 criminals. This is why our alarms are the perfect deterrence.
• Full System Integration – Sonitrol’s verified security solutions are fully integrateable, meaning your business can use audio intrusion detection, access control, CCTV and advanced video analytics for a complete security strategy.

We're so confident in our technology and responsive service, that no one else in the industry can match our Guaranteed Commitment to Service. We really do put our money where our mouth is, because we know that our technology works.

Our unique verified audio intrusion and commercial video security solutions enable our operators to hear and see what is happening in your business before the criminals gain entry! We verify the actual source of the alarm, and we get the police to attend the scene immediately.

With Sonitrol’s verified CCTV security, you’re not just recording crime, you’re preventing it. Our integrated systems ensure that law enforcement is only dispatched when a real threat is detected, resulting in faster police response and fewer false alarms.

Interested in learning more about how we can help your business protect itself against threats? Get a free security plan today.