Video Surveillance Technology - A Primer

Video surveillance equipment technology is used inused. It can lessen the liability and workers'
many ways for the benefit of society as a whole.compensation premiums, fraudulent insurance
The technology is used to study, among otherclaims, and may help in the deterrence and
things, the workload among pilots and air-trafficapprehension of dishonest workers and
controllers, evaluation of driver reactions tocustomers. Present-day technology by the way
warning devices at railroad crossings, and studiesof computer networks and the Internet
of the behavior of sleep-deprived locomotiveadditionally provides the capability to watch a
engineers, just to name a few. The equipmentbusiness concern remotely from home or other
includes video cameras, digital video recorders,locations.
digital video cameras, and CCTV [closed circuitThere are many varieties of cameras and digital
TV] video cameras. Events such as the 9-11video recorders for various applications. Examples
terrorist attack in the United States of Americaof these are entrance and exit cameras, cash
and the ever present threat of more terrorregister and counter cameras, internal cameras,
attacks has resulted in video surveillanceoutdoor cameras and digital recorders are the
equipment becoming more popular than any timemain components of a digital video surveillance
before.system. Prices for the equipment standard for a
This equipment and technology is used in variousfour camera digital video recording system for a
different portions of society including governmentsmall retail or office type business can cost a
agencies, security agencies, companies andperson at least several thousands of dollars plus
businesses, schools, and public and privatethe cost of labor of installation. As you might
transport vehicles. Video surveillance equipment isexpect medium, large and project level businesses
also a welcomed technology in places wherewill need to spend proportionately more to satisfy
round the clock human intervention is needed buttheir individual security requirements.
not possible. As an example, the New York CityWhatever expenses incurred in buying video
Transit system [including the subway and tunnelsurveillance equipment is worth the effort and
and bridge authority] uses video surveillanceexpense. This is because this technology not only
equipment for monitoring underground traffic andreduces the cost of security but also helps in
stations.curbing crime and vandalism. There are very few
There are many components to video surveillancecompanies, which do not use video surveillance
equipment technology such as cameras, software,equipment for some purpose or the other. Total
digital image cameras, infrared sensors, monitorssales in video surveillance technology are on the
and so on. Surveillance technology has become anincrease. They will continue to do so due to the
invaluable tool for business when it is properlyeffectiveness and versatility of this technology.