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Saturday, November 7, 2009

CS-Mount Camera Selection Advice

By Holly Germain

The original security camera was a c-mount security cameras, and they were first introduced in the 1970's. Perhaps it was the fact that fashion was not at its high that these boxy, bulky security cameras look the way that they do, but it had more to do with the technological limitations of the time. As camera technology was in its infancy, chips sets and circuit boards were much bigger than today, which rather restricted security cameras to the c-mount security camera construction. For many years, c-mount security cameras design defined the security camera industry, but now the most common shape that most people think of when mentioning a security camera is the bullet security camera.

The c-mount security cameras bulky mold is still its largest advantage, as this enables c-mount cameras to use the newest technology first, before it has been perfected to be small enough to be used in other surveillance camera styles. Right now, smaller surveillance cameras such as bullet or dome security cameras are able to support 1/3 and 1/4 inch chip sets but cannot use 1/2 inch chip sets because the technology has not advanced to the point of being miniaturized. This means that c-mount surveillance cameras, because of supporting a larger chip set that can have greater number of pixels, have the best resolution of any surveillance camera. In addition to better resolution, larger chip sets also enable the camera to pick up more light in poor lighting conditions, effectively making the surveillance camera be able to pick up color video in darker conditions.

C-mount cameras are ready out of the box to be used indoors, but to be used outside they must be mounted in protective housings and with more secure brackets, as they are not well-shielded from the elements. Because of their superior video quality, large businesses and government offices use the majority of cs-mount surveillance cameras.

Infrared cameras excel at seeing in complete darkness, and many other cameras see well in the daytime, but cs-mount security cameras are some of the only surveillance cameras that work especially well in the space between no light and daytime. This ability to record in twilight conditions is measured by a camera's lux rating. Lux is the measurement of the amount of light falling on an area. Lower lux ratings means that the security camera can see in lower levels of light but generally increases the cost of the camera.

One of the things to keep in mind when looking at buying a c-mount camera is the fact that they are one of the only cameras that do not come with a lens. CS-mount surveillance cameras are significantly more interchangeable than other surveillance cameras, but their price can be higher as all their parts are customizable. This results in an initially more expressive, but less expensive in the long run camera.

CS-mount security cameras, like most models of surveillance cameras, do face a drawback: cs-mount surveillance cameras require considerable effort to be used outdoors. CS-mount cameras are more sensitive than, for example, bullet surveillance cameras, and considerable damage can be done to them by rain, wind, heat, or cold. If you require a c-mount surveillance camera outdoors, you will need to purchase a housing and a mounting bracket. Some housings simply protect from water and projectiles, whereas other are equipped with heaters and blowers to keep the temperature constant. Mounting brackets, just as they sound, enable cs-mount security cameras to be installed on outside walls.

Besides being able to employ the newest technological advances before other camera styles, the shape of cs-mount surveillance cameras also have another advantage. They are blatantly obvious. Many banks and large businesses employ cs-mount security cameras simply because they send the obvious message that would be assailants are being watched.

In conclusion, cs-mount security cameras have the highest resolution of any surveillance camera, but lack the constitution to be used outdoors without shielding from the environment. They make excellent interior surveillance cameras, but should only be attempted outdoors if the security application requires color video in poor light, or if the higher resolution pictures outweigh the complexity of protecting their environment. Lastly, if you want to send the message "you are being recorded" there is no better surveillance camera that c-mount cameras.

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