First, what information do you want the system to provide? There are three possible answers:
- Detection - indicate something is happening in the field of interest
- Recognition - determine exactly what is happening
- Identification - determine who is involved in the activity
Your answer will affect the type of equipment you need for a given CCTV application. In addition, there are other basic considerations that influence CCTV system design and, of course, your budget. These include:
- Required image quality
- Size of the field of interest to be viewed
- Available light (there may be a need for supplemental lighting)
- Environment in which the equipment will be used (indoor vs. outdoor, standard vs. high-risk for damage)
- Power source
Each of these affect your CCTV design. For example, if a more accurate representation of a scene is required, your design specifications might call for color cameras as opposed to monochrome, while more detail and resolution can be acquired using low-light black and white or day/night camera. Color cameras and monitors should be used in systems that will be used for identification purposes.
