1. Choosing a CCTV camera

It depends on the environment the camera is to be installed/used in. Indoor/Outdoor? Will the camera be used indoors or outdoors? Typically all outdoor cameras can also be used indoors, but not all indoor cameras can be used outdoors. Most cameras that are built with exterior metal casings are considered weatherproof. A camera that is classified as weatherproof is one that can withstand freezing temperatures, rain, and heat. The typical operating temperature of a weatherproof camera is 0 F to 120 F. Vandal-proof cameras are also usually considered weatherproof. If the camera will be installed in an area where it is a potential target to be damaged, a Vandal-proof (tamper resistant) camera will offer extra security to help prevent secure the premises against would-be trouble-makers. Infrared (or IR) Cameras typically have outer metal casings, and therefore most of them are considered weatherproof. Indoor cameras, when used in conjunction with an Outdoor Housing, can be used outdoors. Any type of camera with Infrared Illuminators cannot be used inside an Outdoor Housing because the IR LEDs will bounce off the housing’s glass window. For more extreme temperatures, it is usually advised to use an indoor Box camera in conjunction with an Outdoor Housing with a Heater. These enclosures will prevent the camera’s internal mechanisms to freeze or to overheat. Most plastic covered Dome Cameras are designed for indoor use only. On the other hand, the Dome Cameras that have metal casings can be used outdoors. Such casings are typically found in Vandal-proof and/or Infrared Dome Cameras

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CCD (Charge Coupled Device) refers to the sensor chip inside the camera that picks up light. The smaller the CCD chip, the narrower the angle of view. Therefore a larger 1/3 inch CCD will typically yield better picture quality than a smaller 1/4 inch CCD with the same resolution.

Some may argue that a Sony CCD will outperform a Sharp CCD, which justifies the higher price tag on the Sony CCD. However, when comparing the same camera, for example a 1/3 inch CCD 420 TV-Line 1Lux Dome Camera, the side-by-side benchmark test between a Sony CCD and Sharp CCD yielded results that were practically the exact same. The difference between the two CCDs is negligible to the naked eye. Similar results were derived when testing IR cameras, Bullet cameras, etc. Our conclusion is that there is NO PRACTICAL DIFFERENCE between Sony vs. Sharp CCD, and we are not going to pretend that there is, just so that we can sell you a more expensive camera. The Sharp CCD works just as well as the Sony CCD, all other factors remaining equal.

The main determinant of sharp picture quality is the number of TV Lines of resolution. The greater the number, the better the resolution. Beware of unscrupulous supplies though that mark up the resolution on their documentation. Typically the higher the resolution, the higher the cost.

Higher resolution cameras (480+TVL) should be used to capture critical data, such as cash registers, faces, safes, etc.. Lower resolution cameras are usually fine for general coverage, such as shopfloor, walkways, etc.

Specifications for surveillance cameras include a minimum illuminance level in LUX at which the camera will record a satisfactory image. A camera with good low-light capability will have a lower LUX rating. Still cameras do not use such a specification, since longer exposure times can generally be used to make pictures at very low illuminance levels, as opposed to the case in video cameras where a maximum exposure time is generally set by the frame rate.

To give you an idea of various LUX levels in real world, look at the chart and you will see which LUX level would suit your particular application / environment.

Lux Level Chart

2. How to use this website

Online we are 24 hours. Our response to emails is usually within one working day (24 hours).

By telephone our opening ours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday 11:00-18:00. We are closed every Wednesday for stock taking.

All products shown are new and covered by manufacturers warranty for a minimum of 12 months unless otherwise stated. (All warranties exclude product misuse & CCD sensors damaged by normal wear & tear). This does not affect your statutory rights as a consumer.

Faulty Products/Dead on Arrival/Returns Procedure

In the unlikely event that you receive a faulty product or your product becomes faulty after a few days. Please email: customerservice@leinsternet.com, you will then be issued with a form to complete. Once we have received the completed form we will then issue you with a RMA number. This enables you to return the goods to Ones & Zeros CCTV. Any goods returned without a RMA number will not be accepted.

You will receive a full refund once we have received and tested the goods, providing they are returned in their original packaging. Alternatively we will supply you with an exact replacement.

Ones & Zeros CCTV does not operate a "sale or return" policy.

The following exclusions apply to the returns policies stated above:

Goods that are not in their original packaging and in good condition are excluded and will be rejected by our warehouse.

Any goods with cut cables, or any modifications of any kind will be rejected by our warehouse and you will not be eligible for a refund.

All warranties exclude product misuse, acts of God i.e. lightening strikes, bulbs, IR LEDs & CCD sensors damaged by normal wear & tear.

PLEASE BE AWARE OF THE FOLLOWING

Ones & Zeros CCTV are not responsible for networking any equipment. We cannot be held responsible for failure to network and will not accept any equipment back due to this.

You have the right to cancel your order with us (does not apply to business customers), in accordance with Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000. The period in which you can exercise that right is 7 (seven) working days beginning the day after your goods are received. The unused goods must be returned as originally packaged at the customer’s expense. You must still apply for a returns number as described above. We reserve the right to have the goods inspected by a technician prior to replacement or refund.