Full form of CCTV

Full form of CCTV: Security has always been on the priority list, and we follow all the measures to enable high-tech security. One such step is CCTV. It is a technology used almost everywhere for surveillance purposes. We have heard and used this term a day or another in our lives, yet we don’t know what it stands for?

The full form of CCTV is Closed-Circuit Television.

This tutorial will briefly cover the meaning, history, Components of Closed Circuit Television Applications of CCTV, places where CCTV's are usually installed, and other detailed information related to CCTV or Closed-Circuit television.

What is a CCTV?

CCTV or Closed-Circuit Television is a gadget used to track or monitor any specific person, place, or area that require notable observation all the time for security or maintainable purpose.

CCTV is also called a Video Surveillance tool. Its manufacturing uses a direct connection between its various components such as a video camera, recording equipment, display screens, etc. CCTV records all the ongoing events; thus it is handy to monitor any crime or illicit activities. CCTV uses both networking technology, i.e., wireless CCTV or wired networking. It can dispatch either video or audio or both at the same time. Various modern CCTV cameras are designed on advanced technology to work efficiently in night vision and record footage that is captured in low light. CCTV signals are not significantly dispensed for security goals, but they can be tracked.

Earlier CCTV systems were developed using small black and white monitors with comparatively low resolution and lack of interactive capabilities. With the help of technology and digitalization today, we have more advanced CCTV screens with color displays, high-resolution showcases. Modern CCTV also incorporates the facility to zoom in on an image or track a person or item. Some CCTV also enables the feature to communicate with people located within the range of stated speakers of the camera. They are mainly used in apartments for the entry purpose.

History of CCTV

Russian physicist Léon Theremin introduced the first mechanical CCTV device in June 1927. Back then, the system was assembled with a manually-operated scanning-transmitting camera and wireless shortwave transmitter and receiver, with a hundred lines.

Later in 1942 more advanced CCTV system was established by Siemens AG for complying with the launch of V-2 rockets.

Finally, it was 1949 when the first commercial CCTV camera named Vericon available in th US. 

Components of Closed Circuit Television or CCTV

  1. Digital or analogue security cameras.
  2. Cables
  3. The video recorder: Usually a type NVR or PVR
  4. Storage unit : For Example, a hard disk
  5. Display unit: Unlike a screen or monitor.

Applications of CCTV

In today’s world CCTV cameras are known to everyone because they are used in most of our day-to-day applications. A few of them are given below:

  1. Crime solving: CCTV is a weapon used by the government and police officials to prevent, control and solve crimes. As per reports, CCTV solves approximately 5 to 6 cases daily in London.
  2. Body worn: With the invention of body-worn cameras, the CCTV camera concept became handy and portable. Detectives and officers use it as a new form of surveillance in different cases where the cameras are usually placed on their officer's chest pocket or head.
  3. Vehicle traffic: With increasing population and vehicles, proper traffic-monitoring is the need of the hour. Therefore, several cities and busy highway networks have implemented closed-circuit CCTV attached with television to manage traffic-monitoring by detecting traffic jams and rescue accidents.
  4. Pedestrian traffic: CCTV cameras are widely used worldwide to monitor (and therefore manage) the bulk of crowds. For example, in China, CCTV cameras' output was processed with AI (artificial intelligence) technology to detect crowds' formation during the covid-19 pandemic. They also used the CCTV output to find the Covid-19 positive patient and the people who came in contact with the patient.
  5. Electric Trains: A CCTV system is installed on electronic trains, especially the metro (driver-only operated train) to increase the safety and security. Therefore the drivers can cross-check that all the people are clear of doors before shutting the gates and moving the metro.
  6. Sporting Events: Many sporting events utilize CCTV systems inside the venue for spectators to record the movement while they on or away from their seats. 
  7. Employee Monitoring: Typically all companies use CCTV to monitor the activities of their employees. They help in recording the operations with cash ad involuntary scanning of the imported and exported goods and maintain the records of the price and quantity for future reference.
  8. Use in schools: Many private users prefer to install CCTV camera arrangements either inside or outside their houses for security purposes. CCTV cameras are a powerful restraint to potential invaders as it doubles the risk of identification and helps in catching the thieves.

Places where CCTV's are usually installed

The various places or locations where CCTV camera’s are used commonly are as follows:

  1. Government or Private Banks
  2. Shops, Shopping malls, Movie halls and multiplexes
  3. Casinos, Bars, Pubs and clubs
  4. City Roads, markets and Highways
  5. Societies, Building and Apartments
  6. Corporate Houses for security purposes
  7. Restaurants, Schools, Hotels
  8. Government Offices and Government officials apartments
  9. Famous traditional heritage
  10. Companies, Business world (almost the corporate world)
  11. Lift and car parking
  12. Airports, metro stations and Railway Stations
  13. Industrial plants etc.