How To Connect A CCTV Camera To A Computer

Closed Circuit TV (CCTV)

CCTV, or the closed-circuit television, delivers video images over a self-contained network rather than airing them to the public. It’s commonly used for home and business security systems, showing live images and footage to security guards and staff or storing them on digital video recording systems for safekeeping and later playback if there’s a crime or other incident.

You can now connect a camera to a computer or loop camera data into a network so you can monitor your CCTV feeds on a laptop or desktop screen. Some businesses and homeowners also use cloud-based systems to store videos on remote servers, which can be easily accessed and played back.

How to Connect CCTV Camera to Computer

With today’s more advanced technology, it is now possible to connect a security camera to a personal computer. If you’re unsure if your CCTV has the same function, it would be best to consult the camera’s manufacturer with any questions on how to connect CCTV camera to computer. Before purchasing a CCTV system, don’t just think about the cost or value of your CCTV camera, but more so, consider whether it includes the features you need to use, including digital connectivity. With pricing, we also have to consider other factors like maintenance and the costs of storing media such as tapes, hard drives, or cloud storage space. Here are the steps you need to follow on how to connect CCTV camera to computer:

• Install CCTV software on your computer. Insert the software CD or DVD provided with your CCTV camera into your computer’s optical drive. Some software can be easily downloaded from the manufacturer’s website. Proceed with the automatic installation of the software and follow the steps provided.
• Mount your camera. Position or mount the camera in the best location that offers a clear, well-lighted view of the area you want to monitor. The precise location of the camera will be fine-tuned once a signal is being transferred to the computer.
• Connect the camera to the computer. Connect your security camera to the computer. Some CCTV systems utilize a coaxial cable, while others use a conventional USB cable. Consult the manual that came with the camera to determine the correct type of cabling to use on how to connect CCTV camera to computer. Some CCTV setups require a router through which you can connect multiple cameras. If you opt to use this CCTV configuration, then you need to connect each camera to an available port on the CCTV router and then connect the router to your computer. Keep the user’s manual for more information.
• Connect the camera to a power supply. Connect the camera or cameras to a dedicated power supply. Some USB CCTV systems supply power to the cameras through the USB cabling itself, reducing the need for a power source for each camera.
• Launch the CCTV software and configure it. Begin the CCTV camera’s software installation on your computer and proceed with the configuration of the cameras. At this point, you can correctly aim and adjust the camera to ensure superb video quality.

Cloud-Based Surveillance Cameras

There are three types of security camera recording methods:

Security cameras that digitally upload footage to remote servers are becoming more popular nowadays. Many of these can depend on your home or business’s wired or wireless Internet connection, so you don’t need to wire them directly to a computer or server or have dedicated equipment to store and playback the footage.

Some systems even automatically detect and recognize motion within the camera’s scope of view to make it easy to go through any footage without needing to watch every second of inaction.

Oftentimes, you’ll need to pay a monthly or annual fee to the camera company to store your footage, though some do offer limited storage included in the total cost. Find the best camera and storage plan that meets your home or business needs that is also compatible with your network. Find out more about CCTV Cameras.