FAQ Wired Cameras:
1. Which is better: Black and White or Colour?
2. How can I tell which camera is right for me?
3. Can I hook a camera to a VCR and use my TV as a monitor?
4. What type of camera is best to use at night or in low light conditions?
5. Can I make my wired camera wireless?
6. I have my camera and the end does not look like a RCA plug. How do I connect it to my TV or VCR?
7. How can I hook up two or more cameras to my TV or VCR and view them simultaneously?
8. Can I record 2 or more cameras at the same time to my computer?
9. Can you tell me what is meant by horizontal resolution?
10. I am looking at your bullet cameras and I don't really understand what the benefit of the "super pinhole lens" is over the regular lens
11. When an infrared emitter says that it illuminates up to 20 feet, does that include from side to side or only straight ahead?

Which is better: Black and White or Colour?
Well, the answer to that question is: "It depends."
That will have to be determined by whether or not you need low light performance for nighttime use, or if you would rather have the best contrast and picture quality for daytime use.
If you need low light performance, definitely choose the black and white cameras. Most of them are infrared sensitive, and a few actually have night-vision capability for use in total darkness.

If you want the best picture during the day, choose one of our digital Colour cameras. These are excellent for giving you the best picture and doing it with incredible Colour!

How can I tell which camera is right for me?
Some things to keep in mind when you are choosing a camera are:
a) Location. Will the camera be used inside or outside? Choose weatherproof for outside, and standard for indoor use.
b) Day or Night. Will you need a camera that can see well in very low light situations, or even total darkness? Choose B&W cameras for the best low light performance.
c) Covert. Do you need a camera that can be easily hidden? Our line of micro cameras are perfectly suited to being hidden.
Keeping these 3 basic rules in mind will help you choose a camera that will be perfect for your needs.

Can I hook a camera to a VCR and use my TV as a monitor?
Yes you can hook any of our cameras to a VCR through the video input and use your TV as a monitor. All you need is standard RCA type video cable.

What type of camera is best to use at night or in low light conditions?
Black and white cameras generally work better than Colour cameras in low light conditions. The most important thing to look at is the LUX rating. This will generally tell you how well a camera is suited for low light. The lower the number, the better it will work in low light, for example 0.0 LUX is complete darkness.

Several of our black and white cameras have ratings of .05 LUX. We also have cameras with built-in infrared emitters with a 0.0 LUX rating. These cameras are appropriate to use in a situation where no light is present.

Can I make my wired camera wireless?
Yes...all you need is a wireless transmitter and receiver combo. The transmitter connects to the video output from the camera, and the receiver connects to the video input on your TV, VCR, or recording device.

Remember you still need to have power for the camera and transmitter/receiver.

I have my camera and the end does not look like a RCA plug. How do I connect it to my TV or VCR?
This camera has a BNC video output. It can easily be converted to RCA with an adapter available from Radio shack or any electronics store. The necessary adapter is a BNC to RCA video adapter.

How can I hook up two or more cameras to my TV or VCR and view them simultaneously?
In order to record 2 or more cameras at once on the same video tape you need to use a quad or multiplexer. A quad will record 4 cameras simultaneously, and allow you to review a single camera or all four at once. A multiplexer will allow for recording and viewing of up to 16 cameras.

Can I record 2 or more cameras at the same time to my computer?
Yes, The PC Witness is a digital video recorder capable of recording and viewing up to 16 cameras simultaneously. - Updated: September 18, 2001

Can you tell me what is meant by horizontal resolution?
Horizontal resolution refers to the number of horizontal lines that make up the actual image that is visible on a TV screen/monitor. 420 lines is Pro grade standard for black and white cameras and 380 is Pro grade standard for Colour cameras.

I am looking at your bullet cameras and I don't really understand what the benefit of the "super pinhole lens" is over the regular lens?
The only difference between these two cameras is the pinhole lens. Pinhole cameras are designed to be easily hidden. The only part of the camera that must be exposed is the actual pinhole lens. You simply need to make a hole slightly larger than the lens size and place the pinhole camera directly behind this hole. This type of camera is good for any type of covert surveillance.

Pinhole cameras can be hidden in any number of places ranging from a ceiling tile to a Kleenex box...just use your imagination. If you do not require a covert camera then one of our standard bullet or dome cameras should work just fine for you.

When an infrared emitter says that it illuminates up to 20 feet, does that include from side to side or only straight ahead?
Although IR emitters can send illuminate an area far away with "invisible" light that only the camera can see, it generally does so at an extremely limited path. It's not like a floodlight, it's more like a narrow beam searchlight unless otherwise specified.

*Our final recommendation: Due to the expense and narrow beam width of IR emitters, use a standard motion detection type floodlight instead. They cost a lot less and will cover much more area. Plus it will act as a deterrent to vandals.

*For general FAQs click here.