Usability of CCTV

Closed-circuit television (CCTV) is the use of to transmit a signal to a specific, limited set of monitors. It differs from in that the signal is not openly transmitted, though it may employ point to point wireless links. CCTV is often used for in areas that may need monitoring such as, military installations and convenience stores. The increasing use of CCTV in public places has caused a debate over public versus. People can also buy consumer CCTV Systems for personal, private or commercial use. A more advanced form of CCTV, utilizing (DVR), provides recording for possibly many years, with a variety of quality and performance options and extra features (such as motion-detection and email alerts). In industrial plants, equipment may be used to observe parts of a process from a central control room; when, for example, the environment is not comfortable for humans. CCTV systems may operate continuously or only as required to monitor a particular event.

Industrial processes



Industrial processes that take place under conditions dangerous for humans are today often supervised by CCTV. These are mainly processes in the chemical industry, the interior of reactors or facilities for manufacture of nuclear fuel. Use of allow operators to measure the of the processes. The usage of CCTV in such processes is sometimes required by law.

Crime registration



CCTV for use outside government special facilities was developed initially as a means of increasing security in banks. These were deemed successful in the government report "CCTV: Looking out for you", issued by the in 1994, and paved the way for a massive increase in the number of CCTV systems installed. Today, systems cover most town and city centres, and many stations, car-parks and estates. However, there is virtually no evidence that CCTV deters crime. According to an analysis "Police are no more likely to catch offenders in areas with hundreds of cameras than in those with hardly any." A 2008 Report concluded that only 3% of crimes were solved by CCTV.

Cameras have also been installed in in the hope of deterring violence against drivers, and in mobile police surveillance vans. In some cases CCTV cameras have become a target of attacks themselves. Council has recently installed cameras in their busy town-centre. It is a system pioneered in, which allows CCTV operators to communicate directly with the offenders they spot.



Monitoring for safety

A CCTV system may be installed where an operator of a machine cannot directly observe people who may be injured by unexpected machine operation. For example, on a subway train, CCTV cameras may allow the operator to confirm that people are clear of doors before closing them and starting the train. Operators of an amusement park ride may use a CCTV system to observe that people are not endangered by starting the ride. A CCTV camera and dashboard monitor can make reversing a vehicle safer, if it allows the driver to observe objects or people not otherwise visible.