Video surveillance security systems have been used in businesses for years but they are becoming more and more common in home security as well. They are also known as CCTV (Closed Circuit TV) and can be used to monitor key areas around a home to protect against break ins.

The following are the most common components in a video surveillance system...

1. Monitors

Monitors display the video feed from the various cameras in the system. They are generally black and white and have a higher resolution than the average TV. CCTV monitor resolutions range between 700 and 1000 lines compared to 350-480 lines on the average color TV.

2. Cameras

Cameras are placed in vulnerable locations around the outside of the house. They send the video feed back to the monitors constantly.

3. Coaxial Cables

This is the type of cabling that transfers the signals from the cameras to the monitors.

4. Switchers

Switchers let you run more than one camera's feed to a single monitor. They will usually cycle through the feeds unless there is movement near a camera. If movement is detected, they will lock in on that specific camera.

Some systems also use VCR's to record the video feeds for later reference if there is ever a break-in.

Of these components, the camera is probably the most important. Some things to consider when choosing the cameras include:

- How many cameras will you need to fully monitor the outside of your home?

- Do you need audio monitoring as well as video?

- Do you need color or is black and white sufficient?

- Can you wired the cameras into the system or will you need to go wireless?

Installation and placement of your video cameras is also an important factor. A few of the factors to consider include:

- The farther from a particular spot the camera is placed, the wider the field of vision but the clarity will suffer.

- Watch for blind spots caused by poles, trees, etc. And remember that trees and plants will grow so watch for things that could become blind spots in the future.

- The camera should be out of reach of the burglars it is protecting against.