Smart Buildings Systems for Architects, Owners and Builders

camera in an area where an individual should expect privacy, nor should one
deploy “dummy” cameras so as to provide the perception of security monitor-
ing, when, in fact, none exists.
Video surveillance systems have for decades been based on analog technol-
ogy. The change and evolution to digital technology follows a trend similar in
the broader electronics marketplace.

Major Functions

Video surveillance systems basically perform five functions:

n A video surveillance camera captures a picture or video image of an

asset or access to that asset that needs to be secured or protected from

theft, tampering or destruction.

n The video is transmitted back to a security control center.

n The video is processed.

n The video is recorded.

n The video is viewed on a monitor (Fig. 7.1).

Video Capture

The picture or video is captured via the camera and lens assembly. Surveillance
cameras are traditionally either fixed cameras, which provide a single view, or
pan/tilt/zoom (PTZ) cameras, which provide several views and can be controlled

Analog

Camera

Coaxial Cable

CameraAnalog DVR

Analog

Camera

Figure 7.1 Typical video surveillance system.

84 Smart Building Systems for Architects, Owners, and Builders