A quality CCTV camera system is crucial for comprehensive home or business monitoring. But maximizing your CCTV capabilities often requires supplemental accessories and add-on gear. This guide on CCTV Camera Accessories will cover the must-have categories of camera accessories to improve and customize your CCTV system
CCTV Camera Accessories: Mounts
Finding the optimal mounting location and angle for security cameras is critical. That’s where adjustable CCTV camera mounts come in handy.
Wall mounts allow securely attaching cameras to walls while articulating the exact direction needed. They include precise pan and tilt adjustments.
Pole mounts let you mount cameras atop poles and masts for an aerial view. Great for wide coverage of commercial locations.
Corner mounts provide firm and discreet mounting points where two walls meet. Ideal for hiding cameras while reducing field of view gaps.
Ceiling mounts position cameras right overhead for a top-down perspective. Perfect for covering a room vertically rather than horizontally.
Gooseneck stands flexibly snake into any custom position needed. Their fully articulating arms make precision camera positioning easy.
Choosing mounts suited for your cameras’ sizes and weights enables ideal placement. Having flexibility to reposition or point cameras via adjustable mounts proves invaluable.
CCTV Camera Accessories: Power Supplies and Cables
Running power and video cables for CCTV systems can get complex. Having specialized camera cables and power accessories prevents problems.
BNC cables transmit analog video signal between old-school CCTV cameras and the DVR. RG59 siamese cable bundles video wire with power.
Ethernet cables like Cat 5e/Cat 6 provide network connectivity for IP camera systems. Solid core wire works best.
HDMI cables enable connecting CCTV monitors and HD-compatible DVRs or streaming devices.
Power cables like straight barrel or 4-pin mini-DIN supply power to cameras. Getting cables with the right CCTV power connector avoids issues.
PoE Injectors inject power onto Ethernet cabling for IP cameras so separate power isn’t needed.
PoE switches consolidate and supply power for multiple PoE cameras while also providing LAN ports.
Having quality cables and power accessories suited for your CCTV system alleviates signal losses and interference which degrade video and reliability.
CCTV Camera Accessories: Camera Lenses and Filters
Most CCTV cameras have fixed wide-angle lenses. But specialized lenses provide benefits:
Varifocal lenses allow adjusting the focal length, ideal when needing to narrow or widen the viewing angle after camera installation.
Zoom lenses add optical zoom capabilities for honing in on subjects at long distances. Crucial for license plate capture.
Infrared filters enable seeing IR light for night vision compatibility with IR cameras.
Neutral density filters reduce overexposure by controlling light levels entering the lens.
Polarizing filters remove reflections and glare to improve image clarity through glass and shiny surfaces.
Upgrading stock lenses with specialty varifocal, zoom, and filter lenses tailors CCTV viewing angles, improves low light capture, and enhances image clarity.
CCTV Camera Accessories: Monitors and Video Walls
Viewing security camera feeds is an obvious CCTV necessity. CCTV-specific monitors and video wall options go beyond consumer TVs and computer monitors.
CCTV monitors display camera feeds from analog CCTV systems via BNC inputs. Ruggedized designs and mounting points cater to 24/7 operation.
Monitor mounts like wall brackets allow flexible positioning of CCTV monitors in guard stations or operations centers.
HDMI splitters allow connecting multiple monitors to HDMI DVRs by splitting the video signal across multiple displays.
Video wall controllers take multiple feeds and rearrange them over several screens in custom layouts. Crucial for constructing video walls.
Desktop monitor stands provide ergonomic positioning of monitors and maneuverability in tight spaces.
Choosing the right display hardware and mounting for your use case and CCTV system ensures seamless monitoring all day, every day.
Recording and Storage Solutions
High-quality CCTV footage is worthless without proper recording and storage capabilities:
DVRs provide local recording, compression, and storage of analog CCTV systems. Multiple cameras connect via BNC. HDD storage size dictates retention duration.
NVRs serve the same purpose for network IP camera systems. Connect via LAN/WAN. Support remote viewing apps.
External hard drives add expendable storage for longer video retention to DVRs and NVRs. Look for high reliability and retention ratings.
UPS battery backup prevents recording gaps during power outages that could miss critical events. Network-grade UPS units also protect NVRs.
Cloud storage offloads footage to remotely hosted servers. Provides scalable and redundant retention for backups or primary storage.
Adequately planning storage technology, capacity, and redundancy for the extensive data streams from CCTV systems is imperative.
CCTV Camera Accessories: Deterrent Signage
Visual signage warning of CCTV monitoring presence acts as an effective burglary deterrent:
Indoor signs remind employees and visitors of camera surveillance, encouraging policy compliance.
Outdoor signs make would-be intruders think twice knowing their actions are recorded. Having sufficient signage is key.
Window decals stick on entrances making camera presence obvious. Foil stickers reflect light catching attention.
Fake camera housings expand perceived coverage and deterrence to vulnerable areas where actual cameras aren’t practical.
Prominent security system signage multiplies the crime deterrence effect and enhances real camera presence. Deploying signage strategically helps fortify vulnerable areas.
Top Camera Accessories on Amazon
Here are some of the most popular and highest rated CCTV camera accessories and add-ons available on Amazon:
- ONWOTE 16 Channel 4K 8MP PoE Security NVR Video Audio Recorder – Robust high-resolution NVR for large systems
- SAIJI Gooseneck Mounts – Flexible gooseneck mounts for positioning cameras
- Amazon Basics RJ45 Cat 6 Ethernet Patch Cable – Heavy duty Cat6 cable for wired IP cameras
- HDMI Switch Splitter 4K@60hz, Aluminum HDMI 2.0 Switcher 2 in 1 Out, HDMI Splitter – 1×4 HDMI splitter for connecting multiple monitors
- Sony – FE 50mm F1.8 Standard Lens (SEL50F18F/2) – Varifocal lens for adjustable viewing angle
- CCTV Window Peephole Sticker – Warning decals for doors and windows
Hopefully this CCTV accessory guide provides a helpful overview of add-on equipment to maximize your camera system capabilities. Let me know if you need any specific CCTV accessory recommendations!
