In a Nutshell:

The 3 main analog video broadcast standards used in the world are NTSC, PAL, and SECAM. All of the equipment that we sell at Discount Security Cameras is NTSC (the USA standard).

If you are going to use the CCTV equipment outside of the United States, check this list of NTSC, PAL, and SECAM countries to see what video standard is used in your country.

Converters from one standard to another are available but they will only add to your installation complexity and cost, and may degrade the resulting image, so we do not recommend them.

More information and background:

NTSC (National Television Standards Committee) is the video standard used in North America and most of South America. It was developed around 1941 and originally had no provision for color television. In 1953, a new version of the NTSC standard was created to handle color. In NTSC, 30 frames are transmitted each second. Each frame is made up of 525 individual scan lines.

PAL (Phase Alternating Line) is the predominant video standard used overseas. It was first developed in Western Europe around 1950. In PAL, 25 frames are transmitted each second. Each frame is made up of 625 individual scan lines.

SECAM (Sequential Color with Memory) is a standard originally developed in France around 1961. SECAM uses the same bandwidth as PAL (625 lines per frame) but transmits the color information differently.

Some of the differences between the standards stem from the different electrical power systems in use. In the United States and other countries, electrical power is generated at 60 hertz, so for technical reasons the NTSC signal is also sent out at 60 ‘fields’ per second. Most televisions use an interlaced system. This means that 30 lines of the image are sent out, followed by the alternating 30 lines. This line alternation happens so fast that it becomes undetectable, much like a film running through a projector. The result for an NTSC television is 30 frames of a complete image appearing every second. In contrast, Europe uses a 50 hertz power supply. So the equivalent PAL lines go out at 50 fields per second, or 25 alternating lines.

Having read the title, you may be asking yourself “what does any of this have to do with a DVR”? The answer is that because modern DVRs provide weeks if not months of recorded video on the hard drive and more importantly that you don’t have to change a tape every day like the old VCRs, you have probably forgotten all about it. As with any machine there are things that can be done to increase the likelihood they will work today, tomorrow, the foreseeable future, and beyond.

Today: Every day you should make sure the machine is powered on and functioning.

Tomorrow:  Every week operate the basic functions and make sure they are operating correctly. Check the mouse, keyboard (if applicable), live mode, playback, etc. Also, check the current date and time of the DVR to make sure it’s correct. If an event happens you’ll want an accurate date and time stamp on the recording.

Foreseeable future: You should perform monthly check ups on your DVR. Verify the unit’s number of days of recorded video. If you have multiple hard drives and one fails, there will be a noticeable shortage from one month to the next in the amount of days you are able to retain video. Inspect the hardware. Look for any damage or dust build up. Look at things like moving parts, exposed wires (camera pigtails), and air filters. If an issue is found, it can be corrected before it causes any more problems.

And beyond: Once a year you should give your DVR a good cleaning. That means top to bottom dusting, inside and out. Blow out dust using “Air in a Can” or a similar product from your local office or computer supply store. If your DVR has a removable air filter, take it out and beat the dust out of it. (If you decide to wash it, make sure that the filter is completely dry before you put it back in the DVR!) Chances are there have been some cameras added, moved, or changed. If so, the cable could probably use a little attention too. Straighten them, label them, and tie them up.  See our Springtime CCTV Maintenance article for more annual tips.

The day you need your DVR is not the day you want to find out it has a problem. So, forget how to cook chicken in an oven, let your smart phone memorize all your phone numbers, and let 3^rd graders beat you in a spelling bee – but please, remember to take care of your DVR!

If you do decide to install a DVR system in your business because you have a problem, please don’t call me to complain that you had employees quit.  You already know what I will say.

These shortages are affecting the CCTV industry because computer hard drives are a critical component of digital video recorders (DVRs) and network video recorders (NVRs). Each DVR or NVR contains at least one hard drive and some can contain up to 16 hard drives or more.

Computer parts distributors are reacting to these potential shortages by raising their prices (up to double what they were a week ago) or requiring that resellers buy additional products bundled with each hard drive. One well known supplier is requiring that the reseller purchase a copy of Microsoft Office with every hard drive. Another supplier is only selling hard drives to buyers of complete computer systems.  To keep from running out of stock, local distributors like CompUSA have instigated a policy that limits hard drive sales to a maximum of 5 per customer per day.

Discount Security Cameras (DSC), a nationwide CCTV distributor and manufacturer, scrambled last week to purchase and stock as many hard drives as they could to prepare for their customer’s needs in the coming months.

“Our customers need hard drive storage for their security solutions. So we have done everything we can to prepare for this shortage. We even drove all over the city and bought every hard drive on the shelf that people would sell to us”, says Dave Page, President of DSC.

“We paid double for these drives but we’ve got to have them available for our customers.” Says Page.

CCTV dealers like DSC have been forced to raise their hard drive prices in response to the additional cost. DSC is also limiting the number of hard drives that may be purchased with each DVR to one or two drives (depending on the size of the DVR).

“We are recommending to our customers that they purchase the least amount of hard drives per DVR that they can get the job done with. In a few months the prices should come down again. Then they can install more hard drives in the DVR when it’s more economical to do so”, says Page.

About Discount Security Cameras
Discount Security Cameras is an industry leader in professional security cameras, security camera systems and video surveillance systems for business and home owners.  Call toll free at 1-866-301-7680.

Caption contest of the week… Open Arms!
July 15, 2011

Maureen P
“Welcome to Fantasy Island!”

Chris B
“I love her this much.”

Maureen P
“Jump! I’ll catch you!”

Karen C
“Honey…. I can explain….”

Eli O
“I’m busy, can’t this photo wait?!”

Cathy P
“Hey c’mon now– I love her like a SISTER….”

Clint F
“We present Gary Bibeau singing the Star-Spangled Banner… ‘Oh say can you see…’”

Debi S
“Focus on THIS!”

Richard B
“Oooooh la la! What a nice pair of… 22XSPD’s with pendant mounts hanging from the ceiling.”

Chris B
“Grandpa to left of me, grandpa to the right, here I am stuck in the middle with you.”

Chris B
“Is this the trailer for the next episode of cribs?”

Melissa C
“Does this chick make me look like a douche? (no I think its the shirt)”

Mark W
“Don’t tell me, there’s a girl behind me in a bikini isn’t there? Oh c’mon, isn’t there?”

Discount Security Cameras
“Congratulations Melissa on winning the caption contest!”

Discount Security Cameras is currently the only promoter of the Digifort VMS in the United States although it’s in use all over the world. Digifort’s VMS is the only video management software allowed in many South American government agencies.  Digifort supports a broad range of third party cameras and servers (1600+). They offer various levels of their VMS from Basic to Enterprise plus various add-on modules so there is a version to match every application and budget.

Previous to these distributor partnerships, Discount Security Cameras sold their own private brand of cameras and servers almost exclusively. CEO David Page says that IP surveillance applications require a different approach to best meet the needs of the customer.

“In the IP arena partnerships and compatibility are critically important. Our customers expect products that work together and work well. We have partnered with the best quality providers that will stay current with the technology and deliver consistent quality, dependability, and scalability.” says Page.

Discount Security Cameras has been testing IP hardware and software for several years now to determine the best mix of products and manufacturers to carry.

“Anyone can sell an IP camera but what Discount Security Cameras does differently is provide IP solutions. Our IP product line is now complete with the cameras, software, infrastructure, and support you need for real world IP surveillance applications.” says Page.

About Discount Security Cameras
Discount Security Cameras is an industry leader in professional security cameras, security camera systems and video surveillance systems for business and home owners.  Call toll free at 1-866-301-7680.