Box Cameras
A box style security camera gives you complete flexibility in a surveillance system installation. A box camera can easily mount indoors on a wall or ceiling, and outdoors in a housing to support both residential and commercial surveillance applications. A box camera gives you complete control to install any lens type you need to best secure a particular area. Let us provide you with the box style security camera you need to protect what’s most important to you.
Use a Box Camera for all your CCTV surveillance needs!
Box style security cameras are used today to support numerous mission critical surveillance applications. Most people who use box camera do so because of their durability and extreme flexibility. A box camera is basically a type of security camera that looks just like a brick. It is really a security camera in its rawest form. After purchasing a box camera it is up to you to add the lens and mounting hardware that best support your installation type. If you are installing a box camera indoors all you really have to do is add a lens, and a simple wall or ceiling mount. For outdoor installations you will need to install the box camera and lens into some type of housing or enclosure to protect the camera from the weather.
A box camera is highly desirable because it allows you to configure the camera in the way that best supports your installation. You can use numerous lens, housing, and mounting options with a box camera. You have full control to create the camera system you need. This is a huge benefit for surveillance installations that have special requirements like a special type of housing, or the need to have a unique lens to support those hard to secure areas.
At Cabling Plus we offer numerous professional grade box cameras to support any installation types. All of our box camera options are manufactured by the best names in the security industry, while offering the strongest warranties available. Let use support you in securing your home, business, and family!
Frequently Asked Questions About Box Cameras - FAQ’s
What is a box style security camera?
A box camera for CCTV applications is really a security camera in it most raw form. It is called a “box” camera because it basically looks just like a small box or brick. The box camera does not include a lens or any cables coming off of it. It has connections to install cables into, and includes small buttons or dials to program the cameras settings. Many people choose box style security cameras because they want the flexibility to customize their surveillance solution. A box camera can be installed into an outdoor housing, or it could be mounted as is on the wall inside a home or business. They also add more flexibility when it comes to the lens type. Since it does not come with a camera lens you can choose the lens that best supports your security requirements. This means you can choose the lens with the right focal length you need to secure areas best, depending on the width or depth of an area, or the distance of an object.
How do I mount a box camera indoors?
To mount a box style security camera indoors you can use a small inexpensive mounting bracket that will allow you to install it right on the wall or ceiling. The mount will allow you to attach the camera directly to the wall, or you can attach it the ceiling tile or grid. Then you can just point the camera in the direction of the area you are trying to secure. You can see box cameras mounted on the walls and ceilings in banks, retail stores, grocery stores, and gas stations. Since the box camera is not in any housing you need to make sure you mount it high enough where it cannot be tampered with. Once the camera is mounted you can simply plug your power and video cable into the back and it is ready to start securing your areas.
How do I mount a box camera outdoors?
For outdoor applications, a box camera must be installed into some type of outdoor camera housing before it can be mounted. The camera housing will protect the camera from both the weather and possible vandalism. There are numerous security camera housings available to support numerous different looks and mounting options. If you are in an area where the weather gets extremely cold or hot, there are camera housings that have heaters and blowers built directly into them. Once the camera is installed in the housing you can then mount it and run the power and video cables into the housing. Most professional grade security camera housings will allow you to put all the connections in the housing so they are completely protected.
Why do people buy box cameras?
Most people buy box style CCTV cameras because they are inexpensive and easy to install. People also like the ability to choose the lens they need to best to best support their security applications. Although most people have turned to bullet and dome cameras, there are still many applications where a box camera just makes an installation easier. A box camera offers all the same features that other security camera types have to offer. So you are not missing out on any special features if you decide to use them.
How do I adjust the setting on a box camera?
Like most security camera types, the camera settings are usually controlled by small buttons, dials, or switches on the side of the camera. These controls will allow you to control and adjust all the camera features. Since you will be putting your own lens on a box camera, the controls for the focal length of the lens will be located on the lens itself. Once the camera is powered and connected to the DVR you can use the monitor on the system, or a small test monitor to program the camera. The camera will show a programming menu on the monitor that you can easily navigate as you turn features on and off, or adjust settings for dialing in the camera perfectly. Most box cameras come with the factory default settings in place. But since every area that is being secured may have different requirements, it is best to go into the camera settings and really fine tune the camera. The settings will allow you to adjust the camera to best support the lighting, size, and distance of the areas and objects you are trying to secure.
How do I attach a video and power cable to a box camera?
The most popular cable used in a CCTV camera installation is a Siamese CCTV cable. This is a combo cable that includes two separate cables side by side attached to each other. The first cable is the power cable which is usually a two conductor 18 gauge cable that is used to deliver power from the power supply to the camera. The camera will either feature a small power plug used to plug the power cable into the cameras, or it will have a terminal block where you can screw the conductors of the power cable directly onto the camera. The second cable is usually an RG59 coaxial cable which is used to send video that is captured by the camera back to the security video recorder. A box camera will have a female BNC connector embedded on the back of it that is used to attach the video cable to it. This connection is made by installing a BNC connector on the end of your video cable and attaching it directly to the camera. Although most installers use RG59 coaxial cable for the video cable, there are also many installers that use a standard Cat5e cable. But since a BNC connection is required from the camera and the DVR, you will have to use CCTV video baluns to create the needed BNC connections. Once all your cables are all in place all that is left to do is plug in your power supply, and power up the DVR. Your box camera will immediately turn on and is ready to start capturing video.
What power type is required for a box camera?
It depends on the camera you buy. But most box cameras are dual voltage. This means they can be powered with either 12VDC or 24VAC power. If you have the option with a new installation, 24VAC is always the best power type to use. It just does not have the voltage drop issues you would experience with 12VDC. If you have a system in place and you are just replacing a camera, then you will want to make sure the security camera power supply source you have in place will support the power requirements of the camera. The great part of a dual voltage camera is that the power type does not matter. You can attach it to any current CCTV system and the camera will auto sense the power type. Having a dual voltage box camera will give you extra flexibility, which will make your installation much easier.
Does a box camera record audio?
Most security cameras do not record audio. There is liability and legal issues about recording audio without people know it is happening, which is why most manufactures do not have microphones integrated into the camera. To record audio properly you must install a separate microphone and post a sign telling the public that they are recorded. There are numerous surveillance microphone kits available so you can install a microphone in a particular area and capture the audio with the security DVR.