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Closed-circuit television (CCTV) is the
use of video cameras to transmit a signal to a specific, limited set of
monitors. It differs from broadcast television in
that the signal is not openly transmitted, though it may employ point to
point wireless links. CCTV is often used for surveillance in areas that
may need monitoring such as banks, casinos, airports, military
installations and convenience stores. The increasing use of CCTV in
public places has caused a debate over public surveillance versus
privacy. People can also buy consumer CCTV Systems for personal, private
or commercial use. A more advanced form of CCTV, utilising Digital Video
Recorders (DVR), provides recording for possibly many years, with a
variety of quality and performance options and extra features (such as
motion-detection and email alerts). In industrial plants, CCTV equipment
may be used to observe parts of a process from a central control room;
when, for example, the environment is not comfortable for humans. CCTV
systems may operate continuously or only as required to monitor a
particular event. |