Basics of CCTV — Foundations of Video Surveillance
This module is the entry point into professional CCTV. Before any camera goes onto a wall, an installer needs a working mental model of what video surveillance is for, how a camera produces an image, and how to choose equipment that matches the task on a real site. The lessons below cover those foundations in plain language, with examples drawn from UK installations.
What this module covers
You will learn how a CCTV camera physically converts light into a recordable signal, the difference between analogue, HD-over-coax and IP cameras, why resolution alone does not equal image quality, and how DORI (Detection, Observation, Recognition, Identification) drives every camera-positioning decision. You will also cover frame-rate selection — why 25 fps is the UK default, when 12 fps is enough, and when motion detection mode saves storage without losing evidence.
Who it is for
Electricians moving into security, IT engineers picking up CCTV work, apprentices on Level 2 / Level 3 fire and security qualifications, and any installer who has been doing the job by trial and error and wants the principles filled in. The module is short, video-led, and assumes no prior CCTV knowledge — only basic electrical familiarity.
Why it matters on real jobs
Most failed CCTV jobs fail at the survey stage, not the install stage. A camera that captures a blurry blob crossing a forecourt has not done its job — even if every cable is terminated to BS 6701 standard. Getting the basics right means you specify equipment that produces the evidence the customer actually needs, and you can defend that specification to insurers, auditors, and police if the system is ever used to support a prosecution.
Lessons in this module
Lessons:
| Video Surveillance Goals and DORI |
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| CCTV Cameras Resolutions from CIF to 4K |
| Importance of Setting the Right Frame Rate in CCTV |
| How to Power CCTV Cameras |
| How CCTV Camera Works |
| Difference between Analogue, HD and IP Cameras |
| Examples of Old and New Cameras |
This module is also available as a part of a comprehensive CCTV Installation Course for £149.