CCTV has been around for decades. So how has it changed? How are LVT's cameras different from other retail security camera systems?
We’ve all seen our fair share of those old home videos from the 80s and 90s. Grainy, shaky footage captured on clunky camcorders that were as much a workout to hold as they were a tool to record memories. Filled with blurred faces and muffled audio, these videos have a nostalgic charm, but they wouldn't exactly inspire confidence if used for modern-day security purposes.
Imagine trying to identify a suspect or investigate a retail theft incident based on low-resolution, jittery video footage. Faces would be indistinguishable blobs, license plates nothing more than unreadable smears.
Thankfully, retail store security cameras and other surveillance solutions have come a long way. Retail security systems have transitioned from basic monitoring devices to sophisticated digital eyes that never blink.
In this blog, we’ll dive into the evolution of parking lot security cameras and how LVT has changed the landscape of video security and surveillance.
Motion picture technology emerged in the late 1800s; however, this technology wasn’t used for surveillance until decades later.
The initial steps towards surveillance technology can be traced back to World War II when engineer Walter Bruch developed a closed-circuit television (CCTV) system to observe rocket launches. This system represented the first known use of CCTV for real-time monitoring, setting a precedent for surveillance applications.
In 1949, an American company began selling the first publicly available CCTV systems, and these cameras started popping up across the globe—like in 1953 when retail security cameras were used during Queen Elizabeth II's coronation. Or in 1968, when Olean, New York, became the first U.S. city to use security cameras to monitor its main street.
Closed-circuit security cameras are video surveillance systems that transmit a signal from a video camera to a specific, limited set of monitors or devices.
Closed-circuit security cameras capture live video footage and then transmit that footage through wired or wireless connections to a centralized monitoring station or recording device. The video feed can be viewed in real time by security personnel or recorded for later review and analysis.
CCTV cameras are still used today, but as technology has advanced, another popular option has emerged: internet protocol (IP) cameras.
IP cameras are a modern alternative to the closed-circuit security camera system. Rather than transmitting analog video signals over dedicated cabling, IP cameras capture digital video and transmit that data over computer networks and internet protocols.
The key difference is that IP cameras operate over standard networks like Ethernet or Wi-Fi instead of requiring complex hardwired installations. This allows for greater flexibility in camera placement and integration with other networked systems. IP cameras also typically provide high image quality and can come with advanced features like motion detection.
Modern cameras are certainly more advanced than the early CCTV cameras that emerged during WWII, but when it comes to safeguarding expansive areas like retail parking lots, a simple camera just won’t cut it. This is where LVT comes into the picture. Our high-resolution cameras for clear parking lot surveillance have transformed the retail store security systems game—let’s talk about it.
Thanks to AI, our units don’t just watch; they understand. From spotting suspicious behavior that could hint at organized retail crime to recognizing loitering of a frequent troublemaker, our technology is on the case. With LVT, you don’t just capture footage—you capture insights, identify patterns, and even automate responses.
Setting up a surveillance system or surveillance camera used to require an array of cables, a team of technicians, and a whole lot of patience. With LVT, you never have to worry about any of that. Our mobile units can be deployed quickly, set up in minutes instead of days, and rearranged easily. This agility allows you to quickly establish targeted, temporary, or semi-permanent video coverage wherever it's needed most, without the constraints of complex hardwired installations.
Speaking of hardwired installations, our retail security systems don’t require wiring because they don’t rely on the power grid for energy. They’re powered by the sun, which means that even during power outages, they never miss a beat. But leveraging solar power isn't just about dodging power outages; it's a leap towards sustainability. Lower operating costs? Check. A smaller carbon footprint? Double-check.
Crime can happen at any time, but it’s impossible for you to be on your lot all day, every day. Whether you're home sick or on a beach halfway around the world, the LVT mobile app makes it easy to check in on your lot. Plus, real-time alerts and custom notifications keep you in the loop about suspicious activity or unwanted incidents on security camera footage so you can respond immediately to any situation.
From their tall camera mounts to their flashing lights, LVT Units are hard to miss, and that’s by design. These massive mobile units send a clear message that your parking lot or retail environment is under a watchful eye and that any illicit activities will be recorded. When criminals know they're being monitored, they think twice.
From grainy footage and centralized monitoring to cutting-edge, AI-powered, remote surveillance, parking lot security has taken a monumental leap forward. The outdated methods of the past simply can't keep up with the safety and operational challenges retailers face today.
LVT's retail security systems don't just monitor; they actively analyze and interpret what's happening on your lot. They provide reliable, sustainable monitoring without cumbersome wiring or outages. And with remote access from any device, you're always in control of your lot's security.
The age of blurry footage and blind spots is over. Contact LVT today to learn more about our high-resolution cameras for clear parking lot surveillance.
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