The Many Uses of Closed-Circuit Television

Typical broadcast cameras transmit signals to a wide audience, but television signals that are only designed to reach a small audience fall into the category of closed-circuit television. Although the term refers to many systems of closed circuit systems, most often the term is used to refer to surveillance cameras. These systems are used by police, businesses and homeowners to provide security measures.

Closed circuit television can transmit signals to a single point or to multiple points, but it is always limited in its scope. The first closed circuit television system was created in 1942 Walter Bruch to monitor German rocket launches. By the 1960s, these systems were increasingly common in daily living. The modern advent of digital camera technology allows smaller, low-cost closed circuit cameras that transmit crisp video. This has greatly increased their prevalence to the point that most high traffic, public areas are monitored by surveillance cameras of some sort. In addition, closed-circuit television is part of many home and business security systems.

In the relatively short history of closed circuit television, it expanded rapidly and continues to impact society. Not so long ago, citizens considered it quite odd to have a camera keeping watch over them. Because it is now so common, however, the concept is rarely considered to intrude on daily life. Closed circuit television as part of home security is likely to continue to grow. As technology improves, the public can expect the use of closed circuit television to increase, as well.