Generally, the small cameras that can be easily hidden, and have the tiny
lens openings aren't going to produce good resolution with anything less
than nearly bright sunlight or brightly-lit spaces.. such as watching your
yard during the day.
I have a couple of the helmet-cam types that work well at high light levels,
such as bright daylight, but are only barely adequate in reduced light
levels (and color is lost).

I have a good collection of Sony commercial grade cameras, from the very
compact XC types to 3-CCD studio/laboratory DXC types.
The XC models are approximately 1" square, by 4 to 6" long.. and can be
disguised as something else in housings which don't look out of place where
they're located, with a little creativity. The XCs have been in use for
years in movie making and commercial applications.
The DXC models are approx 3" square and fairly large with full-feature
lenses.. but the video is broadcast quality. These are often adapted to
microscopes and other lab equipment.

Commercial cameras frequently have S-video outputs (2 cables) which produce
clearer video, when recorded with S-video recorders.
Plain composite video signals (1 cable) are already partially degraded by
combining the luminance and chroma signals.

Lots of sellers throw the term "high resolution" around for cheap cameras..
but for a difference that can easily be seen, the real resolution should be
over 700 lines.
General TV viewing on older CRTs was around 400 lines. A similar comparison
would be to watch an old VHS movie on regular CRT TV compared to a DVD movie
on a LCD TV.

Much of the equipment on the market for the purpose of surveillance is only
good for detecting movement. Actual identification of people often isn't
possible.

Most video equipment will be next to useless in complete darkness, and by
providing areas with good lighting, many criminals will stay away.

--
WB
..........


wrote in message
...
How would you define "good quality" ? Cams and Rec
equipment?

thanks

gary





Many of the cheap surveillance/security cameras (including models with IR
light sources) won't get good enough identity details for evidence
(especially if the lighting is poor), good quality cameras and recording
equipment will capture much clearer images.