CCTV camera sensor manufacturer Pixim has produced an interesting

white paper explaining that:

Camera manufacturers are advertising specifications of 580, 600, 650, and even 700 HTVL, and some of these manufacturers are making these claims even though they are using imaging sensors that are not physically capable of capturing more than 540 HTVL; the practical limit for analog CCTV systems.

HTVL = Horizontal TV (TeleVision) Lines (the measure which is most simply explained as – if you run your finger horizontally across your screen the maximum number of vertical black/white lines that you can resolve).

Visit the Pixim website to download the white paper now.

Pixim make sensor chips. They should know what they’re talking about!

If it raises any queries, please feel free to use the comments below.

CCTV cameras that connect via a BNC connector have a maximum colour image resolution of 540TVL.

CCTV cameras that use an RJ45 connector, and are therefore called IP or Network Cameras, do not necessarily offer a higher resolution!

You need to check the spec – 540TVL approximates to 0.4 megapixel.