Remember when small camera systems were a novelty, and only the biggest contractors in town had them? No more. Just check the phone book. Nearly every drain-cleaning specialist advertises a camera system. And more and more plumbing contractors have video inspection capabilities, too.

As with computers and other consumer electronics, technical progress has enhanced the value, reliability and performance of video inspection systems. Steady advances have only made equipment cheaper, better and more convenient. Here’s what to look for when deciding whether a video system is right for you.

1. What kinds of lines are you inspecting? To determine what size camera system is right for you, ask: What kind of jobs will I be using the camera for? Are you inspecting sewer mains in the street? Or are you looking at the drain line leading from the house to the street or septic tank?

Can you go in from a floor drain or cleanout? Or do you have to go up on the roof and go through a vent to gain access to the main line? Will you be using the camera to inspect smaller sink lines, laundry drains and other smaller vents and laterals? And how far down the line do you need to look? Three feet? Twenty-five feet? One hundred feet? Four hundred feet or more?

2. What type of pushrod do you need? Knowing the applications will help you pick the right camera system. If you are inspecting larger-diameter lines, then you’ll need a larger, stiffer pushrod so that the rod won’t buckle or kink when you are pushing it, especially over longer distances.

Most full-size push camera systems are rated for 3- to 10-inch lines, but they perform best in the 4- to 8-inch range. If you are inspecting smaller-diameter lines, then you need a smaller, more flexible rod. Keep in mind that a more flexible rod cannot be pushed as far, so only choose a small rod to inspect short runs.

3. What skids are available? If you are using your system for larger lines and longer runs, look into a skid package. Skids will help lift the camera off the bottom of the pipe, allowing it to glide down the line more freely. Check to see what skids are available with the camera system you are looking at. Smaller skids can also assist smaller cameras, as they center the camera in the line and help the camera glide around tight bends and avoid hanging up on rough sections of pipe.

4. What camera head do I need? Not surprisingly, pipe cameras – like digital cameras and laptop computers – have become physically smaller. Maneuverable models less than 1.5 inches in diameter now let professionals troubleshoot very narrow conduits, augmenting their value and versatility.

The latest LED lighting technologies also ensure clear images in the darkest areas, providing greater accuracy in diagnosing and correcting problems. Years ago, black-and-white cameras were the industry standard because they offered a clearer, crisper picture than color cameras. Today, color cameras have improved to the point where color is now the preferred choice. Just as many homeowners prefer to watch color movies, they prefer to watch color video. In part that’s because it looks more modern and professional.

When considering a color camera, take a look at self-leveling models. While you as a professional can understand what you are looking at, even if the camera has flipped upside down in the line and the water appears at the top of the pipe, most homeowners cannot do this. A self-leveling camera makes it a lot easier for your customers to follow the video and your explanation of the work that needs to be done.

5. What kind of monitor do you need? A quick pass through any TV store confirms the virtual disappearance of television sets with cathode ray tubes (CRTs), or “picture tubes,” the last vestiges of vacuum-tube technologies. The same applies to video inspection systems.

When initially introduced, most camera systems had CRT monitors, some quite bulky. While companies eventually offered more compact designs, these still retained CRT equipment, requiring extra case padding and cooling fans. Owing to lower prices, CRT monitors still come with some packages, but lightweight LCDs on recent video inspection systems provide greater resolution, clarity and reliability. And they continue to fall in price. Look for them to displace CRTs.

6. Do you need to record the video? Unless customers are present on the jobsite when you do your inspection and spot hidden problems, inspection systems require some kind of recording mechanism. For years, VHS tape remained the only option for archiving jobs.

But no longer. More than half of U.S. households now have DVD players and, like most consumers, manufacturers of video pipe inspection systems have switched to DVD recording technology. Unlike VHS technology, DVD recorders provide crisp pictures with a jitter-free freeze-frame, permitting more precise problem analysis. Disks themselves last longer, too.

Still, recording on VHS decks was easier. Just insert any blank tape and press the record button. DVD recorders are trickier. You can’t view a disk on another DVD player without first finalizing the recording. This requires extra steps and time at the jobsite before the customer can watch the disk on his or her DVD player. Other recording technologies include:

Computer hard drives. In addition to DVD recorders, many newer systems in-clude hard drives. For instance, 160 GB of memory can record nearly 300 hours of work, letting you archive jobs after providing DVDs to customers. But hard drives can be fragile and somewhat bulky. They don’t like bouncing around in trucks, and can require special casings.

Digital technologies. Flash drives, memory sticks and SD (secure digital) cards can provide the answer to the concerns posed by hard drives. Like your digital camera, they resist damage from vibration. They also weigh much less. Depending on LCD monitor size, the camera control unit can weigh as little as 10 pounds. External card readers weigh just ounces and might even be compatible with your existing camera system.

But unlike VHS or DVD systems – where you could easily make a recording and hand it to your customer on the spot – card systems require computer knowledge. After making your recording, you must copy the recording to a computer hard drive. You can then print a still photo, e-mail a photo to the customer, or copy the video to DVD for the customer.

7. Now that you see the problem, how do you find it? Pushing the camera into the line to spot and troubleshoot problems is only the first step. Locating the trouble spot is when you earn your pay. Fortunately, digital locators make this task much easier than in the old days. When shopping for a camera system, be sure to get a digital locator that easily and accurately locates the camera with precise, instant, depth-finding capability. One note of caution: Not all camera systems come with a built-in transmitter required for camera location. Be sure to check that the transmitter is included. Ask the manufacturer for an instructional video or to arrange a demonstration.

8. What extra features do you need? The best systems offer extras that enhance productivity and customer service. Look for features like:

• On-screen distance counter

• AC/DC power options

• Date and time stamp

• Voiceover unit

• Full keyboard titler.

You’ll notice that price was not one of the eight essential things to consider when choosing a push camera. There are many camera systems to choose from. Ask a lot of questions of the manufacturers. The right system for you will be the one that offers you the most versatility, productivity and – most importantly – return-on-investment.