Hardware :: Security Cameras And Obtain Info Tools?

I have been setting up multiple security system in the area and was wondering what was the easiest way is to get the camera information that one would need in setting up survellance systems like zoneminder. I use xawtv for testing and

PHP Code:
zmu -d <device_path> -q -v 

But how can I get specific information about NTSC/PAL cameras or IP cameras. In other words is there a specific tool for that purpose? I can see my video cameras fine using xawtv -c /dev/video but can I look at those log files to see what setting it used for the cameras