Do You Know Which Security Camera System Is Right For You?

Circumstances have changed. You are now contemplating a security camera system. Perhaps there has been an increase in crime in your neighborhood or near your place of business. You’ve just opened a new retail business, or shrinkage is on the rise in your established business. The quality of your existing security camera system is no longer acceptable and you need to upgrade. Whatever contributed to your decision to purchase a security camera system, you will have to determine which solution best meets your needs. Consider the following before you make a purchase:

Residential or Commercial Security Camera Solutions. Are you looking for residential or commercial surveillance systems? Seems like a basic question to ask, but most residential camera systems involve outdoor cameras, whereas commercial systems use both indoor and outdoor cameras. Even if your residence does require an indoor security camera solution, lighting is typically quite different from that of a business.

Area That Needs To Be Monitored. The quality of the video, light sensitivity and lens type are determined based on the area that you want to monitor. Is the area indoors, outdoors, daytime, night, some or all of the above? Camera placement (ceiling, wall, roof, pole) and lens type (wide angle? telephoto?) are determined based on how far away the area is from the camera. The camera angle and the type of camera are determined based on how narrow or wide the area to be covered is.

Coverage. If the area needs normal coverage, a fixed focus camera will work well. If the area requires a wider coverage, then a pan-tilt-zoom camera will be a good choice. Understanding the lighting conditions of the area(s) you want to cover will determine whether you need cameras that automatically adjust for lighting, or cameras that produce color images during the day, and black and white images at night.

Viewing Recorded Security Camera Footage. Do you want to locally view activity on a CCTV monitor? Would you rather the convenience of a solution that lets you view activity remotely over the Internet on your PC, smartphone, or tablet? Do you want to be notified by text message or email when certain activity is occurring? Answering these questions will help to identify the components that will make up the security camera system that you require: an analog security camera solution with a DVR (digital video recorder), an analog solution with an NVR (network video recorder), an IP video or a Hybrid solution, which is a combination of Analog and IP. Recording and storing video requires hardware specific to your needs. How often will you need to record? Will you need to record daily, 24/7, or only evenings Monday through Friday? Answering these questions will help to define how much storage you will need, what equipment you will record (a PC, a DVR, an NVR) and any security video software you need.

Your Security Camera System Installation. Installing a security camera system can be quite easy or very complex. Coax or Ethernet cables will need to be run above ceilings and through walls between your cameras and the viewing/recording device. If your solution is an outdoor solution, it could mean pulling Ethernet cable or coaxial cable through the ground. If you are securing school grounds, or a parking area, or an historic building, it can be quite an expensive undertaking. You could and should consider a wireless security camera solution to make installations like these easier and less costly but still have a quality video surveillance solution.

If you don’t have the time or the skills to configure and install your security camera system, consider contacting a security camera systemsprovider in your region. Most offer free, no obligation consultations. They’ll walk through all of the above with you and provide you with a quote on what it will cost for a video surveillance solution that meets your needs.