CCTV Security Camera Systems – 10 Tips To Help You Make The Right Choice
The technology available today in security camera systems is quite amazing. With this great technology comes a lot of decision making. When deciding on a system for your business, there are several important points to consider. following the 10 steps outlined in this article will help you make an informed decision.
Remote viewing
one of the most important reasons businesses get security camera systems is to monitor their employees and customers. It is very important that your system gives you the ability to view your cameras remotely from anywhere you have internet access.
Motion trigger
This is a feature most security camera consultants over look, but is extremely important. You are not capable of watching your security cameras 24/7. You want an intelligent system. You want a system that will alert you when predetermined conditions happen.
For example, you can program your DVR to send you an email with the image that triggered an event. A good example is a safe in your office. You can program the DVR to send you an email with an image when someone comes around the safe.
Number of remote users
How many people will be accessing the system remotely to view video. You will want to make sure the software in the system has the capability to handle the number of remote users.
Bandwidth
Your remote viewing will be over the internet. The number of remote viewers and the size of the video files will have an impact on the amount of bandwidth you have available. your security consultant should assist you in calculating your bandwidth requirements.
Lighting conditions
The lighting conditions for the areas you want to view is going to be very important. The more detail you want to see the better the lighting conditions have to be. take into consideration that you might have to improve some of your lighting conditions before installing your security cameras.
Investigative detail
This is very important if you want to be able to get enough detail from your recorded video to investigate recorded events. With most CCTV cameras and DVRs you are not able to zoom in on the recorded images to get any meaningful detail. if this is a requirement you have to have, make sure you ask for cameras and DVRs that can do this and that you see a demo before making your decision.
Wide dynamic range
When your security cameras are in the path of the sun rising or setting, you can run into situations where the bright light blinds the camera. A good example, is when you have a camera looking at a door that is in the path of the sun. The glass can soften the glare of the sun enough for the camera to produce a good image. but when you open the door, the bright light shining in blinds the camera.
To avoid this, you will need a wide dynamic range camera. this camera will make the necessary compensation to give you a high quality image when the camera is in the path of the sun.
Expandability
You will add cameras as you get more familiar with your new system. It is important that you get a system that is expandable. You want to be able to add more cameras without having to buy another digital video recorder.
Analog vs IP
The installation costs involved with CCTV systems can be quite high. One way to reduce them is to take advantage of your existing computer network. to do this, you will need IP cameras, that can be installed into your computer network like any other computer device.
This will not only help you reduce your install costs, it will also help you take advantage of the advances in IP CCTV cameras.
Smart phone compatible
Finally you want to make sure your DVR is compatible with your smart phone. With this capability you are able to view your security cameras remotely from your smart phone. You will also have the capability to have your DVR send messages with images or video clips to your phone.
Go over these points with your security camera consultant and make sure you get a demonstration of all features before you make your decision. following these points will make sure you get a system you will be happy with.
