Factors to Consider When Buying CCTV Systems and Cameras

CCTV systems are among the best ways to provide surveillance and video security for your commercial or residential property. Find the right security camera choices and recording options, however, can be a little tricky. Answering these questions can help you decide on the best equipment for your CCTV security system.

What Do You Want to Monitor?

Your needs will dictate the kind of CCTV equipment, security camera recording device and configuration you’ll require. If you’re merely recording general comings and goings on your property, for example, you can get by with a fairly low resolution fixed security camera aimed at the entrance/exit to your property. If you want to be able to identify people in the recordings, you’ll need higher resolution and FPS for your cameras, especially if you want evidence that will be admissible in court. Once you know exactly what you want to see and record, it will be much easier to decide what kind of security camera and recording device you need.

How Will You Monitor Surveillance?

Will you have real-time monitoring of all surveillance camera  footage or will you simply review the footage when there’s a problem or periodically? Will you have multiple security cameras feeding into one monitor or a multiple monitor setup? Do you want to be able to monitor your premises from a remote location? Each of those options require a different kind of security camera and monitor setup, so it’s important to know what your needs will be before you start shopping for CCTV systems and equipment.

What Is Your Primary Goal?

People install CCTV systems for many different reasons, but the two primary reasons are to deter crime and to catch perpetrators. If your primary aim is to deter shoplifting or vandalism, you’ll do better to choose large, visible cameras located strategically. If you’re more interested in catching wrongdoers in the act, then you’ll want to choose a smaller surveillance camera  that can be easily hidden. In most cases, you can expect to pay more for hardware and installation for a hidden system, unless you opt for a small wireless security camera such as a nanny cam.

How Will You Store Footage?

Most CCTV systems record footage onto a DVR or onto a computer hard drive. These digital recordings take up much less space than old-school VHS tapes, but you still need to be concerned with storage space on your hard drive. Will you periodically delete old footage or will you store footage for longer periods of time? Your answer will help you decide what kind of storage media you’ll need to provide and how large a hard drive you’ll need for your recording device.

CCTV systems are still the best option for security and surveillance needs, but they can be expensive. Knowing what your needs are can help you design a system that is within your budget and suits your needs.

New Developments in CCTV Systems for Security

The technology behind CCTV systems for security has made enormous strides in the past few years. After decades of recording surveillance videos to VHS tapes with VCRs, the standards for CCTV systems have moved on up to DVR – digital video recorders – and computer-based digital recording. While many courtrooms – including some in larger court systems in the nation – are still only equipped to view video from a surveillance camera in VHS format, most people looking for CCTV systems for security and surveillance would never consider one that records to VHS tape. And the advance to digital media for storage of surveillance footage is just the very tip of the iceberg when it comes to advances in CCTV systems, cameras and recording systems. These are some of the newer developments to be looking for if you’re considering installing a CCTV system for security in your home or business.

Audio Security Camera Capabilities

While most standard CCTV surveillance systems only provide video footage, new advances in security camera technology make it easier than ever to record audio as well as video. The most advanced CCTV systems can provide real-time recording with seamless lip-syncing so that you can get the full surveillance picture, including sound.

Wireless CCTV Systems

Thanks to new wireless technology, it’s easier than ever to install your own CCTV video surveillance. Not long ago, installing a security camera and surveillance system required you to lay wire from the camera to the recording device, severely limiting the positioning of your surveillance cameras. Today, you can purchase CCTV camera systems that wirelessly connect to your DVR or computer for recording, making it easier for you to position your surveillance camera wherever you want to put it.

Color Recording and High Quality Recording Options

The best CCTV camera options now include color footage. You can choose color digital recordings for daytime security or black and white security camera footage for other surveillance uses. In most cases, you’ll want to choose black and white cameras, especially if you need nighttime surveillance. In addition, many security camera options provide excellent quality images in low light situations, and some provide their own infrared lighting for recording in near complete darkness.

Remote Control for CCTV Systems

Among the best advances in CCTV security systems is remote control ability. Technological advances now allow you to control every part of your security system, from each individual security camera to the recorder, remotely using a remote device such as a computer, tablet or even a smart phone. You can not only observe surveillance footage, you can control the direction and focus of the cameras to allow you a better view from anywhere you can access the security system software.

Learn more about new advances in CCTV systems and security technology from a dealer who specializes in security software and equipment.