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.