How to Save Money on CCTV Systems

CCTV systems may be worth their weight in gold when it comes to providing peace of mind, reducing shrinkage and increasing your security, but if you’re on a budget, you’re on a budget. While it used to be a given that you’d spend a lot when buying a CCTV security system, improvements in technology have brought the price of CCTV systems into the affordable range for most homeowners and small business owners. Still, there are ways that you can save money when choosing the components, security camera, DVR and wiring for your security system.

Functionality

We’ve all seen the neat things that a CCTV security system can do on the TV crime shows. A high tech system can allow you to read a license plate from a reflection in a window across the street, right? High end CCTV systems can send you a text message when someone breaks into your home. They can predict crimes by analyzing behavior patterns – but those functions cost money – a lot of money. One of the best ways to save money on a CCTV security system is to only purchase one with the functionality that really matters to you. If all you need is a camera to see the front door, why should you pay for more?

Monitor

Back in TV Land, all CCTV systems are monitored by a full bank of monitors and at least one full-time person watching it all. In reality, most people don’t monitor their CCTV camera feeds 24/7. In fact, they may only step in to view the monitor if they know something is happening. If you don’t need a separate monitor, don’t pay for one. And if you do, you may actually have a suitable monitor hanging around your house. Talk to the experts at your security store to find out what requirements your monitor will have to meet.

Installation

Installation can add a hefty chunk of change to the total cost of your CCTV security system. If you’re reasonably handy, you can probably handle the installation yourself. You’ll find lots of online help with installing CCTV systems, including videos that walk you through everything from running wire through finished walls to turning on your surveillance camera.

DVR

If there’s one thing you really don’t want to skimp on, it’s the DVR connected to your security camera system. You’ll save money by buying a standalone DVR, but you’ll miss out on many of the features that are a given with a PC-based DVR system. If all you really need is recording, storage and viewing video on request, you can save a lot with an inexpensive standalone DVR, but you’ll miss out on things like PTZ controls, alarm inputs and hybrid capabilities.

Wiring

Most analog security camera systems use coax cable or Siamese cable to transmit data, but you can also run the cabling with CAT5 cable. It will run both the power and the data to your IP camera, saving you about 65 percent the cost of Siamese cable.

Finally, keep in mind that CCTV systems can significantly reduce your insurance premiums, and, in retail or commercial operations, save you a considerable amount of costs in reduced shrinkage.

Using CCTV Systems to Improve Your Business

If you’ve ever watched the SpikeTV reality show “Bar Rescue” or Bravo’s reality show “Tabatha’s Salon Takeover,” you’ve probably wondered what a surveillance camera in your business would show you when you’re not there to watch. In reality, CCTV systems can help you improve your business in many ways – and not just by playing gotcha with your staff. When you install a surveillance camera – or a few of them – you get the same chance that winning football coaches have when they view tapes of Sunday’s game: you get an overview of your business and how it works from a more objective position. Here are a few things you can evaluate and recognize when you install a CCTV camera in various important points in your business operation.

Efficiency

“Bar Rescue” plays heavily on the dramatic confrontations and the OMG-she-didn’t factor with employees, but when they get down to brass tacks to make recommendations, the fixes often focus on very practical points. One of the most common fixes is a simple rearrangement of the elements behind the bar. When you watch what happens in your restaurant, bar or service shop on a surveillance camera, it’s far easier to spot problems like poor traffic patterns. You may not notice how much time it takes to walk to the end of the counter to pick up a needed item, but when you observe it happening on the security camera 50 times a night, you recognize how much it impacts your staff’s ability to respond to your customers quickly and efficiently.

Customer Service Issues

On “Tabatha’s Salon Takeover,” the CCTV systems often show areas where customer service is poor, slow, sloppy or rude. It’s a reality show, so they obviously go out of their way to accent behavior that is downright rude and disrespectful. In real reality, though, customer service errors are often much subtler. Security footage can help you pinpoint where customers are let down – perhaps kept waiting at a counter while the one person on duty answers a telephone – and make the changes necessary to remedy the problem. You may realize that you need a second person at the counter during specific hours, for example, or notice that one or more of your staff needs a refresher course on the basics of customer service.

Obviously, CCTV systems are more often used to pinpoint serious employee problems or keep an eye on your staff. They have other uses, though, and helping you identify and remedy customer service and efficiency problems.

CCTV Systems for Your Church

As much as we’d like to think that churches have their own security systems, in the real world even a church can take advantage of CCTV systems for security and other uses. In fact, there are a number of ways that CCTV systems and security camera systems can be very useful for a church and congregation. Here are just a few of the ways to use CCTV security for your church premises.

Parking Lot Surveillance

A surveillance camera trained on the church parking lot can help safeguard parishioners’ cars while they attend services. A very visible security camera with warning signs can deter would-be thieves and vandals, and a surveillance camera can provide footage to help determine fault in church parking lot fender benders, especially hit-and-run bumps that often go unreported.

Children’s Room Surveillance

If your church provides child care during services so that parents can attend undistracted, a surveillance camera can provide assurance that children are being properly watched and cared for while in the care of church volunteers and staff. The video feed from the child care room can also serve as reassurance to parents, who can “check in” on their little ones to make sure they’ve settled in and are comfortable being left.

Quiet Room Video Feed

CCTV systems provide more than security. If your congregation provides a “quiet room” where parents with young children can watch the services without worrying that their children will disturb the congregation, a CCTV camera and monitor can bring the sermon and services to them, up close and personal. It’s a far more personal setup than a glass wall with PA speakers.

Broadcast Local Services

If you choose IP-based security, your church can provide remote broadcasts of services for local shut-ins using the same technology as CCTV systems. Simply make the security feed from a specific CCTV camera available at the specific IP and provide login information for viewing services. Shut-ins no longer have to feel left out of the congregation, thanks to modern security camera technology.

Protect Clergy from False Accusations

It’s an unfortunate fact of life that some members of the clergy have abused their positions of influence. Another unfortunate fact, stemming from the first, is that there are some unscrupulous lay people who have made false accusations against clergy in the hope of getting a settlement. An unobtrusive CCTV camera can help protect clergy from false accusations by proving their innocence of the charges should the need arise.

CCTV systems are surprisingly affordable, and easily within the budget of most churches and congregations. Consider the many ways that a CCTV camera system can be beneficial to your community and you’ll see how much sense it makes to install a CCTV security system.

Choosing Cameras for CCTV Systems

Security cameras are a vital part of all CCTV systems. The security camera choices you make will affect the quality of your security footage, which will affect exactly how you can use that footage. The right surveillance cameras for your CCTV systems will can provide better protection, allow you to run facial recognition or crowd control software, let you pick up even the smallest movements in low-light situations and even film surveillance in total darkness. These tips can help you figure out what features you need in your CCTV camera choices for the uses you intend to make of them.

Do You Want Remote Access to Your CCTV Systems and Footage?

The easiest way to make sure that you have remote access to your CCTV system is with a PC-based server running on a network. In most cases, that will mean an IP security camera setup with wireless access, but it’s not an absolute given.

Do You Want the Ability to Reconfigure Your Security Camera Positions?

A wired surveillance camera system is pretty much limited to the configuration you originally design. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, especially if you’ve worked out your surveillance patterns and know exactly what coverage your business or home needs. Wired CCTV systems are more secure and often provide better images than wireless, so there’s a lot to be said for them.

If, on the other hand, you may want to move cameras to different locations, a wireless security camera solution is the better choice. You’ll still usually have to locate your cameras near an electrical outlet, but you won’t have to run wires to them.

How Much Light is Available for Recording Images?

The amount of light available for camera recording will be an important factor in which type of security camera you choose. If you want to record in low light, you’ll need equipment capable of recording with limited lighting. If you want to be able to record in total darkness, you’ll need a security camera with infrared capabilities.

Will Any of the Cameras Be Outdoors?

Outdoor security cameras need weather-resistant camera housings. If they’re in locations that are accessible from the ground, you may also want to choose a surveillance camera with a protective screen to avoid damage from thrown objects and other types of vandalism.

Do You Want Your Cameras to Serve as a Deterrent?

CCTV systems serve two purposes. One is surveillance. The other is deterrence. If you want to discourage bad behavior, such as shoplifting, an obvious security camera is a good choice. If you want to do covert surveillance, dome cameras are a better choice.

Of course, it’s also important that the security cameras you choose for your CCTV systems must also be compatible with the recording device and monitors you’re using. If you need more help choosing the right security cameras for your system, most vendors will be happy to give you advice.

Tips on Buying Security Cameras for CCTV Systems

Are you considering the purchase of a CCTV camera for security or surveillance purposes? There are a number of important things to keep in mind when buying cameras for CCTV systems. There are literally hundreds of security cameras and surveillance cameras on the market today. Some of them will be useful for your security needs. Some of them are little more than fun gadgets. Choosing the right surveillance camera to go with your security system can be confusing for the average customer. These tips from a top CCTV security expert can help you make the right choice.

Evaluate Your Needs

The first step in choosing the right security camera is to determine exactly why you need it. Where will you put a surveillance camera? Will it be indoors or outdoors? What use will you make of the surveillance footage? Will you be recording video in the dark? The answers to these questions are important in determining the features your camera will should have.

Know the Standards

When it comes to security cameras, you pay the price for high quality images. One of the biggest factors in determining the quality of the footage you record and see is the frames per second (fps) rate – the number of images that the camera processes per second. The higher the frame rate, the better the quality of the images – but keep in mind that there is such a thing as overkill. If you’re doing security for a casino or a bank, you’ll want a CCTV camera with 30 fps capability. If you’re buying a security camera to scout out shoplifters and help manage traffic in a mall, 15-20 fps is about right. If you’re providing a security camera for home security, you don’t need much more than about 7 fps. If you choose something bigger, you’re just showing off – and wasting money.

Check the Resolution

The other factor that affects image quality is resolution, which is measured in horizontal TV lines, abbreviated TVL. As with fps, the higher the TVL, the better the picture will be. A normal camera range is about 350 to 400 TVL. A high res CCTV camera may go as high as 480 or 500 TVL, which are an excellent choice for congested and high-crime areas.

Do You Need Infrared?

IR is the buzzword for high-tech surveillance camera applications. Infrared cameras work even in pitch dark, so they’re ideal for 24/7 surveillance. Before you invest a rather significant chunk of change into an infrared security camera, however, decide if you really need the additional expense .

Color vs. B&W

Talk to a security expert to discuss the differences between color and black and wight picture quality. A color security camera will cost more but can offer you better picture quality. Monochrome cameras, on the other hand, deliver decent video quality, and can actually provide better picture quality under some circumstances.

Lock for Package Deals Online

One way to be sure you get the right security camera for your use is to buy from an online site that sells package deals, which comes with everything you need – DVR, security camera, cables and everything else. You can be certain that all of your parts will work together and cut your shopping time in half.

Finally, check the warranty on the security camera you’re researching. The warranty can make a big difference in your bottom line. Choosing CCTV cameras may be confusing, but when you know a little bit about the features and benefits of a security, you’ll find it much easier to outfit your CCTV systems.

DIY CCTV Systems for Small Retailers

Are you looking for affordable CCTV systems for your small store? If you’ve shopped around with security companies, you’ve probably found that most of them will quote you as much as $15,000 to install a simple CCTV security system for you. Did you know that for 10 percent of that price, or about $1,500, you can buy CCTV systems with up to 8 security cameras – and the capability to connect up to 8 more – along with everything you need to set up your own CCTV security system, including a DVR, hard drive and computer case? Yes, you could do it yourself and save up to 90 percent of the cost of having one installed.

In fact, you could even hire a local electrician run the wiring for you and still save thousands of dollars on a customized security system for your place of business. With the proper help and equipment, you can easily install your own CCTV camera and security system in less than a day.

Not sure what you need for your store? You’ve got a lot of choices, and most online CCTV retailers will be happy to provide you with technical information and advice to help you determine the best setup for your store. These are just a few of the options you might consider.

Wireless IP Security Camera System

Wireless security camera systems and surveillance camera systems have become very popular with both business owners and homeowners. Many of them are of the nanny cam type, and can be easily set up anywhere with electrical access – some even have battery storage so you don’t even need to locate them near an electrical outlet. You can access the feed from many of these cameras from any computer on the Internet or from your mobile phone. If you’re computer savvy enough to set up a home network with security, you can probably set up your own wireless security camera system.

DVR and CCTV System

If you want to record surveillance with your security camera, you’ll need a computer with the right software or a dedicated DVR. You can purchase either with as few as four and as many as 16 surveillance camera connections. Connecting everything together is a fairly simple process if you know how to follow instructions and can read a wiring diagram.

Whatever you decide, it’s important that all of the parts of your CCTV security system are compatible with each other. The best way to ensure that you get the right cameras, DVR, cabling and other CCTV equipment is to purchase from a vendor that offers entire CCTV systems in kits for installing yourself.

PTZ Cameras for CCTV Systems

CCTV systems are only as good as the security camera attached to them. One of the best choices to extend the capabilities of your CCTV system is a PTZ surveillance camera. PTZ – which stands for pan, tilt, zoom – allows you to survey larger areas, zoom in for higher detail and do automatic surveys of the area your cameras cover. In addition, a motor-driven PTZ security camera for your CCTV system can provide some other benefits that may not be so obvious.

Multiple Alarm Inputs

A PTZ security camera can be programmed to zero in on potential trouble based on input from an alarm contact. Most PTZ surveillance cameras allow for four alarm inputs, so you can hook your camera up to a motion detector, door and window contacts or other alarm device to activate your camera and draw its attention.

Programmed Sweeps and Tours

A PTZ CCTV camera can be set to do routine sweeps of multiple areas. You can, for example, program your security camera to sweep the entire parking lot every 5 minutes, then zoom to do closer sweeps of different sectors of the parking lot in between the broader sweeps. You can also program a PTZ security camera to focus on a large area and zoom in when triggered by an alarm signal.

Non-Obtrusive

Choose a PTZ dome camera for unobtrusive uses, such as surveillance of your business throughout the day. PTZ cameras are about the same size as a fixed security camera, and can be installed so that they are not obvious. In addition, a PTZ surveillance camera can be controlled from a remote location, making it easy to watch without being observed.

Weather Resistant

For outdoor use, choose a weather-resistant PTZ surveillance camera. Modern CCTV camera equipment is built to withstand exposure to the elements and housed in weather-resistant casing that keeps the motors safe.

Auto-Focus

A modern PTZ surveillance camera will use auto-focus to maintain focus at different zoom and distance levels. This is invaluable, especially in comparison to older CCTV camera systems that required manual focusing every time the camera’s focus moved.

A good PTZ security camera can extend the capabilities of most CCTV systems, allowing observers to get a better view of the area under surveillance, zoom in to get a closer look either manually or via alarm triggers and provide security better coverage of your retail, private or business premises. If you’re choosing a CCTV camera for your security system, consider investing in a high quality PTZ camera and reap the benefits.