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.

Benefits of Installing CCTV Systems for Security

If you own a business, security is of paramount importance in your mind, but the type of security system you need will vary depending on the type of business you run. Whether you require full security monitoring or a simple security camera to make its presence known, CCTV systems provide you the greatest flexibility for the lowest cost. These are just a few of the benefits you’ll get when you choose to use a CCTV camera and security system to make your business safer.

Deterrent

The mere presence of a security camera and CCTV security system will serve as a deterrent to shoplifters, thieves and burglars. Thieves aren’t stupid. They’ll avoid stealing if there’s a high risk of being caught on camera. A visible surveillance camera is sometimes enough to reduce your shrinkage by appreciable amounts.

In addition to deterring thieves, CCTV systems can also deter your staff and employees from bad behavior. When you place a security camera at the point of sale and in storage areas, your staff will think twice about stealing from you, and will be more likely to engage in behaviors that you want them to use.

Tip: Employees often feel resentful when management installs a security camera. You can blunt that resentment considerably by rewarding good behavior when you capture it on the security camera.

Protection

CCTV systems can serve as an early warning system that trouble may be brewing in entertainment and retail venues. While most small business owners can’t afford high-tech video analysis software you see on “Las Vegas” and other shows, a security camera and human monitor can easily spot unnatural gatherings of people and traffic patterns that suggest danger. The early warning allows you to deploy security to the scene before problems actually develop.

In addition, a surveillance camera trained on your parking lot and back entries can alert you to possible intruders, vandals and thieves, allowing you to call the police and apprehend the wrongdoers or scare them off.

Insurance Requirements

CCTV systems can reduce your insurance premiums and help you meet conditions required by your insurance company. A CCTV camera can help investigators determine the legitimacy of an accident claim, for example, or help them determine how a loss occurred. A video record of the any incident makes it easier for police to investigate and may provide evidence for prosecution.

When you consider all the benefits of CCTV systems for your small business, it’s easy to see that the cost of purchase and installation is an investment in safety that will repay itself in no time.

CCTV Systems and Security Tips for Your Home

CCTV systems are coming into wider use as home surveillance and security systems. Installing a security camera with remote surveillance capability can definitely increase your peace of mind and help keep your property and family safer in many ways. If you’re considering CCTV systems for surveillance and security, keep these home safety tips in mind.

Position a Security Camera to Oversee the Entry Points

A security camera aimed at your doors and entryways will allow you to view who is approaching your home before you open or answer the door. This can be especially important for any doors or entries that aren’t clearly viewable from the street.

Choose a Light-Activated Security Camera for Nighttime Backyard Surveillance

Couple a light-activated security camera with a motion-activated security light to cover the backyard or side yard at night. The camera will only run when the motion sensor on the light detects that someone has entered your yard, and the light will provide illumination for the camera. As an added bonus, the sudden burst of light has a good chance of scaring off any intruders before they attempt to break into your house.

Choose a Surveillance Camera that Can Be Activated Remotely for Indoor Areas

If you want to keep an eye on your home when you’re at work or away, choose a security camera that you can activate and view remotely via your tablet, computer or smart phone. This is the most common choice for parents who want to check in on the nanny or teenagers at home, as well as for those who worry about elderly parents on their own.

Keep the Shrubbery Well-manicured

Overgrown shrubbery and trees provide hiding places for would-be burglars and break-in artists. Make it a point to trim back bushes near the doors and windows so that they can be seen from the street. It will also make it harder for would-be intruders to hide from the security camera.

Watch Your Driveway

If you have more than one outdoor surveillance camera for your CCTV systems, aim one of them at your driveway, especially if it can’t be seen easily from house windows. Vehicle vandalism, break-ins and thefts are more common than residential break-ins in many neighborhoods.

CCTV systems are more affordable than ever. If you’ve been thinking about installing a security camera or surveillance system, check with your insurance company to find out if you’ll get a premium discount for providing additional security for your home.

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.