A well-designed video security system can deter criminals, protect a home or business, alert users to events, and provide evidence when something goes wrong. In addition to these objectives, an appropriate security camera system must be easy to install and use, to provide users with the peace of mind they deserve.
Unfortunately, many home and business owners end up investing in a video security camera system without fully understanding what they really need. To help prevent this from happening to you, the following guide provides useful information on how to choose the right security camera system for your applications.
The location of the security cameras.
The most frequently asked question when purchasing a CCTV camera system is: “How many surveillance cameras do I need?” Even if this is a legitimate question, the total number of surveillance cameras is less important than their overall effectiveness.
Choosing the right security camera locations is essential to monitoring and recording activity on your property.
Clearly identify all visitors.
If you have a modest budget, it is highly recommended to make sure that your video surveillance system is able to clearly identify visitors as they travel. More often than not, you will know when something remarkable is happening at home or at your business. Being able to clearly identify who the suspect is will help clarify what happened.
To clearly identify people and visitors, you need to determine the most active areas people can cross in your home, business, or property. These areas will include doors, windows, parking lot entrances, gates and the like.
Security cameras must be dedicated to monitoring and recording these locations at all times. They should also be able to produce images that can be used day or night.
Record and monitor all visitor activities.
A video security system should be able to record and monitor an overview of all visitor activity. Having records of when a crime or event occurred will be incredibly helpful when essential evidence is required, such as theft, burglary and vandalism.
In addition, documenting activities in a home or business will help protect users in the event of injuries and lawsuits. For business owners, monitoring sequences can provide evidence of the legitimacy of injury and accident claims.
In residential areas, surveillance cameras with a large viewing area often provide valuable clues beyond identification, such as vehicle description, accomplices, witnesses, as well as the distance or direction of the vehicle. Path.
Finally, home security should be considered. For example, home security cameras help monitor children playing in the yard or swimming in the pool.
Field of view.
Consumers wishing to invest in a video security system must understand the area in which they need security cameras. This means being able to determine the overall field of vision for each of the security camera locations, both indoors and outdoors.
Understanding the field of view measurements will help determine the best lens for each camera. Most video surveillance consultants can help you by providing an assessment of your needs.
Know your objectives: fixed, variable focal length or PTZ.
What are the differences between fixed, variable focus and PTZ cameras?
Customers often wonder what the differences are between fixed and variable focus cameras and PTZ cameras, and which one is best for them. It all depends on the number of cameras you want to use and the area in which you want to place them. It also depends on the options you want these cameras to have. These units also have different prices which will be taken into account in your decision. Each has its pros and cons. So let’s take a closer look and decide which goal is best for you.
Fixed.
As the name suggests, a fixed lens camera uses a non-adjustable lens. You have a fixed focal length and you cannot adjust the field of vision. These tend to be the cheapest option due to the simpler lens mechanism.
They also tend to provide better image quality since there is no zoom adjustment. For general surveillance purposes, or if you know that you are installing several cameras on your property, fixed cameras will serve you perfectly.
Variable focus.
A variable focal length camera allows the user to adjust the zoom and angle of the lens. This is done on the camera itself and cannot be adjusted remotely. This is mainly intended for users who do not need to continuously adjust the angle in order to verify things. This type of camera works well in places where traditional fixed lens cameras cannot be discreetly installed, while still allowing optimal view recording. Users can install a variable focus camera and then adjust the view to the desired location.
PTZ.
PTZ stands for “pan, tilt, zoom”. It is a more advanced form of variable focal length lens and adjustments can be made using an external device. Users can move the lens to focus on different aspects of the property. PTZ cameras tend to be the most expensive due to the more complex motorized mechanism that allows them to move.
However, with increasing costs, you have the ability to control your cameras from anywhere. For many users, these features are worth it. Whether you are an entrepreneur checking progress at work sites or management regarding employees, PTZ cameras are an effective option.
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Caught up in the bag: Requirements for using your CCTV images.
Security cameras can serve a number of purposes in your business, from deterring criminals and increasing the efficiency of your staff, to closely monitoring security risks. One of the most important roles that video surveillance footage can play, however, is to help police identify suspects and resolve incidents in and around your business. In an increasingly watched world, here are some tips for law enforcement to use your video surveillance footage to investigate and arrest criminals.
Digital proof
Security footage and still images can be very useful for law enforcement, as they help develop leads and provide clues in business. This evidence can also significantly improve the chances of a successful prosecution of the culprits while proving the innocence of the accused unjustly.
In addition to ensuring that your footage is relevant and authentic, you need to ensure that the resolution and positions of your camera are capable of accurately capturing the incident that you are recording. As more and more business owners secure their properties with surveillance systems, it is important to understand the basics of obtaining qualifying video surveillance footage.
In the event of an incident.
When an incident occurs in your company, backing up video images to a separate storage device is the first essential step to avoid losing your footage. By default, your recording device begins to overwrite the oldest footage when it runs out of storage space.
Because some investigations take place over weeks, months, or even years, it is likely that the investigation will continue long after your original footage has been overwritten on your recording device. This could not only mean that you (and the police) could lose valuable evidence, but knowingly doing so could expose you to prosecution for destruction of evidence.
In the event of a police report incident, you must immediately transfer the footage to an external storage device for transmission to the police, ensuring that the footage is kept in its file format, resolution, and its native frame rate. This not only ensures that the police have the best possible view of the incident, but it also protects you and your business from charges of falsified evidence.
Storage requirements.
Do you have a single copy of your business income tax returns? What about your business plan? Just like you would with all of your other important business data, backing up your video storage is essential. For everyday needs, DVRs and NVRs are a great option for high capacity storage options. External hard drives offer simple backup options for your video storage that can be kept off-site, ensuring your business is covered in the event of a system failure or natural disaster.
While most companies can make do with a few weeks or months of storing their footage, the most regulated, most crime-prone and frequently investigated companies should consider storage options additional long-term.
If you have massive or long-term storage needs and a very high-speed Internet connection, cloud storage options can provide the most secure storage backup options for your business. Cloud storage minimizes the risk of data loss and provides maximum security for your video footage.
How will technology evolve with IP video surveillance cameras?
Closed circuit television (CCTV) systems are a proven technology that has been used for decades. Over the years, technological improvements have made these systems more powerful and easier to install than ever.
Internet Protocol (IP) security systems are similar to video surveillance systems, except that they connect to Ethernet ports and operate on the Internet in the same way as a computer. Although IP CCTV systems do not technically operate on a “closed circuit”, the name is still used today.
Using IP video surveillance systems or an HD coaxial system with an advanced surveillance recorder allows you to view live or recorded footage and even control the cameras directly from your phone or mobile device. CCTV security professionals can help you with absolutely no subscription or monthly subscription.
Image quality.
The image quality in security camera systems in Chicago has changed considerably over the past few years. While analog security systems are a traditional backup solution that still accounts for a large percentage of surveillance installations, the need for better image quality and high video resolution has led manufacturers to offer better solutions.
This is where IP security cameras come in. Internet protocol surveillance technology has evolved to offer a wide range of different resolutions to meet the different surveillance needs of small and large businesses. These resolutions are far superior to those available in analog cameras. IP video surveillance cameras are available in 1.3MP (resolution four times that of analog cameras), 2MP, 3MP, 4MP, 5MP and 8MP (also called 4K.)
With higher resolution IP cameras, businesses can enjoy a clear view of their property and use fewer cameras to cover larger areas. It becomes easier to read license plates, recognize faces and identify intruders. With additional features such as motion detection, night vision, two-way audio, wide-angle viewing and even pan-tilt-zoom, the surveillance capabilities of IP security cameras have improved dramatically, ensuring surveillance reliable security.
Installation and maintenance.
When you think of the latest technological innovations, you probably think of complex systems that involve complex installations and more complex maintenance. But with today’s IP video surveillance camera systems, the reality is quite the opposite.
For companies that use analog systems, the need for a separate cable to transmit video signals and the other to power the system requires a lot of resources to ensure smooth operation and maintenance. However, with the evolution of technology, IP cameras are now equipped with simple plug-and-play features allowing you to connect your security cameras to your network using a single cable to transmit the video signal, power and even PTZ functionality. The cable should only be connected to the nearest network switch and not directly to your recording devices. The reduced number of connections required by IP video surveillance camera systems is also easier.
Ease of use.
The simplicity of installation and maintenance of IP security systems extends to the user experience. With the increasing number of companies and individuals moving to IP surveillance technology, manufacturers have significantly improved their software to make it user-friendly and easy to install. Today, most IP software for smart phones and smart phones has intuitive menus, a wide range of features, easy-to-understand presentations, and different control and management options.
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