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Health & Fitness

How To Choose The Best Video Surveillance System For You

There are many factors to consider when selecting a video surveillance system for your home or business. Investing in a security system is a smart move as you have many assets to protect including yourself. Video Surveillance materials come in many different forms so reading our list of questions below will hopeful allow you to narrow down your choices and become an educated consumer of cameras systems. Selecting the right cameras for your security system is critical to the success of your system.

 

 What  Do You Want To Capture?

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Every building and landscape is different so the first thing that you need to do is make an inventory of what you want to record and decided whether you want to record an scene and event, or a person. Your answers to these questions will guide you down the road to make the right choice for you.

     

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Which Type of Camera?

    PTZ or Pan/Tilt/Zoom cameras are very versatile. The can pan from left to right and up and down. PTZ cameras can rotate 360 degrees to view an object directly below them and they are available for indoors our outdoor uses.

    Box Cameras are the most commonly used surveillance tool. They are cost effective, a visual deterrent, and can accept a variety of lenses based on the application. They are comprised of the camera body, lens, and power supply. For indoor use, a mount bracket is required and for outdoor use a "housing" is required. 

   Mini Dome cameras are half spherical-shaped cameras and are usually used for discreet applications. They can be vandal resistant, and indoor or outdoor options are available.

Bullet Cameras are stylish with a sleek bullet like shape. They can come with infrared lighting and can be used or indoor or outdoor applications.

Are Wireless Security Cameras an Option?

People often get confused about Wireless Security Systems with respect to Cameras. “Wireless” in this sense means how the camera talks to the Network or Digital Video Recorder. It does not refer to how the cameras get their energy to operate. A  hard wired power supply is still needed for the cameras to be turned on an effective. Solar options are available but a very sizable amount of money and the technology is fairly new and in our opinion not really ready for prime time.

 

 

 What Field of View is Needed?

This is a measurement of how large an area the camera is capable of viewing.  The focal length of the lens affects the field of view. If you wish to capture a general scene of a parking lot, you would want to choose a camera with a shorter focal length that would capture a larger field of view. Conversely, a longer lens magnifies the scene, thereby decreasing the field of view.  Cameras with longer lenses would be effective in capturing a license plate or an event like a break-in.

Resolution

Camera resolution is the measure of noticeable detail that you see in an image. The higher the resolution the better the definition, clarity, and quality of the picture. A high-resolution camera could capture the detail of a person's face or license plate number.

How is Your Site Lit?

There are various technologies available that will ensure you capture usable video regardless of the lighting conditions. Be sure to consider if you need day or night pictures and how much light is available where the cameras will need to be mounted. For example, you may want to put a camera in a computer room or supply closet. Typically lights are shut off in these types of rooms so an IR illumination camera may be needed. If ambient light drops below a certain level, an infrared camera system will be activated thus being able to capture pictures in a dark space. These can be helpful for nighttime pictures as well.

 

Will You be Using the Camera for Indoors or Outdoors?

Surveillance camera systems can be specifically designed for indoor or outdoor uses. Indoor cameras tend to be smaller, lighter, and sleeker than outdoor cameras. Outdoor security cameras are often more expensive then indoor models because they are built to withstand weather and attacks from vandals and thieves. 

How Many Cameras Will I need?

Whether you chose single or multiple camera surveillance solutions depends on the size and layout of your space. If you need to know what's happening in multiple rooms or a large exterior space, then you will need multiple cameras to do the job properly. As a general rule, most homes and small businesses can be effectively monitored with four cameras. Secure Lock and Alarm can visit your business and do an in-depth analysis of your camera needs.

Are Hidden Cameras Needed?

Hidden cameras are your best choice if you need to gather information or evidence without your subject's knowledge. On the other hand, cameras that are clearly visible in the space can act as a deterrent to criminal activity.

 

Do You Need to Record and View Video (CCTV) ?

For a very simple, one camera security system, memory card recording is the most common method.  The next step up for recording video is a Digital Video Recorder (DVR). These DVR's are better for long-term video surveillance because they can store much more data.  DVR's can records much more video than a typical removable memory card and can support many more cameras. 

Do You Want To View Your Video Remotely?

Secure Lock and Alarm offers a large selection of internet cameras also known as IP Cameras. They are very versatile and they allow you to connect to the internet via a broadband network and remotely view video from any web browser in the world. Once your system is set up you should be able to monitor your property from your smart phone or other hand held device. The 4 types of cameras; box, dome, PTZ, or bullet all come in an IP format. They come with software and need to be configured to a network in order to function. For professional grade IP cameras, Network Video Recorders are another option. IP Camera Systems used with NVR's add robust features such as facial recognition and exceptional video quality. These systems can be designed to monitor up to 64 IP cameras.

 

As you can see, investing in a home or business security system can be a bit complex. Take your time and think about your ultimate goal, and follow the guide that we have laid out for you. A security professional such as Secure Lock and Alarm can assess your security needs and steer you in the right direction.  Secure Lock and Alarm has been in business since 1996 and has been serving Boston’s North Shore  for over 17 years. We specialize in total property protection of your home or business and can help you with anything from lock and door repair to security systems, access control systems and burglar and fire alarm systems. We are based in Beverly MA and serve all of Essex County including but not limited to Salem MA, Peabody MA, Danvers MA, Lynn MA, Marblehead MA, and Swampscott MA. Please feel free to contact us at 978-927-6400, email us at Sales@securelockandalarm.com, or visit our website at www.securelockandalarm.com.

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