Of all the different applications for security cameras, the most common use is definitely for surveillance of businesses. Your business is the source of your income and security for you and your family. It seems almost outrageous to me that every business does not have security cameras. If you think about the uses and the business that can benefit from surveillance systems, it almost seems like it would be an infinite list. Every business can benefit. Here are just some of the reasons:
– Prevent employee theft.
– Increase employee productivity.
– Prevent customer slip and fall lawsuits.
– Deter theft.
– Spend less time at the office and remotely monitor your business.
– Check in on your business after hours.
– allow a remote security guard to watch over your business.
and the list can go on, and on, and on.
So what do you need to consider when you want to purchase a surveillance system for your business? First, you need to decide on what you want to accomplish with the system. What is your primary goal? What is the secondary goal? What items do you want to cover?
Next, you will need to research the right DVR and security cameras for your application. Will you need infrared security cameras? Will you be using mainly overviews and use fixed lens cameras, or do you need to capture more detail of specific areas or items and need vari-focal security cameras? If you are monitoring a large open area, do you want to consider a PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) camera which can be put on a tour of a large area ?
Make sure to consider which cameras need to be outdoor rated and which will be used indoors. Indoor cameras are less expensive because they are usually housed in plastic where outdoor cameras are normally housed in metal and are more expensive. also consider the temperatures the cameras will be in. Security cameras can be available with heaters and blowers.
Finally, it is time to consider the DVR. The security DVR will record the video from the cameras and allow you remote access to the cameras using the internet. Typically, DVRs are available in varying quality levels. Be sure to select a digital video recorder that will meet your needs. Consider the amount of storage you need, the bandwidth you have available at your business and whether you need realtime recording. You will also want to consider what resolution you want to record in. Most DVRs will record in CIF (360×240) resolution, some DVRs will record D1 or 4CIF resolution (704×480) or (720×480). The combination of resolution and frame rate is also an important factor to consider. Realtime recording is considered 30fps on each channel. Do you want realtime recording at CIF resolution or do you want real time recording at 4CIF or D1 resolution? Only a handful of DVRs are capable of recording D1 resolution at 30fps on every channel. This is a premium feature that will usually cause extra.
Be sure that whoever you purchase your security camera system from can provide you with the high level of tech support you need. Surveillance systems can be very technical and will often require experienced technicians to get all the settings right.
