If you have been thinking about purchasing a DVR surveillance camera system in order to protect your home or business, you might be wondering how to use a DVR surveillance camera. Many people find electronics in general to be a little overwhelming, and those who do not have a lot of experience with digital video recorders, surveillance cameras and other security-related equipment are often a bit shy about purchasing, installing and using these components. However, it is important to think about the safety and protection of yourself, your family, your home or business and your belongings, so you shouldn’t put off learning how to use a DVR surveillance camera any longer. Instead, you should follow these simple tips in order to find, purchase, install and use your new DVR surveillance camera system; whether you simply want one or two cameras in order to keep an eye on your residential property or if you want to make sure that your entire large business is secure, you are sure to find a DVR surveillance camera system to be the perfect solution, and you might be surprised by just how easy it can be to use one of these systems.
Determine How Many Cameras You Need
One of the first steps to purchasing and using your DVR surveillance camera system is to decide just how much cameras you will need in order to protect your property. Many people go with small systems with only a couple of surveillance cameras at first, but this won’t allow you to properly protect your property. Therefore, you should make certain that you are purchasing enough surveillance cameras in order to keep your property under proper surveillance.
First of all, you will need to decide which areas of your property that you would like to keep under video surveillance with your DVR surveillance camera system. For instance, you might only need a few cameras for your residential property; you might not want to use surveillance cameras inside the house, and you might instead opt for a couple of well-placed cameras that will allow you to keep an eye on the exterior of your property. When choosing cameras for this use, make certain to keep an eye on all of the entrances to your home and your driveway, as well as your garage, storage shed or anywhere that you keep valuable items.
If you are looking to install a DVR surveillance camera system in your business, you will need quite a few more cameras in order to keep your commercial property under proper surveillance. Not only will you want to keep an eye on the outside of your property as well as your parking lot, but you will also need to keep proper surveillance inside; for instance, placing cameras over your cash registers and in your office can help protect you from theft, and placing cameras in your stock room and throughout your business can help protect you as well.
Although you might be thinking about using less cameras for your DVR surveillance camera in order to cut costs, you should consider using the highest number of cameras that you think you might need. This will allow you to keep your property safer, and it will also allow you to choose the right digital video recorder; this can save you money in the long run if you otherwise would have chosen a digital video recorder that wouldn’t have allowed you to use the number of cameras that you truly need for safety and protection.
Consider the Placement of Your Cameras
Along with choosing the number of cameras that you will need, you will also need to determine where to place them if you want to know how to use a DVR surveillance camera system properly. For instance, you should make sure that no hidden corners or “blind spots” are available for criminals to take advantage of, and you should also make sure that your cameras are placed high off of the ground or in another location where they cannot be easily tampered with by a thief or other criminal. Thinking about all of these things will help ensure that you end up with the cameras and equipment that you truly need.
Determine Other Components That You Need
Although your cameras are very important to your surveillance system, they aren’t the only thing that you will need in order to keep a close eye on your home or business. There are also other components that you will need in order to make your system work.
For instance, you will need a good digital video recorder. There are countless models out there that are great for a variety of purposes and that can be used for both large and small systems, so you shouldn’t have a problem finding the right digital video recorder for your system. When you are shopping, make sure to look at all of the features; since you will be using your digital video recorder as a means of recording, storing and viewing all of your surveillance system footage, you should make certain that you have a system that is worthwhile. For instance, you may want to look for a system that will allow you to transfer all of your surveillance footage onto a DVD or another storage device. There are plenty of other features to look for as well; if you talk to a security equipment professional about your needs and budget, he or she can typically help you find the right system for your needs.
Along with a digital video recorder and surveillance cameras, there are a few components that you will need to invest in. For instance, you will need a monitor that will allow you to watch all of your surveillance footage; typically, you can use a computer monitor, so you shouldn’t have to spend a lot of money on this component. You will also need to make certain that the areas where you will be placing your surveillance cameras are well-lit so that you can get good footage; this can also help you keep your property safe since many criminals balk at the sight of a well-lit area. If this isn’t possible, however, you should look into the many cameras that are available that have night vision; with these cameras, you can capture footage in almost complete darkness, and you might be surprised by just how clear the footage is.
Make Your Purchase
After you have determined which components you will need and how many cameras you want to purchase, it will be time to buy your DVR surveillance cameras and the accompanying equipment that will complete your system. It is important not to make a rushed decision when you are making this investment; instead, make sure that you are getting the best possible system for your money. If you do, you are sure to be more pleased with your purchase in the long run, and you will probably end up with a system that works better for your needs.
If you are having a difficult time deciding on which system to purchase, you aren’t alone. A lot of people are a bit hesitant to purchase a DVR surveillance camera system, and you might need a little professional help in order to get pointed in the right direction. Fortunately, a good security camera equipment company typically employs plenty of professionals who have a good understanding of the various systems and components that are out there and what they are best used for. By speaking to one of these professionals, you can feel better about your purchase and end up with a system that is within your budget but that still provides you with adequate protection and security.
You might also want to think about reading customer reviews before making your purchase. Since there is no shortage of customer reviews online, you shouldn’t have a problem finding reviews about the system that you are thinking about purchasing. By reading these reviews, you can find out if the system you are thinking about buying typically works as well as it is supposed to.
Install Your DVR Surveillance Camera System
After you have purchased your DVR surveillance camera system, it is time for you to install it. Although you might think this is a particularly daunting task for someone who is inexperienced with security-related equipment, it is actually a lot easier than many people think it is. If you have purchased a system that utilizes wireless cameras, like most new systems do, you shouldn’t have a difficult time getting your system installed in one weekend.
First of all, you should read all of the instructions that come with your system. This can help you get a clearer understanding of how everything works, and it should give you step-by-step instructions for how to install your system yourself. You will want to make certain to install your cameras properly so that they will capture proper footage, and you should also follow any steps for setting up your digital video recorder. It might take a little bit of time and some trial and error, but you should be able to get your DVR surveillance camera system set up in a short period of time.
If you still feel uncomfortable with the idea of installing your own system, however, you shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help. There are plenty of professionals out there who can make certain that your system is installed properly, and you can often pay for professional installation without having to shell out major money.
Check Your DVR Surveillance Camera System
Whether you decide to install your system yourself or if you decide to hire someone to do the work for you, you will need to make sure that your system is working correctly after it has been installed. There are several steps to doing so.
First of all, turn your digital video recorder on; you may have to go through a few steps in order to get your system set up correctly, but this process varies based on the unit that you purchase. Then, consider reading the instructions and playing with a few features on your DVR; this will allow you to get a feel for how the system works, and you can address any issues and learn how each feature works ahead of time. This can save you a lot of time in the future if you need to use your system and are unsure of how to do so at the wrong moment.
Then, you should check your cameras. Make certain that nothing is obstructing the view of any of your cameras; you might be surprised by how much of an obstruction a single leaf or a thin branch can cause. If necessary, consider adjusting your cameras so that you can get a better view of the area that you would like to keep under surveillance. You should also make sure that you aren’t missing any important spots in your surveillance and that you are content with the view that you can see from each unit.
Make Necessary Changes
After checking your system, you may find yourself making a few changes. Even if you think there is nothing wrong with how your system is set up at first, over time you might realize that you want to adjust a few of your cameras or make other changes. You shouldn’t put these adjustments off; if you do, you could find yourself in trouble when you least expect it. Instead, periodically take the time to make these important adjustments in order to ensure that your property is safe.
Enjoy the Benefits of Having a DVR Surveillance Camera System
Once you have installed your system and feel content with the footage that it captures, you can relax and enjoy the benefits of having a system that protects your property adequately. This can save you a lot of stress, and it can provide you with the protection that you need in the event of an emergency.