How to Choose a Surveillance Camera
Security Camera
Cameras are the eyes of your camera surveillance system. Without them, you are blind to whatever your system is set up to observe. There are dozens of types of cameras to choose from and hundreds of models as well. So, What factors do you use to determine the camera that is right for you? It all starts with planning. When determining the right camera for you system, match the camera to the requirements developed from your plan.
Once you have determined the ideal features of your camera, work with your local supplier to find cameras that best match these features. Cameras will have a wide variety of options. Simple is best. Pick the camera that matches your needs the best without functionality that you will never use. Use your budget and the features that are most important to determine the camera that works best for you. If you follow these simple guidlines, you will end up with a camera that meets your needs and integrates beautifully into the rest of your camera security system.
Camera Surveillance Systems Affordability
Have there ever been times that you wished for a camera surveillance system in your house? Have you ever heard the doorbell ring and wonder who was there, or worse, answer the door to find no-one at the door. Moms often times wish that they didn’t have to drop what they are doing and go check on the kids in the back yard. Small business owners, struggling to get by, sometimes don’t have a clue as to whether merchandise is walking out the back door or not. In all of these cases, a camera surveillance system can provide a solution. Many people think that these systems are just too expensive to consider. Until the last few years, that was true. However, in today’s day and age, camera surveillance systems come with many different options and are affordable for any budget.
Technology has been racing forward at a breakneck speed. We are all benefitting from the advances by seeing the price of camera surveillance system. There are two varieties. The first is PC based as it has a tower and the functions of the system are carried out by (usually) a Windows based program. The second and more popular version is based on an embedded DVR. There is no software as all of the systems functions are embedded in microchips. Up until recently, a basic two camera DVR type system cost over $1,000. Today, you can get a system that includes the two cameras, a DVR , 120 minutes of looped recording, live viewing from anywhere via the internet, PDA, VGA, and USB outputs for under $400. Many of these features were not available five years ago, for any price.
The PC based systems are more expensive than the DVR type for two reasons. First, they come with more hardware than the DVR types, the PC tower and a minimum of four input cameras (sources). Second, because they are PC based, the software comes with more flexibility and can be updated easily. These systems usually com with image control software that gives you more options on the output side. All of this functionality comes with a price. These systems start at over $1,000. While this might seem expensive, it is an order of magnitude cheaper than ten years ago.
For people willing to take the time to research and install a camera surveillance system, it can be done for a minimum amount of money. The systems are well worth the amount of money spent for the security and peace of mind that they provide.
Camera Surveillance System Technologies
The technologies for camera surveillance systems has evolved dramatically over the last 20 years. This article will educate you on basic system technologies currently available. After reading this, you should be able to make the right choices when designing a video camera surveillance system that will meet your expectations.
First, we have to understand the different camera surveillance system technologies, their operations and benefits. The technologies range from 25 year old “Analog” to cutting edge “Digital”. Your goals and what you want to accomplish will dictate which technology is right for you. There are three types of surveillance technologies that you have to consider.
The first is analog recording systems. Basically, these systems consist of the cameras, some sort of muliplexor to comverge the signals, and a VCR. There are many advantages to this type of system. No post processing required in the field/lab. Data storage (VCR tapes) is cheap, $2 – $3 /tape. Changeout time in field is quick, as long as it takes to swap out a VCR tape. Easily display output on analog monitors. Most television repair stations can service the recorders. Sampling techniques can easily be implemented to save storage with the analog camera surveillance system.
The next type is the digital recording camera surveillance system. Digital recording systems can be broken down into two categories, but they have many things in common. Most digital video security systems are intended for short bursts of important data (i.e. the five minutes while an entry is compromised) or for some few hours (i.e. while the robber is checking out the casino without his mask on). The video data being stored on the hard drives is immediately available to the police or security for downloading to the internet, digital storage cards, DVD’s, etc. When the event is over and the small amount of critical data is archived off of the hard drive, the hard drive is then placed back on line to record new video data. At some point in the future, depending on DHD capacity, it will start to write over the data previously recorded but the small amount of security critical data has been saved. Many resolution levels are available and they go to much higher levels than most analog systems. Various compression schemes are available MPEG 2 , MPEG 4, etc. Tremendous range of storage capacities from 20 gig to terabytes. The variety of hard drive video recorders is growing explosively. Systems generally require less power than analog systems. Moisture generally less of a problem because hard drives are sealed.
The two types of digital recording camera surveillance system are PC based systems and hardware based systems. PC based systems are more flexable and have a wide range of functionality. Limitations are that the system runs on a PC with the Windows Operating System and all of its flaws and limitations. Also, users must have average or better computer skills. The hardware based system is built specifically for camera security systems and is much less likely to experience operating system issues. However it is the more expensive of the two options.