As a business owner or property manager, keeping an eye on your assets could present a bit of a challenge. Installing video security cameras is certainly a major way to tackle this challenge.
Having a surveillance system in place could guarantee peace of mind if well executed. It obviously feels good when you are able to check on your property remotely or pull up footage as evidence in the event of theft or destruction of property.
When buying your video security camera, you should be mindful of the thin line between getting it right and winding up with the wrong product. So, this concise guide will provide you with the relevant information about the important factors and features of a security camera to consider before purchasing.
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Indoor vs. Outdoor Cameras
This should be the first factor to consider. Outdoor cameras are susceptible to damage from inclement weather conditions and physical impact. Indoor cameras are not designed to handle these difficulties and should not be used elsewhere than indoors. This gives credence to why outdoor cameras come in weatherproof casings.
For instance, indoor cameras can be applied indoors, although on special occasions. For instance, an indoor warehouse or large factory floor will benefit more from outdoor cameras than indoor cameras.
Analog vs. Digital
This might be the most important factor to consider. While both analog and digital cameras can serve the purpose of a deterrent, they differ in image quality. Digital video cameras produce better image quality with higher resolution than analog cameras. Analog cameras can only produce a maximum resolution of 640×480 pixels, while digital cameras can produce up to 2160p. In the event of a crime, investigators might struggle with extracting crime details from an analog footage.
Internet protocol (IP) features of digital cameras are also great. This allows you to receive data over a computer network. The images, in this case, are always a high definition. IP cameras also make live monitoring easy, giving remote operators enough information to act on.
Download Now: Free Starter Guide to Comparing Top Security Options For Your Business
Camera Lens
The video quality obtained from your video surveillance camera is dependent on the quality of the camera’s lens. A wrong choice in this regard will definitely limit your camera performance.
When deciding on the right camera lens, the materials used in manufacturing the lenses should be considered as well. Glass and plastic lenses are the two major types in this case. Plastic lenses are not the best to use in warm weather, although they present a cheaper option. On the other hand, glass lenses are generally accepted, but the quality depends on the manufacturer. Therefore, you might need an experienced security professional to help with making the right choice. A low-quality glass lens might just function like a plastic lens.
Another important property of lenses to consider is the “Field of View (FOV).” This is determined by the lens’ focal length. Therefore, keep in mind that a smaller focal length will give you a wider FOV and the much larger one will produce a narrow FOV. The former will be suitable for farther objects while the latter is perfect to capture objects within a short range.
Furthermore, the iris these lenses should be considered as well. There are two types – Auto and Manual Iris. The auto iris is suitable for outdoor surveillance. It automatically adjusts itself to accommodate just enough ambient light in changing lighting conditions. On the other hand, manual iris lenses are mainly used indoors where there is consistent lighting.
License Plate Recognition Software
Now, this is an amazingly innovative tool which captures license plates as the name suggests. Before buying an LPR camera, you might need to make the proper consultations to determine if it’s a feature you will need.
If you are not trying to secure a large area, it’s a feature you can do without, especially if your video security camera will be used at home.
Wired vs. Wireless
Wireless cameras have no need for coaxial cables in transmitting data, although the cables are still needed to power them locally. On the other hand, wired cameras are often cheaper and could produce more stable quality due to the absence of interferences which wireless systems are prone to. If you don’t mind having cables running all over your place, wired cameras could present a better option.
Other factors you should consider are night vision features of the camera, resolution, and coverage. The cost should also be considered.
Ultimately, the security company you decide to purchase your video security camera from will either justify or frustrate your efforts in the long-run. This is an important factor you need to consider as well. The benefits of opting for a reputable company are quite numerous, especially when such company is well experienced in the industry with employees having relevant technical knowledge. With this, you will have competent hands to rely upon in case your security system develops a fault.
Alpha Video Surveillance is a leader in the security industry. Our security solutions are customizable and driven by the latest technology to suit individual needs. Our customer and after sales supports is one of the best you can enjoy in the industry. We have been around for over a decade, so you can be sure we won’t disappear when you need us to handle your security challenges.
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