Steps
1.
Understand the variety of security camera types
available:
Infrared (IR)
security cameras.
Dome cameras
Pro box
cameras
Pan tilt zoom
cameras
Hidden
cameras.
2. Consider the advantages of using an infrared (IR)
security camera. This is a popular type of camera for both business and home.
Infrared
Cameras produce high resolution color video during the day. In low lux (light)
or no light conditions they are the preferred camera type.
They are able to “illuminate the area” by
automatically switching from color to black and white. The infrared illumination turn on and allow you to see much cleared that the human eye in
both low light and no light.
Whether being
used indoor or outdoor, they provide a huge advantage in low light or no light
situations.
They can be
weatherproofed and can withstand hot and cold temperatures without any
additional camera housing needed.
Indoor
infrared cameras offer a clear video image in the light and in the dark.
3 Consider the advantages of a dome cameras.
The different styles of domes include infrared domes, indoor domes, outdoor
domes, vandal proof domes, and pan tilt zoom controllable domes. Classic
“smoked” dome cameras offer an additional degree of surveillance as friends,
customers, employees, and burglars have a difficult time seeing where the lens
is actually pointing. The smoked cover does not affect picture quality.
Expect a clear
color high resolution picture with the dome camera.Most pan tilt zoom cameras
are in a dome type housing as well. Professional “box type” cameras are used
both indoor and outdoor with a camera housing.
4. Consider the
advantages of a pro box camera. These cameras are known for their high video
quality. Pro box cameras are often found in banks, supermarkets, convenience
stores, etc.
Lenses can be
changed on the pro box camera based on the viewing angle and zoom that is
required.
Some Pro Box
Cameras are called day / night cameras as they can switch from color during the
day to black and white in the evening or in low lux (light conditions).
The lower the
lux, the better the camera can see in complete darkness.
Infrared cameras
are considered night vision cameras and have a 0 Lux rating. You might prefer a
box camera if you do not need or want infrared and are more concerned with
quality daytime video.
5. Consider the benefits of a pan tilt zoom
camera. These are cameras that can be controlled through the DVR, remote
viewing software, and/or a joystick. They can go up, down, left, and right.
They also have zoom capability.
For example,
you can capture a license plate or zoom in on a face from far away.
You can also
program them to do preset tours where you can have them monitor certain areas
while you are away.
Airports,
casinos, large department stores such as Target or Walmart are examples of places
that use PTZ (Pan Tilt Zoom Cameras).
Pan tilt zoom
cameras are expensive, starting at $500 and up. The question is, “do you need a
pan tilt zoom camera”, or can you use fixed cameras to get the desired
solution?
Pan tilt zoom
controllable cameras require one additional cable for operation. A CAT5 cable
is needed in addition to the power/video RG-59 Siamese coax cable in order to
control it live and over the internet. Simply run a CAT5 cable next to the
RG-59 to control your pan tilt zoom camera.
6. Consider the benefits of hidden cameras.
These offer perhaps the highest degree of surveillance. If you do not want
someone to know that there is a camera, use a hidden camera. Fake smoke
detectors, motion detectors, clocks, sprinklers, EXIT signs are examples of the
type of hidden cameras that are used.
The main
disadvantage is that hidden cameras do not have infrared capabilities which
limit their performance in low light.
In addition, many hidden cameras are not
weatherproof, so they take are not as useful as infrared bullet and dome
cameras when being used outdoors.
Pharmacies,
hallways of hotels, assisted living facilities, and homes are examples of some
of the applications in which hidden cameras are used.
7. Decide whether you want wired or wireless
cameras. Wired cameras offer a larger selection of cameras and more
importantly, much better video quality than wireless cameras. Wireless cameras
can somewhat be misleading as they need to be powered at the camera location.
In addition, they require a line of sight with no obstacles, which often poses
an issue.
Reliability
and video quality are the main reasons that you should use a wired camera.
Wired cameras are powered back at the DVR location and only a single cable
(RG-59 Siamese coax power/video in one) needs to be run from the DVR to each
individual camera. You can run cameras up to 800 feet away with this particular
cable. If going over 800 feet you will need to use CAT5 cable with video baluns
and/or amplifier.
Expect a much
longer lifespan and much higher quality with wired cameras.
Obstacles are
not an issue with wired cameras. With that in mind, occasionally you may have a
location of two that absolutely need it. In that case, you can plug the
transmitter to the back of the DVR.
