How to Choose CCTV Systems

Home and business owners who are concerned about safety often opt for CCTV systems as part of an overall security strategy. CCTV systems consist of one or more security cameras linked to a monitoring system. Some may also include a recorder that saves the images to a tape, DVD or other recording device for later playback.

Advances in manufacturing and technology have lowered the prices on good security cameras and security systems, bringing them well within the budgets of most homeowners, but choosing the right CCTV security camera and recorder can be confusing. A step-by-step process can help ensure that you get the right type of CCTV security system for your needs.

Evaluate Your Needs

Before you can start making decisions about wired or wireless CCTV systems, indoor or outdoor security cameras or whether you should choose an IP camera, you need to understand exactly what you intend to accomplish. How many areas do you want to cover? Will you need a separate surveillance camera for each area? Will the cameras be indoors or outside? Do you need low light capability? Do you want to be able to view your security feed from a remote location (an IP security system) or do you simply want to record and review surveillance tapes? Finally, what’s your budget for your security system? The answers to all of those questions will help you make decisions about the security system specs as you start shopping.

Choose the Type of Camera You Need

There are many types and styles of cameras, but your biggest decisions will be whether you want a wired, wireless or IP security camera. They each have advantages and drawbacks.

A wired security camera is less prone to interruptions and distortions in the feed, but you’ll have to run wire from the camera to the monitor or recording equipment. Most wired security cameras are indoor/outdoor and have an infrared filter for night recording.  A wired surveillance camera is harder to install and less flexible than a wireless system.

Wireless security cameras used to have a reputation of being “wonky” – very prone to interference from household devices and interruptions in delivering picture and sound to the recorder. Today, even an inexpensive wireless security camera can deliver crystal clear video and audio. The cost and the ease of setup have made wireless CCTV systems the most popular for DIY security system setup.

An IP security camera connects to your computer’s router like any other computer or networkable device, and allows you to access the camera feed from anywhere that has an internet connection. They can be set up to record directly to your computer, eliminating the need for a DVR or other recording or monitoring device.

Image quality is another important factor in the cost and usefulness of the CCTV camera you choose. Cheaper security cameras use CMOS chips, which produce poor quality video and don’t work well in very bright or very dim light conditions. CCD chips are someone more expensive, but the quality difference makes the price difference worthwhile. In general, the larger the CCD chip, the higher the quality of the image it produces – but even a ¼” CCD chip produces good quality video for most uses.

A color surveillance camera may seem like a good idea, but a black and white security camera will capture better detail in low light conditions, such as night-time monitoring. Some more expensive CCTV camera systems will switch between color mode and infrared black and white mode for night-time monitoring.

Once you’ve determined the basics of your needs, a dealer of CCTV systems can help you make the right decision about the best CCTV system for your use.