Every week we receive calls from people who have tried to invent the camera system or security system of the hour. Usually the call comes in after they have experienced a break-in or two and the inconvenience or loss drives them to seek professional help. At first there is a little embarrassment as they describe how they ended up in the circumstance that they are in and often after they have spent a considerable amount of money or time trying to install what it is that they have purchased only to discover that it was in the wrong direction.
From gas station camera systems, retail camera systems, office environment or large parking facilities the issues are very typical and usually the decision of product and installation was made without consultation of a professional. So here are a few tips that you need to consider when you are implementing a CCTV camera system.
First, what do you want to record and view? If what you are monitoring is a great distance from a structure, you will need to have a camera and lens that will reach the distance that you are trying to capture. Different types of activity will also require you to change some settings if you are trying to capture the actual event as it happens. If there are varying moisture issues such as in a car wash, you will need to make sure that the lens will cut through the fog of the moisture caused by the water spray.
What are the light conditions? Different lighting will direct you towards the correct camera and lens combination. Choosing a camera that works only in daylight will only work 12 hours a day max, it'll save you money but keep in mind that it will only work for half the day. If you are watching an inside classroom for example, you want to have a day/night camera because if someone turns off the light, you still are capturing the images of what is happening even in the dark. Good cameras cost a little more, but if you want to see it, you have to put the right camera in.
Does the lighting change? If you place a camera by an overhead door, it might be dark outside one day and the next is full sun. A great camera in this case is what is known as a wide-dynamic. Like most things of quality, they cost more but if you want to see who just walked through the door from the outside to the inside, get a wide-dynamic camera.
Is the camera outside or inside? I might add that there is a great difference between water resistance and water proof. Cameras that are outside need to be waterproof. If they are not, they usually work until you get a good rain system that gives enough water penetration that it invades the housing causing failure.
We have tried to give some basic examples here but if you would like some additional information view our web site information on camera systems. As you can see, there are many reasons why the wrong cameras, installed in the wrong places cause a false sence of satisfaction in a camera system. Properly designed and installed should give you the right image when you need it in the event of a break-in or theft event.
