A strong security camera system is an important aspect of running a highly successful business. Whether it’s a small business or a major corporation, every business owner wants to protect their employees and assets, as well as avoid potential liabilities. Fortunately for business owners, security technology has advanced to the point where security cameras now come with high-definition (HD) resolution, audio capabilities, motion sensors, remote viewing, mobile notifications, and even features for immediately contacting the local police when there’s an incident.
Of course, knowing that a business needs a security camera system is one thing. Knowing which camera system is right for the business is quite another. While every business benefits from working with a security consultant to assess security needs, there are some general rules of thumb to consider when looking to invest in a good camera system.
The Basics of Security Camera Systems
There are several things to take into account when choosing a good security camera system for a business. Among the “Top 5” qualities to look for in a high quality security camera system include:
- High resolution and frame rate
- High-definition compression
- Low-light infrared (IR) capabilities
- Excellent storage capacity, including cloud storage
- Capacity to withstand both outdoor and indoor conditions
When it comes to getting a clear understanding of what’s happening around the premises, there is no room for ambiguity. This is especially true during investigations of incidents that can be a major liability for a company and for identifying criminal activity that’s harming the business. In both cases, being able to capture every important detail is crucial to getting the facts straight. High-resolution cameras with a high frame rate is ideal for ensuring faces, behaviors, and actions are captured accurately, and that location details and place names are captured clearly. Another thing that can help on this front is a camera system with audio capabilities to capture every dialogue and other sounds that can help capture a more accurate account of events.
In addition to high picture quality, another thing to consider in a top-performing camera system is low-infrared (IR) capabilities to capture clear footage late at night and in other dark conditions. The more IR a camera system has, the sharper and clearer the images will be. Of course, to be able to store high-quality video will also require high storage capacity. Luckily for business owners, there are typically two options available for storing high-definition camera footage: physical storage and cloud storage. Cloud storage in particular has some unique advantages like holding more footage, remote access, and functioning as a backup to physical storage, especially in the event that hardware gets damaged. One of the drawbacks to cloud storage, however, is that it can eat up a lot of bandwidth if uploads aren’t scheduled.
Once high-quality footage and storage has been accounted for, the last major thing to look into that can also impact footage quality is a camera system’s capacity to withstand indoor and outdoor conditions. This is especially important with outdoor security as severe weather conditions can significantly impact image quality, especially with the presence of water and dirt. Weatherproof outdoor camera systems are the best safeguard against this.
Choosing Between Analogue and IP Cameras
Now that we know what qualities make for a highly efficient security camera system, the next thing to look at is the choice of cameras. In today’s highly technologically-advance world, there are typically two types of cameras used in security systems: analogue and internet protocol (IP) cameras. Between the two, there is no contest as to which is the highest performing camera system, and that is an IP camera system.
Compared to the grainier footage of analogue cameras, IP cameras record digital footage with resolutions ranging from 1 to 5 megapixels and produce higher quality images. IP cameras also do not record on local recording devices the way analogue cameras do since IP cameras connect to a network similar to computers and mobile devices. As such, they require way less wiring than analogue cameras. Other cool features that come with IP cameras include the ability to check video analytics and connect to network video recorders due to compatible technologies.
Of course, it’s worth mentioning that the high benefits of an IP camera system also means that it’s more expensive than an analogue camera system. While it’s always nice to have IP cameras for maximum protection, it’s also important for businesses to work within their budgets. Even if a business starts off with an analogue camera system, most of the business’s security needs will still be met. Business owners will also always have the option to upgrade to an IP camera system once it’s financially feasible or when they feel it will actually benefit their business.
Choosing Between Digital Video Recorders and Network Video Recorders
Related to analogue and IP camera systems is digital video recorders (DVRs) and network video recorders (NVRs). The core difference between the two recording systems is in the way video data is processed. In the case of DVRs, video data is processed directly at the recorder. NVRs, by contrast, process video data at the camera, encodes it, then streams it to the network where it is then stored. Another way that NVRs stand out from DVRs is that they enable remote viewing.
Analogue camera systems are always paired of with DVRs as they require a lot of wiring and can’t process video data on their own. As such, they are not compatible with NVRs, which are the domain of IP camera systems. Given the streaming capabilities of IP cameras and NVRs, in contrast with DVRs, NVR systems can be both wired or wireless.
Sentry Surveillance Inc provides custom-design security camera systems to a wide variety of clients in commercial industries. Sentry Surveillance Inc services restaurants, schools, daycares, healthcare facilities, industrial manufacturers, logistics and trucking, and many more. To learn more about how Sentry Surveillance Inc can help meet your business security needs, contact us today for a consultation.
