| Today, businesses are increasingly rely on video | | | | automatically illuminated and the camera records in |
| surveillance systems. But how do you choose the best | | | | black and white mode, offering camera views in |
| CCTV system, camera, or DVR? Read on to learn | | | | complete darkness. |
| the steps to take in choosing the right video | | | | PTZ Camera: A pan-tilt-zoom camera gives the |
| surveillance system for your needs. | | | | operator the ability to view and zoom in all directions. |
| CCTV Objectives | | | | The CCTV operator can set the camera to |
| The first step in designing a CCTV system is to | | | | automatically rotate to different fields of vision. Plus, a |
| determine the following: | | | | PTZ camera can include optional applications that |
| * How many cameras are required? | | | | dynamically track objects in defined areas. |
| * What are the key fields of view? | | | | Digital Video Recorder |
| * What are your recording requirements? | | | | DVRs are integral to the success of any CCTV |
| * What are the lighting conditions at each camera | | | | project. With higher video resolution, data compression, |
| location? | | | | and faster recording speeds, DVRs are better than |
| * Where do you need live video monitoring? | | | | every. Professional DVRs allow for network or |
| * How long do you need to keep the video files? | | | | remote monitoring of CCTV video. With video |
| Security Camera | | | | distribution across LANs, WANs, and the Internet, the |
| The types of security camera you choose depend | | | | DVR is also used for business systems monitoring. |
| upon whether they'll be used indoors or outdoors, | | | | Choosing the correct DVR means answering the |
| during the day and/or night, and where they will be | | | | following questions: |
| mounted. | | | | * How many cameras do you have? |
| Indoor Dome Camera: In nine out of ten instances, and | | | | * What recording speed do you require? |
| indoor dome camera is used for general indoor | | | | * How long do you need to keep the recordings? |
| applications. It's typically mounted on the ceiling, and can | | | | * Where will the DVR system be located? |
| be configured for standard color, day/night, or infrared. | | | | * Do you have remote monitoring requirements? |
| Box Camera: Box cameras are usually sold | | | | The most important aspect of a CCTV system layout |
| independent of lenses, which are mounted to provide | | | | is the location of the DVR. It is the lifeline of the CCTV |
| flexibility for different fields of vision. Box cameras can | | | | system, so must be kept in a secure location, |
| be mounted alone or in an enclosure. | | | | preferably in a lockbox. |
| Outdoor Dome Camera: Common for locations that | | | | Leading Brands |
| have entry and exit points with limited night lighting, | | | | Nuvico and GeoVision are leading brands for cameras |
| outdoor dome cameras typically have hard shell | | | | and DVRs. With a Nuvico camera, you have many |
| vandal-proof casings and a variety of lens options. | | | | choices, and both Nuvico and GeoVision offer superior |
| Day/Night Camera: For low light conditions, the day | | | | DVRs. Complete CCTV systems are also available |
| night camera is the best choice. During the day, the | | | | with four cameras, eight cameras, or 16 cameras, |
| camera records in standard color, then switches to a | | | | depending on your needs. These systems often |
| low-lux black and white mode at night. | | | | feature a Pentium-based Dell computer, a GeoVision |
| Infrared Camera: When there is no available light, an | | | | DVR, and Samsung CCTV cameras. |
| infrared camera is the way to go. Infrared LEDs are | | | | |