What you need to Know before choosing CCTV camera for Home and Offices

To get the most out of your CCTV camera, you need to choose the best one for your business and its security needs. Having the right kind of equipment is one of the determining factors of the surveillance system being effective.

For instance, there is no point placing a regular CCTV camera (with no infrared/night vision) in a dark area. The system simply won’t be able to capture the footage and it would be just as good as not having a CCTV camera in the first place.

Here are a few questions to help you make a more informed decision when choosing the best CCTV camera for your business:

• Hidden or visible CCTV camera?

The cameras visibility, whether it is a visible or hidden deterrent, will play a huge part in determining the type of CCTV you choose.

Hidden CCTV cameras are, as the name suggests, hidden from plain view usually using an obstruction to hide it, whereas visible CCTV cameras are obvious and placed in a way to make their presence known.

Regardless of the type of camera you choose, it is mandatory to put up a sign informing the individuals in the area that they are under surveillance.

• Indoor or outdoor CCTV Camera?

CCTV cameras come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and varying features and functions. Some are best suited for indoor use while others are made specifically for outdoor use.

Indoor cameras are usually smaller, lightweight, and less intrusive compared to their bulkier counterparts. CCTV cameras placed outside also have resistance against extreme weather conditions such as heat, rain, and snow, and are made to be tamper-proof.

• How big is your business?

The size of your business and the area that needs to be monitored will play a pivotal role in deciding on the best CCTV camera.

A smaller area might work with a static, fixed system, whereas a larger area might need additional features such as zooming capabilities.

For larger areas such as huge business parking lots, the best option is to opt for a PTZ camera that allows you to adjust the lens and its angle according to your requirements.

These systems allow you to cover a large area using just one camera, reducing the costs of having multiple static cameras installed, along with providing great quality footage.

• CCTV Camera quality and resolution?

In simple terms, camera resolution is the amount of information the image or video can store. As is obvious, the higher the resolution, the clearer the picture.

CCTV cameras come in a range of resolutions and choosing the right one for your business depends completely on what you need the surveillance system for.

A higher resolution camera would offer better quality footage making identification easier. Therefore, if your purpose is to monitor potential burglaries or shoplifting incidents, it would make sense to go for high-quality footage so that it’s easier to focus on the details.

• Size of the CCTV system?

CCTV cameras need to be flexible and scalable if you wish to expand the network by adding more systems to it.

Naturally, growth in business would mean expansion, and would eventually lead to a bigger area needing to be monitored.

If you are unsure about how much your business would grow in the future and how many more CCTV cameras you would require, having a flexible and scalable CCTV system is the way to go.

Traditional CCTV systems are generally hardwired, making it difficult to scale. Therefore, if you’re looking for flexibility and scalability, you should opt for IP surveillance systems that work wirelessly, making it possible to scale the system according to your requirements.

If you are unsure about choosing the best CCTV camera for your business, you can contact us right away and talk to our security experts for professional advice.