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1 CCTV / Security Camera Buying Guide Shopping for Security camera or CCTV system can be confusing sometimes especially with so many different kind of systems, trying find the right installer and making the decision if it is DIY or professionally installed. These can be tough decisions to make. This is why we are here to help. We start by first providing you with information on shopping for CCTV system. This is an important decision and should be made with all the right facts. Deciding the need for CCTV is the first important step. In today s crime ridden society, Home Video Monitoring system via CCTV is one of the best investment you could make. Having peace of mind that CCTV offers is priceless. The next important thing is choosing the right CCTV system. We know the world of technology is constantly evolving and so does CCTV systems, the cameras and the DVR, the main components are changing. As a consumer it is important to know about these and the latest technology so you can decide which one suits you best. The world has changed for basic analog to the advance Internet ready cameras and DVR known as the IP line. These products offer great high tech features design for monitoring, recording and reviewing activity inside and outside your property. With so many choices of products available, understanding your options can be challenging, whether you re new to CCTV or planning to upgrade an existing system. Here are a list of questions that we thing you should ask when shopping for a CCTV. Page 1 of 8

2 About the Camera Why do I want to install CCTV? As mentioned before investing in CCTV is priceless and knowing your reason for the CCTV system is the first step to determine what kind of system you will need. Knowing why you want the system will help you determine where you will put the system. For example, if it is for Home Monitoring activities around your house for safety, then it s simple that you will need an outdoor system which means you will need cameras suited for outdoor. There are many different kind of outdoor cameras, and cameras that offers higher resolution and ranges which is important to providing greater picture quality. It is also important to consider the environment and surrounding for the purpose of lighting. If there is not enough lighting in the area then investing in a camera with high lighting is important and this is where the specification comes into play, choosing a camera with the LUX rating of 0.0 or up to 0.1 the max will be critical. If the LUX rating is higher, then you will need additional lighting. Another important feature is the Weather rating which will be IP66 or IP65 are great rating. In the climate where you have snow, rain and other bad weather, having Water Resistance and lightning protection is very important, so this is another feature to consider for outdoor system. The camera should also be able to withstand attempts of vandalism especially if it is for outdoor so we would recommend investing in a Vandal proof camera. It is not a must but highly recommended. If the system is for indoor most of these features would not be needed but considering the resolution and lighting in the environment is very critical. Shopping for a CCTV system is personal, meaning what works for someone else may not work for you so this is why it is important to ask yourself: Is my purpose to record access to a building or car park? To monitor movement in particular areas of your property? To record activity round the clock or at specific times, for example when your property is unoccupied? You also need to think about what you want to do with the information once you have it. How long do you want to keep it? How often do you want to review it? With clear objectives, it s easy to determine the criteria such as picture resolution, camera focal length and image storage requirements that will ensure your chosen system is fit for purpose. Page 2 of 8

3 What equipment will I need? Normally, a CCTV system is made up of one or more cameras and either a software- or hardware-based image recording facility. Until recently CCTV cameras operated by transmitting analogue video signals through copper cables to a central location where the video signal was recorded. While analogue cameras still have their place, today s more sophisticated IP cameras produce digital output and use IP networks to relay their images. The number and type of cameras you choose will depend on the subject and the extent of the surveillance area. About the DVR-Recording/Viewing and Monitoring How can I store images? The storing of the image is the recording of the images taken from the cameras, there are different ways to store them. Images can be stored on the camera itself, on a computer or on a digital video recorder (DVR). The output from an IP camera is digital and is recorded without change; the output from an analogue camera is first digitized and then stored. DVRs and computer software offer the ability to record multiple channels with the images from several cameras at the same time, regardless of the camera type. With analogue cameras, the number of channels that can be recorded is limited by the number of physical connections on the DVR, whereas in an IP system it is usually limited by software licensing. The number of camera sources you want to record from, the image quality you require, and the length of time that you want to store those images will all influence which recording device is best for you. How can I monitor images? Monitoring your images is viewing them from either a computer, smart phone or a TV. It is important to consider how you wish to view your images and make the decision as to which way or ways you wish to view your images before getting the system. For example if you wish to have Remote viewing this means you will need a DVR that supports remote viewing and the device will be needed to use to view the image such as a IPad, Smart Phone such as Android or Page 3 of 8

4 Apple Phone. Other questions to consider are: Will you have a central control room with trained operators constantly monitoring screens? Do you want a third-party to monitor your property? Will you want to access your CCTV images remotely while abroad? Do you want to receive or text alerts if suspicious activity is detected by your CCTV system? IP cameras can be connected to the internet to relay images anywhere, and both IP cameras and DVRs have the capability for motion detection. Do I need fixed or moving cameras? The camera lenses can be either fixed or moving lens. The different Camera housings can either contain fixed cameras which is set to a single location, or PTZ (pan/tilt/zoom) cameras that can rotate 360 and provide pre-programmed tours of an area. Motion detectors can be added to a PTZ camera system so that the camera can respond and focus in on suspicious activity. Depending on the rationale for your CCTV system, you might want a mixture of fixed and PTZ cameras to cover different zones and applications. There is also the varifocal lens which allows zooming, this type of camera normally cost more but it is better to invest in compare to the fixed lens. The vary or zoom lens means that you will get more flexibility as to the area that you can zoom in on and see. Camera Specifications/Features What is the best Camera Sensor to use? The sensor in the camera is also an important part of functioning and producing quality picture. How the sensor works in the camera is that the light enters the camera thought the lens to the electronic sensor which then turns the image into an electronic signal. This signal toes to a processor known as a DSP or a chipset. The image DSP or chipset processes the image using different adjustments based on different lighting. There are two types of censor, there is Charge Coupled Device abbreviated as CCD and Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor abbreviated as CMOS. The CMOS requires more chip circuitry to scrub the image to make it picture perfect so to speak while the CCD which are the more expense camera produces image Page 4 of 8

5 quality that is better and require less scrubbing as the image more high tech. Most of the Professional camera uses CCD technology. The size of the CMOS or CCD is also important, the measurement such as 1/3, ¼ seen on most cameras is used to define the size of the image sensor (CMOS/CDD) used in the camera. This is important because it affects how the camera performs and the longevity. The different measurement should be considered when buying camera. The smaller the sensor is the less sensitive to light and is more likely to suffer image deterioration over the years. The ¼ inch sensor measures 7.68mm² (3.2mm by 2.4mm). The 1/3 inch sensors measure 17.28mm² (4.8mm by 3.6mm). So a 1/3" sensor is 225% the size of a 1/4". It is highly recommended to purchase the 1/3 inch sensor. The DSP or Chipset is also important as this processes the image scrubbing and cleaning the image and can play a role in the picture quality. So investing in a camera with Does it matter the resolution I use and what is the resolution? The resolution of the camera is also important because it impacts the type of picture quality. The resolution is measured in TVL or television lines. This is so important to the CCTV system that the prices are 90% based on TVL, for example TVL under 420 can range anywhere from $60 and under but you will be sacrificing the picture quality. TVL for 420 and above will range from $70 and anywhere up to $800 per camera, especially if we are looking at PTZ. The picture quality is worth every penny spent. The TVL lines are the number of horizontal lines a camera can record. The TVL works best with the camera s range capability, so even though you may have a high TVL camera such as 700 if the camera is 60 ft, you are limited to the view within 60ft of the camera. The TVL at day is also different from the TVL at night. Therefore, when shopping be sure to check the TVL for day and night to be sure this means your need. Page 5 of 8

6 What is the different between IP or analogue cameras? The analog camera may be the most economical camera because of the cost and that it offers great camera viewing and is easy to install. It is ideal if you want to monitor one location from a fixed position while an IP camera is more flexible and can enable more sophisticated surveillance, recording and review. IP cameras can deliver high definition or megapixel images, which give greater detail and can cover a greater range. They can also be powered over a network using Power over Ethernet, so do not require a separate power supply. Some IP cameras have audio recording built in which allows recorded messages to be broadcast automatically to warn people that they are being watched. However, this functionality can be integrated into any camera s housing and is not a specific benefit of IP. Both types of camera can also feature infrared technology to capture full-color images during the day and black-and-white images in low light or even complete darkness. Is it possible to integrate my CCTV with my other security systems? Yes, this is not very difficult. Your cameras can be easily integrated to enhance your security. When integrated with an intruder alarm, your CCTV system can be set to record images at a higher resolution when the alarm is set or activated. When integrated with an access control system, CCTV can provide additional visual verification that a person has authorized access. Your specific integration requirements will influence the type of camera and recording equipment you need. Cost of the System How can I afford a CCTV system on a Budget? I would say yes, as mentioned the analog system are very economical. Today with CCTV systems in high demand and suppliers increases the systems have become very affordable. However, the IP systems are the more expensive systems and are worth the investment. To make your budget work for you is to consider the reason for the camera and shop for the most cost Page 6 of 8

7 effective camera that provides great picture quality which means I would recommend the resolution to be minimum 520. Any resolution lower will work but will not be that clear. The price that you are willing to pay should be based on what you want your CCTV system to achieve. IP cameras are more expensive because their image quality is better and they are more flexible, but analogue cameras are often sufficient for the job. If you only need fixed-point monitoring, a low-spec, low-cost analogue system would be the right choice. On the other hand, if you need to monitor a large area, it may be more cost-effective to use one high-resolution PTZ camera in the place of several fixed analogue cameras. 9. Digital Is it necessary to upgrade to a digital system? As time changes you may need to upgrade your system, if you have older cameras and with newer cameras coming out with advance features it may suit your need to upgrade to a digital system. By replacing a VHS video recorder with a DVR, the feed from existing analogue cameras can be digitized and more easily stored. The system can then benefit from features, such as motion detection, which are supported by DVRs. IP cameras can also be introduced to work alongside analogue cameras allowing you to benefit from their technology where appropriate. 10. Accredited-Certification/Credentials What accreditation or references should I look for in a CCTV installer? It is very important to decide if you choose to DIY, meaning you will install the system yourself which is not recommended unless you know how to. This can end up being costly especially if you damage the equipment. Shopping for an installer is also important; looking for credible installer should be the top of your list. This is where we come in. When you shop for our products and purchase our products we can work with you to find an installer in your state. If you are in the state of PA, we can do the installation and for using us you will receive a discount on your products and possible free shipping based on order total. When shopping for installers, Page 7 of 8

8 some research is needed, be sure to read reviews about the installer on site such as Rip-off Report can be a great way to find out what other consumers like you have written about the company. Credible sites such as BBA and the attorney general webpage where contractors are required to register can be a great source to read upon the company that you choose. Also, if they are listed locally you can view the comments and stars that other customer s rate the company. Be careful of company s asking for full money upfront or 75% of the cost. It is recommended to have the job completed first and don t put down more than 50%. Also, don t be afraid to ask the company for credentials such as certificates for insurance and state licenses if required. A reputable company will not have any problem with you asking for their credentials, and should also be able to introduce you to existing customers for reference. Page 8 of 8