Surveillance security cameras – how to make the right choice and ensure safety

Individual or professional, the surveillance security system is now within your reach: controlled budget, professional installation , maintenance and service. Here is a simple guide for understanding how security cameras provide safe and effective protection for your family and business.

 

How to choose your surveillance camera?

When selecting your surveillance security cameras, there are many choices to consider. It is essential to precisely define your needs and options: any constraints inherent to the location where you plan to install it and the specificities of the area you wish to protect. You will also have to define the price you wish to allocate to the acquisition of your security device. We offer security systems for all budgets and at very competitive prices.

First, determine how many cameras you will need to cover the entire area to be monitored and whether you will need to install them indoors or outdoors. Will you need to be able to record at night? If so, be sure to check the IR (infrared) distance of your future device.

Also consider the image quality and viewing angle you need. Do you need to monitor a large area or a specific location (a front door for example)? Just wish you could spot an intrusion? Or do you need to be able to recognize a face or read a license plate? How many yards? For example, a resolution of 2 megapixels allows you to identify an individual from 7 yards away. If you opt for an 8 megapixel resolution, you can identify a person from around 15 yards away. Generally speaking, IP cameras offer better image quality than analog cameras.

If you want to view your cameras remotely via a smartphone or computer, you will need to connect your surveillance system to your internet box or 4G router.

 

How do surveillance cameras work?

A surveillance camera makes it possible to visualize a place and the events that take place there, in real time or delayed. Depending on the choice of model and its characteristics, you may be alerted by a notification at the slightest suspicious movement thanks to new camera technology with artificial intelligence. Security camera can also be used in addition to an intruder alarm system.

Whatever the device chosen, to operate a surveillance system implies: a device ensuring the recording and a storage system, allowing access to the recorded data and viewing them.

Surveillance cameras are installed at strategic locations to allow a business or homeowner to monitor their activities. Images captured by the camera can be viewed on a monitor or TV, or recorded on a DVR (digital video recorder).

Most surveillance cameras today are network cameras, meaning they can be connected to a computer network and viewed from anywhere with an internet connection. There are two main types of network cameras: wired cameras and wireless cameras. Wired surveillance cameras are connected to the network using an Ethernet cable, while wireless cameras connect via Wi-Fi.

Both types of cameras have their own advantages and disadvantages. Wired cameras are generally more reliable than wireless cameras because they have a direct connection to the network and are not subject to interference from other devices. However, they can be more difficult to install due to the need to run cables. Wireless cameras are generally easier to install because they don’t require any wiring. However, they can be less reliable than wired cameras as they are subject to interference from other devices.

As mentioned above, you must take into account several criteria in order to correctly and effectively select your product. Is your security camera intended for:

Inside or outside?

To remain operational at night or only during the day?

To monitor one place, several places?

To be connected to the mains, or to be autonomous on battery?

To be connected to the wired or WIFI network?

At what level of quality of vision? (a monitoring field, viewing angle displayed, remote control, image resolution)

To save ? On what medium? What quality of image?

The IP camera uses the digital signal. So it’s a camera connected to the Internet. It records and broadcasts the images, sometimes the sound. You can reach them either from your mobile phone or from a computer. You can also save them, take a screenshot and share them, for example with the authorities.

An integral part of a modern smart home, the IP camera system is easy to install, easy to control, rich in features, particularly manageable and flexible at large areas.

Also connected, the Wifi camera is the wireless version of the IP camera: it accesses the Internet network via Wifi. Perfect for small areas, you just need to power the camera.

It is resistant to splashes of water, dust and temperature variations. Some offer night vision or automatic human recognition. Outdoor surveillance cameras can be infrared to capture night images.

The sensor is equipped with an infrared detection system: you have clear images even at night. The infrared camera maintains video surveillance automatically when night falls, indoors and outdoors. The scene, although viewed in black and white, can display very sharp images.

 

How to install a security camera? Is it difficult?

Frankly, yes, the installation of a security camera a rather complicated process and it is better to call us and our professional team will take care of the whole installation and setup process, do not hesitate to contact our technical assistance professionals and ask any questions any time.

 

Where should the surveillance camera be placed?

Your video surveillance cameras must be directed towards the place, object or building you want to monitor. If you have several cameras, also film the surrounding areas and in particular the access pathways to these places or possessions.

Be sure to film video within the limits of your property and not to point your camera towards the public thoroughfare (a road or the street if you are in Philadelphia, PA). If you want to equip places open to the public or employees, check the regulations before placing your cameras.

When determining the location of your camera, you will also need to take into account its technical characteristics: type of power supply, viewing angle, waterproofing, etc.

 

Can a surveillance camera be hacked and neutralized easily?

Anything can be hacked nowadays, but all our systems have the latest generation of security for optimal protection and an average and even advanced intruder is not able to break into our systems, no way. To access the visualization of your cameras via the smartphone app, it is necessary to enter the credentials you will be provided.

 

What resolution is your surveillance camera?

The quality of the images taken by your security camera depends on its resolution. Depending on the type of camera: analog or IP, the resolution can be totally different. The latter is expressed in megapixels.

The higher the number of pixels, the better the image quality.

If you want to be able to perceive details, it is better to opt for an IP camera. This type of camera is more efficient and offers better image quality. From 2 megapixels, you can begin to perceive small objects. Beyond that, you will get high fidelity video images.

Please note that if you use a recorder, the quality of the resulting images will also depend on the capabilities of the latter – processor power, RAM and storage capacity.

 

Do you need the Internet to use a surveillance camera?

It is technically possible to install a surveillance camera in an area not covered by the internet network.

Note, however, that your security camera images cannot be accessed remotely and you will not be able to receive alerts in the event of suspicious movement.

 

How do I know if my surveillance camera is working?

Consult the instructions for your camera and our specialists to find out how to ensure that your surveillance system is working properly, depending on the brand and type of device you have.

You can also test your camera at all times by checking the correct reception of your security camera images.

 

How are surveillance cameras powered?

  1. The most IP cameras are powered via an Ethernet cable (RJ45) using POE (Power over Ethernet) technology.
  2. Analog cameras are powered by a coaxial cable that provides both the transmission of images and the power supply of the device.
  3. Wifi cameras must be electrically powered and must therefore be connected to a high voltage power outlet.
  4. Finally, there are cameras that are battery operated.

 

 Is the angle of vision essential?

Yes, because the extent of the surface that can be filmed by your camera depends on the viewing angle.

Also note that the larger the field of view, the smaller the observed object, and vice versa.

Surveillance cameras generally have a 90° viewing angle. From 100° we speak of a wide-angle camera. With some more advanced cameras (with varifocal or auto-zoom lens) it is possible to adjust the shot according to your needs.

 

What is motion detection used for?

With the motion detection function, your camera does not record continuously! It records only when an intrusion, displacement or movement is detected. You will then receive an alert on your mobile, accompanied by an image of when the camera was triggered.

This function not only alerts you to any suspicious movement, but also saves memory storage space.

 

Do surveillance cameras detect human individuals?

Yes, surveillance cameras can detect individuals. However, the level of detection depends on the quality of the camera. Low quality cameras may not be able to capture clear images of individuals, while high quality cameras may provide clear and detailed images.

 

What is the best storage solution?

The internal storage (usually MicroSD) allows fast or real-time data processing.

External storage (NVR or XVR recorder) allows the recording of larger amounts of data. This storage system allows multiple cameras to be connected to a single device. This solution is often preferred for enterprise or a big enough household monitoring.

Backing up to a remote server, a.k.a. Cloud Storage, is simple and economical, but can only work with a sufficient internet connection and on certain camera models.

 

Will I be able to access live images on my smartphone or tablet?

Yes, for this option your camera must be able to be connected to the wifi internet network or to a wired network.

Also favor internal or cloud storage. With external storage, data transfer times are extended.

 

What are the benefits of CCTV ?

CCTV cameras have a number of advantages that make them a valuable addition to any security system, whether it is a home or business system. One of the main advantages of CCTV is that it acts as a deterrent to crime. If potential criminals know their activities are being monitored, they are less likely to attempt a break-in or vandalism. If a crime is committed, video footage can be used as evidence to help identify and apprehend the perpetrator.

Video footage can also be used to investigate accidents and other incidents. Another benefit of security cameras is that it can help improve the safety of employees, customers and others on the premises. For example, in the event of an accident or incident, camera footage can be reviewed to determine what happened and how it could have been avoided. CCTV can also be used for marketing purposes, such as analyzing customer behavior or tracking sales data.

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