How To Install Security Cameras
Do you know how to install security cameras? Find out in this article.
Security cameras systems or commonly known as CCTVs (Closed-circuit Television), are a great way to monitor a particular location through video surveillance. Videos are stored for review and later viewing, but you can also monitor specific areas in real-time. CCTVs have a lot of applications and are not limited to households. Nowadays, just about everywhere you go, there are some forms of video surveillance to keep us safe.
Knowing how and what to install is crucial to setting up the proper video surveillance that we need. With the advancement of video-recording technologies, consumers now have a more comprehensive range of selections to customize their security needs. Here are just some things you need to know before you set up your very own video surveillance.
Use of CCTV
Crime surveillance
The most common application for CCTVs is monitoring crime in a particular location. It’s always the best practice and a good idea to have an extra set of eyes to see things that we can’t watch all the time. You’ll often see this in business establishments where crimes may happen in a blink of an eye. Home application of this kind has become popular to protect our loved ones all the time. You may also use videos taken from this footage in a court of law during investigations.
Community Surveillance
Aside from private establishments, video surveillance monitors crime in public areas. There is the need to store traffic, population, and crimes for public safety. Communities are now applying video surveillance to keep a safe environment for everyone.
Calamity and Disaster Surveillance
Safety teams are now using actual time footage of specific locations to assess situations in case of natural disasters. By analyzing current conditions, they can better plan for a response or even monitor calamities before starting, generally in areas with a higher chance of experiencing natural disasters all year round.
Health and Medical Surveillance
Medical and even private homes have also used CCTVs to monitor individuals who may experience a medical emergency at any given time. It is an excellent tool for people to respond whenever their loved ones need medical assistance. It can significantly help lessen damages to an individual’s health due to late response.
Types of CCTV Systems
Analog
This system utilizes a Bayonet Neill-Concelman (BNC) connectors on coaxial cables to transmit continuous video signals to your storage device. Most footage captured through this system has a lower resolution due to its simplicity. Analog systems tend to cost less than digital video surveillance due to the simplicity of their technology.
Analog systems are also easier to install and have a much wider variety of selections to choose from that will fit your design. However, as it relies heavily on a cable connection, setting up this system is more complicated and requires good planning and cable management. Positioning the cameras can become a challenge, especially if you don’t manage your positioning and cables properly. Footage taken from this system can’t be encrypted; therefore, other people can easily take a peek at them.
Digital
Mainly uses digitized signals to transmit video to your storage device. These systems require more storage space but wouldn’t need video capture cards. They usually are compressed and saved to a computer. They are also relatively easier to install since digital cameras don’t require set-up cables.
Video quality is also much better compared to its analog counterparts. Positioning the cameras is also easier since they rely on LAN networks rather than a physical cable connection. Digital videos also tend to have encryptions on them, further securing your video footage. However, be sure to have a good network setting to utilize digital video surveillance fully. This system also has a higher initial budget since modern digital cameras and procedures are more expensive than analog systems.
Network or IP
Modern-day video surveillance has now utilized networks that can function remotely. These cameras will convert the video signal into IP packets transmitted over the data network or internet to a storage device like servers, NAS, or storing onboard the camera. Advancements in video recording such as IP cameras, such as a higher resolution and zoom-in.
By utilizing a wireless network, the scope and range of IP cameras further surpass conventional CCTV systems. Due to its advancement, network or IP surveillance costs more in initial set-ups. However, prices have declined drastically for IP cameras in recent years, making them more accessible for everyone.
Components of a CCTV
To set up your own CCTV or video surveillance, you must first understand the components that build a CCTV system.
Cameras
Cameras are used to capture video footage saved or transmitted to a storage device. Types, qualities, and functions may differ in different cameras. They may also come in different hardware types based on what they can do. Choosing the right camera for their desired purpose is essential in setting up your CCTV system.
Network Video Recorder and Digital Video Recorder (NVR – DVR)
NVRs or DVRs allow you to record and keep the video on a hard drive, snap images and transmit them to your computer or remote device for living and recorded viewing. IP cameras are commonly paired with NVRs and use LAN networks to communicate and record video feeds. On the other hand, Analog CCTV set-ups require cables to transmit video data using DVRs. These devices are often hooked on multiple channels to accommodate various cameras simultaneously. They can be placed anywhere, such as on shelves or drawers, and even wall mounted.
Cables and Wires
Regardless of your chosen systems, every type of CCTV system will use some form of cables or wires. Analog cameras and systems rely heavily on them as they primarily use the line to transmit video recordings. However, wireless technology has lessened the cables needed to set up modern video surveillance. Digital and IP systems can utilize LAN and wireless networks to transmit and store video footage on your storage device.
Storage
To save all of your video footage caught in your security cameras, you will need some form of storage which usually consists of a hard drive. Depending on how much footage you want to save, the size of your warehouse should be a part of your consideration when installing your video surveillance system. It can be challenging at first, but you know how much footage and what quality you want to save are the factors that come into consideration when choosing the size of your storage device.
Selecting the Right Camera for Your Security Needs
Cameras come in all sorts of types and purposes. Many different kinds of cameras will fit your video surveillance needs no matter what you need. Commercial cameras can now offer a variety of functions and qualities that will help you decide what type of video surveillance you want to set up.
Bullet Cameras
This camera comes in different sizes and is usually wall-mounted. This type of camera usually comes into mind when we think of CCTVs. Their tri-axis mount offers a variety of angles that can be changed even after you mount them.
They are generally visible to the naked eye due to their size and shape, making them a good deterrent for those who wish to attempt a crime. However, they are also susceptible to damage, especially to wildlife, as they are often used as nests, especially when installed outdoors. Due to their elongated design, most manufacturers can fit a variety of functions such as zooming in and night-vision or IR feature.
Dome
With its dome-like shape, this type of camera offers a broader range of surveillance without the bold look of vigilance compared to bullet cameras. Their shape also fits better for indoor video surveillance, making them a popular choice for small establishments or for those looking to work their camera surveillance to their aesthetics like hotels, restaurants, casinos, clinics, etc. Dome cameras are much more durable and less likely to damage vandalism and wildlife. They also usually come with solid and dirt-proof shells, making them a perfect camera to install on quickly dirty spaces.
Wireless
This type of camera can transmit video footage to your CCTV system without cables by utilizing a wireless internet connection. With this feature, wireless cameras are much easier to install and use less wiring than other cameras. You may also access them remotely through your network which is perfect for small rooms or establishments.
Doorbell
Doorbell cameras, as the name suggests, are used together with your doorbell system. It offers video footage placed on your front door or gate to know who is trying to reach you. They usually come in small forms and can be hidden easily. Due to their size, they don’t offer that much quality or range when used. Modern doorbell cameras are accessed through your smartphone so you can check who is at your front door even if you’re not home.
PTZ (Pan Tilt Zoom)
Controlled remotely to move their peripheral vision. You can pan, tilt, or zoom your video surveillance which offers a broader range of vision. And because of their moving parts, they are more susceptible to damage. However, they make it up for their versatility and use for your video surveillance needs.
Considerations When Installing CCTV System
Will it be used indoors or outdoor?
Using your CCTV is a big part of your consideration when choosing the proper CCTV footage. Outdoor video surveillance requires a more durable camera that can withstand environmental factors that may damage them. You may analyze the location first to decide if you need hidden cameras or protection to avoid tampering. Using outdoor cameras indoors is technically possible, but they might become a bit of a challenge to install due to their size.
Where should I install my security cameras?
Front doors, back doors, and first-floor windows are the usual entryways for criminals and are usually the priorities when setting up your security cameras.
You may also set up cameras on paths leading to these entryways. It would be best to place your security cameras for your CCTV system in places hard to reach so they can’t be tampered with. Take into consideration the visibility of your cameras to the naked eyes.
Cable Management
It would help if you also considered the cables and wiring of your CCTV system when setting them up for the first time. Depending on what type of cameras or CCTV system you will be using, the number of cables and wires may vary. You can usually run them through your walls or ceiling, but other types might require the use of conduit-piping for wire protection. You might need the help of professional companies, especially if setting up requires tearing some parts of your home or establishment. It can be your best choice as they already know how to properly install, protect, and set up your CCTV system.
Safety is a priority nowadays, and CCTV systems are certainly an excellent way to feel secure. It might be a bit expensive to start with, but CCTV systems are more cost-effective for your security needs in the long run. Understanding your video surveillance needs can also help you lessen the cost and even remove the need to hire security personnel, which will cost higher than CCTV systems. You can also contact your trusted security system company for your security system needs.