When thinking about designing and purchasing a security camera surveillance system, you’ll have to take many things into consideration. Here are five common pitfalls for the beginner that you should avoid.
Pitfall #1: Coverage
Even the best quality cameras and the latest in IP surveillance system technology will be useless if you don’t have enough coverage in your security zones. This common mistake has cost many business owners big time when they found that they had video feed recordings of criminal activity, but insufficient coverage to accurately identify and prosecute the perpetrator. When designing your video camera placement, identify potentially high-risk areas, such as safes, cash registers, or merchandise storage, and plot out camera locations that will enable your video feed to capture both the crime and perpetrator. Try having your security team or staff run through criminal scenarios to check your camera placement for sufficient coverage and to locate any potentially critical blind spots.
Tip: Place cameras at all entry and exit points, including parking areas, as well as necessary pass-through points such as halls, elevators, or stairways.
Pitfall #2: DVR Inputs
Another mistake that newbie’s make when it comes to DVR surveillance systems is installing a system with exactly as many cameras as inputs. It’s pretty typical to discover later that more cameras are needed for sufficient coverage in the security zones, or to expand the system at a later date. DVR input systems that allow expansion can be prohibitively expensive, so your safest and most cost effective bet is to simply specify a DVR input system with twice the number of camera input that you think you need now.
Pitfall #3: Camera Type
While some of the smaller surveillance installations may not require more than one type of camera, don’t simply assume that to be the case in the installation of your surveillance system. Different security zones and conditions can call for different camera types, casing styles and technological capabilities. Highly lit areas, for example, do best with color-enabled cameras, while low-lit or night security zones call for black and white or infrared cameras. Depending on your situation, your security plan may call for hidden cameras, or cameras placed in prominently visible locations, or both. Some coverage areas may be well suited for fixed cameras, while panning or remotely controlled cameras may be the best choice for others. The best security surveillance designs take advantage of the wide range of specific camera and casing types, styles, and capabilities, mixing and matching to deliver the best image quality and most comprehensive video feed possible.
Pitfall #4: Storage
If you overrun your system storage capability, your video feed will start recording over your oldest security coverage, so it’s vital to match your storage capacity with your saved coverage needs. Keep a separate cold storage area for older coverage that you wish to keep in your long-term security records, and design your short-term storage to handle whatever day, week, or month intervals your security plan calls for.
Pitfall #5: Cable Wiring
If you have a restricted budget for your security cameras surveillance system, there are ways to save money and still get adequate security coverage. Making careful choices on camera style and cutting out unnecessary technological extras, such as remote camera control, are okay, but cutting back on your cable wiring will get you nothing but poor quality images and can potentially damage your cameras.
Tips For Designing Your Best Security Camera Surveillance System
Posted on