More than $4.4 billion are lost each year due to crime. Much of that money could have been protected or recovered with the presence of a high quality CCTV (closed circuit television) system. The following questions will provide clear direction for choosing the best security camera for your business.
1. Will Your Business Security Camera Be Indoors or Outdoors?
You first need to consider whether your camera will be used indoors or outdoors. Each camera is built with specific modifications to operate effectively in the environment its placed within. Indoor cameras are generally smaller and lighter, while outdoor cameras are built to hold up in bad weather as well as withstand attacks from thieves and intruders. In addition, some outdoor cameras blend in with the surrounding environment to decrease visibility to intruders. For example, you may install an indoor camera if you are monitoring a specific location within your business, such as grocery store keeping watch over their checkout area. Additionally, you might want to install an outdoor camera at your businesses entrances to keep out intruders.
2. Do You Need a Wired or Wireless Security Camera?
Next, you need to determine whether you would best benefit from a wired camera or wireless camera. Here’s a list of some of the pros and cons of each:
Wired Security
- Pros: increased security against hackers and interference.
- Cons: requires more complex setup and additional room for wiring.
Wireless Security
- Pros: cameras can be placed just about anywhere and can easily be relocated
- Cons: products are vulnerable to outside interference.
Contact Herring Technology to talk with an experienced business security professional who will help you determine the best option for your business.
3. Is the Area Well Lit?
How is the lighting within the space you are installing the camera? Is the area well lit or is it dark? If there doesn’t contain adequate lighting, you may need to invest in an infrared camera system. These types of cameras can shoot and record videos in complete darkness. Another option is going with a camera that is capable of capturing video in areas of low light. To determine if a camera is able to shoot and record video in dim lighting, check the “lux” rating. The lower the “lux” rating the better that camera is at picking up low light.
4. What is Your Desired Video Quality?
Additionally, you will need to think about what type of video quality you want. The quality of a video camera can be determined by looking at the TVL number, or TV lines number. For instance, a camera with 400 TVL would have 400 lines of horizontal resolution. The following scale will help you determine camera quality:
- 350 TVL – low resolution
- 400 TVL – mid resolution
- 450 TVL – high resolution
5. Do You Want On-Premise or Remote Viewing Access?
Finally, think about how you want to view your security camera footage. For many, it will be enough to have a DVR or CCTV monitor to survey their property onsite. Others may want to consider a network camera for remote viewing access. These cameras, once properly installed, allow you to log in and view footage via an internet-connected computer or mobile device.
Find the Right CCTV System for You!
Choosing the right security camera can be a challenge. There are many variables that come in to play when deciding which will be the most suitable for your business’s security. Herring Technology offers a free security assessment, where will evaluate the needs of your business and recommend the appropriate security options for you. Contact us today learn more! Download the Business Security and Video Best Practices Ebook
