For any business, big or small, security is an imperative factor. Protecting assets and keeping records of activity should be prioritized by every person running a business. Earlier, hiring guards was the only option available to secure your belongings. However with time, commercial outdoor security cameras have taken over. There is a variety of different types of security cameras to choose from according to your business needs. Confused? Here's a list of things to consider before installing a surveillance system.
Operation
Firstly decide how do you want the camera to operate? Do you want it to work on batteries or are fine with installing full electrical connections to operate the camera? Battery operated Cameras need to be regularly charged while wired security cameras have to be connected for their power adapter to work. Solar Powered Security Systems charge the battery powered cameras creating a renewable power source without having to pay electricity bills. These can be installed in areas with difficult access to utility like farms or warehouses.
Resolution
The main purpose of security cameras is to identify burglars and thieves. To fulfil this, you will need a camera which displays a sharp and clear image of the area it surveilles. Higher the resolution, higher will be the cost. It’s ideal if you look for a camera with at least 720p resolution for it to deliver its purpose.
Frame rate
A surveillance camera stitches still images to create a motion picture. Frame rates decide the speed at which these still images are shown. In easier words how smooth the video will be. If you purchase a camera with low frame rate, it will capture blur or unclear footages. The standard frame rate for any surveillance system is 30fps (framework per second).
Location
Before deploying your camera, you need to consider the place where you desire to install it. Whether outdoor or indoor? Outdoor cameras are built specifically resistant to natural conditions and offer no or less compromise to the video quality. Indoor cameras aren’t weatherproof. Contact with water, dirt or air pressure might result in hazy videos and sometimes even break the camera off.
Lighting
Infrared Lights are electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths which are invisible to the human eye. Night vision cameras are specially built in with IR LEDs that transmit infrared lights. To capture detailed footages in the dark, make sure that the camera you’re choosing has an IR illumination distance that is sufficient for the area it will be capturing. Although many cameras have multiple LED lights, but ones with low quality only brighten objects that are in close proximity.
Audio
Not every camera records audio. It depends on you, whether if you want to purchase one with built in audio recorder. There are cameras that come with microphones and speakers, allowing you to communicate through the camera along with recording it. Considering your business type you can decide which feature to opt for.
Storage
Captured videos are stored in video recorders. While purchasing a Surveillance system you need to consider the amount of storage you will require. That depends on the number of cameras you intend to install and how long you wish to keep the footages. Make sure you arrange backup storage as well, in case footages are over written whether accidently or fraudulently.
With power comes great responsibility. Everything has to be considered before opting for a surveillance system. It’s better to keep an eye over your business to minimize losses and theft. Better safe than sorry!
