Security & Surveillance Solutions

What types of systems exist?
a) CCTV – Closed Circuit Television
b) DVR – Digital Video Recording
c) IP Cams – Internet Protocol Cameras

What are the important parts to a camera based security system?
a) Cameras
b) Recording Device (VCR or DVR)
c) Cabling or wireless solution (keep in mind you’ll still need a power line)
d) Power supply for each camera or one for all cameras

Which is the best for my home or business?
a) Home use – any type will work.
b) Business – single camera only, indoor only, low resolution, need to view via network and Internet - IP Cam
c) Business – Multiple cameras, indoor/outdoor, day/night, high resolution, storage of recordings on VCR - CCTV
d) Business – Multiple cameras, indoor/outdoor, day/night, high resolution, long term storage of many recordings, need to view via network and Internet - DVR.

What kind of camera technology is in use today?
a) CMOS – Complementary Metallic Oxide Semiconductor. Older technology still used in cheap cameras like Web cams and low quality security cameras – sensors tend to ‘white-out’ after prolonged use.
b) CCD – Charged Coupled Device - Same technology found in high quality digital cameras. Work under demanding conditions – high heat and humidity. Don’t lose image quality over time.

How do DVR systems work?
a) Cameras send a signal over a cable or wireless connection to the Digital Video Recorder. The DVR decodes the signal and converts it into a digital format and compresses the video to save on a hard drive. The video can later be reviewed by accessing the stored video files on the DVR.

What kind of DVR systems exist?
a) Stand alone. These systems are a box with a hard drive that you attach the cameras and a monitor to view the video.
b) Computer based. Video is captured by a computer with a special capture card.

What additional benefits do DVRs offer over standard CCTV systems?
a) Much longer video storage abilities. CCTV – about 100 hours per tape. DVR – infinite depending on hard drive capacity
b) Network viewing of real time and recorded video
c) Internet viewing of real time and recorded video - requires DSL Internet minimum for good quality
d) Recorded video can be viewed on any PC – CCTV tapes requires a special VCR
e) Your system can act as an alarm and be triggered by sensors
f) You can receive Email alerts and phone calls when the alarm is triggered
g) Recording can be activity activated so the system doesn’t record when nothing is happening.
h) Viewing areas can be ‘masked’ to only record areas you want to see

How easy is it to install a camera system?
a) Requires some technical ability and knowledge of wiring. Possible for a non-technical person with some support.

What is the maximum distance from the camera to the recording device?
a) Normally, 500ft or less.

Do wireless models exist?
a) IP Cams come in wireless models.
b) Any camera can be made wireless with a wireless conversion kit.