If you’re looking for a CCTV package for your home or small business, you’ve come to the right place. CCTV cameras provide safety and peace of mind. When burglars or miscreants target homes or businesses, CCTV video footage can instantly assist in identifying the crime and criminals. Surveillance studies conducted in cities, particularly in crime-prone areas, indicate that installing CCTV cameras acts as a crime deterrent, and media reports indicate a significant decrease in the number of crime cases reported in areas where CCTV cameras are operational.
Once you’ve decided to buy and install CCTV cameras, the next step is to look for the best fit. How do you choose what is best for you when there are so many options? One deciding factor is price. Many websites now offer new low-cost CCTV camera packages starting at USD $599/Ksh 69000. Purchasing a CCTV package does not have to be an expensive ordeal, with price points to suit every budget. A first-time buyer will be confronted with a plethora of options: What is the best camera resolution or viewing resolution? What are the best frame rates for watching movies? Do I require night vision? What amount of video recording and storage capacity will I require?
In this article, we will define these terms for you and assist you in determining the best CCTV package for your needs:
- Resolution of CCTV cameras
Most tech-savvy users own phone cameras and video camcorders and can converse expertly about megapixels and camera resolutions. When looking into CCTV camera packages, you may come across the terms TVL or TV lines. What exactly are these? Most CCTV cameras, on the other hand, use an analog camera or an analog television system. As a result, instead of pixels, we refer to TV lines. We understand that the higher the pixel count, the higher the image quality. Similarly, the more TV lines you have (subject to lens size, light, and so on), the better the picture quality on your CCTV camera. Camera resolutions for most home and business security applications can range from 420 to 700 TV lines. In fact, 700 TV lines is the most you’ll find. When you enter the digital CCTV field, you may come across more expensive options with much higher resolution cameras.
- Resolution for Internet viewing
CIF (Common Intermediate Format) is used as a measurement unit for internet viewing resolution. It specifies a video sequence with a resolution of 352 X 288 that can be viewed in PAL or NTSC formats. Confused? Let’s try it again. Your camera captures images at a rate known as frames per second. The CIF resolution refers to how this image or sequence of images is recorded by your DVR. Storage was expensive in the early days of the hard drive or hard disk industry. Naturally, people preferred to make a compromise and capture low-resolution images at the expense of 4 CIF and the maximum frame rate. With video storage becoming more affordable, you can now capture images on 4 CIF with maximum detail. As the name implies, 4CIF provides nearly four times the image size and is especially useful for facial recognition and image clarity in places such as front desks, doorways, bank operations, and so on. In other cases, where you prefer fluid action and no lapse in movement capture, you can use CIF while recording.
- The frame rate of internet viewing
In terms of captured video footage and its quality, we discussed frame rate (frames per second). No matter what type of video capture device you use, the concept remains the same. The device actually captures snapshots and replays them in rapid succession, creating the illusion of a fluid movement or action. In terms of CCTV camera packages, anything above 30 fps would provide smooth footage with no jerks. Many places now offer fantastic deals on 120 fps CCTV camera packages, making it as’real time’ as it gets.
- CCTV cameras that work in all weather conditions
You should think about camera placement when shopping for a CCTV package. You can choose from a wide range of waterproof cameras depending on whether you want cameras mounted outdoors or indoors. Waterproof cameras are more resistant to damage caused by rain, snow, and humidity. Some weatherproof cameras may include a sealed glass enclosure to protect them from the elements. Another benefit of sealed weatherproof cameras is that they are protected from dirt or dust, floating debris, and humidity, even in enclosed spaces like large warehouses, storage facilities, and inside factories, auto repair shops, and so on.
- Recording during the day and at night
If you are thinking about investing in CCTV cameras for your home or business, you should consider cameras with night vision and 24-hour day and night recording. Break-ins, thefts, and vandalism occur frequently at night, and poor visibility is the most common reason criminals escape. Despite their dark surroundings, night vision and infrared cameras capture high-quality images. They improve the definition of objects, people, and animals, making it easier to recognize and identify them. The efficiency of night vision CCTV cameras may be determined by the area of focus, angle of installation, lens size, and pan tilt zoom (PTZ) features. Infrared camera installation may also necessitate setting up at night with infrared lighting or simulating nighttime conditions. If you want to record 24 hours a day, you should look for DVRs with plenty of storage and back up regularly.
Viewing via the internet
Many security and surveillance firms provide client-focused features that go beyond installation and maintenance. One such feature is registering a domain name with your security company and having them set up a personalized website that allows you to view your property from anywhere at any time using a PC, tablet, or web-enabled cell phone. Simply type in your specific URL, and you will be instantly and in real time connected to your CCTV protected property, home, or business. This is especially useful if you want to keep an eye on your business while you’re away or if you want to keep an eye on your children, pets, or even the elderly while you’re at work.
- Mobile phone tracking
With smart phones stepping up to meet the challenge of the personal computer, it is not surprising that security companies now offer wireless tracking via web-enabled smart phones. Creating a domain name with a specific URL allows you to customize your smart phone’s security viewing system. You do not need to install any additional apps or software for this purpose. These features may be offered at a low cost by the security system companies selling you these CCTV packages.
- Video encoding
Compressing large amounts of video data into a format that can be easily stored or transmitted is an important aspect of CCTV installation. Viewing compressed data necessitates a reversal of the process. By standardizing this process, various devices can communicate with one another more efficiently. The gold standard in the CCTV industry is H.264 compression, which is used by various HD and Blu-Ray disc players, streaming video formats, and other Internet applications. CCTV cameras that use H.264 video compression ensure the highest quality video footage transmission.
- Message or email alert systems, motion detection
CCTV cameras can capture images as they happen, and an additional feature called motion detection can be added or purchased in conjunction with your CCTV cameras. Only movement in front of the camera prompts image capture and recording in the latter case. If you prefer to use less disk space for recording, motion detection comes in handy. Sudden movements may be recorded in a designated quiet area, making it simple to store minimal data and review it later. Many motion detector cameras come pre-configured with an alarm or sound system that is activated by movement. Some surveillance companies may also offer an email alert system to notify you of any intrusion or movement in a monitored area.
ten. recording and archiving
Any CCTV package is incomplete without a dependable DVR system capable of recording and storing your data for future reference. You can view your monitored area on a specially designated domain by recording and viewing it online. Remote monitoring is possible using both your computer and your smartphone. Offline recording and storage necessitate hard disk space, which can be purchased based on your requirements. Some hard disks have capacities ranging from 500 GB to 2 TB and can store video data for up to 12 months.
CCTV cameras enable you to capture, record, and store video in order to monitor the security of your home and business. Some of the advice provided above should assist you in navigating the surveillance and CCTV industries to get the best deal. You may also want to think about adding extra security features like a digital lock or a fingerprint lock to provide a more secure environment for your family and associates. These features turn your home and business into a fortress, with only the people you trust having access. CCTV camera systems, on the other hand, are not limited to crime fighting or crime prevention. They give your loved ones peace of mind that they are safe at all times.
