Step 1: Evaluate Your Needs
Do you want to monitor general arrivals and leavings? Do you want to see the faces of your customers, goods? Do you need a wired or wireless CCTV security system? Do you need CCTV cameras for internal or external use? Will you benefit from an IP network camera? How many camera systems do you need? What is your budget?
Step 2: Select the Type of Camera
Based on your unique needs, opt for a camera to have maximum surveillance.
Wired: A wired security camera can be installed at any indoor or outdoor location. They do not suffer from signal interference and cannot be hacked from a remote location. Wired cameras can be IR (infrared) for night vision. These camera systems have a weatherproof design with 24/7 video capture abilities. Wired cameras are available in BNC or DIN connection ports and require video extension cables.
Wireless: An increasing number of people are preferring installation of wireless cameras as a cost-effective means of safeguarding their home or office. Wireless security cameras are more user friendly, easy to install, and provide higher quality audio and video recording than the wired models. The latest digital wireless cameras are free of interference from household devices and offer crystal clear image and sound.
IP / network: Wireless IP or Internet Protocol or network is available in all types of cameras such as cube cameras, box cameras and even in dome cameras. You can connect the cameras to your computer’s router just like a PC or other network dependable device. They can be used in areas where wiring is difficult or time-consuming. Megapixel or HD IP camera systems also use wireless interfaces for transmitting high quality video and audio.
Step 3: The Type and Quality of the Imaging Chip in the Camera
CCTV security cameras produce images using CMOS or CCD chips. Small or very low priced CCTV cameras usually use CMOS technology that produce poor quality video and have very poor light capturing capability. Higher and better quality CCTV cameras use CCD technology. A CCD chip size is usually ¼ inch, 1/3 inch or ½ inch. According to experts, the larger the size, the better is the quality of image produced. Also, large sized CCD chips cost more than the smaller ones. However, nowadays, higher density ¼ inch and 1/3 inch CCD chips are producing good quality images as the older 1/3 inch or ½ inch chips.
Step 4: Select Black and White or Colorful Camera System
The color of CCTV cameras will depend on the location of its use. For example, of you will use the cameras in a low light condition, it is better to choose black and white CCTV cameras. Colored camera systems are ideal for indoor and outdoor areas with good lighting conditions. Many HD color cameras now have an IR cut-filter for best night vision.
Step 5: Understand the Light Level
A security camera needs to have a good level of light to best capture an image. The level of light is called lux. To capture a better image in low light conditions, a security camera needs to have a low lux. For example a camera with 0.2 lux will see better in low light than a camera with 0.4 lux. Infrared cameras operate in ‘zero lux’ condition or no light condition as at night. They come with a small LED to transfer infrared light to the camera lens for lighting up the area and allowing the camera to record even in the dark.
Step 6: Understand Resolution
The higher the resolution of a camera, the sharper the image will be. Entry level cameras have resolution as 330 lines, while the high resolution cameras produce more than 400 lines.
Step 7: Select a Monitor Carefully
This is important to match the resolution of your CCTV camera system with that of the monitoring system.
Step 8: CCTV Camera Recorders
DVR or Digital Video Recorders which record on hard drives is the ideal option.
Article provided by: http://www.a2zsecuritycameras.com