How To Choose The Right Surveillance Camera System

Surveillance Camera Systems come in all shapes andsystem work in day or night because of the high
sizes and trying to figure out which surveillance systemquality digital CCD chips that automatically switches
that will fit your needs can be very frustrating, butfrom color to black & white in low light conditions. This
most cameras and systems today requires very littletype of a system requires what known as a 'quad'. A
experience to install and operate. This article describesquad is an accessory to your surveillance system that
several factors to consider before purchasing asplits a video monitor into 4 screens. Without a quad
surveillance camera system.viewing would only be able possible with one camera
General things to ask yourself:at a time. This type of a system also comes with a
- Should I buy Wireless or Wired surveillanceGrabBee II. It allows wireless or hidden cameras to
cameras? Wireless is much easier to install than wired.connect your camera(s) to your computer. The
- How many cameras should you buy? Using tooGrabBee II is the bridge between the wireless or
many cameras will be expensive, not enough will onlyhidden camera and your computer. This device
give me limited coverage.converts analog video signal to digital through a USB
- Should I use Indoor or Outdoor type cameras?port.
- Does my application require recording of theDesigned For Simple Personal Use, there is a camera
surveillance activity? If not, the cost can be reducedcalled the Cyber Eye. This infrared B/W digital
because a DVD recorder will not be necessary.surveillance camera takes pictures automatically
- Does my surveillance system require that I canwhenever someone moves in front of it and then
monitor over the Internet when away from mydigitally stores the pictures within the micro-camera.
business or home.You can then extract the images later on just by
Let's describe the different types of surveillanceplugging the camera into your TV/VCR to either view
cameras and systems which will be helpful toor record. This type of camera is great for catching
determine which one to buy depending on the type ofsomeone snooping around your house. It is so small
use.and compact you can even put it in your car and aim it
Hidden Cameras: These types of cameras are forout the window. This personal surveillance camera
indoor use only and come in a variety of differentworks by changes in the picture and not motion. Video
kinds of ordinary looking objects. For instance a smallimages can be even taken through glass and the
hidden camera are embedded in everyday objects likewireless surveillance camera will still work like a charm.
an Alarm Clock, Air Freshener, Fan, CO2 Detector orThe pictures are taken at 1-60 second intervals (UP
even a vanity Mirror. They are usually installed in oneTO 680 pictures). Video images will even have the
room and used to catch any suspicious activity in thetime and date stamp added to each picture.
room installed. Most of them use a 12-hourFor Outdoor Surveillance Cameras, Dome cameras
rechargeable battery pack with no wires or cords toare used in many places including retail stores,
plug in. Most all of these type of cameras are wirelessrestaurants, casinos and apartment buildings. You can
but some can be wired. By far, you are better offeven see them at your local McDonalds restaurants.
choosing a wireless kind, which takes minutes to setDome cameras are simply board cameras built into a
up. To view or record the activity a 2.4 GHz Receiverweatherproof dome housing. In addition to these
attaches to your TV or VRC or DVR, which also onlysurveillance cameras being weatherproof, many of
takes just a few minutes.these types of dome surveillance cameras are
Surveillance Camera Systems: For business typevandal-proof dome and built with protective casing that
applications you make want to consider a bundledcan withstand the direct hit of a sledgehammer or
system that includes all the components need toother brute force means to disable it. Dome
watch you business when you are there or way fromSurveillance Cameras are generally wired and can be
it. Your business may need 4, 8 or 16 cameras alsoconnected to a Digital DVR to record all suspicious
referred to as channels. For instance a small butactivities.
location may need 8 cameras or as many as 16. TheySurveillance Camera Recording - One of the most
can be wireless or wired. If you are looking for animportant pieces of a surveillance system is the
easy installation choose wireless, that way no messysurveillance video recorder. Whether you have one,
wires to deal with.four, eight or sixteen cameras you have to take what
A 4 Channel Wireless Complete System is alsothose cameras see and store that video for reference
perfect for a small business or even a small house. Aor possible evidence. Obviously DVR system can
wireless surveillance camera system will allow you torecord much longer than old style VCR tapes.
install 4 wireless cameras to digitally record all theGenerally these recorders come in 4, 8 and 16 channel
activity in your business. These types of systemsmodels. Channels refer to amount of cameras that
come with a DVR with full networking capability andcan be attached for recording. Some units are small,
use a GeoVision DVR card, which allows you to viewsome large and have different features. One of the
live video surveillance on the Internet. This type ofbest DVR portable surveillance camera recorders
system is designed strictly for indoor use only, and theperfect for body worn & covert applications and fits
perfect video recording system for smaller areas. Youeasily into a purse, pocket or backpack is the
now have the flexibility to leave and still record activityDVR-9800 touted as the Worlds Smallest Wearable
and store and retrive for later viewing. ManyDVR Recorder. This recorder can record a whopping
businesses have a panic button they press when they40 hours of video and about 910 hours of audio.
see a would be thief in their store and now have theThis article gives you the basics on what to look for
proof stored if needing to use in it in court.when shopping for a surveillance camera system for
For Personal Home Surveillance Camera System,either personal or business use. In a future article, we
there is the 4 Channel Wireless VISEC Surveillancewill discuss detailed directions on how to connect and
System that is perfect for monitoring 4 rooms in aset up the most common types of surveillance
small house. The cameras that come with type ofcamera systems.