If you have come this far, you probably need to install a security camera. However, we can easily observe that today, all love using surveillance camera system and find it the best option. But you might buy a security camera, and it’s not what you expected.
How can you choose the camera that best suits your situation?
In a short, simple, and straightforward way, I want to explain how to make a good decision.
Here, you must have choices to select the best. For that, it is essential to consider the following points:
· You must be informed about the different features of the surveillance camera system.
For example, you should have some information about IR power, lens aperture, and image quality.
- You must be informed about the product you need
- We also recommend conducting a comparison analysis among different products.
- Partner with an expert to get the best surveillance camera system.
If you are looking for the best surveillance cameras. You will surely be interested in the blog post:
What are the best video surveillance cameras?
Understanding the main features
Searching for the best surveillance camera system on Google can give you numerous options. And every opportunity has unique and specific functions.
However, identifying the best option according to your needs is a must. Although, it is tricky to understand all these terms. So, we will try to explain some features of the surveillance camera system.
What do you need to understand about surveillance camera systems?
- Understanding the difference between various connection types
- Recognizing video resolution
- Developing an understanding of lens angle and its importance in views
- Power of night illumination
- Storage methods
- Connection type
First, it is essential to remember that cameras are available in numerous types while talking about connection. Some of the examples are:
- Analog camera
- IP camera
- Wi-Fi camera
Analog cameras
Analog cameras go to a video recorder (DVR) and do not have the IP or Wi-Fi communication protocol. For operation. They must be connected by cable to the DVR.
The analog signal only accepts a maximum quality of 720p. So they have already been converted to digital if you want a higher rate. The communication protocol may vary, but it is usually TVI, AHD, or CVI.
So to choose a security camera system that goes by cable to a DVR, it is necessary to assess whether the communication protocols are the same or compatible. If you have a recorder with CVI protocol, you will have to buy a camera that uses CVI as well.
Many of the “white” brand cameras use different protocols to be able to adjust to most recorders, so we will not have much problem finding one that fits.
IP or Wi-Fi cameras
A Wi-Fi camera is necessarily an IP camera, but an IP camera does not have to be a Wi-Fi camera.
IP cameras are all those that are connected directly to the network, either by Ethernet cable or Wi-Fi. Note, not necessarily to the Internet. But the installation can also be done through a local network.
But usually, they will be connected to the Internet to be viewed from anywhere in the world.
They can usually be accessed through a web browser by entering their IP address to access them and their configuration. Others accept configuration from a smartphone application, ready for the user with basic knowledge.
These IP cameras, whether Wi-Fi or not. Can also be connected to a DVR or NVR recorder, as many of them accept IP cameras in their configuration.
Video resolution
The second thing that will appear in almost all advertisements is the image quality. It should be noted that this can be expressed differently. But in many cases, it is the same.
We started using the expressions and resolutions in megabytes for IP cameras since analog cameras work with lines. But we can find the same expressions when switching analog cameras to digital ones.
The best quality nowadays is 8K. The higher the image resolution, the more you can digitally zoom a frame or video without losing quality.
For example, if you zoom in on a full HD image, you will be lucky if you see anything in detail. However, you will have excellent quality if you do it from a 4-megapixel camera.
A detail to consider is that the higher the resolution, the more space the recordings take up, whether on a recorder or an SD card.
It is, therefore, essential to assess the recording quality, amount of time, memory capacity, etc. See below for details on this.
Viewing angle
Thirdly you have to look at something significant: the angle of view. What is the field of view?
It is the whole area that the camera lens has access to and, therefore, will reflect in the image.
We will be interested in a wide or narrower angle of view depending on what we want to record.
Night vision
Another important feature of surveillance camera system is its ability to see in the dark. On this point, in general, you will not have any problem.
Read in the description whether the camera has night vision or not. If it has night vision, you should check how many meters this vision reaches.
