CCTV SYSTEM BUYING GUIDE

Burglary and theft cases are on the rise with each passing day. You see cases on television or social media, hear colleagues, relatives, or friends re-count their experiences with home break-ins every so often. 

You cannot help but dread the day it will happen to you. The truth is that your home is not exceptional, and just like the rest of the victims, you are also a possible target. 

So, what can one do? 

Invest in a good CCTV System

You cannot relax and pray that it never happens to you without doing anything on your part. 

You have to do something for your peace of mind and that of your loved ones. You can make a CCTV system (Closed Circuit Television Video Surveillance system) your first line of defense – if you haven’t done it yet! It is designed to alert you when there is impending danger. You know whether to open the door or not.

Rather than wonder what is happening outside your house at night, you make use of the camera footage that confirms or dismisses your suspicions in real-time. In case of a confirmed threat, you have enough time to alert the police. 

With the best CCTV system, you can offer protection to your family and home. It is an incredible way of deterring and even preventing crime. If what you dread the most ever happens, you will have some consolation – irrefutable evidence. 

HOW DO YOU IDENTIFY A QUALITY CCTV SYSTEM? 

Pay attention to the following;

1.         The sensor – Ensure that you get the right sensor. Note that all digital sensors aren’t equal. Sensor specifications are classified into two based on the type and size – complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) and Charge-coupled device (CCD). The former is cheaper than the latter, and it consumes less power. Pay attention to the size of the sensor. The bigger it is, the higher its ability to process light, and consequently, the higher the image quality. 

2.         The lens – the camera lens of your CCTV is the one responsible for gathering the light from the sensor. Everything that you see passes via the lens. The lens also controls the focus since it dictates whether you can recognize the recorded images. As such, if the camera lens isn’t in focus, surveillance becomes meaningless. 

3.         Output resolution – while the output is entirely dependent on the input, it is worth paying attention to the output resolution of your camera. For better output, consider choosing a high-resolution camera. Of the utmost importance is to ensure that the resolution you select matches the sensor and lens. If it doesn’t, the extra resolution will go to waste. Whatever you settle for, compatibility should carry the day. 

4.         Type of Camera – your needs and preferences should dictate the camera type you take home. Ultimately, your choice of lens, sensor, and output resolution will determine the type of camera. Worth noting is that there isn’t a superior camera. It all melts down to your specifications. Of course, there are aspects such as indoor and outdoor cameras that will come into play, but they aren’t tricky to decide. 

A professional installer of CCTV systems will come in handy not only in the installation process but also, in your decision making. He or she will let you in on the nitty-gritty of a good quality CCTV system for domestic or commercial use.