Each type of CCTV user has different needs and requirements for their installation. This can make selecting the right system difficult for many people who are not familiar with installing security cameras. In general, these needs can be divided according to the type of user you are. The needs of a home user are different from the needs of a retail store. Some needs that people think they have to have, they don’t really need. The basic requirements that should be a minimum for all users of all systems are Triplex, the ability to perform backups, strong technical support, and ease of replication.
Triple DVRs are DVRs that can record, backup/archive, and view live video at the same time. Every time you have to stop recording to watch playback, you run the risk of something happening while the system is idle. You also run the risk of a user leaving the system in a non-recording mode when you’re done with it. Since it’s almost standard on all DVRs (PC-based or stand-alone), there’s no reason to settle for anything less. This is a major reason to upgrade a VCR system, as very, very few of them have triplex capability.
Backing up video in the event of an incident allows you to give it to the police or others who may need the video. Turning the video over to the police can help them quickly identify the thieves and increase the chances of recovering the stolen property. But giving it to the police isn’t the only reason to have a way to back up the video. CCTV systems can be helpful in other legal matters, such as slip and fall or personal injury lawsuits. Being able to make a CD of an event and save it for the future can prevent costly lawsuits before they start.
Strong technical support is very important. If the system doesn’t work, then it doesn’t offer you protection. And Murphy’s Law of CCTV is that something will always happen when the system is offline. This system is one that you trust to protect something valuable to you. You need a company that stands behind its products and stands behind you. Ideally, you want to work with a company that is local to you or has excellent national support. Buying a cheap DVR from China can save you a few dollars now, but it can cost you a lot more in the long run.
The ease of reproduction is something that must be taken into account. One of the reasons tape systems are fading is that trying to read days worth of video tapes can take hours to find an incident. This prevents people from using it to check for simple irregularities. One of the main points of using systems like this is the ability to apply some degree of intelligence to the system. With any DVR you want to see motion detection. Motion detection should reduce the total amount of time recorded. Combine this with a good search function and it will start to become a useful tool.
These are the basics that all users should be looking for. Anything less than those features is just an expensive paperweight. The goal of this technology is to protect you and make the information useful. If your system doesn’t meet these needs, then it won’t help you much. Here is a list of more advanced features that different users should look for:
Small companies:
Advanced motion detection: Since most small businesses have cameras that can see busy streets, the ability to block off certain areas should be something you look for. This reduces the amount of false motion detection you’re looking for.
Dynamic IP support: Most small businesses do not have a static IP address and the cost with some ISPs can be extremely high. Having software support for dynamic IP addresses can make your life a lot easier.
Support for DIO modules: These allow you to add an external door contact or window contact to a system. If you have a wired alarm system, this allows the DVR to force recording if any of the contacts are triggered.
Remote playback without plugin, app or Active-X: This gives you the ability to control your business from home or any external location without the need to install any additional software that may not be compatible with the remote computer.
Synchronized playback: This allows you to view multiple cameras at the same time in playback. This is great for seeing the sequence of events. Something like vandalism or slip and falls; if it happens in view of multiple cameras, you can see that the child picked up that rock and threw it, even if they moved around the house.
Pre/post motion recording: This acts as a buffer on both sides of the video. This allows you to see how things were before an event occurred and can help troubleshoot motion detection issues.
Large Companies/ Institutions:
Smart search: Sometimes people leave things where they shouldn’t or take things they shouldn’t. The ability to draw a picture and look for changes in movement in an area can take a three-hour task of looking for something and reduce it to just a few minutes.
Watermarks: Watermarks allow you to show that the video has not been tampered with. This allows the police to use the video without having to take the entire DVR as evidence.
Movement Records: Motion logs make it easy to start playback when you have a rough idea of when something happened. It is also useful for observing traffic patterns.
Email alerts: If someone breaks into the location, you’ll want to know when it happens. Email alerts allow you to do just that.
Scheduled recording: On some cameras you just don’t care about certain times of day. Scheduled recording allows you to conserve disk space by recording only when needed.
