Selecting the right CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) camera equipment to buy can often require a lot of research to narrow down the vast array of choices. With so many different types of product available on the market today it is no wonder most people get confused with all the jargon and ditch the idea of bringing in CCTV camera kit entirely. Thankfully, buying a CCTV based security system can be a lot simpler if you know what to look out for:
Environment : Is the camera going to be for internal or outdoor use? If it is for indoor use and will most likely be positioned out-with touching distance then you can get away with a cheaper camera. Outdoor cameras however require protection against both the weather and physical objects. Most CCTV camera kit will come with an IP rating, which stands for Ingress Protection. The IP rating is a two digit system that denotes the robustness of a security camera against the elements, and without going into too much detail the higher the value of the tougher it will be. For an indoor camera the IP rating does not matter too much, but for outdoor use look for a value of 55 or more. This will mean that the camera will be protected from rain and accidental knocks.
Sensitivity to light: CCTV camera kit is generally marked with a LUX value that corresponds to how well the camera will work in situations with little to no light – the lower the value the better. Watch out for very cheap cameras that have positive LUX rating, as they will only work in daylight conditions.
Video Resolution: If the camera picture quality is not good enough to pick out an individual’s face then you may as well place it in the bin. The police will often only prosecute if a clear picture of a thief’s face is captured, so it is important to buy CCTV cameras that have a high video resolution. Make sure all components of the CCTV security equipment (camera, monitor, and video recorder) also capture at high level – often these will not be able to record the super high quality images a new camera provides.
