Understand Security Camera Systems

You can self-install a professional security camera system. If you can run a cable from a camera to a digital video recorder, then you can install a CCTV Security camera system. If you do it yourself instead of outsourcing, you will save thousands of dollars. The only time-consuming part of the job is running the cable from the recorder to the camera. Today's technology has made it simple and easy for virtually anyone to take advantage of 24/7 surveillance.

The bottom line is, security camera systems come at a reasonable price and can enhance your security both in the home and business. Some insurance companies even give you a discount for employing a CCTV system. We all can afford to protect against vandalism, theft, slips and falls, and enhance overall employee performance with the use of a professional video surveillance system.

Steps

Selecting the gear

  1. Be aware that the DVR (Digital Video Recorder) is what records the video cameras. The video is stored on the DVR's Hard Drive. H.264 Compression DVR is the new compression industry standard. The H.264 Compression DVR stores 3x longer video than the older MPEG and MPEG4 Compression DVR's. I is old technology with less video storage. H.264 DVR's will enable higher video quality both live and over the internet.
  2. Look for DVRs that have remote internet viewing from any high speed internet connection in the world as well as mobile phones such as the iPhone, or any phone with the 3G Network.
  3. Check that they work with Symbian and the WinCE networks as well. Remote viewing should be free and work with a dynamic IP address, as that is what you will use to access your cameras. To remote view you enter in a web address (ip address), type in your user name and password, and you can view your cameras. Dynamic IP addresses are free, so there should be no extra monthly fee - just your high speed internet. Ask whether multiple people can view the cameras remotely at the same time.
  4. Look for digital video recorders that have sophisticated motion detection with object masking, making it easy for you to review the most important events on each camera. If you choose, you can set up your DVRs to record on motion, to prolong the storage of the video on the hard drive. If preferred, you can record 24/7 all the time. You can record on schedule. All video channels have an address that you assign Such as (Outside Front Yard) and is time and date stamped and video is digitally watermarked to prevent video and/or evidence tampering.
  5. When purchasing a DVR, be sure you pick one with H.264 compression. Also, it is important to have a good amount of video storage (ex. 250 gigabyte Hard Drive, 500 gigabyte Hard Drive, 1 Terabyte Hard Drive. Generally speaking, the longer video storage, the better. With H.264 compression digital video recorders, you will notice large hard drives are included for plenty of storage time. H.264 is the "state of the art" in the Surveillance Industry. And don't worry, after the hard drive is filled with video, the DVR simply loops around and starts from the beginning.
  6. Consider the burning capacity. When it comes to burning video make sure the DVR has at least one USB if you wish to burn video to a USB flash drive. Ensure that the DVRs are compatible with your PC's in the home or office. What this means to you is that you can view your camera system conveniently, with any of your computers on the network as it is compatible with Windows.
  7. Make sure your DVR is in a safe place or locked area as you do not want the DVR to be stolen.

Connecting the system

  1. Use pre-cut cable or spools or {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} combo video (BNC Connection) / Power RG59 Siamese Coax Cable. All CCTV security cameras need both power and video (2 in one cable), so you can run just one cable from the DVR to each camera. You can run each camera's cable up to {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} without any video loss. Simply connect the video cable to the DVR (it says BNC), and plug the power into the power supply RG59 Siamese Cable. It is the type of cable used to run most CCTV installs. This cable consists of one video cable and one power cable (positive and negative), thus the name siamese.
  2. Designate one location for your DVR and Monitor to be stationed and be sure you have enough wire to connect the DVR to the camera (leave some slack). Designate the location for your DVR and Monitor to be stationed.
  3. If you purchased a pre-made RG59 cable with the BNC connections already attached to the line, then at this point you would connect it to the DVR. If you purchased a bulk roll of RG59, ask if the company will automatically supply the BNC connections free of charge. You may use twist-ons (most commonly used), or crimp on connections.

Get powered

  1. Note that there are two alternatives:
    • You can run each power line separately into an outlet (using pig tails, which should be supplied) and an AC Adapter (automatically supplied when you choose a camera and cable).
    • When using multiple cameras, you will receive a multiple output central power supply box. Simply screw in the positive and negative thin 18/2 thin wire (black and red) into the power supply. It makes it very clean as the power supply has only one power line which goes directly to your power outlet. Wait until you hook up the camera before turning on the power.
  2. Plug it in. Now that you have your video and power lines connected all you need to do is plug in the DVR and attach a Monitor to the DVR after the install and connection of the cameras to the system.

Cameras

  1. Connect the power/video Siamese coax cables to the camera. Each camera takes power and video. Simply plug in both sides of the Siamese coax cable (the power and video) to the cameras. You should be able to mix and match any cameras desired for your application. If your cameras utilize the Sony Super HAD CCD, this should provide superior video quality. Check that your high resolution cameras include:
    • Infrared Day/Night (color during the day, black and white and infrared viewing in complete darkness.)
    • Dome Security Cameras (a favorite for indoor applications)
    • Bullet Security Cameras (size of a finger "thus called bullet.")
    • Box Security Cameras (you see in banks a lot)
    • PTZ Security Camera (Controllable Pan Tilt Zoom Cameras such as the airport) These cameras are more expensive generally speaking.
    • Hidden Cameras (smoke detector, motion sensor, clocks)
      • Some cameras can be used outdoor or indoor. This will be specified on the product. Never use an indoor camera outdoor or there will eventually be video issues.

Monitor(s)

  1. Consider how many you need. You may use up to 2 monitors with all of DVRs. One can be a TV or standard RCA monitor (BNC and RCA are compatible with our connections. All DVRs should have VGA capability, meaning you can use a PC LCD monitor if you wish - we even carry VGA extension cords if you wish to place the monitor as far as {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} away. Also, each monitor can show the same, or different channels of video. For example, you may choose to view all your cameras at one time, but only allow employees and customers to see certain cameras. If you do not wish to attach a monitor to a DVR, that is okay. It will still record, you can still view remotely, and you can still view on your computer network.

High speed internet connection (optional)

  1. If you choose to view your cameras on the internet all you need is high speed internet access at the DVR's location - hard wire preferred. Simply plug in the DVR just like you plug in a PC to the modem or router. You will use a dynamic IP address (which is free) to view your cameras remotely.
  2. Type in your own web address (the direction manual should show how).
  3. Enter in your user ID and Password, and you are viewing your cameras from anywhere in the world. You can view live cameras, review old video, and do most, if not all the tasks that you can perform directly with the DVR.

Tips

  • All of the cameras vary and offer outdoor, indoor, or infrared capabilities. This will be explained to you when looking at different cameras. We will choose the cameras according to your application. Infrared Weatherproof Bullet Cameras are most popular for outdoor, and dome cameras are popular for indoor applications.
  • Ask about the most popular cameras, with high ratings from customers and installers. Always prefer high resolution cameras that you can expect to have superior quality to many other cameras on the market. Sony Super HAD CCD Cameras with 480 lines or more (called high resolution compared to normal resolution 380 and 420 line cameras are good value.

Related Articles

  • Compress Video
  • Choose the Right Location for Your Outdoor Security IP Camera
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