How To Choose The Right Surveillance Camera System
Surveillance Camera Systems come in all shapes and sizes and trying to figure out which surveillance system that will fit your needs can be very frustrating, but most cameras and systems today requires very little experience to install and operate. This article describes several factors to consider before purchasing a surveillance camera system.
General things to ask yourself:
- Should I buy Wireless or Wired surveillance cameras? Wireless is much easier to install than wired.
- How many cameras should you buy? Using too many cameras will be expensive, not enough will only give me limited coverage.
- Should I use Indoor or Outdoor type cameras?
- Does my application require recording of the surveillance activity? If not, the cost can be reduced because a DVD recorder will not be necessary.
- Does my surveillance system require that I can monitor over the Internet when away from my business or home.
Let’s describe the different types of surveillance cameras and systems which will be helpful to determine which one to buy depending on the type of use.
Hidden Cameras: These types of cameras are for indoor use only and come in a variety of different kinds of ordinary looking objects. For instance a small hidden camera are embedded in everyday objects like an Alarm Clock, Air Freshener, Fan, CO2 Detector or even a vanity Mirror. They are usually installed in one room and used to catch any suspicious activity in the room installed. Most of them use a 12-hour rechargeable battery pack with no wires or cords to plug in. Most all of these type of cameras are wireless but some can be wired. By far, you are better off choosing a wireless kind, which takes minutes to set up. To view or record the activity a 2.4 GHz Receiver attaches to your TV or VRC or DVR, which also only takes just a few minutes.
Surveillance Camera Systems: For business type applications you make want to consider a bundled system that includes all the components need to watch you business when you are there or way from it. Your business may need 4, 8 or 16 cameras also referred to as channels. For instance a small but location may need 8 cameras or as many as 16. They can be wireless or wired. If you are looking for an easy installation choose wireless, that way no messy wires to deal with.
A 4 Channel Wireless Complete System is also perfect for a small business or even a small house. A wireless surveillance camera system will allow you to install 4 wireless cameras to digitally record all the activity in your business. These types of systems come with a DVR with full networking capability and use a GeoVision DVR card, which allows you to view live video surveillance on the Internet. This type of system is designed strictly for indoor use only, and the perfect video recording system for smaller areas. You now have the flexibility to leave and still record activity and store and retrive for later viewing. Many businesses have a panic button they press when they see a would be thief in their store and now have the proof stored if needing to use in it in court.
For Personal Home Surveillance Camera System, there is the 4 Channel Wireless VISEC Surveillance System that is perfect for monitoring 4 rooms in a small house. The cameras that come with type of system work in day or night because of the high quality digital CCD chips that automatically switches from color to black & white in low light conditions. This type of a system requires what known as a ‘quad’. A quad is an accessory to your surveillance system that splits a video monitor into 4 screens. Without a quad viewing would only be able possible with one camera at a time. This type of a system also comes with a GrabBee II. It allows wireless or hidden cameras to connect your camera(s) to your computer. The GrabBee II is the bridge between the wireless or hidden camera and your computer. This device converts analog video signal to digital through a USB port.
Designed For Simple Personal Use, there is a camera called the Cyber Eye. This infrared B/W digital surveillance camera takes pictures automatically whenever someone moves in front of it and then digitally stores the pictures within the micro-camera. You can then extract the images later on just by plugging the camera into your TV/VCR to either view or record. This type of camera is great for catching someone snooping around your house. It is so small and compact you can even put it in your car and aim it out the window. This personal surveillance camera works by changes in the picture and not motion. Video images can be even taken through glass and the wireless surveillance camera will still work like a charm. The pictures are taken at 1-60 second intervals (UP TO 680 pictures). Video images will even have the time and date stamp added to each picture.
For Outdoor Surveillance Cameras, Dome cameras are used in many places including retail stores, restaurants, casinos and apartment buildings. You can even see them at your local McDonalds restaurants. Dome cameras are simply board cameras built into a weatherproof dome housing. In addition to these surveillance cameras being weatherproof, many of these types of dome surveillance cameras are vandal-proof dome and built with protective casing that can withstand the direct hit of a sledgehammer or other brute force means to disable it. Dome Surveillance Cameras are generally wired and can be connected to a Digital DVR to record all suspicious activities.
Surveillance Camera Recording – One of the most important pieces of a surveillance system is the surveillance video recorder. Whether you have one, four, eight or sixteen cameras you have to take what those cameras see and store that video for reference or possible evidence. Obviously DVR system can record much longer than old style VCR tapes. Generally these recorders come in 4, 8 and 16 channel models. Channels refer to amount of cameras that can be attached for recording. Some units are small, some large and have different features. One of the best DVR portable surveillance camera recorders perfect for body worn & covert applications and fits easily into a purse, pocket or backpack is the DVR-9800 touted as the Worlds Smallest Wearable DVR Recorder. This recorder can record a whopping 40 hours of video and about 910 hours of audio.
This article gives you the basics on what to look for when shopping for a surveillance camera system for either personal or business use. In a future article, we will discuss detailed directions on how to connect and set up the most common types of surveillance camera systems.
Glenn Freiboth
View all articles by Glenn Freiboth
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ML320 ML430 ML500 ML350 ROOF DOME LIGHT NEW O.E $599.99 |
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ALL UTV SIDEXSIDE TRACTOR TUNES ROOF MOUNT STEREO/LIGHT/BRACKET RMT-DOME-DLR(MD) $539.95 |
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R129 500SL 300SL SL500 SL320 ROOF DOME LIGHT MAP LIGHT BLACK $499.99 |
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R129 500SL 300SL SL500 SL320 ROOF DOME LIGHT MAP LIGHT TAN $499.99 |
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ALL UTV SIDEXSIDE TRACTOR TUNES ROOF MOUNT STEREO WITH LIGHT RMT-DOME-DLR(MD) $499.95 |
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1/43 BBR Ferrari California Roof Close Rosso Corsa DOME Pack LE10 Rare FreeShip $499.00 |
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1/43 BBR Ferrari California Roof Open Rosso Corsa DOME packing LE25 FreeShip $399.00 |
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6″ High Speed Dome IP Onvif Network Camera PTZ 27X Embedded Roof 420 TVL H.264 $353.99 |
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2001 CL500 dome light sun roof switches reading lights $300.00 |
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6 Person Six Man Dome Camping Tent with Room Divider Oversized Roof and Entance $275.99 |
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MERCEDES E CLASS W211 INTERIOR DOME ROOF LIGHT 2003 OEM $239.00 |
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10.2 Inch Car Roof Mount DVD Player Monitor IR Headphone FM Dome Light with TV $245.99 |
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Kichler 15226AZT Bronze Dome Roof HID Path Light Fixture Head $238.00 |
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4 Person Four Man Dome Camping Tent with Oversized Roof and Entrance Canopy $221.99 |
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Medium Speed Dome System for CCTV Indoor Roof Mount PTZ $150.87 |
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07 Mercedes Benz S550 W221 OVERHEAD CENTER CONSOLE DOME LIGHT ROOF CONTROLS $200.00 |
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1901 Print Roof Church Holy Sepulchre Dome Religious Jerusalem Israel $208.00 |
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PYLE 12″ Car Roof Mount LCD Monitor With DVD Player Built In and Dome Light NEW $209.99 |
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Pacifica Dome Light Sunglasses Holder Garage Remote OEM $200.00 |
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LED 4 x linear roof light caravan 4×4 dome ceiling van $107.48 |
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Roof Drain, 15″ Dome, Large Sump, Cast Iron, NEW $169.99 |
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SportsStuff Sno Fort 2 Person Clear PVC Window Insulated Dome Sun Roof New $159.95 |
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Mercedes S500 2002 interior sun roof & dome lights wiring harness $150.55 |
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OEM LAND RANGE ROVER DOME OVERHEAD MAP ROOF LIGHT $150.00 |
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GREY UNIVERSAL FIT OVER HEAD FLIP DOWN 17″ TFT LCD WIDE SCREEN W/ DOME LIGHTS $158.15 |
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ATTIC AIRE 53849 STEEL DOME POWER ROOF VENTILATOR 1500CFM 2100SQFT W/ THERMOSTAT $154.99 |
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W211 W219 Mercedes Rear Console Interior Light Dome Roof Lamp Switch E350 CLS $150.00 |
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CLK430 CLK320 E320 E420 E430 ROOF DOME LIGHT $149.99 |
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Mercedes 140 S500 S320 S600 Dome light Sun Roof Switch $149.99 |
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Roof Drain, 12″ Beehive Dome, Medium Sump, Cast, New $149.99 |
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Car Roof Flipdown CD DVD Player 9 inches LCD SD USB Dome Light Wireless Game cp $149.99 |
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Mercedes Benz S430 W220 W215 OEM Roof Dome Light Lamp A2158201101 $148.00 |
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Mercedes (w123 83+) w126 w201 interior Dome Light Front $130.98 |
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Ventamatic Heavy-Duty Dome Roof Attic Vent CX4000AMBR $119.99 |
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5 Person Five Man Extra Large Square Dome Tent with Oversized Roof Canopy $135.59 |
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2003 2004 INFINITI G35 MAP LIGHT DOME LAMP ROOF OVERHEAD STORAGE CONSOLE SUNROOF $129.99 |
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Porsche 996 Carrera Targa Dome Interior Infrared Light Switch Cover Roof Console $125.00 |
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W211 Mercedes Front Ceiling Console Interior Light Dome Roof Lamp Switch E-Class $125.00 |
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E320 E420 E300 C280 C220 C230 ROOF DOME LIGHT GRAY 7D05 $124.99 |
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E320 E420 E300 C280 C220 C230 ROOF DOME LIGHT BEIGE 8G13 $124.99 |
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3 Person Dome Tent Three Man Design with Oversized Roof and Entrance Canopy $123.59 |
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HELLA H25030001 Overhead Dome Lamp/Map Light Front Roof Rail $121.93 |
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100X 39mm 3SMD 5050 Canbus Car LED Festoon Dome Light Roof SMD Bulbs Lamp $120.00 |
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Pyramid 10″LCD Roof Mount Flip Down Monitor &Dome Light $119.99 |
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1959 1960 Cadillac inside roof Dome Light lens Bezel bezels made USA nos NEW pr $110.00 |
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2009 Toyota Camry OEM Rear Dome Lights Gray with roof wire harness $115.00 |
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W211 Mercedes Front Ceiling Console Interior Light Dome Roof Lamp Switch E-Class $115.00 |
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Mercedes Benz 03 S500 OEM Interior Roof Dome Light A215820083 $114.00 |
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VW MK6 11 12 OEM JETTA ROOF DOME LIGHT MOONROOF SUNROOF BLUETOOTH PHONE SWITCH $99.99 |
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1995-1997 LEXUS LS400 ROOF DOME LIGHT DOOR SUNROOF SWITCH LAMP CONSOLE LIGHTING $110.49 |
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1995-1997 LEXUS LS400 SUNROOF POWER ROOF CONTROL SWITCH CONSOLE MAP DOME LIGHT $106.49 |
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STANSPORT RAINIER 2 POLE 4 PERSON PEAK ROOF DOME TENT $89.99 |
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Mercedes Benz S430 W220 W215 OEM Roof Dome Light Lamp A2158201101 $89.99 |
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LED linear roof light caravan 4×4 dome ceiling van $38.11 |
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W220 W215 Mercedes Front Console Interior Map Light Dome Sun Roof Lamp Switch $100.00 |
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02 C-CLASS OVERHEAD DOME LIGHTS WITH SUN ROOF AND SOS SWITCHES $90.00 |
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99 00 01 02 03 Mercedes Benz CLK320 CLK430 Interior Center Roof Dome Light $85.00 |
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Land Rover Discovery OVERHEAD CONSOLE dome light roof $65.00 |
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Aluminum Dome Roof Mount Attic Vent CX2001DD Ventamatic $99.99 |
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2002 BMW X5 roof DOME LIGHT control Switch assembly $89.99 |
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1999 2000 2001 AUDI A6 SEDAN FRONT MAP LIGHT LAMP DOME SUNROOF SUN ROOF SWITCH $99.99 |
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Cool Attic 1400 CMF Power Roof Vent with Black Galvanized Steel Dome $99.99 |
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95 96 97 JAGUAR XJ6 INTERIOR OVERHEAD DOME LIGHT W/ SUN ROOF SWITCH OEM $89.99 |
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L0120 Black 10.2″ Digital Car Flip Down Overhead Roof Mounted Monitor/Dome/IR $99.00 |
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L0118 Grey 10.2″ Digital LCD Car Flip Down Overhead Roof Mounted Monitor IR/Dome $99.00 |
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Front Map Dome Light w Sun Roof Switch Storage Compartment 03 Jaguar S Type 3.0 $95.96 |
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Chevy Trailblazer Envoy ROOF CONSOLE MAP DOME LIGHT $79.00 |
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Audi A4 2002-2008 Interior Dome Light Sun Roof Switch Doom A4 Lamp Grey/Gray OEM $93.89 |
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2001 01 FORESTER DOME LIGHT CLOCK SUN ROOF SWITCH GREY $75.00 |
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2001 Porsche 911 Carrera 01 Cabriolet 996 Convertible DOME LIGHT roof 39,210 $90.00 |
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2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE ROOF DOME LIGHT SUNROOF SWITCH GARAGE OPENER $89.99 |
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2002 2006 MAZDA MPV FRONT ROOF INNER DOME MAP LIGHT CONSOLE SUNGLASS HOLDER GREY $89.99 |
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Caravan Over Head Roof Console 2007 Homelink Dome Lamps $74.99 |
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Buick Lucerne Over Head Roof Console Homelink 2007 Overhead 07 Dome Lamps $74.99 |
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01 02 Acura MDX roof interior dome map light lamp OEM $75.00 |
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Explorer Overhead Roof Console HomeLink 06-09 Dome Lamp $74.99 |
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2001 BMW X5 ROOF MOUNTED DOME LIGHT, TAN BASE, GOOD CONDITION $75.00 |
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Cool Attic 1080 CMF Power Roof Vent with Gray Dome CX1000AMWGUPS $83.99 |
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Cool Attic 1080 CMF Power Roof Vent with Mill Dome CX1000AMUPS $82.99 |
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MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE INTERIOR ROOF DOME MAP DOOR LIGHT LAMP CONSOLE GARAGE OPENER $82.86 |
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Roof-Rail Courtesy Dome Light Lens for 1957-59 Ply Dodge DeSoto Chrys Hardtops $68.99 |
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2005 05 HYUNDAI SONATA DOME LIGHT SUNROOF SUN ROOF SWITCH GREY PART# 92820-38000 $65.00 |
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1999 99 AUDI A4 DOME LIGHT LAMP SUN ROOF SWITCH GREY $65.00 |
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100x 42mm 6SMD 1210/3528 Car LED SMD Festoon Dome Light Roof Bulbs Lamps $80.30 |
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100X 39mm 6SMD 1210/3528 Car LED SMD Festoon Dome Light Roof Lamps Bulbs $80.20 |
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100X 36mm 6SMD 1210/3528 Car LED SMD Festoon Dome Light Roof Bulb Lamp $80.10 |
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2006 06 VOLVO 60 SERIES FRONT DOME LIGHT WITH ROOF OPENER 1810 $65.00 |
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2002 03 2004 05 2006 TOYOTA CAMRY DOME MAP LIGHT W/ SUN ROOF OEM $60.00 |
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MERCEDES BENZ W211 E350 DOME ROOF LIGHT E550 E320 OEM $80.00 |
