The 4 CCTV Components You Need To Consider

When investing to upgrade your home security, one of the best ways to secure your home further is installing a closed-circuit television (CCTV) security system that can protect your home or business inside and out.

If you’re looking for a CCTV, don’t be in too much of a rush to get one installed as soon as possible. Before spending any money, make sure to understand the 4 components that every system requires, their importance, and how you can ensure that your system has the best components possible. These components are the cameras, a recording system, a monitor, and video management software (VMS). You also have to think of the supporting equipment like cabling, routers, and power supply.

In this article, you’ll learn about all these components, what they do, and how you can choose the right system.

Camera

For those who are trying to install a CCTV system, you have 2 choices when it comes to the cameras, an internet protocol (IP) and an analog camera.

Analog cameras are an older type of camera that stores video recordings on VCRs or DVRs. If you have a legacy digital recording system with older technology, an analog CCTV camera suits you better due to compatibility.

On the other hand, IP cameras take recordings and save them to a network. Due to this, IP cameras are more popular nowadays because it’s more modern and fits other modern technologies.

Type of CCTV System

In CCTV systems, there are mainly two options, network video recorders (NVRs) and digital video recorders (DVRs). When it comes to familiarity, most people are used to DVR systems, as they make up most of the CCTV systems of the past decade. Basically, they use analog cameras to save the videos on the DVR storage. Most older CCTV systems use DVR.

In NVRs, the footage gets saved to a network instead, and it’s why NVRs are the better choice nowadays due to their IP camera integration and compatibility. Of course, this means NVRs cost more, but that’s because you can use them with high-resolution IP cameras, which should be better for your security.

However, if you want flexibility, some CCTV systems come with a hybrid setup that combines the best qualities of DVRs and NVRs. It gives you wireless features, better video quality, and fewer cables. If you own a DVR and you’re looking to upgrade, upgrading to a hybrid system can be a cost-effective solution. However, take note that it’s not that easy to set up a hybrid system compared to a DVR or NVR.

Monitor

Other than recording clear images, the most important job of a CCTV is displaying these recordings, which is provided by the monitor. Of course, even if you have an HD or 4k monitor, it won’t be that good if the cameras don’t produce clear images, which means you need to get a monitor that’s correct for your needs.

However, if you want the sharpest detail, the best CCTV systems should be used with at least HD monitors. Yes, monitors; not just one. By having more than one monitor, you can view larger, multiple images at the same time at good quality. Generally, at least 3 monitors should do the trick, and it depends on the size of the place you’re trying to monitor.

Video management software (VMS)

No CCTV system will run without a video management system to control your NVR or DVR recording system, and there are many choices available for you out there.

If you’re looking for a CCTV system to use for your home, a home-grade VMS should suffice. Of course, you would still have to pick the right VMS that provides the features you need.

If you’re going to use it for a business, you need a business-grade VMS that’s specially designed for commercial security. A business-grade VMS is also good for residential use because it’s better at identifying and saving critical moments. However, most of the time, it’s not necessary for home use.

Other considerations

• Cables, power supply, router, and other supporting hardware – For your CCTV to work, you need to provide it with the necessary supporting hardware. For example, analog cameras need a coaxial cable and additional power cable to connect to a DVR.
• In comparison, IP cameras and the NVR can be connected using Power over Ethernet (PoE) from one cable, while wireless systems only require a router.
• Wired or wireless – Wired and wireless CCTV systems work well for most purposes; it’s just a matter of preference. For larger places, a wired system is more suitable because it operates using PoE. It means multiple devices can run simultaneously without being hard on the network. If it’s a small location, a wireless system is more suitable because it works well and is easier to set up and move around.
• Purpose – If you’re going to monitor a small house, you don’t need a business-grade CCTV, right? When looking for a CCTV system, don’t be too excited by marketing or go overboard and buy something more than you need. When buying a CCTV, make sure the system you get fits your purpose.

A CCTV is the security upgrade everyone needs

Getting a reliable CCTV system can really increase security and peace of mind, and there’s no other way to do it but to make sure all the components of your Casa Security CCTV systems fit your needs and considerations. With a CCTV system, you can sleep tight at night and go out in the day knowing that your home is protected.