What is the purpose of the system?
- Overview – Monitoring of general activity in an area.
- Perimeter Protection – Cameras can assist with intrusion detection on the perimeter and at the same time it is a major deterrent for would be criminals.
- The use of artificial intelligence will change your re-active camera system into a pro-active camera system.
- In areas where adverse weather conditions or lighting conditions is not optimal for an optical camera, thermal cameras are strongly advised.
- Covert Cameras (Spy Cameras) – very popular in high risk areas for amongst things- pilferage, loss control, and theft.
- Facial Recognition – This is a grey area for many customers. Hence, let’s divide it into two questions that will also be the answers. Do you want the system to recognize the persons face when you look at the recorded video footage or do you need a system to scan a person’s face and compare it to a facial database? With artificial intelligence your camera system can automatically recognize a person face and match it with what is on your database. This can be used to allow access to a premises or office, or the system can be setup to inform authorities/guarding of unwanted guests arriving.
Do you need night vision on the camera?
- An optical CCTV camera is very similar to the human eye, and therefor also can’t see in low light conditions, but with infra-red infrared technology, a camera can “see” in the dark.
- Improvements in this technology also started making it possible for some cameras to stay in full colour mode in dark conditions. However, if the cameras will be used for perimeter detection it is still highly recommended install a thermal camera solution. In my next article I will go into detail regarding thermal cameras.
Do I need a network for my system?
- A local fibre network will be required to connect all the cameras to the headend (CCTV recording device).
- For smaller or indoor installations, a copper network could be a more cost-effective option, but the most widely used option still remains a fiber network.
- Wireless technology could also be a option, but only if there are long distances, with line of sight, between camera points. Please note, this is not always the best option. We have a saying in the industry:” If you want stable, go cable”.
- A correct network design is therefore very important, as this network will be the connection/link between what is installed in the field with your headend.
Hard Drive Space?
Selecting the correct amount of hard drive space is very important and there are a few key points must be considered namely:
- Only use Surveillance Hard Drives. These hard drives are designed to operate continuously. Unlike a PC or notebook that has shut down periods of nor operation, CCTV systems recorder operates 24/7/365.
- Its best to speak to a professional when deciding on hard drive space as it may become a very expensive exercise if you select the incorrect option and have at worse loos of video footage when most needed in case of an incident that need had to be recorded
- Options also vary between continuous or motion recording only.
CCTV Systems changed dramatically over the last few years and the options are endless.
Re-Active CCTV Systems are a thing of the past with all the artificial intelligence and new technology that is available today to make your new or existing CCTV system pro-active.
Designing a proper CCTV Solution is more than just installing a few cameras. It is sometimes better not to have a CCTV System at all, than to have a poorly designed CCTV System. FANG has a team of experts ready to design, install, integrate and maintain your CCTV System.
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