3 Steps Complete Guide To Choosing The Best CCTV For Your Business

Posted Feb 27th, 2023

While plenty of security solutions exist, learning the best method to protect and secure your business is essential to the safety of everyone who participates in your operation. One of the most effective solutions is installing CCTV and hiring level 3 security guards for a foot patrol. This method will provide well-rounded top-quality surveillance, as you will have visuals at all times and physical deterrence with a foot patrol. In addition, this method works best because cameras help law enforcement identify perpetrators. At the same time, security can deter criminals, escort individuals off property, and detain criminals caught in the act if necessary. Whether you're looking to add CCTV cameras installed professionally or do it yourself, we have tips for you. In this article, we’ll explain the basics so you can make an informed decision.

Step 1: Securing Hot Zones

The first step to creating a safe work environment is knowing the proper locations to place your cameras—all hot zones for criminal activity. We highlight these critical areas because any centralized zone where burglars must pass through, may enter from, and hide themselves or stolen goods in for later should be monitored. In addition, one of the essential areas to cover is the point of sales and reception (P.O.S.). POS should always have cameras facing the employee and the customer making the transaction. Although we may have confidence in our employees, internal theft is still possible, and robbery is most likely to occur in the P.O.S. region. Undeniably, proper camera placement will reduce your liability and prevent loss.

Critical Areas for Security Camera Placement:

• Windows Ground Floors
• Main Hallways Stairways
• Common areas
• Parking Lots/ Garages
• Detached Buildings and Warehouses
• Point of Sales
• Reception
• Secluded regions (such as dumpsters and corners)

Fun Fact: A recent study by the American Management Association stated that “almost half (48%) of the companies surveyed use video monitoring to counter theft, violence, and sabotage”.

Step 2: Camera Positioning & Installation Tips

Another component to consider when installing CCTV cameras in critical areas is the security camera positioning, durability, and mounting mechanisms. For exterior locations, do not place security cameras facing the sun or where reflections (caused by mirrors or windows) and high glare can block the visuals of footage. Instead, outdoor cameras should be placed 8 to 10 feet above the ground to avoid easy access for criminals to over or destroy cameras. Ensure that for exterior locations, you are purchasing weather-resistant cameras, as internal cameras can not withstand rain, sleet, or snow. Lastly, you must ensure you buy cameras with mounting property equipment; some cameras require brackets, while other cameras can simply screw into the ceiling or wall.

Simultaneously it is crucial to consider the camera's placement pattern to ensure all areas are covered, as it is valuable for documenting criminal activity and identifying the perpetrator during the investigation process.

Common Camera Position patterns include:

• Back-to-Back Pattern: Place two cameras facing back-to-back in the middle of the wall. The lenses will be facing opposite directions eliminating any blind spots.
• Secret Service Pattern: This design works for both analog and IP cameras. The two cameras are installed on the same wall, separated by 15-20 feet and facing towards each other. The design ensures that if one camera is disabled, the perpetrator will be seen for an extended period.
• Corner to Corner: This is the most commonly used design for exterior and placement. Place each camera on the corners of the building's exterior. They must all be facing either clockwise or counterclockwise in direction, eliminating any blindspots available.

Step 3 Choosing The Correct Camera

As technology processes speed over the years, CCTV cameras have come a long way since their debut in 1942. Today, there are two major types of cameras: analog and IP

Analog Cameras:

Analog cameras use a wire connection from a digital video recorder, also known as a “DVR.” Connecting analog cameras with a DVR system involves plugging a single Bayonet Neill–Concelman cable, known as a BNC cable, from the DVR into the camera. It requires additional BNC cables if you would like to connect more than one camera to the DVR. Fortunately, most DVR systems allow up to 16 cameras per unit. However, because of the wiring mechanism, there are limitations. DVRs require that the cameras are close to the recorder; otherwise, video quality degrades. The amount of wiring may also make it challenging for you to scale up the number of cameras. Lastly, although you can not zoom in with these cameras can be mobile, they can be installed with a tilt and pan feature, also known as PTZ analog cameras. Analog cameras are ideal for monitoring a single location, as it is relatively inexpensive and easy to install.

Alternitvely, you can use a PoE Switch:
PoE switches are another method to connect your analog camera to a network, like an IP camera instead of a DVR, which is what Analog cameras traditionally use; however, they are much more expensive as they require extra wiring and a separate power source. PoE switches are a feature that sends data from the camera and provides power. Once your Analog camera connects to the NVR network, it will eliminate issues associated with using DVR. NVR will allow you to record video footage and keep it on a hard disk, a mass storage device, or a cloud.

Additional Benefits top using a PoE switch

• Easier to Install
• Controlled Power Output
• Easier to Troubleshoot
• Have IP Addresses so you can log in remotely via a web browser or app to optimize and adjust settings
• More secure than individually wired systems
• Access your camera remotely from anywhere on any device.

Pro tip: Not all cameras are PoE compatible; if they are, you may also need a PoE splitter or injector to set up non-PoE network links.

IP Cameras:

IP security cameras use network connections (internet connections) via an Ethernet cable. They are more expensive than analog but offer many more features, such as remote monitoring and night vision. In addition, IP cameras can monitor multiple locations simultaneously. Additionally, an IP camera provides a more comprehensive view and a higher video quality, allowing you to zoom into the areas you’re watching to retrieve detail and allow pan and tilt features if necessary. IP cameras can also be connected to the same network via a PoE switch and transmit footage to the NVR. As a result, Ip cameras are easier to scale up because they can accept a new camera once added to the network with fewer supplies than a DVR system. In addition, some IP cameras are wireless and transmit footage to the NVR over Wi-Fi. A pro to using an IP Camera is that there are no proximity limitations as long as a camera is connected to the same network as the NVR, and they often have built-in encryption, data compression, and network and cybersecurity measures.

Pro tip: Although IP cameras work with every NVR. Suppose you choose not to hire a professional to install your system; you’ll need to verify that your cameras are compatible with the digital video recorder to add an analog camera to your NVR Network.

Both analog and IP security cameras have advantages and disadvantages, so it is essential to consider which type of camera is best for your specific needs. For example, analog cameras are usually cheaper than Analog and IP systems but are limited in features and video quality.

Key Component to consider in CCTV:

• Knowing the type of Camera and mounting mechanisms
• Clarity (Resolution) and Camera Quality
• Recording storage and Live monitoring
• Night Vision and Mobility
• Audio Recording features
• Installation processes

To help narrow in your decision, Ask yourself these essential questions:

• Do I need to record specific events or continuously?
• How often will I need to access my camera system?
• How clear will I need the image to be? For example, do I require facial and spatial identification?
• Where do I need to stall these cameras?

Let's get technical: Clarity (Resolution) and Camera Quality

Resolution ( camera image clarity) varies between Analog and IP cameras; Analog cameras are limited compared to the resolutions of an IP camera.

When using the North American broadcast television standard/British broadcast television standard, the initials stand for Phase Alternating Line or NTSC/PAL standard as our guide; this is how the cameras compare.

NTSC/PAL has a standard of 720 x 480 pixels or 0.4 megapixels.

• Analog cameras range rom 420 to 700 pixels, which can produce sharp images but is less than the NTSC/PAL standard.
• IP cameras can range from 1.3 to 5 megapixels (2560 x 1920) of compressed, encoded transmissions, more than the NTSC/PAL standard.

How you will save your video footage: Types of Recording Storage:

Depending on your security camera vendor, you can choose between NVR, DVR, and hybrid. For example, you can store data on a DVR or keep it on a hard disk, a mass storage device, or a cloud. Additionally, you may ask your vendor to store your video footage for an extended period. We recommend keeping footage up to 6 months prior.

Having well-placed cameras is valuable for documenting criminal activity and identifying the perpetrator during the investigation process. Although cameras are fantastic at deterring low-level criminals, it does not prevent every criminal from trying. As we’ve all seen throughout our news cycles and social media feeds, perpetrators typically cover their faces and cannot be identified by cameras alone. Criminals feel they can steal with minimal risks of consequence. Unfortunately, this is one of the cons of having a camera system without having security guards present. For example, a recent study performed by NCBI at a location with a high crime rate with CCTV already installed experienced a 16% drop in crime once they introduced security personnel to the site. It also resulted in a 49% increase in police presence patrolling the perimeters. Having CCTV and an active security guard gives you total peace of mind and provides a well-rounded security system. Unadoubly this is why cameras coupled with a security guard who is available to deter and detain those individuals in the act will make your security system an unstoppable force.

Pro tip: Ensure your company has licensed guards carrying body cameras, especially if the guard carries a firearm.

We hope you found this article informative and helpful. If you would like a licensed risk consultant to review your current security system or would like to hire security guards for your property, contact us at 214.263.7753 for more information.