Whether you’re a shop owner, a homeowner, or someone who just wants added protection in a space, you may be on the lookout for a CCTV system available here in Singapore. Due to all the advances in CCTV technology, there are so many systems that you can choose from that there’s bound to be one that is perfect for you. The very act of choosing, however, can be a daunting task. There are so many things that you will need to consider, from the type of connections to the kind of place that you need to monitor. While learning about the right CCTV camera and system can be confusing and mind-boggling, it doesn’t have to be impossible. Here are a few factors to consider when choosing a security camera and CCTV system.
1. Price and Quality
A CCTV system can be expensive. As someone who is looking for a CCTV system, this can be something that you already know. But with most pieces of technology, going cheap isn’t always the best way forward. While it’s not always the case, price does often mean quality when it comes to CCTV systems. And considering the fact that this is a system responsible for your safety and security, you’ll want to make sure that your gate security system is reliable and resilient. The same goes for other biometric technology installed in your Singapore office, such as thumbprint authentication and card access to control door lock
When considering the price and quality of the system, you will also have to think about the longevity of your system. If you don’t already have a system in place, you may be better off than those who do. Because of the advances in CCTV technology, getting into the CCTV game has never been cheaper. For those who don’t have a system already, it is much cheaper to invest in IP CCTV. To be even more efficient with costs, it is a good idea to invest in a small system that will allow you to eventually add more cameras to your network.
Make sure to avoid buying a cheap, unbranded camera. More often than not, those purchases end with a trip to a more reputable manufacturer. Thankfully, there are many reliable and reputable manufacturers in Singapore that you can do business with so that you don’t have to resort to buying inferior brands.
2. What You Need
There are many different systems with many different features. To make sure that you’re spending efficiently, it’s important to make sure that all the features of your system are necessary and well-understood. Of course, the more features your system has, the more expensive it is. While more features mean more chances of keeping your house, office or shop safe, it’s much better to do without it if it’s not necessary.
No matter what you need, there are many different types of cameras that you can choose from. For example, there are cameras that are designed to function in environments where they are susceptible to damage, like heavy rains and condensation. There also pan-tilt-zoom cameras (also called PTZ cameras), which are great for wide expansive areas. You may also stick to simpler features for an office camera, for example. But with all the manufacturers that you can choose from in Singapore, chances are there is the perfect model for your needs.
3. Consider Lighting Conditions
One of the things that people fail to consider is the lighting conditions that their cameras will have to be subject to. It’s always a good idea to test the different models that you’re considering to make sure that it interacts well with your environment. Placing a camera indoors or outdoors affect the lighting that a camera will be subject to; outdoor cameras will, of course, have a higher chance of being exposed to too much light, the amounts of which changes throughout the seasons.
As for indoor cameras, you will also need to consider the types of materials that are inside the house. There will be materials, like floor tiles and varnished banisters, that can reflect light straight into a CCTV camera, rendering the footage useless. There can also be instances of a backlight which can cause a glare in the camera or even special effects lighting like stage lights and strobe lights.
To mitigate this problem, check to see if your camera models have features that address this problem. Some models are fitted with technology that can capture footage in different lighting conditions, such as infrared cut-off filters or artificial illuminators.
4. Wired or Wireless
CCTV systems collect your footage in one of two ways: through a wired network (using an analog camera), or a wireless network. While both of them have their own merits, going wireless (using an IP camera) can be more efficient in the long run. This is because an IP camera requires fewer lines for more features and can deliver higher-quality footage that can be remotely accessed and stored, which removes the possibility of someone breaking into your home and destroying past footage.
But an IP CCTV also has its own weaknesses. For one thing, there are higher chances of a wireless feed to be blocked by walls, metals, and other sources of interference like radios, phones, and internet routers. There is also the possibility of hackers who can remotely cut off your feed, or worse, view you through your own security camera.
However, these fears can be unfounded. Instances of an IP camera being hacked is extremely rare. You can also take steps to keep your data secure, such as hiring a third-party firm to make sure that your CCTV feed is secured in a safe method and location. Going wireless and choosing an IP camera, therefore, is a much better decision than using an analog camera, as it lets you avoid having bulky wires that remove the possibility of future scaling.
