Questions to Ask Before Buying CCTV Cameras

There are many different reasons to buy a security camera. To improve the security at your home or place of business, ward off potential intruders and identify them should they break in successfully, or to set up an advance warning system. Before deciding on the ideal CCTV unit, however, there are some questions to ask about CCTV Cameras:

What type of camera do you need?

If you want a camera for situational awareness, i.e., to monitor what is going on around you, then you can opt for one with average resolution. To identify people’s faces, however, you’d need a hi-res camera. There are cameras that provide 24/7 monitoring; recording every time there is a change in the scenery being monitored. Then there are those that capture the license plate of every car that enters and exits a commercial property.

Do you want a wired or a wireless system?

Both options have advantages and disadvantages. Wired cameras are easy to integrate with security systems and are more reliable. However, they are quite expensive. Wireless systems run on Wi-Fi and they need constant power. So, whenever the power goes out, so does your CCTV unit. They are, however, cheaper than wired systems and they also allow easy integration.

Do you need extra illumination for your cameras?

More often than not, the answer to this is yes. Whether your camera is for situational awareness, to capture license plates, or to identify people, the unit needs proper lighting to be effective. Depending on your needs, you may either opt for white light or infrared illuminators. White lights illuminate the area being monitored for both the camera and passers-by while IR allows covert monitoring (illuminating the area for the camera but remaining invisible to the naked eye).

Iluminar has lighting solutions for all camera types. Visit our product page for more information and call 281-438-3500 for any inquiries.