When it comes to selecting a CCTV system – for either your commercial premises or home – the internet is full of product reviews and forums, extolling the virtues of one particular system over another. They come with a dizzying array of features and prices.
It can all be very confusing - especially if you are pushed for time or only have a passing knowledge of the subject matter.
Key points to consider when choosing a CCTV system
You probably have a number of questions that need answering. First, the basics.
- What are the best quality outdoor CCTV cameras?
- How do they work and who will fit them?
- What is the quality of image in darkness – is lighting required?
- What happens if I need further assistance or the system is called into service, who will maintain it?
- Will the police automatically respond if there is an attempted break-in?
(the answer is that only systems monitored by Alarm Receiving Centres can call the Police) However we do supply an app with our systems which can notify you of an activation
And then we get into other areas.
- Can the CCTV cameras be integrated with other equipment outputs and inputs to trigger each other, e.g., lighting, speech sounders etc?
- What about night vision, motion detection and mobile app compatibility.
- Does it record purely visual footage or is sound included?
- What sort of recording equipment will be required and how will the data be stored?
- Do the cameras view into properties and are warning signs displayed?
And the biggest question of all - what will it all cost?
With increased technology and choice, there is so much to consider for the majority of people with little or only a modicum of security equipment expertise, making it a potential minefield.
That’s why it is best to not only select a professional installer but a company that can walk you through all the available options.
What are the essential components of a CCTV system?
You can be assured that all the CCTV equipment you require is out there, in varying degrees of sophistication, ready to protect your home or business.
It’s just a case of packaging it up and bringing it all together, to create one bespoke solution for you.
Making the right choice will be dependent upon numerous factors; the prime considerations are the size and layout of the site along with the property or properties contained within its boundaries.
The placement of cameras – potentially both indoors and externally – needs to be sufficient to secure both the premises and also the lives of everyone inside, whether it be family members or the staff you employ.
The Positioning of Cameras
As far as you are concerned, the best cameras for you are the ones that will provide the most effective coverage and visibility, tailored to your lifestyle or work environment.
If you have a property with direct road frontage, clearly visible to anyone walking past, most thieves will be looking for less conspicuous areas to gain access. So having cameras located to cover hidden corners is always a sensible option, to help provide total coverage.
If you are inside the premises when you hear that proverbial bump in the night, you can then check the cameras rather than put yourself in a potentially vulnerable position looking for an intruder. And even if you are not on site, today’s CCTV systems provide you with the facility of monitoring the premises remotely from your mobile phone.
Making informed choices about CCTV
A system that is tailored to your specific requirements, within your preferred cost parameters, is always going to offer up the best solution. This will ensure that you don’t end up with a system that either lets you down or doesn’t do the job you expected.
How will your system be monitored and managed?
This is a very important element of the whole procedure. Security isn’t a 9-5 business. Criminals don’t work set hours. That’s why round-the-clock monitoring is vital if you are going to get the most from your CCTV system.
Budget
The more substantial the property, the greater the number of security cameras it will require to cover all the angles. Certain systems are better than others at supporting a high volume of cameras. Also, bear in mind that the larger the number of security cameras, the more expensive the equipment is likely to be.
The aim won’t be to turn the premises into Fort Knox – but well secured within your given budget!
Working with an approved installer
Knowing that your system is reliable and installed to the highest industry standards will provide you with the peace of mind you need. In this business, experience counts for a lot!
At Justice Fire & Security, we have acquired decades of knowledge designing, installing and maintaining CCTV systems for commercial and residential clients.
We can help you create a bespoke system that matches your needs – saving you the time of researching all the info yourself and potentially still ending up back at square one!
Above all, opting for a bespoke system centred around high-quality, well-positioned equipment, which is properly monitored and managed, is always going to be a better long-term option than a standardised product that will invariably fall short of what you need.
If you want help and advice about installing residential or commercial intruder alarms or CCTV systems, Justice Fire & Security have more than 30 years of experience upon which you can draw.
We are based in Birmingham and offer a prompt service to domestic and business customers, most typically within a 50-mile radius of our West Midlands headquarters
The areas we cover include large parts of Staffordshire, Worcestershire, Leicestershire, Warwickshire, Northamptonshire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire including locations such as Wolverhampton, Coventry, West Bromwich, Solihull, Sutton Coldfield, Lichfield, Tamworth, Stafford and Stoke.
For all enquiries, contact our main number on 0845 257 0090 or our local office
