Surveillance cameras are an essential component of your security system. The footage from security cameras helps solve criminal cases and is necessary for providing material evidence in other circumstances. In addition, security cameras are a vital supervision tool at the workplace. You can monitor the performance of your workers and prevent idleness at the office. If you want to buy a security camera, here are a few factors to consider.
Lighting
The type of lighting differs depending on your environment. Therefore, security cameras also perform differently depending on the light level of the environment you surveil. Several security camera alternatives can handle video surveillance for a brightly lit place. However, your choices reduce when the lighting levels make it difficult for the security cameras to capture clear video footage. The best way to identify a camera for dimly lit areas is to check the light sensitivity rating. Alternatively, you can examine the manufacturer's labelling for the "day" or "night" symbol. Some cameras also have both day and night capabilities. These cameras give you flexibility due to their low-light and bright light compatibility. You may consider purchasing day/light compatible security cameras if the light levels of your environment fluctuate, yet you need continuous surveillance.
The Surrounding
Apart from lighting, the performance of your camera depends on other environmental factors. For example, the weather may affect the quality of video surveillance footage recorded by the camera. The weather also affects the durability of your surveillance cameras. You can easily customise the climate of your indoor spaces through humidity control, air conditioning and heating. Therefore, any camera you choose for indoor applications works perfectly and lasts long. However, you have limited choices if you want cameras on the outside of your premises. When selecting a camera for outdoor applications, you must consider the impacts of rain, humidity, contaminants and ultraviolet rays. Ensure you request tough outdoor-grade cameras for outdoor applications.
You can also take additional precautions to secure your outdoor surveillance cameras. For example, you may fill all holes and spaces with waterproof materials like duct seal and silicone. You may also leave drip loops to ensure that water does not run into the power outlets through the holes. Your vendor may also provide waterproof feed-through bushings or covers to cover gaps. These additional precautions may increase the cost of outdoor cameras, but they ensure you obtain quality footage and prolong the lives of your security cameras.
Connection
Will you choose wired or wireless security cameras? This choice depends on the circumstances. Wired security cameras transfer data more securely than wireless ones. The wired cameras also send a more solid signal than the wireless ones. However, wired security cameras may cost you more money to install and run the cables than wireless ones. Wireless security cameras are flexible, and you can place them virtually anywhere. However, ensure you choose wireless security cameras with advanced encryption protocols due to security issues.