Video Surveillance System

A good video surveillance system is important for almost any business. After all, it’s difficult to be profitable if you can’t protect your assets.

Video surveillance systems have come a long way from fixed security cameras. This technology now functions as miniature computers, offering features such as motion sensors and automatic mobile notifications. There are also newer, more efficient ways to manage and store recordings, allowing business owners with easy access to past videos.

Small business owners now have access to immensely powerful video surveillance systems at relatively affordable prices. An average video surveillance system for business will cost around 1lac INR depending on what type of system you are using, the number of cameras, building size, and other factors unique to your business.

When it comes to buying and implementing a new video surveillance system for business, ELV Technologies allow a large degree of customizability, meaning you can tailor a system to your business’s needs. Whether you need a widespread system that covers multiple locations or just a few cameras to watch your storefront, there’s a solution for everyone.

Benefits of a Video Surveillance System

Before diving into the details, it’s important to note the many benefits of a video surveillance system. Not only can surveillance cameras deter criminals and help law enforcement quickly catch any would-be thieves, but these systems can improve the accountability of your employees, help you monitor productivity and sometimes even reduce your insurance premiums. While the upfront costs of installing a video surveillance system can be a little steep, the long-term payoff and peace of mind may well be worth the expense.

IP Cameras vs. Analog Cameras 

There are two primary types of cameras that can be wired into a video surveillance system: internet protocol (IP) cameras and the traditional analog cameras. IP cameras are the modern iteration of analog cameras, and while the individual cameras tend to be a little more expensive, they offer several features that analog cameras do not. Here’s a look at the differences between the two types of cameras.

Resolution 

IP cameras are far more powerful than analog cameras, usually shooting footage of 1MP to 5MP (megapixels). That makes for incredibly clear image quality, especially compared to the grainy analog footage, which runs around one-half of a megapixel. IP cameras generally have a larger field of vision than analog cameras.

Video Analytics 

IP cameras have additional features that analog cameras don’t offer, such as video analytics, which can trigger mobile notifications and automatic recording if there is a movement within the camera’s field of vision. This is particularly useful when your business is closed and you want to be alerted if someone is moving around inside the premises. You can configure the system to flag events like this and send notifications directly to your smartphone, along with recorded footage of the event. Some systems also offer a direct, one-touch connection to local law enforcement.

Wi-Fi Connectivity

Wireless IP cameras can connect to a Wi-Fi network with password protection to make sure your connection stays private. Digital transmission for Wi-Fi-connected cameras is less easily affected by neighboring devices than transmission for analog cameras, but cameras in network-complex areas may experience some interference. Image quality is dependent on the strength of the wireless connection, so make sure your Wi-Fi signal is consistently strong if you go this route.

Network Video Recorders 

IP cameras are compatible with network video recorders (NVRs), which offer several other benefits over the older digital video recorders (DVRs) that this guide will cover. In short, NVRs record higher-quality video and allow systems to scale up much more easily than with DVR. For more information on video recorders, see the section below.

PoE Switches 

IP cameras can also connect to a power-over-Ethernet (PoE) switch, which both sends data from the camera and provides power to it. Analog cameras, on the other hand, require a switch to run the signal from the camera as well as a separate power source, meaning a more complex setup and more wires. PoE switches are generally a more secure way to transmit data as well. 

Comparable System Cost

While IP cameras are generally more expensive than their analog counterparts, the total cost of a full IP system tends to be slightly lower than that of a comparable analog system. Since IP cameras have a wider field of vision, an IP system can often work with fewer cameras than an analog system.

Digital Video Recorders vs. Network Video Recorders

All the cameras in a given system require a central video recorder to transmit and archive the footage they capture. DVRs evolved from the older VCR models, while NVRs represents the next step in the evolution of video recording technology. Here’s a look at how DVRs and NVRs compare.