So many products and confusing technical jargon make choosing a surveillance camera system difficult. It is hard to sort through all the claims about high resolution and night vision. Besides the big box stores put on display, most people don’t know that there are other kinds of security cameras. Big box chain stores use commercial-grade security cameras to protect their inventory. Look up at the ceiling of consumer electronics stores and you will see white dome cameras that are larger than your average consumer camera on your neighbor’s porch.
Commercial-Grade vs. Consumer-Grade Security Cameras
Security cameras can be divided into two broad categories. The first category, available in stores, is where you’ll usually find consumer-grade cameras with 8 to 16 cameras and a video recorder for less than $2,000. On the other hand, commercial-grade cameras start at about $400 each. In addition, you’ll also have to buy video recorders separately, and commercial grade recorders run from $500 to $5,000 depending on the amount of storage, camera connectivity and image processing your building requires.
Quality
At first glance, these two camera categories are similar, but if you look inside, the differences are clear. Unlike consumer-grade cameras, commercial-grade cameras are designed and built for high-performance applications where failure is not an option. Typically, consumer-grade cameras work best when there is lots of light, and as soon as the light dims or disappears (like at sunset or at night), you’ll see the difference.
Compared to their cheaper counterparts, commercial cameras have bigger internal video sensors and better components that can capture good video in low light. Consumer grade camera manufacturers have to cut corners to offer such low prices, so the end result is compromised performance. The price may be great, but is it any good to have a surveillance camera that only works in perfect conditions like bright sunlight?
Consumer-grade cameras can be great for nanny cams and keeping an eye on pets, but when it comes to gathering evidence of a crime, they fall flat. Commercial-grade cameras are the best products to monitor your valuables and environment.
Night Vision
Consumer-grade cameras often have bad night vision. Cameras can’t see in the dark without a light source to illuminate the area beneath them. Consumer cameras come with night vision illuminators that are designed to work only at short ranges with a fixed brightness. In other words, they tend to overexpose everything nearby in the scene, making people and objects look flat and undefined. Cameras for commercial use, on the other hand, often have night vision infrared (IR) illuminators that can adjust their brightness automatically. This feature is called Smart IR, and it makes the camera’s infrared light output match the surrounding environment. With Smart IR, the subjects appear properly exposed and in full detail. You can not rely on a camera if it can not provide a clear, properly-exposed image both during the day and at night.
System Integration and Building Connectivity
In today’s connected world, surveillance systems are rarely stand alone systems. It is good to know if your proposed camera system integrates with other products. Integration, in this context, refers to “smart” devices which talk to each other over your WIFI. A connected office (also known as a “smart building”) can use your WIFI to control and monitor lighting, audio, video, locks, alarm systems, and more. A commercial camera system can often connect to these smart devices. You can ask a voice controlled product like the Amazon Echo to show you the view. Just one example of how an integrated security system can help you is when you get a security sensor triggered by an intrusion. For example, an alarm can trigger, and then the lights can be automatically turned on in a house, and the perimeter doors can be locked, trapping the intruder. As a result, once-isolated systems can now work together to provide benefits and features.
Remote Video Storage
The ability to store and access video is another game-changer with an Internet connection. The cool thing about cloud video storage is that you can upload everything from your cameras to it. The cameras send their video directly to the cloud via the Internet, and once the video is uploaded, it stays there forever, so you have a better chance of catching intruders. With the growth of cloud video storage services, security video users increasingly back up their videos to the cloud instead of or in addition to local recorders. Video security customers are increasingly storing their videos in the cloud, and that trend will continue.
Professional Installation
You should look for advice and installation from a professional company in order to determine which surveillance camera system would be best suited to your needs. You need trained professionals with a demonstrated history of excellence in technical knowledge, customer service/aftercare, and reputation. Contact S and F WIFI Solutions today for all of your surveillance and security camera installation, maintenance or service needs.
