We talk about the elements of a video surveillance system and choose a camera according to important parameters: placement and height, lens viewing angle and focal length.
Remote control of order in the house today is available to everyone: simple and inexpensive video monitoring systems are widely represented on sale. We tell you how to choose equipment for solving such problems.
Elements of a video surveillance system
Digital technologies make it possible to significantly simplify the design of cameras, wireless data transmission technologies eliminate the need to pull wires, and the ubiquitous Internet and cloud systems solve the problem of storing large amounts of information, and also simplify access to it for its owners.
A classic video surveillance system consists of three main elements: a set of cameras that record video, a computer (video recorder) on which the video results are processed, recorded, displayed on the monitor screen, and a data storage device (for example, a hard disk). Such systems can either be operated autonomously or be part of a more complex set of equipment.
For example, a video surveillance subsystem is almost always integrated into a smart home system. But the general principle of operation in all cases is approximately the same. In the simplest cases, the entire home video surveillance system actually consists of one video camera with a built-in Wi-Fi modem, which transmits data to any suitable computer or smartphone.
Cloud storage
This service is becoming more and more popular today – the video is transferred to special servers-data banks, to cloud storage. This option has its advantages: the availability of data for a wide range of users anywhere in the world and at the same time good security: hacking a Google or Yandex server is much more problematic than just losing a smartphone. Well, besides, specialists providing cloud storage services better monitor the safety of information and make its backup in time, which usually cannot be said about ordinary users.
Typical solutions for video surveillance systems with cloud storage attract many users with ease of maintenance and configuration. These turnkey solutions offer users a set of one or more cameras that are ready to go right out of the box. This allows you to very quickly organize video surveillance at the selected object – by installing a camera, for example, on a balcony, the user will be able to remotely monitor the parking of his car.
Camera selection
Choose a camera depending on the conditions of its work. Here are the most important ones that should not be forgotten.
Location
Outdoor flood light with camera must be protected from rain, snow and other adverse weather conditions. Therefore, cameras in a protected housing are specially chosen for the street. As an option, you can purchase such a protective case-case separately. Do not forget that outdoor cameras should also be protected from direct sunlight entering the lens, which can spoil the picture. If the camera is installed in an open place, it is desirable that the lens be covered from the sun’s rays with a visor. Also check the operating temperature range (specified in the specifications) to ensure that the camera is capable of operating in both the hottest and coldest temperatures.
Placement Height
Low-lying cameras must be protected from damage by crooks or vandals. In such cases, a protective anti-vandal housing can be useful. It is better, of course, to place the camera in such a way that it is difficult to get close to it (after all, in order to disable the device, it is enough to stick the lens with tape or spray it with spray paint, and no case will help here). It is also recommended to install video cameras hidden, for example by embedding them into the wall during plastering work. But do not forget that covert video surveillance even in your own home for citizens without their warning is illegal.
Most modern cameras have sufficient sensitivity to function normally even in low light conditions. Cameras with IR illumination can work even in total darkness. But keep in mind that the backlight gives an acceptable image quality only at a certain distance from the camera to the object. Therefore, you need to know this distance and take it into account when placing cameras.
Lens viewing angle
It is determined by the rays from the optical center of the lens, aimed at objects that fall on the edges of the frame (usually in a horizontal scan). The wider the viewing angle, the more panoramic the frame is, but the objects will be small and less distinguishable.
Conclusion
If you want to choose the right video surveillance system for your home. This guide will help you get all the required information. Begin your journey towards a safer environment by exploring our comprehensive range of video surveillance solutions, tailored to meet diverse security needs. So, choose wisely.
