VIDEO SURVEILLANCE/CCTV - Helping you find the right system type for your needs

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So you've made the decision to take the next step in securing your home or business and plan on getting a video surveillance system installed.  You've started trying to get a step ahead of the game and began to do some research on systems and pricing, only to find yourself lost in a sea of information and options that has left you more confused than when you started.  Now you're reaching for your bottle of extra strength asprin to help soothe your headache from the information overload and are feeling defeated.  Does this sound like your situation?  If so, Cool Geekz is here to help!

Video Surveillance, also known as cctv, breaks down in a couple different primary components:

• Coax (BNC) or IP (POE) based
• Wired or Wifi system

Let's take a closer look at both of these.  

Coax CCTV SYSTEMS
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Coax based systems use a siamese cable, which consists of coax and power wires, to provide both video and power between each camera and the DVR storage device.  Analog systems have been around forever and are what you will typically see at any big box retailer or wholesale club (Sam's/BJ'/Costco).   Older analog systems usually list camera resolutions on average from 500-960h tv lines, which produce grainy images.  Advancements have been made that allow newer TVI/CVI/AHD analog systems to produce HD resolutions. The cameras are normally equipped with 1.3 (720p) or 2.1 (1080p) megapixel lenses.  Higher end models can now support up to 5 megapixel lenses, which was typically only something seen in costly IP cameras.  Below are a few images of HD resolution from HD analog cameras.

These systems are normally bundled with a DVR for storage that can be connected to your home network to allow remote viewing via an app while away from home.  Analog camera wiring has to be routed back to the DVR, which can sometimes cause limitations in the installation process.  Typically, a 4-8 camera HD analog system will range in cost from $500-800 for equipment.

​Considering these benefits, added with the price point on the equipment, makes analog systems still the go to for most consumers stepping into video surveillance. 

IP/POE BASED CCTV SYSTEMS

IP/POE systems are more commonly found in commercial settings.  The cameras operate off CAT 5e or CAT 6 ethernet cable.  They have the capability to transmit video, data, audio, and power all on a single cable.  IP cameras also can typically produce far superior resolutions when compared to analog, and have more features.  IP camera resolutions typically equipped 2 or more megapixel lenses, allowing them to produce crisp, clear, true HD images.  Below are a few pictures of typical resolutions IP cameras produce.  

The cameras are most times paired with a NVR for storage and remote viewing via an app or computer.  These cameras also are more versatile due to the single wire per camera and offer more flexibility during the installation process.  Typical equipment cost for IP systems  range from $800 - $1500 for 4 to 8 camera systems. 
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WIRED vs WIFI SYSTEMS

Wired cameras (hard wired to a DVR/NVR) are far more reliable that wifi systems.  Wired systems are able to provide a constant video feed to DVR/NVR, and continue to record even if the local internet connection fails.  Wired systems also usually only require a power source and internet connection to the DVR/NVR itself, allowing it to act as the hub for the entire system.  A hard drive is included inside the DVR/NVR allowing it to hold multiple weeks of data that can be retrieved and exported in the even that something needed to be reviewed, shared, or saved.  Also having a hard drive on site eliminates the added cost of cloud storage.

Wifi cameras are not truly wireless as they require a power source to run each camera.  There are a few cameras available that run off batteries, but they are very limited and only activate when motion is detected.  To successfully keep each camera online, a strong and consistent wifi signal is required with good upload internet data speed.  Opting for a wifi cctv system will almost always require that modifications be made to the existing wifi network in place by way of a range extender or modem/router replacement.  Most wireless systems also only offer a cloud based storage option with a an added monthly cost.  Resolution typically is 720p to 1080p at best.  While wifi cameras are a good solution in certain situations, multiple wifi cameras can put a strain on the internet speed at the location.


Hopefully this article helps bridge the gap and makes your journey into the world of surveillance a little easier!  
Please feel free to comment or contact us directly with additional questions and feedback.  

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Take the guesswork out and let our pros put a top notch package together for you!  
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