If you do a quick Google search for “commercial security cameras” your query will come back with about 454,000,000 results; that’s because there are thousands of different makes and models of security cameras on the market today. With so many different types of video surveillance camera options, it can be difficult to decide which is best for the security needs of your facility.
While there are a number of factors to consider and evaluate, a good place to start is by learning more about the primary types of cameras that are available to you.
Types of Security Cameras
Analog Cameras
Analog cameras are what comes to mind for many people when they think of commercial security cameras because they have been used for a number of years. These cameras work in a pretty straightforward manner. Once an image has been picked by the camera, it is taken to the monitor and then recorded on videotape or DVR. Analog cameras rely on a number of composite wires for power and communication.
A couple of the benefits of analog security cameras include:
- Lower cost – Since they are an older technology, analog cameras are cheaper than newer IP cameras (which we will get to shortly).
- Greater Compatibility – With analog, it is easy to mix and match different cameras. If you already have some analog cameras that you wish to continue using, it will be much easier to integrate them with other new analog systems. When purchasing a new camera system, however, your best bet is to go with IP cameras. Which brings us to our next section.
Internet Protocol
Internet protocol (IP) cameras are the newer and more technologically advanced camera type on the market. IP cameras capture images or video and compress the files to transmit over a network. IP cameras can be connected to a network using ethernet cables or they can be connected wirelessly via a WiFi router.
A few of the benefits of IP cameras include:
- Better network connection – IP cameras have encryption built right into them providing for a secure network connection.
- Excellent video quality – IP cameras have better image quality and a larger field of vision than analog cameras.
- The ability to integrate with remote monitoring apps – Since IP cameras act as network devices, video feed can be accessed and viewed using apps like SupremeConnect.
Night Vision Cameras
As the name implies, night vision cameras are used at night or in very low light conditions. On most of these cameras, the night vision operates automatically. Sensors detect a change in lighting and switch to night vision mode, which is a rather simple process. The front of the camera is covered with powerful LED bulbs, and when it gets dark out, the LEDs turn on and cover the camera’s field of view with infrared light.
However, the infrared light emitted by these is completely invisible to the human eye, so it doesn’t appear that there is a bright light flooding the area. There is, but your eyes just can’t see it.
Night vision cameras are very helpful if you are interested in monitoring an outdoor area or a facility where the lights get turned off at night.
Security cameras are just one of the elements that can be configured to make up a comprehensive commercial security system that meets the unique security needs of your business. To learn more about our business security solutions, contact us today!