CCTV - Lessons Learned

These days, feeling secure is more critical than ever. Here are a few tips on building the best systems for:

1. Observation and recording - Collect evidence
2. Deterrence - Identify a breech of your perimeter and take action
3. Enhancement - Strengthen your defenses
4. Retreat - Protect yourself and family in the midst of a security breech

In the first system, Collecting evidence, there are numerous CCTV recording systems. My favorites are from HIKVision and Reolink. HIKVision has both extensive consumer and commercial lines. Reolink has a great line of pro-consumer systems. Each can be connected to the internet and you can get alerts based on motion sensing and alarm tripping. New facial recognition cameras are excellent ways for the police to help capture whomever invades your space and commits a crime.

The second, Deterrence has a whole legion of doorbell cameras with two-way audio. Here is a link to a review of the "Best Doorbell Cameras of 2020", I've installed the Arlo and the Ring and suggest you purchase and install Wi-Fi extenders from your Internet service provider or other source so the signal by your doors is as strong as it can be. These digital doorbells provide two-way audio so you can yell at an intruder BEFORE they enter your home or steal your packages. Today's Alexa-like devices can control your lights, alarms, doors, and so many other devices and services.

The third system is Enhancement. Why wait until someone is at your door or window. Install perimeter alarms, These systems detect people and vehicles in your driveway, someone walking by your gates, or trespassing on your property. Other enhancements that appear to be very effective are motion-sensor floodlights. Another enhancement is a gate. We suggest that you discuss using a gate with your local police department. They can advise you of the proper safety precautions you should take when entering and exiting through an automated gate.

The fourth system, Retreat, is designed to provide a safe space within your residence while intruders are in the building. Some people call these panic rooms. We suggest you work with a well-regarded contractor to build and maintain such a place in your home. Anything you can do to harden a door or wall to make it more dificult for an intruder to gain entrance is a wise idea.

But, the title of this article is CCTV Lessons Learned. Here they are:

• Choose a Network Video Recorder (NVR)with more memory and more ports than you actually need. You will be glad you did.
• We highly suggest you sign up for cloud storage. This way you'll have archives of events after your recorder has deleted them.
• Use only IP (Internet Protocol) digital cameras. To power them, use PoE (Power over Ethernet). Ethernet cables are referred to as "Data Cables"
• Label each cable at both ends and keep track of which cable is run to which location. Verify with cameras. We have an assistant move to each camera so we can easily identify which camera is where as we view them on screen.
• Create a map and notate the camera locations.
• Use the recorder software to name each camera view. Avoid the Cam 1, Cam 2 Cam 3 mistake. You can keep the Cam 1 but add a description like "back stairs"
• Have a reputable installer run your cables. If you have the time and tools, you can install your own connectors. If you use a contractor, tell them you want the connector wiring to conform to the TIA 568B standard.
• Use the weather boots to protect the camera jacks and the cable connectors. The connection between metals is a source of corrosion in the presence of moisture. We see too many contractors skipping this step.
• Use PTZ cameras wherever possible. It just makes adjustment so much easier
• Change out lampposts so the light points downward, not out and about. Sight your camera placement to take into account lights that will blow the IR part of the camera out at night and make them worthless at night.
• Get one of those extendible brushes so you can clean the PTZ cameras of the cobwebs and spiders that are sure to collect.
• Use high-resolution cameras. We suggest at least 5MP
• The recorder should include Power over Ethernet.
• Wiring - No more coaxial cable but if you do have old coax, even though you can use converters, we do not suggest it. Run new Cat5e or Cat 6 cable (300' maximum).
• Do not use an IR camera to capture license plates it reflects and blooms the image, making it impossible to read the plate number. Illuminate the area with light, instead.

For more information or for answers to any questions, contact us at www.teachitnow.net