Life is the most beautiful and exquisite treasure that we humans possess, and we instinctively take measures to keep ourselves safe and try to make our surroundings more secure. Because no one wants to live in a world where they are always stressed out, we always aim to live in a safe and secure atmosphere.
We take numerous measures every day to stay cautious; some of the steps we carry are unintentional, while others are well thought and carefully planned. For example, we drive safe not only because we want to keep ourselves safe but also because we have to keep others safe as responsible citizens.
Apart from our life and the life of others, we also guard the things that we love by taking various precautions; one of the best ways to have a secure environment is through surveillance. Almost every day, we hear stories about the increasing crime, and one of the most frequently occurring forms of corruption are burglaries, breaking, and theft.
The best way to effectively surveil your surroundings is through CCTV Security Systems; you can utilize these systems in many places for various reasons; however, we see them mostly being used at homes and businesses. CCTV cameras are extraordinarily good at surveillance and successfully reduce the crime rates; due to such reasons installing a CCTV security system becomes vital for your habitat.
Most people don’t realize how difficult it is to install CCTV cameras, which is why we’ve put together our definitive guide on installing CCTV cameras.
Table of Contents
Type of Security Cameras
Before deciding to install a security system, the first thing that you must choose is what kind of camera you want to install. The choice is mostly based on your needs as different cameras are suitable for different situations, and every type of camera has its unique set of features.
The different types of CCTV cameras include Dome Cameras, Bullet Cameras, Fisheye Cameras, Pan Tilt Zoom Cameras, and Doorbell Cameras. Each camera has its benefits and downsides; for example, you can use the Bullet camera to focus on a specific part of your premises. A Fisheye camera is useful when you want to have a wide field of view without focusing on details.
Talking about details, the camera that is specially used for a detailed view is the Pan Tilt Camera as these are mostly used to zoom on license plates and focus on faces; you can also use doorbell cameras to focus on faces that tell you who’s on your door. Using different cameras for different places is good, but most professionals recommend mixing-and-match camera types according to the places you’re mounting them on.
Gather the Components of a CCTV System
One of the main reasons installing a CCTV system is so complicated is that they consist of various complex components essential in making the cameras fully functional. The features that you must gather to ensure a smooth installation include cables, anchors, power adapters, screws, and drills. Cameras are usually installed at someplace high so always remember to keep a ladder with you; apart from these basic components, CCTV cameras also come with NVR and Hard drives.
The NVR is also known as Network Video Recorder; this is a device usually connected to a hard drive and the camera. The main purpose of the NVR is to capture videos and images and transmit them to your mobile or computer. With the help of a Network Video Recorder, you can see a combined feed of all the cameras. Also, you must make sure that you have a hard drive with sufficient storage as the camera records and stores videos 24/7.
The Installation of CCTV Cameras
Before we get into the installation process, it is highly recommended to find a CCTV camera service provider near you. Professionals are always ready to help and have experience related to such technical stuff. Another reason it is recommended to take professional help is that they save a lot of time; they plan things such as the location of installations, the angles, and the types of camera used.
Identifying the Location of Installation
The first step of CCTV camera installation is to know what camera is suitable for what location; all those CCTV cameras that we discussed earlier are divided into two categories, indoor cameras, and outdoor cameras. If installation is being done in an office or house, cctv monitoring services, then an indoor camera is used that is sensitive and is made according to indoor environment.
However, outdoor cameras are made with strong and durable materials that can withstand different things. For example, birds usually make their nests on outdoor cameras, causing a lot of damage; outdoor cameras are also made to sustain damage from harsh weather.
Locate the Power Source or Improvise
Many people don’t give much attention to installing CCTV cameras because they need a continuous power source. After all, the camera is no good if it isn’t online all the time. There are two types of power sources: wired and wireless; wired cameras are usually good for indoors as you can easily power them; however, one downside with wired cameras is that they go out when the power goes out.
In such cases, you should install wireless cameras with batteries inside them; most wireless cameras have rechargeable batteries that you can recharge with preinstalled solar panels.
Mount the Camera
After identifying and improvising, the next step is to grab a ladder and install the camera in its place. You must have all the necessary tools; all you need to do is drill some holes and mount the cameras with a screw; however, you should make sure that the angle is accurate, and if it is a rotating camera, nothing hinders its movement.
Set Up the Cables and Wires
The most complicated part where you would require assistance from professionals is setting up cables and wires. These wires are connected to the power supply or the NVR recorder; each wire goes in a different plug and through a separate room. This setup gets extremely confusing for a normal person; however, if you are keen on working alone, you can read the manuals that come with these systems.
You can also look for PoE security camera connection diagrams and Wireless IP camera connection diagrams for further help.
Setting up the Required Software
The last step of setting up a CCTV camera is installing the required software and applications; CCTV camera manufacturers usually provide these applications to install on your smartphone and computers. These CCTV system apps come with various features such as live view, recording, zoom in/out, motion detection, and night vision.
Final Note
CCTV camera installation has become an absolute necessity. Usually, the stakes are very high when it comes to matters such as security which is why you shouldn’t take a risk and always seek professional guidance. Getting assistance from CCTV professionals could cost you some money, but it would be of much less value than something that you might lose due to poor security.
Author Bio:
Audrey Throme | about.me/audreythrone
Audrey Throne has an ongoing affair with the words that capture readers’ attention. Her passion for writing dates back to her pre-blogging days. She loves to share her thoughts related to business, technology, health and fashion.
Find her on Twitter: @audrey_throne
