By: Damion Dick
There are 69 CCTV security camera companies (ours included) in Trinidad and Tobago.
There are also over two dozen brands of CCTV of varying tiers, i.e., consumer, prosumer and professional in use in Trinidad and Tobago right now.
Today, we are going to help you choose the right CCTV system for your surveillance requirements.
Security systems are part of our everyday lives, in particular surveillance systems.
Presently (in Trinidad) there are a plethora of brands available for public and private use, but, which one is best for me you might ask… well that depends.
Is it a home or business place?
Are there any special needs that have to be met?
Will you be managing it or a third party?
What about technical support?
All valid questions and depending on the answer the right system can be found that meets your specific needs.
Scenario:
Meet John.
John wants to buy a surveillance system for his various properties: his warehouse, his store and his house.
He needs to know what works best for each one but he thinks “Maybe there is one camera that can do it all…”
John calls his friend who tries to convince him to do it himself like he did, but John knows he is out of his element.
John decides to get professional help.
He sets up an appointment and they meet up to discuss the problem and solution.
The pro conducts a site visit to see the conditions under which the various installation are going to take place, while he is doing that he asks John some questions just to get an idea of the result John wants.
Being that each site has unique requirements the pro gets to work on a few solutions to present to John to help with this decision.
Warehouse:-
| Requirements | Solutions |
| Need to see clearly what’s happening day and night | 4 to 8 Megapixel Cameras with Color Vue technology (for color at night) |
| No blind spots especially around the perimeter | At least 8 exterior cameras |
| Need to record vehicles coming in and out for pickup and drop off | LPR cameras at points of entry and exit |
| John has security and needs for security to have limited access to feeds, meaning they can look but nothing else | Ability to have more than one account and set granular privilege access levels |
| Need to keep footage of the last thirty days for liability purposes | Able to store large storage on Board or utilize NAS via FTP or some other method |
Recommendation:
A 32 Channel, Color night camera compatible, NVR system with at least 32TB of disk storage with similar redundant Network Attached Storage (NAS) backup (FTP Local or Cloud).
Network Attached Storage Device with at least 32TB capacity.
Managed PoE switches (Smart for management/security purposes)
Multi user support so that different levels of access can be granted.
18 to 24 IP cameras; a mix of 4 and 8 Megapixel cameras with color night vision (optional)
At least one License Plate Reader camera for ingress/egress of vehicles into compound
Backup Power is also recommended.
Store:
| Requirements | Solutions |
| Need to have transaction data from the register recorded as part of the real time footage (for legal purposes) | Need a System that supports POS transaction overlay directly on the camera feed in real time. |
| No blind spot in the store | 8 or more cameras depending on needs |
| Need to be able to check the amount of persons coming in and out | Camera set at entrance with the ability to do Heat mapping and people counting |
| Need to get confirmation with time attendance device that is setup in the break room | Camera that can integrate an Access control system with Time attendance |
| Facial recognition for the entrance to track shoplifters | Cameras that support facial recognition |
| Need to keep footage for 60 days | Additional storage capacity |
Recommendation:
A 16 or 32 Channel NVR system with at least 32TB of disk storage, POS compatible with similar redundant Network Attached Storage (NAS) backup (FTP Local or Cloud).
Network Attached Storage Device with at least 32TB capacity.
Managed PoE switches (Smart for management/security purposes)
Multi user support so that different levels of access can be granted
16 to 24 IP cameras, varifocal cameras at registers for best focus
Backup Power is also recommended.
Home:
| Requirements | Solutions |
| Nothing fancy but need to track all movement in the backyard by the pool | Cameras with ability to select custom areas for motion detection and send notifications for when conditions are met |
| Need alerts of anyone near the back door at night | Smart alerts enabled on system or camera with push notification or secondary linkage action to separate device like a horn or strobe light |
| Need to keep footage for the last two weeks at best, maybe a little longer | Additional storage needed |
Recommendation:
A 16 Channel NVR system with at least 12TB of disk storage with push notifications/alerts for motion detection.
NVR with Alarm input/output ports for intrusion detection hardware integration for reduction of false positives in region of interest.
Managed PoE switches (for management/security purposes)
8 to 12 IP cameras, 2.8mm fixed lens for maximum coverage
Backup Power is also recommended
Conclusion:
Each location may require a different camera system manufacturer that can handle the specific needs or it can all be standardized under one manufacturer.
Budget will play a part, also usability and reliability.
Support for the systems going forward will be important as well as regular maintenance.
In the end it comes down to how security conscious you are, how much money you have, and if you are willing to do it yourself or hire a professional.
If you or someone you know is having a similar experience like John and need expert advice, then share this article with them.
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