CCTV recommendations?

[daisy13]

Hi all,

Am looking to replace my shop CCTV. Any recommendations?

Would like to keep the cost as low as possible and would also like to go wireless. Need approx 3/4 cameras and a small flatscreen to place prominently in the shop.

Many thanks.

 

[John mills]

Hi daisy,
I'm a cctv installer and would gladly give you free advice on all aspects of cctv. The most imperative question you must ask yourself is " is it fit for purpose? ".
Pointless paying out money for a system that does not do what it says on the tin!
The price of cctv has dropped with technology advancing so fast it's changing on a daily basis, I always advise at least one recognition camera placed at a strategic point so as to get recognition of people entering leaving the premises. It's also a good idea to have audio and this it's self is not an expensive addition.
The majority of DVR's ( digital video recorders, like a box the size of a video recorder that contains a hard drive that stores all the data/ footage ) have the facility for the end user ( like you! ) to remotely access the stores cctv footage on a smart phone, and also review recorded footage, and also listen in!!
There's analogue systems, hd systems, ip systems and all do a similar job but have different benefits ( some record the footage at a very high quality ) some are quicker on mobile devices.
Each system is tailor made to suit the client and the budget, all we can do in this forum is help one another.
My advice is simple get 3 quotations and compare all 3! Maybe ask for a recommendation from a friend or family member either way you will obtain a little more knowledge!
Feel free to forward me any quotations and I will advise further
Regards
John

 

[Mystro]

Hi Daisy

Very sound advice from John, (not sure about the audio though) i will add that some of the cheaper systems are cheap for a reason, they could be difficult to use or extract data when needed, some of the cheaper cameras do not decipher colours too well under florescence lighting making blues look grey, and many cannot deal with the different lighting conditions, as John said get a few quotes and ask to see images from previous installations and look at the colours and the quality I would expect you to pay around £800 for an 4 camera analogue system- and around £1200 for 3mp IP 4 camera system fully installed

Hope this helps

 

[Root 66 Woodshop]

I agree with Mystro....

Stay away from Audio... it's a totally grey area when it comes to the legalities of recording audio...

Example: Your equipment records a private conversation between a couple - it turns out he's being unfaithful... what legal right do you have to record this information? None whatsoever... it's a private and personal conversation that has no relevance to your business, and they can actually sue you for recording their conversation.

Plain and simple - stay completely away from audio recording.

I'd also have to say stay away from wireless - although there is a fairly cheap camera on the market aimed at the DIY market manufactured by Abus Security (it records audio... but you don't have to listen! ) connects directly to your WiFi and to be fair is a decent camera with a 720HD image I did post a recommendation a couple of weeks back to those wishing to purchase a "cheap" answer to a wireless camera system. here...


http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/t...all-small-businesses-and-retail-shops.342660/

For a wired system, you can pay anything from £400 - £1000 for a 4 camera kit... expect to pay more for the better quality kits... again it all depends on your budget and what you want to record as well as being fit for purpose.

 

[redspan]

Wireless IP cameras are very useful and easy to set up. Do you have a router? With internet access you can check the cameras on apps on mobile devices when you're away from the premises.