Retail CCTV System

[kulture]

What is the best place to go/post to get decent advice on a CCTV security system for my shop?

I am not looking for a cheap x camera/DDR and silly monitor deal that is of no real practical use. I am looking for a decent well positioned camera(S) that can be viewed on a proper monitor without having to push buttons, move joysticks, or otherwise divert the attention.

 

[DesignerNick]

Hey,

It might be worth speaking to the guys at cctv 247, one of my clients used them and said their services were great!

http://www.247cctv.co.uk is their site, I hope this helps!

 

[leemason]

I had a system installed by Centro Systems: http://www.centro.co.uk/.

Great system that can be viewed through a web browser over the Internet.

 

[fattony]

Where abouts in the country are you?

 

[TotallySport]

if you have an alarm system I would contact them, if your don't I would recommend

http://www.mooresecure.co.uk/

Although I am not sure they are in your area.

 

[j600com]

What is the best place to go/post to get decent advice on a CCTV security system for my shop?

I am not looking for a cheap x camera/DDR and silly monitor deal that is of no real practical use. I am looking for a decent well positioned camera(S) that can be viewed on a proper monitor without having to push buttons, move joysticks, or otherwise divert the attention.

We can control ours from an iphone app called camcontrol (or PC etc) which is really handy as you can see what's happening no matter where you are, it's also possible from the app to go back over the archives etc. so if you were on holiday and wanted to scan back through a days CCTV or anything you can do it remotely. It's not a particularly expensive kit either, I'd definitely recommend it.

 

[kulture]

We can control ours from an iphone app called camcontrol (or PC etc) which is really handy as you can see what's happening no matter where you are, it's also possible from the app to go back over the archives etc. so if you were on holiday and wanted to scan back through a days CCTV or anything you can do it remotely. It's not a particularly expensive kit either, I'd definitely recommend it.

What kit do you have?

 

[Merchant UK]

What is the best place to go/post to get decent advice on a CCTV security system for my shop?

I am not looking for a cheap x camera/DDR and silly monitor deal that is of no real practical use. I am looking for a decent well positioned camera(S) that can be viewed on a proper monitor without having to push buttons, move joysticks, or otherwise divert the attention.

Hi

I bought my swann kit from Makro, http://store.makro.co.uk/p-37385-swann-500gb-cctv-recording-kit-with-4-cameras-swdvk-412004c-.aspx

4 camera, 500gb hard drive and you can view it on your TV or PC. Easy to install too, plus you can view it from a smartphone or internet access anywhere in the world

£229.99 +vat

 

[j600com]

What kit do you have?

It's by videcon.co.uk - fitted by a local CCTV company (as we've got several cameras around the building). But that makro option sounds like a bargain.

 

[Merchant UK]

It's by videcon.co.uk - fitted by a local CCTV company (as we've got several cameras around the building). But that makro option sounds like a bargain.

If your self employed or run your own business then you can get an account at your local Makro Its a decent cash and carry

 

[leemason]

If you fancy doing it yourself you could have a look at the Grandstream range of cameras. Their DVR comes as a free download and can be installed on any PC system. The cameras either plug into a standard Ethernet network or can be wifi. Most of the Ethernet cameras support PoE meaning that you could don't need a power cable for the cameras just a network cable.

Have a look here: http://www.voipon.co.uk/grandstream-ip-video-surveillance-c-149_643_644_679.html

 

[kelvin1950]

If you intend to use more than one camera then wifi isn't the way to go, you'll almost certainly get too much interference from adjacent networks unless you're shop is in the back of beyond.

 

[Root 66 Woodshop]

Sigh...

I still sell CCTV

What is is that you EXACTLY want to do with the system Kulture?

Swann and any other cheap (nasty) system will be fine and dandy for those that don't want to use the images caught on camera in the court of law.

Simple reason is that majority of the cheaper systems only have 380TVL - 420TVL anything below 500TVL is practically useless depending on the cameras positioning.

TVL = TV Lines by the way, it's the quality of images that you receive - as a rule I won't sell anything with less than 600TVL.

Although I have just taken on some cheap wireless kits which are ideal for door monitoring at home... if anyone's interested.

Downloadable DVR? Not really... what you're downloading is the "program" you're then using your HD to store images - only suitable really if you're using a PC that you don't use for work.

To get something of a half decent quality you should be looking at spending roughly £350 - £400 + VAT on the kit.

CCTV Systems are technically easy to install these days, we always suggest to customers to get someone who's handy with a drill to install for you, it'll save them a further £300 -£600 (our day rate). It's the tidying up, programming to customer requirements that takes its time.

All you have to do with today's DVR's is plug it in and switch it on... it will run through it's initial setup and then it will start recording automatically.

Always go for H2.64 or D1 DVR's stay away from Mpeg/Jpeg systems they're old news now.

 

[kulture]

Excellent question.

I want the CCTV to deter the chancers, to allow my partner to view what customers in the blind spots are doing so he is happy that they are not nicking, and to reassure him that we are doing something to control shoplifting. (not that there is much)

Most of the time there will only be one member of staff in the shop, and only a PC Till.

My partner also does not want lots of wires, nor an additional monitor cluttering up the place.

I have been looking at IP cameras with local recording (i.e. ssd cards in them), but also looking at the cheap multi camera solutions.

I used to have a cheap multi camera solution which eventually died. I left the cameras up as they probably detered. My partner never liked the system because it was clunky and each camera had a poor field of view. He hated having to switch between cameras and rightly said that if there were two thiefs in the room it would not work.

The problem as always is camera positioning. WHilst any handy DIY person can install a camera, it is the positioning that makes all the difference. That and what camera.

For example would it be better to have one very good camera (like say Axis M3007) in the middle, or several not so good ones pointing into all the blind spots.

 

[Root 66 Woodshop]

After checking out the camera that you've suggested - personally I'd go with both.

Why?

Because if that one camera dies... you've got to go out and grab another... all the while you're shop & staff are vulnerable.

To be frank, if you're looking at spending that kind of money on one camera... I'd rather spend a few quid more and go with the Mobotix 360 degree MX-Q24M - Fully digital images caught, plus... you can also choose quad mode and view from 4 different angles with the one camera.

Take a look at this short video clip of your AXIS M3007

http://www.axis.com/products/cam_m3007pv/video/

Then look at this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChqWds5BkLY

10x better quality camera.

If you've already got some cameras in the shop installed why not just buy one of the new DVR's average cost - roughly £200 or you can get a dirt cheap one off Ebay, but expect to have no warranty, even if it comes with one... trust me they don't... What exactly can a lil chap in China do for you in the UK when your DVR dies, and the re-sellers here in the UK don't give two monkeys about you or your system to be frank.

Grab one of the Mobotix Cameras and install all onto your new DVR.

Positioning of cameras is a choice that only you can make really.

Personally, I'd have a camera on the entrance - the till - blind spots

Then install the Mobotix central on the back wall facing the entrance - remember, you can zoom in with this one camera, and when I say zoom in... I mean zoom in! We had a demonstration of the Mobotix 360 degree camera, the room was roughly the size of half a football field, and the engineer zoomed in on the light switch at the far end of the room!

Quality gear TBH - and for what you're buying, relatively cheap too.

Cheapest I've actually found it for is about £750 + VAT - When these came out they originally they were about £1000 each

Just found it on ebay for £650 with a starting bid of £450 - if you're happy to purchase of Ebay go for it, if not pay the lil extra and get a qualified engineer to install it for you too.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mobotix-Q...ther_Computing_Networking&hash=item2ec7e888fd

 

[kulture]

We are doing a re-fit so the old cameras are now down. Not sure I want to put them back up. The Axis is a 5Megapixal camera whilst the one you recommend is a 3Mp. Both seem to have the same ability to split screen and digital zoom etc etc. The size of the area than needs covered is not as large as either demo so I will probably stick to the Axis.

That said both don't really look like cameras and thus lack in the deterrence angle. I really don't want to install two systems so I keep going round in circles.

 

[Root 66 Woodshop]

I apologise!

I searched for the Axis M3007 not for the Axis M3007-PV



Bare in mind though, as I stated earlier... if that one camera goes down, where is your coverage?

The only thing you need to put up to deter would be shoplifters in all honesty is a sign stating that you have 24hr CCTV. If they still choose to nick stuff and risk being caught... let them

Another suggestion is to have on monitor above the entrance, focused on one camera that covers the entrance - next to the Monitor a nice friendly sign saying

SMILE YOUR ON CCTV

 

[kulture]

Its nice to know that IP cameras work in real life. You can only see so much on a you tube video and you never really know what you can actually see.

As for the camera failing, does this happen often. I mean in general, I don't expect you to have actual experience of specific camera makes. We mainly do mail order so the shop is not very busy. Indeed the old system has been broken for a year!! Its just that doing a re-fit and getting new and more expensive ranges of stock in have triggered this re-think of security.

 

[Root 66 Woodshop]

With regards to the camera failing, I mean when it actually dies... could be 2-3 years off TBH.

Obviously I don't know the layout of your premises either, therefore I can only come to a conclusion that as other shops have blind spots you'll also have blind spots too. By installing the Axis camera you may not remove these blind spots so in my opinion it would be best suited to allow for both cameras "just in case".

Seeing as you're old system is "old" I'd personally get a couple of new external dome cameras with Infra-Red. Go for a 600/650TVL (TV Line) camera - this will give you a quality image... and they're not that expensive either. We tend to sell them for around £50 quid each... I'll tell you exactly what I say to all my customers, Stay away from anything below 500TVL.