A digital video recording (DVR) camera system is a system of multiple cameras — typically used for security — that can feed digital images to computers in multiple locations. This setup is frequently referred to as a CCTV system. We’ve seen these virtually everywhere in the past— schools, banks, gas stations, hospitals, and most establishments that have a security surveillance system in place. It’s a rather common setup that has been around for quite some time.
Of course, the more common any technology becomes, the more obvious its flaws are highlighted. Limitations become glaring over time, and there are always those who actively seek out “cracks in the armor.” Not to mention, modern technological advancements have deemed such systems to be outdated and ineffective in providing optimal security.
With the growing popularity of smart spaces, more and more companies and establishments are seeing the need to replace outdated hardware with more efficient security solutions that are hassle-free and reliant. Here are three factors to look for to ensure an effective security setup.
Enhanced vision
Considering security cameras are essentially extra pairs of eyes on a property, they won’t do much good if they can’t see well. At one point, an HD picture seemed like the pinnacle of security camera technology, but there are advancements far beyond this today.
Take night vision, for example. Most crimes occur at night, so it stands to reason that security cameras should have a clear, detailed view in these conditions. Most cameras today are also designed to withstand extreme weather, so users can rest assured they’ll have a high quality picture in heavy rain, snow, or during a storm.
Of course, a security camera’s field of view is just as important as its display. The vast majority of cameras today allow for at least 130 degrees of movement, providing them a great view of a room when placed in strategic locations like corners.
For those who really want to ensure nothing is missed, however, cameras with a 360 field of view are available. With constantly improved innovations, such as facial recognition, today’s security camera systems are incredibly comprehensive and precise.
Convenient installation and maintenance
Not so long ago, installing a security camera system would require hiring a professional electrician to do the job and could be quite expensive. Today, there is no need for a separate power line to each individual camera. With Power over Ethernet (PoE) technology, one can simply run an Ethernet cable from each camera to a PoE switch, and have power transmitted to the camera and data transmitted to a computer through the same cord— all within minutes.
This allows for easy upgrading, as well. If a user needs to expand the distance of their camera system, all they need is an additional switch and Ethernet cords to connect cameras farther away.
Hybrid solutions
Quite possibly the biggest change in modern security is the introduction of the cloud-based system. It’s not terribly uncommon for these camera systems to become compromised by flaws in security, though, such as hardware issues or unprotected passwords. Cloud based systems can also be vulnerable to network problems and failures, but that doesn’t mean they should be discounted.
A hybrid cloud based camera system can be the best answer against potential security threats. A combination of a more traditional storage system and a cloud-based system can cover the limitations of each, granting the best of both worlds. For starters, footage can be stored inside an SSD within each camera as well as in the cloud, ensuring that there is always a backup even if unit is compromised.
Each security camera can also be encrypted with cloud software solutions and set to only make outbound communications with cloud servers, which greatly reduces the chances of a security breach. Best of all, users can adjust settings and view all camera feeds with a simple app at any time. They can even receive notifications regarding specific data, such as movement in a supposedly empty building. This way, action can be taken immediately from any location, granting total peace of mind.
There is no doubt that we will see even greater security changes as AI continues to advance, but for now, there are plenty of options to make each of us feel confident in our security