What to look for when choosing a video surveillance security system

Cameras Cameras, CCTV, closed circuit television, video surveillance. All of these terms indicate the industry that along with other security devices, make up a security system. Back in the day when I started in this industry there was not much to choose from and the pricing was rather high and the choices were rather slim. There were very few types of cameras and very few housings to choose from. Cameras really looked like cameras, and architects and engineers despised the look because it didn't fit in with their décor of the building (it's still far from a perfect match). Most security integrators were only proficient in one discipline: cameras, alarm systems or CCTV. Years ago names like Sanyo, Panasonic and RCA were the leading players in the industry, now there are entire sections at trade shows just limited to manufacturers from Taiwan, Korea, Japan etc... Times have changed and every new space and building, mall, and stadium has a plethora of cameras in all shapes, sizes and forms, not to mention analogue and IP cameras and the newest buzzword thought of where to record these cameras, NVRs DSVRs and combinations of both in the hybrid world. There isn't enough print on this page to give you ample guidance on how to select your video system. But there is one thing to remember that holds true in most products commercially sold today: there is nothing new under the sun. This translates to most of the technology behind the cameras and storage devices are similar to most video manufacturers that "borrow" the chip technology from SONY. If you are a building owner you want cameras to view your property inside and out 7 days a week, 24 hours a day in sun, snow rain and nighttime. Where do you begin * Lay out their building plans on a table and figure out what areas around the building inside and out; you need to see what's happening. * For each of the areas make a notation and we will get back to it later. * When we record the video who in the building would want to see the video. Now go back to the areas of notation and identify if the lighting is adequate, good or poor etc... How do you determine that? The human eye with corrected vision can see about 70 to 80 feet clearly. That's about home plate to almost first base. Can you see that in those areas where you need surveillance? Now we have some basic parameters, a quantity of cameras and a quantity of viewing areas. Now some other questions * Is someone going to be monitoring these cameras constantly? * How long does this video need to be stored for future recall? If you are not planning on storing the video, save your money. A camera system with no storage is worthless and in our litigious society, a big liability. If there is an incident and you can't provide the replay of that area, someone will own your building via a lawsuit The use of dummy cameras is an insult to your client base and again another good way of losing your holdings through a court of law. * Are you looking for facial recognition or license plate recognition or is it0 adequate to just know that there are intruders in the area? * Take notice of the construction of those areas; dropped ceiling, ceiling tiles, supine ceilings, concrete etc... Andy Goldstone is V.P. strategic sales for IDESCO Corporation, New York, N.Y.