FAQs
Perhaps the most difficult aspect of purchasing CCTV systems is determining what you require. Understanding your security requirements is the key to knowing how you can deploy IP CCTV to better secure and protect your home or business. A qualified and licensed security risk assessment is the best way to understand such requirements. This allows you to define what security aspects are important to you and select components that address those goals. We have an in-house qualified and security licensed specialist to provide such services. In saying that, we believe that a customer is aware of the current security issues at the site and should be able to determine the minimum CCTV requirements.
Analogue CCTV is mostly an obsolete technology of our recent past. The ultimate advantage of the IP CCTV over analogue systems is an increased flexibility, improved performance, and ease of installation. The IP cameras compress (H.265/H.264) and convert video & audio into IP data streams for transmission over a wired or wireless network. An IP-enabled camera is powered directly by a Network Video Recorder (NVR) over a data cable using Power over Ethernet technology. No messy wiring! The video content data would then be received by an NVR, converted to a common video format and records it on a hard disk in a similar fashion as a PC does. The video content normally resides on the hard disk inside the NVR and is accessible via embedded local playback or a PC-based web browser client application. The Retention Time (days) determines how long the video content can be kept in the storage before the system overwrites it, if configured that way.
The NVR uses a WAN port to connect to the customer’s Telco modem, which is a gateway to the Internet. This arrangement is required for popular CCTV remote viewing and sending alerts to a customer's smartphone. Whether or not the remote app is connected, the system will still record the CCTV video evidence. The video data retention on the HDD and other key parameters are either configured by an installer or by the client. start-up guidance over the phone can be obtained from the Vextra Security and from vendor supplied User Guides. Most of the devices we supply will have some configuration already to start the system into recording, plug & play type. We strongly advise you to review all settings in the areas of Image Quality, Video Content Analytics, and IP streaming to optimise the video quality and maximise the use of HDD to your specific requirements.
The IP CCTV cameras' night time performance is normally evaluated by the minimum illumination measured in Lux required to record clear video content. Nowadays, modern cameras that use Darkfighter, Lighthunter, and Starlight technology are incredibly sensitive, with Lux capabilities of 0.005 and lower. Regardless, IR lighting is still required for operation during dark hours. We don’t recommend choosing solely on the maximum distance an IR emitter can beam up to. The combination of a high camera resolution, high frame rate, and CMOS video chip size, as well as IR (> 15M) distance and lowest Lux can produce the best results.
Manufacturers frequently exaggerate camera specifications. Prior to making a purchasing decision, we recommend conducting extensive research and watching some videos and reviews. In some cases, it is worthwhile to consider adding IR lighting hardware to enable clearer video monitoring. We are happy to find a suitable product for you.
Most of the NVRs and cameras are capable of hardwire interlinking with various external security and safety devices to receive event triggers so the area can be recorded or authorised. The Video Content Analytics (VCA) is also widely used to dynamically analyse the scene to the camera and trigger logically constructed event-based alerts. We offer products that always have advanced methods like Intrusion Detection, Motion Detection and Recording, Region of Interest, Tamper Detection, Face Recognition and Object Tracking, among others.
We implemented IP CCTV in scenarios where video content was not only stored on the NVR HDD but also auto-offloaded to cloud long-term storage, streamed to interstate customer remote servers, streamed to 24/7 Class1 monitoring bureau, setup cameras to be triggered by access control and alarm events, and car number plate recognition systems.
The IP CCTV systems that will be used to monitor people and property should only be purchased from local, verifiable, contactable and reputable security industry businesses that have partnered with one or more local official Australian distributors. A seller should ideally be a security licensed, former or current installation practitioner who is familiar with the technology involved. That alone can prevent the purchase of Grey Market and counterfeit security goods.
Such inferior systems are a real source of concern because there is NO guarantee that they are mechanically and electronically safe, secure (not compromised), adhere to Australian standards and deliver the performance of properly sourced hardware. We frequently hear client stories about inexpensive CCTV kits purchased from an overseas or local quick-sale trader that experienced longevity and serviceability issues, unable to upgrade either firmware or software, which is often a requirement to keep the system bug free and supported. The global vendors are always tracking the authenticity of their products by unique serial numbers and other means, hence disabling unauthorised CCTV equipment to receive any of those.
It depends! However, in the Security District, we are always able to meet a variety of customer budgets. The guiding principle is to understand what you want to achieve with the system and then shop around or obtain quotes for the combo kit or individual products that you think will serve best in your system. For example, we offer very affordable and somewhat more expensive kits. After quick analysis of the technical specifications attached to each product, a savvy customer can understand why the price tag can significantly vary. A higher resolution and frames per second (fps) recording capability, 4K recording and playback, HDD storage, cameras with vari-focal zoom and PTZ capabilities are always driving the cost up.
The aspect of locally supplied and warranted products cannot be underestimated when cheap grey market or copies are considered. It is common knowledge that the cost of managing repair/replacement and warranties is embedded in most legally sold products. Many buyers are more concerned with value for money than with product reliability, longevity, and vendor support. They have the right to do so! We respect that. Our suggestion is to look into the fine details of the total cost of ownership. That includes hardware & installation costs, upgrades, scalability, and maintenance. Most non-expensive consumer grade commodity CCTV products you can find in Australia break within first year of use or just after the warranty expiry date, mostly 12 months. We don’t sell them. Our surveillance products are covered by a standard vendor warranty period of 3 years. Other supplemental equipment warranty ranges between 1-2 years.
Long term valuable investment
Consistent data transmission rates.
Comparatively lower cost for the same features. Higher resolution and FPS.
More intelligent features, vandal and weather resistant, made of high-quality metal alloys, strong stealth attachment to the surfaces.
Much more secure data transmission.
Data and power carried over a single data cable.
Wired solution uses larger HDD, the retention time is longer, no ongoing cloud subscription fees.
It is undeniable that wired IP CCTV solutions offer good value for money and an ample list of features that are not achievable in many commonly available wireless IP cameras.
Easy and low-cost setup, some commercial installation will only require wireless cameras. Possible use of 4G/LTE for alerts with image captures.
The RF signal can be influenced by strong interference or changes in the surrounding environment, causing slower data rates, packet drops that result in poor video quality or drop outs.
Price rapidly increase with the increase in resolution capability. Generally, such cams attain a much lower resolution than wired cameras.
Wireless consumer grade cameras are commonly of the bullet type, made of plastic or low-grade alloy materials, and can be easily removed by an intruder.
Prone to external RF signal eavesdrop hacks.
It still requires cabling for power, unless it is a battery or solar operated. The battery needs replacement at times.
Some wireless camera providers charge monthly fees for a cloud-based CCTV solution and camera can’t be used without it.
The wireless CCTV can be used in small scale, temporarily or rapid deployment setups and can be the only possible option in a given scenario, winning over the wired system.