Resolution and Megapixels

High-resolution imagery significantly aids in identifying suspicious behaviour and discerning intricate details like facial features or license plates.

An image comprises pixel grids, where the quantity of pixels directly influences image clarity. For instance, a standard 1080P Full HD resolution shall consist of 1080 pixels vertically and 1920 pixels horizontally, totalling 2,073,600 pixels, or a 2-megapixel (2-million-pixel) camera. IP cameras offer a range of recording resolutions, from 0.5MP (DVD quality) to 5MP (Super HD), 8MP (4K Ultra HD), and even up to 12MP.

Typically, cameras with higher resolution and superior image quality are more costly. A resolution of 4 or 5 megapixels is often sufficient for most security surveillance needs, providing sharp, detailed images and videos. However, it’s important to remember that higher-resolution footage demands more storage space on hard drives. The most prevalent high-resolution cameras are 8 Megapixels, also known as 4K Ultra HD, offering the best video quality.

Ultimately, the goal is to ensure that suspicious activities are easily identifiable, whether in daylight or low-light conditions or using features like 16X digital zoom during playback. Higher-resolution footage maintains the most detail when reviewed later.

Night Vision

Considering that many intrusions happen during nighttime, it’s essential to have a camera capable of capturing clear images and movements around your property in complete darkness. Opt for cameras equipped with infrared LEDs to ensure distinct night vision. These cameras automatically transition to a monochrome infrared mode in low light conditions. Typically, such cameras provide infrared visibility ranging from 30 to 50 meters.

Starlight Technology

Numerous modern cameras are now equipped with “starlight” technology, enabling them to capture images in colour even in low-light conditions, provided there’s a slight amount of ambient light. Some cameras offer continuous colour footage around the clock; these usually incorporate soft white LED lights to facilitate this feature. Colour video at night time can be beneficial for distinguishing details such as the colour of an intruder’s clothes, which would typically appear in monochrome in infrared imaging.

Smartphone, Tablet & PC Remote Access

It’s essential to monitor your property in real time, regardless of your location. Therefore, remote access through a mobile app is a crucial feature. Various security surveillance providers offer different types of computer software and mobile applications to facilitate this remote access.

Smart Detections

Significant research and development investments by top surveillance companies have led to the creation of highly intelligent security cameras. These cameras come equipped with advanced detection technologies that facilitate the capture of crucial events in real-time. For many of these detection features, users can set up instant alerts through push notifications or emails, which may include image snapshots. Key smart detection capabilities and features in these cameras include:

• Tripwire or line-crossing detection
• Facial recognition
• Motion sensing
• Intrusion detection (using virtual boxes)
• Auto Tracking for PTZ (Pan Tilt Zoom) cameras
• Detection of object removal
• People counting, is beneficial for business analytics
• Defocus alerts
• Heat mapping
• Audio anomaly detection
• Tamper alerts

Expandability

It’s advisable to select a surveillance system that includes additional channels, which allows for the expansion of your camera network in the future. This approach is more cost-effective and convenient than purchasing an entirely new system when you need to add more cameras.

Power Over Ethernet (PoE)

Power Over Ethernet or PoE simplifies the installation by using a single cable for each camera to connect to the NVR, simultaneously delivering power and data. This single-cable solution not only reduces costs but also streamlines the setup process. In contrast, analogue systems require a separate power supply for each camera.

There are two main recording options: Network Video Recorders (NVRs) and Digital Video Recorders (DVRs). Both serve the purpose of recording security camera footage but differ in compatibility and processing methods. 

NVR systems process video data at the camera level and are compatible with IP and wireless cameras. They can be set up with either wired or wireless configurations. In contrast, DVR systems process video data at the recorder and require a wired setup, functioning exclusively with analogue cameras.

The fundamental distinction lies in the camera types they support: DVRs are designed for analogue cameras, whereas NVRs are suited for IP cameras.

NVR and DVR systems are commonly available in 4, 8, 16, and 32 channel models, where each channel represents support for one camera. For instance, a 4-channel recorder can handle up to 4 cameras. The 8 and 16-channel models are often preferred for their scalability, allowing users to start with fewer cameras and expand the system as needed.

Key Elements Influencing the Price of a Recording Device:

• The choice between NVR and DVR
• The number of channels available
• The analytics capabilities supported
• The storage capacity requirements

NVR Or DVR?

When comparing Network Video Recorders (NVRs) to Digital Video Recorders (DVRs) in terms of cost, DVRs generally come with a lower initial hardware price tag. This difference in cost is primarily due to the types of cameras each system utilises. DVR systems are compatible with analogue cameras, often considered traditional and less expensive than their contemporary counterparts. On the other hand, NVR systems are designed for IP (digital) cameras, typically viewed as more advanced but with a higher cost.

However, while the hardware for DVRs may be less expensive, the overall installation costs can be higher. This increase in cost is attributed to the need for additional materials and labour. Analogue cameras in a DVR system require a direct cable connection to the recorder for each camera, leading to higher installation expenses than the typically more straightforward setup of IP cameras in an NVR system. This distinction in installation complexity and material requirements contributes to the overall cost difference between DVR and NVR. 

For those starting, NVR and DVR systems are available at a base price of around $300. However, more sophisticated models come with higher price tags.

These factors collectively contribute to the variability in the cost of NVR and DVR systems.

Number Of Channels?

The number of channels on a DVR directly corresponds to the number of cameras it can support. For instance, an 8-channel DVR can accommodate 8 cameras—generally, the more channels a DVR has, the higher its cost.

In DVR systems, the cost escalates with the number of channels because each camera requires a direct wired connection to the recorder. This limitation means the DVR can only support as many cameras as it has ports.

Conversely, NVR systems offer more flexibility with Power over Ethernet (PoE). PoE enables an NVR to support more cameras than it has physical ports. For example, an 8-channel NVR could support up to 10 cameras using a PoE switch. This capability often makes NVRs a more cost-effective solution for larger surveillance systems, reducing the need for more physical ports on the recorder.

Storage Capacity?

There are three main storage options: built-in or added on hard drive, memory stick or cloud-based storage.

Built-in hard drive: Video surveillance footage is commonly stored on a hard drive within the NVR. The capacity of these hard drives varies, with some NVRs accommodating 1 or 2 hard drives, each ranging from 8TB to 10TB. You have two options to increase storage: if your NVR supports dual hard drives, you can add a second one. If it only supports a single hard drive, you must replace the existing one with a higher-capacity drive. The cost of this upgrade depends on the capacity of the new hard drive you choose.

When the hard drive reaches its total capacity during recording, most NVR systems offer two options: automatically overwrite the oldest data or stop recording. The overwrite feature ensures continuous recording without manually managing storage. In contrast, the stop recording option requires manual intervention to free up space or add additional storage. 

Memory card storage: Certain surveillance cameras have the option of onboard memory card storage for footage. This feature is handy as a backup storage solution in case the primary hard drive fails or becomes full or in scenarios where a camera is used without an NVR and records directly onto the SD card. The storage capacity of these memory cards is typically limited, with most supporting up to a maximum of 256GB.

The price of memory cards varies based on their storage capacity. For instance, a 256GB memory card will be more expensive than smaller capacity cards like 128GB or 64GB. One of the key benefits of using memory cards is their portability and ease of transfer; they can be quickly removed from the camera and inserted into another device for viewing or transferring footage. This flexibility makes them a cost-effective and convenient option for additional or backup storage in surveillance systems.

Cloud-based storage: Many consumer-grade surveillance cameras offer cloud storage options accessible via the Internet. However, this convenience typically comes with a recurring cost, as cloud storage often requires a subscription fee. The expense of cloud storage can escalate quickly, especially considering the vast amounts of video data that need to be streamed and stored.

The price for cloud storage subscriptions varies depending on the service provider and the storage needed. For instance, plans with higher storage capacity or extended retention periods will cost more than basic plans with limited storage and shorter data retention.

Some leading brands in the surveillance industry, like Hikvision, traditionally do not offer cloud storage solutions. Instead, these brands focus on local storage solutions, such as hard drives in NVRs or DVRs. Local storage to hard drives is a one-time investment compared to the recurring costs associated with cloud storage subscriptions, making it a cost-effective solution for long-term surveillance needs.

What is the average cost of a CCTV Security System for a business in Australia?

1. Type of Hardware Employed:

The selection of CCTV hardware significantly impacts the overall cost. Different cameras and systems vary in quality, features, and capabilities, leading to variations in pricing.

Regardless of your business type, AVE Technologies offers CCTV systems tailored to your needs. We cater to a wide range of enterprises, including:

• Retail businesses, from fruit shops to jewellery, fashion outlets, electronic stores, and shopping centres.
• Industrial sites such as factories, warehouses, and workshops, including mechanics and wheel and tyre services.
• Corporate offices like those of accountants and real estate agents.
• Healthcare and wellness facilities, including medical clinics and retirement homes.
• Educational institutions, from schools and kindergartens to education centres.