The following are important considerations in selecting a security camera for enterprise video surveillance.
Coverage Area
The potential coverage area of a security camera is an important consideration depending on what the customer’s needs are. For instance, if they want it to cover different locations in their facility and not just track activity in a specific coverage area, then PTZ capabilities would be necessary for that specific application.
Resolution
Today’s cameras have evolved to encompass a wide range of resolutions. From the typical HD resolution (1080p) up to about 9 million pixels on today’s top-of-the-line camera, this technology has come a long way in recent years. A high level of detail can be achieved with an appropriate resolution depending on what information you are seeking, such as identifying license plate numbers or facial features.
Frame Rate
Frame rate is the number of frames per second that a camera captures. At one extreme, 1 frame per second suits environments where there is no movement or very slow movement, such as views outside property far perimeter viewing. Thirty frames per second would be standard for fluid movements, but it uses up bandwidth and storage space, so businesses often set their frame rates at 15 fps in order to balance image fluidity with bandwidth/storage issues.
Compression
Video surveillance cameras have a binary system called “codecs” that compress data to speed its transmission. There are two types of codecs: lossy and lossless; both create smaller files but in different ways. Lossy compression creates much smaller files by actually losing some information about the video footage it compresses; fewer details can be seen when viewing the file later on after being decompressed back up at full size again without any degradation or changes. However, this type should only be used if high-quality videos aren’t needed because it will lose all your original recording details.
Light Sensitivity
This refers to the amount of ambient light that the camera needs in order for it to capture a clear image. You may have seen this number expressed as lux (e.g., 0.05 lux). The lower the number, the better the camera works in low-light conditions like at night or indoors where there is not much natural light coming through windows or doors. If you plan on using your surveillance cameras outside during nighttime hours, choosing a day/night model may become a consideration.
Indoor/Outdoor
Outdoor cameras are usually more durable than indoor surveillance cameras. Outdoor cameras must be able to withstand rain, snow, cold and ice, or heat and humidity.
Audio
Due to potential privacy issues, audio features in surveillance cameras are still considered a niche feature. However, cameras with onboard storage and two-way communication may be the answer for those who want to record important events while maintaining some semblance of privacy.
Power over Ethernet (PoE)
Power over Ethernet (PoE) allows for better transmission of data from a camera to an internet-connected device by providing electricity and network connection at once with just one cable. However, not all video security systems may support this technology.