Installing a CCTV Surveillance System can be complicated but it will much depend on the type of CCTV Installation you need, its purpose and its proposed location. A straight forward Home CCTV Installation can simply be a couple of cameras, cabling, a monitor and a Digital Video Recorder (DVR). If you do not wish to record the images, there will be no need for a DVR, but if the whole purpose of the CCTV Installation is for security, this would not be an option. You may want to install a CCTV System just to see who is coming on to your property or for watching wildlife and birdlife in locations which are not generally accessible.
Many CCTV Systems for the home can be installed by the purchaser, using an instruction pack. Most CCTV Installation Companies provide a help desk for easier systems, but complicated systems require expert assistance to decide on the best locations for the cameras and other equipment. If the CCTV System consists of several cameras, they all have to be sited to maximise their output and monitor key scenes. For example, pan and tilt cameras to record wildlife which are sited outside but operated from inside the premises can be very complicated. Camera angles, types of cabling and hours of operation will all need to be taken into consideration.
Monitoring via the Internet adds to the complexity of the CCTV System and you will need to ask your Internet Service Provider (ISP) for a static Internet Protocol (IP) address. You can use your computer to record images output from the CCTV System, or you can have a dedicated standalone DVR specifically for recording the output from the cameras.
The number of cameras you need will depend on the purpose of the application, but if you want to start with a couple of cameras, the CCTV System can be expanded to accept more at a later date if required. The majority of computer software is plug and play nowadays, so if you are using the CCTV System in conjunction with the computer, just insert the set up disc and follow the instructions.
If you are recording using the DVR, this will need to be switched on at this stage. A stable surface should be used for each camera in the CCTV Surveillance System and plugged into a wall socket or onto a distribution board. Direct the camera on the area you wish to monitor and turn it on. You will need an assistant to help you adjust the camera and label the camera in the software. If that particular camera is monitoring the garden, you can label it “garden” and so on. Once all the cameras have been installed, run a test of the CCTV System using the browser if you are using an internet capable computer.
Whether you choose to set up the CCTV Surveillance System yourself or use a professional CCTV Installer, once the system has been deployed, you will be able to monitor and record images for whatever purpose you choose. If the CCTV System monitors a public area, there are regulations regarding where the cameras are placed and what they are recording so take care not to contravene privacy laws.