Travis Chaffin
Travis Chaffin - Sales Manager – 2M CCTV
877-926-2288 x 6049
There are many times when cameras with built in microphones seem like a great value and a great idea. If you have looked you probably noticed that we have very few options for those cameras. While we can get them (send us a request here) we have not had great experiences with them in the past. If you’re in the market for a camera with built-in audio, here are a couple of things to keep in mind.
CHECK DVR AUDIO INPUTS
Before thinking about the mics, think about the DVR. The microphones (even ones built-in to cameras) need an input on the DVR. Buying 8 cameras with 8 mics for an 8 channel DVR that only accepts 4 audio inputs is a frustrating experience. Make sure to view the specs of the DVR for the audio inputs and don’t forget the speakers. The DVR will have an audio output but the speakers do not come with it.
MICROPHONE PLACEMENT
Placement of the mics is as important as the placement of the cameras. As an example, consider an indoor room. If one camera and one microphone were used to monitor a room the camera should be in the corner to view the majority of the room. The audio however rarely takes place in the corner. An omni-directional mic placed in the center of the room is the best bet for quality recording. Because of these different placement requirements, we recommend separate mics that are not integrated into the camera.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS
Whether or not your CCTV system is using built-in audio or separate mics, there are some serious legal considerations you should know. Audio recording has different legal implications from state to state. Before installing audio recording devices check the laws of your state.
For instance, the following US states require consent of ALL parties involved in a given conversation:
California
Connecticut
Florida
Illinois
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Montana
Nevada
New Hampshire
Pennsylvania
Washington
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