Plug & Play or Plug & Pray? 2

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with a client that point blank asked:“Would you consider your systems Plug and Play or Plug and Pray”?I will admit his inquiry garnered a laugh as I had never before heard that question!It was a legitimate question though which caused me to think of what a perspective video surveillance owner looks for when choosing a particular system.Here are a few questions to ask oneself during the planning stages of such a project:

–Do I want video coverage outdoors only, indoors, or a combination of the two?

–What are my lighting conditions like at night (there is usually light during the day, so night time is the critical time for which to plan)?

–How many days/weeks of recording do I want?

–What method of video backup is best for me (DVD, flash drive, etc)?

–How many areas do I want to cover (front door, back door only, or total perimeter)?

–Do I want remote access (ie – Is it important to be able to view my cameras while at work, travelling, or anywhere other than onsite).

–Similarly, do I need to be able to remotely move the cameras to adjust my view, or will a fixed view suffice? (Remember:Suffice and Price need to meet at some point.Having clear expectations of what you want for your application is more than half the battle!)

–What is my budget for this project?Skimping on the cheapest of the cheap equipment to save a buck generally results in a poor image quality, unrecognizable video, and only clear frustration.

Take the time to plan – measure twice and cut once – as you begin your video surveillance project.Being able to answer the above questions will give you a head start as you embark on your journey towards a more secure premises, as wellas give you the flexibility and results you are after when it comes to your video surveillance needs.