Professional Outdoor Security Cameras

Every year small businesses lose millions of dollars to theft. Sure, insurance will take care of most of it, but, with frequent claims, your insurance premiums will start to rise. Taylored System’s security cameras can act as a deterrent to would-be criminals and can provide courts and insurance companies with proof that a crime was committed.

There are many things to consider before purchasing outdoor security cameras: What type of cameras do you need? How many cameras do you need? What is your security budget? What areas of your business are in most need of surveillance?

Here are some additional questions and answers that people have regarding video camera surveillance.

Keep reading to determine what the best course of action is for you and your business.

Professional Outdoor Security Cameras

Outdoor security cameras differ from indoor security cameras in a few ways. Unlike indoor cameras, outdoor cameras must contend with changes in lighting and weather conditions. Because they are exposed to the elements, outdoor cameras are typically manufactured with heavier, more durable materials.

Due to their location, outdoor cameras are more susceptible to tampering than indoor cameras. To hinder tampering, outdoor cameras are often kept within strong metal and plastic housings and are often much heavier and larger than their indoor counterparts.

For the most part, indoor and outdoor cameras come with similar features, but outdoor cameras need to be a bit more heavy-duty in order to provide the best possible images for the end user.

Some people might wonder if indoor and outdoor cameras are interchangeable. Of course, it depends on the exact make and model, but for the most part, the answer is no. Indoor cameras lack the durability to withstand outside temperatures and weather, and outdoor cameras are often too large and heavy to be well-suited for indoor use. That being said, there are cameras that are designed for both. There are plenty of options out there for people trying to protect their businesses.

Now that we know some of the differences between indoor and outdoor cameras, we can move on to what types of outdoor security cameras are on the market.

Types of Outdoor Security Cameras

Sometimes a less-is-more approach is ideal for your video surveillance needs. Stationary cameras are capable of capturing a wide range of footage provided the camera is mounted in the best possible position. Other times, a more advanced option is needed.

The layout of your business will play a large role in determining the right camera for you. A Taylored Systems technician can help you decide what camera works best for your business.

PTZ Cameras
Dome Cameras
Bullet Cameras

Pan, Tilt, Zoom (PTZ) cameras are ideal for situations where actual security personnel are viewing the camera footage on monitors. As the name suggests, PTZ cameras allow security to pan (move left and right), tilt (move up and down), and zoom (move from long to short shots or vice versa).

PTZ cameras are incredibly versatile and with recent technological advancements, you can control the movement of PTZ cameras on your smartphone. Because of its smartphone compatibility, the PTZ-style camera is a terrific choice for when you’d like to monitor your business while being off-site.

Dome cameras are great for when you need a camera installed in an inconspicuous place. Dome cameras are small and stout — a good choice when you believe there is a strong chance that someone will attempt to tamper with the camera.

You can even get PTZ dome cameras. These offer the ruggedness and small footprint of a domed camera with the advanced capabilities of a PTZ camera.

Bullet cameras are cylindrical in shape, which allows for more infrared to be built into the camera than cameras with a dome-shaped housing. Another way to put it is that bullet cameras offer much better night vision than other security camera styles.

While the bullet camera is adjustable, it has to be done manually. This might be a turn-off for those who are looking for more control over their cameras, but it might be ideal for those who only need one continuous shot to observe their property.

It should be mentioned that bullet cameras are more prone to tampering than other models. However, if the camera is mounted high enough, it should be enough to deter most people.

There are many different kinds of cameras in the marketplace to choose from. The above three are some of the most common cameras that you’ll see. A Taylored Systems tech can help you to determine what the best camera is for your business.

Video Storage

Most people have heard of closed-circuit television, or CCTV for short, but this analog form of video surveillance system is being phased out and replaced with IP technology.

IP cameras — unlike the CCTV cameras of yesteryear — don’t require a localized recording device in order to store footage. IP cameras can use either local or remote storage. Videos can be stored on the cloud, a network server, or even the camera itself.

Camera Installation

Today’s outdoor security cameras are a bit more complicated to set up than the ones in the past. Don’t worry though, Taylored Systems will mount your cameras, integrate mobile devices, configure your digital data recorder and connect your system to wi-fi for you.