CCTV/Video Surveillance

CCTV/Video Surveillance

We have been installing security cameras for the last 25 years in residential and commercial buildings.  We use quality parts and our installations are always top notch with outstanding appearance utilizing superb wiring techniques to make for a trouble free system for years to come.

Having your security cameras working and stay working is what we specialize in.  We use DNS names to track your IP address in case you ever lose it.  This way you can always stay connected to your cameras even if your IP address changes.  This results in a very stable connection to your camera system.

A security camera system is usually made up of a DVR (digital video recorder) or an NVR (network video recorder) and cameras.

The camera systems in the past utilized analog cameras.  The current DVR systems (analogue high definition TVI) use either high definition analog systems which are capable of 720P/1080P or an NVR IP camera system, which offers the best picture, uses from 2 to 12 megapixel cameras for amazing clarity.

Most of these systems will allow you to view the cameras from inside or outside the network. This is accomplished by port forwarding on the router or using a VPN connection (virtual private network).

The cameras can be viewed on your laptop, smart phone or tablet from anywhere in the world.

How long the video can be saved for would depend upon the size of the hard drive (most recorders have a 2TB capacity or greater), motion only recording or time lapse, resolution of camera, frames per second. Most systems with 4 cameras and with a 2TB hard drive, with a combination of the above settings, would be able to keep a recording for 10-14 days (average).   The recording is kept on your recorder, not on someone else’s server that you have to pay monthly for.  There is no extra monthly cost.

Having a security camera system run smoothly and keeping it safe on the internet requires a forensic understanding of how a network functions.  We have the experience and expertise to design a system that fits your needs. We believe in designing it right the first time and fundamentally it needs to be correct.

Wireless Security Cameras

Generally we don’t recommend wireless security cameras and here are the reasons why:

  • Wireless security cameras are not totally wireless.  They still need a power cable to power it up, unless you want to remove and charge the battery pack up every 3 days
  • The range is severely affected by barriers such as walls, buildings, and electrical wires
  • The majority of them operate in the 2.4 GHZ and 5.8 GHZ range which is also occupied by cordless phones, wi-fi routers, and computers.  This makes them very slow as they are constantly fighting for bandwidth.
  • They are not very secure and are quite vulnerable to being hacked on the internet

Analog High Definition or IP cameras

  • Analog high definition cameras (TVI) came into the marketplace around 2016 and have become quite popular. They are able to use your existing coax cables from your older analog system thus saving you from re-cabling.  They are capable of 720P and 1080P resolution which is 2-3 times the resolution of regular analog cameras. The images are good, but not as sharp as that of IP cameras.  You can use Cat5e cables to wire them and they require baluns at each end.  Power can be run inside the Cat5e cables
  • IP cameras have much better resolution than analog cameras.  Generally they have resolutions of 2 mega pixels and up – 4 mega pixels being the average.  They are capable of a digital zoom playback with little pixelation compared to analog.
  • You do have to use an analog HD DVR for analog cameras and an IP NVR for IP cameras.
  • In general, the IP camera system cost approx 60% more in parts, with labour being almost the same.

Recorders DVR and NVR

  • DVR TVI (Digital Video Recorders) are the new generation analog system that are capable of  high definition analog cameras. They come in 4 channels up to 32 channels capable. The video signal is transmitted through coax cables or Cat5e with baluns attached to them. The most obvious reason for installing an analog system is the price tag, especially if you are just upgrading and the older coax cabling is in place.  Also the cameras tend to be significantly cheaper as you start to add more. The most obvious reason for installing an analog system is the price tag, especially if you are just upgrading and the older coax cabling is in place. The cameras tend to be significantly cheaper as you start to install more
  • NVR (Network Video Recorders) These recorders are the newest on the market.  They offer amazing clarity with cameras ranging from 4 mega pixels to 12 mega pixels. The NVR usually has a POE port to power up all the  cameras thus simplifying the installation with no need for a power supply.  The main advantage is during the playback of the video, you are able to digitally zoom in on a particular part of the video with very little pixelation. An NVR system connects to  network segment as do all the IP cameras.  This will let you take advantage of the many benefits of a network.  For example, you can incorporate a wireless bridge into it and have 8 cameras transmit the video signal a mile away with line of sight.