The timestamp on surveillance camera footage is a critical detail when it comes to recording offenses. If the settings are wrong, an investigation can end before it even starts, since there's nothing reliable to go on.

By following the advice in this article, you'll be able to set the correct time on your security system.

Why Camera Time Settings Matter

Incorrect time settings on IP cameras or analog equipment can only cause problems down the road. For example:

  • •          Footage with an incorrect timestamp won't be accepted in court as evidence for an investigation
  • •          Finding the right file without a reliable timestamp to go by will also be difficult
  • •          Resolving internal disputes without involving security services will become problematic

As a result, a surveillance system with an incorrect time setting will still work, but it will turn out useless at the exact critical moment it was installed for.

2 Ways to Set the Time

Equipment fresh from the store will often show a random date when first connected. There are 2 ways to set the time on a surveillance camera:

  • •          Give the camera access to the internet. This lets it set the time automatically using the Network Time Protocol (NTP) service.
  • •          Sync the device with your computer's clock. This option works for anyone who uses a PC as part of their surveillance system.

Which Cameras Keep Track of Time, and How?

Different types of surveillance cameras handle time settings differently. For example, analog cameras work through a coaxial cable, while IP devices sync with a network video recorder.

Let's look at each option in more detail.

Analog Technology

As mentioned above, analog systems work through a coaxial cable. Everything runs through the DVR, which is what stamps the timestamp onto each frame.

IP (Network) Video Recorders

The timestamp is applied by the camera itself, not by the recorder. In most cases, the cameras on the system sync their time automatically; if this doesn't happen, you may run into problems when trying to play back the footage.

Standalone IP Cameras

Wi-Fi cameras get the time over the internet via the NTP service. This ensures that all footage includes an accurate timestamp.

The Advantage of Cloud Video Surveillance

Cloud video surveillance is the leading technology on today's market for remote site monitoring, with a particular focus on how the data is stored. In a cloud system, information is stored on a remote server, which the owner can access over the internet.

For more, see the article “Cloud Storage for Video Surveillance.”

But the biggest advantage of a system like this is its automatic configuration. As soon as the user connects their devices to the service, the date, time, and other important settings configure themselves.

A system like this is extremely difficult to hack, since the cloud is continuously updated to the latest cybersecurity standards. For more, see “Cloud Storage and the Fear of Hacking: 6 Possible System Threats.”

Conclusion

When installing a security system, it's important to take care of all the settings in advance, since there's no way to predict when a timestamp will actually be needed. This matters even if you're only watching the camera feed live.

But sometimes configuring everything yourself is extremely difficult, and rather than calling in a specialist, it's better to use cloud surveillance instead. Especially since it comes with plenty of other advantages beyond just automatic time settings.