The best place to mount your camcorder. Expert recommendations

A video surveillance system needs not only to be purchased, but it also needs to be correctly installed. The quality during installation is a decisive factor since it can significantly reduce the system’s efficiency or completely disable it.

This article will tell you about the main mistakes made when installing CCTV cameras and give recommendations on choosing the best place for them.

Two main mistakes when organizing video surveillance

There is an unqualified opinion that installation is not an essential stage in the organization of video surveillance: it is a mechanical process that does not require special knowledge. It’s a delusion.

If you find it difficult to imagine the process of installing a video surveillance system, let’s compare it with installing, for example, a washing machine. If you do not follow all the rules, your washing machine will leak, rattle, “run on the floor,” and malfunction in programs.

The same thing happens in video surveillance. Poor installation leads to a decrease in the system’s efficiency, up to the destruction of reliability.

For a surveillance system to work correctly for many years, you need to exclude the following two errors:

1. Refusal to design project.

To save money, many mount systems at random. But as a result, they are faced with a lack of understanding of installation principles and further technical difficulties (poor-quality image, the image light, periodic breakdowns of cameras, etc.).

And in order not to overpay but also to design the system correctly, read our article “Video surveillance project design. Everything you need to know. “

       2. “Handicraft” installation.

If you do not consider the compatibility of equipment, the number of cameras, and their installation location, then video surveillance can fail on the very first day.

Read our article to avoid major installation problems  “How to kill a video surveillance system during installation? 6 common mistakes ”.

List of recommendations from an expert

Before starting the direct installation, you need to determine:

• the purpose of installing video surveillance systems (external or internal control) and its resources (functionality);
• pop-up tasks during work (recognition of license number plates, faces, or analysis of incoming data);
• plans for future system upgrades;
• compatibility with other equipment;
• and an important point, the right place of installation.

Selection of the installation site for the surveillance system

Choosing a location for a video camera is a serious step that affects the efficiency of the system. When selecting an area, it is necessary to consider:

• equipment threatening factors. Choose a place that is protected from ice formation, light from the sun, rain, etc.;
• convenient location for system maintenance. Cameras need to be cared for, so choose a location with easy access;
• overview (entrances/exits and turns in the building). When filming indoors, mounting cameras is recommended above each door. You will receive detailed tracking data of visitors and staff.

Features of laying the connecting line

When laying power for video surveillance, it is necessary to exclude the influence of electromagnetic interference. Otherwise, the entire system will crash, the data will be deleted, and the image will ripple.

Power supplies must be sealed and mounted where they will not be damaged. For example, if video monitoring is conducted outside, the unit must be protected from moisture, lightning, and vandalism.

Lighting rules for filming

Lighting should be smoothly distributed over the area. If it is concentrated in one point, for example, above the camera, the image will suffer. You also need to choose a location where the sun will not light up the picture (sunrise, sunset, midday sunlight).

To make the equipment switch to night shooting on its own, choose models with a “day-night” function or use additional LED lights.

Determination of coverage area

Angle, territory, and viewing range must be considered before design. Otherwise, you may encounter blind spots, blurry pictures, or low shooting at night after editing.

The selection of equipment must also be made taking into account this data, as well as the slope of the equipment and the height of its location.

Conclusion 

The camera, installed in the right place, can effectively cope with its duties and does not create unnecessary problems for its owner. If video surveillance is required within a home or business facility, then you can opt for remote cloud monitoring via a smartphone. The Faceter service offers a free plan.