Video Surveillance Overview

At Sentry Security Systems, Inc. we take pride in our knowledge of the video security industry. We believe in taking a personal, consultative approach to understanding your video surveillance equipment needs. We understand that all video surveillance jobs are not the same. We can evaluate your needs and help you determine which of our DVR systems and CCTV cameras best fit your current job requirements.

We believe that customer support begins before the sale and we pride ourselves in providing superior, friendly pre-sales support as well as excellent post-sales support and technical assistance.

For more information, please submit a request from our contact page. We are looking forward to hearing from you!

General Information

Video Surveillance is becoming more widespread everyday and the use of Digital Video Recorder (DVR) systems is fast replacing traditional combinations of VCR recorders, multiplexers, splitters and switchers. But first let’s consider some of the basics:

Why Digital Video Surveillance?
There are four basic reasons why people want to use a digital video security system:

    • To help IDENTIFY perpetrators
    • To help PREVENT accidents or wrongdoing
    • To help PROTECT people and property
    • To help OBSERVE processes

Who can benefit from a Digital Video Surveillance System?

  • Homeowners can identify who is at the door, check on the baby or check the house if they are away.
  • Small Businesses can prevent or identify shoplifters or burglars and keep an eye on the business from home. Sadly, today, employee theft is now higher in retail than customer theft and monitoring retail employees is becoming necessary.
  • Industry & Research can monitor processes as well as maintaining security surveillance.
  • Education and Government can keep an eye on trouble areas.

All these things and many more are possible through video security systems – benefits that cannot be gained from other types of security systems.

Why Digital Video Recorder Systems?
Although any video surveillance system will allow CCTV camera images to be displayed, recorded and replayed, DVR based systems offer significant advantages:

  • Recording media does not need replacing when full, it simply overwrites. No tapes to change.
  • Much larger recording capacity is provided – anywhere from days to months.
  • Recording media or Read/Write heads do not wear with use. Therefore recorded image quality does not degrade over time.
  • Recording need not be continuous; it can be set to record only when motion is present or on a timed schedule. Therefore, endless hours of recording of no activity are avoided.
  • Recordings are much easier to find and replay and can be replayed while new recording continues.
  • DVR systems can be accessed remotely, so that both live and recorded video can be viewed from almost anywhere.
  • Video speeds can be as fast as real time on up to 16 cameras simultaneously. No more time-lapsing with the possibility of missing some events.

What is Required?
A minimum of one or more CCTV cameras and a DVR system with monitor for display. The DVR system can be purchased directly from ourselves or self-built using one or more of our Video Capture Cards and software, installed in a PC of your choosing (unless you have significant PC technical experience, we recommend that you do not attempt to build your own DVR systems). Additional accessories such as cables, power supplies and mounting brackets will also be needed. Please see the following pages for more detailed coverage of these topics:

• CCTV Surveillance Cameras
• Video Capture Card
• Digital Video Recorder
• CCTV Accessories

 
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