There can be many things to consider when getting a video surveillance system, also known as Closed Circuit TV or CCTV. With so many systems available, a good starting point is to evaluate your reasons for considering this type of security measure. For business customers, video surveillance systems offer a huge range of benefits and could pay for themselves in a few years. Home users can also benefit from these systems, safe in the knowledge that their home is being watched.

The benefits to a business of a video surveillance system are not limited to the obvious shoplifting deterrent. They can also act as a powerful deterrent to employees who may be considering helping themselves to the cash register, and the recorded video footage can help to prevent any bogus accident claims. It's hard, for example, for employees to claim they fell in the restaurant's walk-in refrigerator when the surveillance footage from the walk-in refrigerator shows otherwise.

Identifying visitors and employees will allow you to increase profitability and monitor staff activity, and the cameras can also be useful to monitor any hazardous areas that may exist in your premises. Video surveillance systems also offer a range of benefits to home users, offering a great deterrent against theft.

Video recorders, used to store the video from your cameras, are available in two main categories - VCR or DVR (Digital Video Recorder). A standard VCR will usually be much cheaper, but will not hold as much data as a DVR, and will often require regular tape changes. This can result in a loss of coverage if you forget to change the tape or if it runs out while you are not present. A DVR, although more expensive, can often be a better choice for most users. The DVR contains an internal hard disk, rather than a traditional tape, and can delete the oldest material automatically. These recorders operate in a similar way to TiVo or Sky+. To be sure, VCR recorders are obsolete when compared to the abilities of DVR recorders.

Once you have decided to go ahead with the installation of a video surveillance system, it is time to evaluate your needs. With so many systems on offer, a list of your needs will allow you to select an appropriate system. First of all, decide what exactly you want to monitor - access to property, equipment, merchandise, faces, and crowds. Knowing exactly what you want to record will make choosing the equipment a considerable amount easier. Next, decide how clear you will need the picture to be. The clarity of video images is measured in frames per second: this means the amount of still images shown per second, to create a moving video.

The frame rate is a major factor in the storage time of a DVR unit in particular. A lower frame rate means more storage time but the footage will be choppy or jerky. In some DRV brands the software that runs them allows for you to make adjustments for not only the frame rate of individual cameras but to digitally  block out unneccesary areas of each cameras view.  For example, a camera that is viewing a door the upper wall areas around the door can be blocked out. This saves space and can thus allow the saved space to be used for a higher frame rate on another camera.   

Most video surveillance systems will record with a lower frame rate in order to conserve tape or hard drive space - so when choosing a system, remember that the lower the frame rate, the more jerky the picture will be. You will also need to decide how the video images will be monitored - will they be watched by an employee? Will they be recorded and watched at a later date, if necessary? A new kind of video surveillance system eliminates this decision with "Remote CCTV monitoring"; paying a company a set fee each month will provide peace of mind, as your video surveillance images are remotely monitored. Should any disturbance be captured on the system, the remote monitoring team can then notify the police and the key holder of the property. This kind of system would be ideal for large properties that are left unattended in the evening.  Make sure that the brand of DVR is compatable with the montoring company.  Also, for off site monitoring you will need to have high-speed internet connection at your location.

It may be a good idea to decide whether you wish to deter criminals or catch them in the act. Most video surveillance systems will deal with both these tasks, but deciding which is more important will help you choose a system. While a large camera, displayed in a prominent position will help deter criminals, a small concealed camera will help identify theft. Concealed cameras will usually cost more to purchase and to fit, so deciding which is most important to you could save you a considerable amount of money. Deciding whether to purchase color or black and white systems is also important while black and white is cheaper, it can sometimes be hard to identify individuals based on their clothing.

Security companies that offer video surveillance will visit your premises and assess your security needs with you, usually recommending the best products to match your security needs. Be careful of companies that try to sell you unnecessary video surveillance equipment. Look closely at the details of the system they are offering you. Generally speaking, the less money a system costs the less capabilities it has.

Another thing to think about is expansion of your system in the future. Security companies dealing with video surveillance find that most of their clients call back for additional cameras or more storage time. Adding more storage capacity or memory is a simple task for most DVR brands. However, the number of cameras a particular model of a DVR brand can handle, known as channels, are specific to the DVR unit you buy. It's like buying a car that only had four cylinders. You can't add more cylinders after you buy it.

Wiring for the surveillance system can often cause reservations. Wireless cameras work well, but, they are more expensive, can be interfered with and are less secure from being viewed by an outsider. Exposed wires can be cut and can look bad. Proper installation of a hard wired system includes making the wires concealed and secure for each camera.

Camera housings are another factor. Camera housings are used to protect the cameras from damage or tampering or as shielding from the elements if outdoors. They range from being able to protect against the elements to being shot at. The locations of cameras and the environments are the two main considerations of choosing camera housings.

So, when getting a video surveillance system, there are several things to consider. Work out your reasons for wanting a system, evaluate your needs and then choose your equipment, remembering that more expensive equipment is not necessarily more suitable for your needs.