6 Factors to Consider when Comparing Similar HD Surveillance Cameras
Date: 29/07/2013 - View(s): 3881 times
Shopping for an HD surveillance camera is not too much different from buying a car or big screen TV. Like anything, there are the obvious purchasing factors such as the product’s price, brand name and features that play into the buyer’s decision-making process.
But suppose you narrow down two or three IP cameras from different companies that meet your surveillance needs and have identical designs, product specs and price points. Then what? Just because two cameras look the same on paper does not mean you are getting the same camera or the same performance.
Here are six factors to consider when choosing between similar HD surveillance cameras.
Compatibility
One thing that would be wise to check is how the cameras work with their proposed camera management software (like ACC software). Not all cameras work their best with all software – depending on how conformant the camera manufacturers are with supporting industry standards such as ONVIF, and how well the NVR software is made to work with them. Some cameras have proprietary drivers or ONVIF extensions that only some NVR software supports, which could result in better performance.
Moving Scenes Footage
On paper, you might have a pair of surveillance cameras that boast the same resolution capabilities. But once there is movement, you might notice one to be blurrier than the other. Check to see if motion compromises the image’s sharpness or if there is a delay between movements. Is the sequence still fluid? If the camera struggles to keep HD resolution when there is plenty of movement, it might not be the best option for you.
Bandwidth
This goes hand-in-hand with the last point. Some cameras can perform with limited bandwidth better than other cameras. Especially if you have an abundance of HD cameras, it can jam up your network resulting in poor quality and lag times with the footage. If you are losing HD quality in your live and recorded feeds, then there is no point in having HD anyway. Make sure your integrator is aware of your network capabilities and to design an IP system based on your bandwidth limits for maximum performance.
Image Quality
Bandwidth and the motion-blur topics are important factors, but really the heart of that issue is just the overall image quality. Two cameras might both be branded as 2 MP, but you might notice a huge discrepancy in quality if you conduct a side by side comparison. Does the image look fairly sharp and defined? How are the colors – how do they compare? Can you see anything in one camera that you cannot see in another?
Customer Support
This factor has nothing to do with product specs but having strong customer support is also something that should factor into your choice. Much like your cell phone company, will you have help readily available to help you with troubleshooting and compatibility issues? Depending on the support you have to lean on, you may feel more comfortable buying from a more active manufacturer.
What Others are Saying
Would you go buy a car or laptop without reading a product review first? Do your research on each camera. See what people have to say about the camera in product reviews and forums. Read what end-users in your industry like or don’t like about the surveillance camera. Which camera works for the setting that is ideal for you? Do you need your camera in a warehouse or in an outdoor setting? What works better for a retail store versus an office? Search the company’s website and read up on their case studies, where cameras you are interested in are featured.
While conducting in-depth research on each camera is an important step in the purchasing process, in the end, seeing is believing. Take a test drive of each camera and carefully take note of all the small details related to performance and quality. A surveillance camera is not a purchase to be taken lightly and it is one you hope will last you for many years, so be meticulous in your decision and make sure you cover all your bases.
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