Camera systems are ever changing with new technology and features

If you look under the commercial and residential tabs you will also find articles about cameras including deciding on lens types and other items.

Before you buy a camera system it is prudent to do some basic research:

1. Camera systems from the big box stores are not commercially rated and take note that the system in the big box stores is not the one they sell you. You get what you pay for. A $30 dollar camera does not compare with a $200 or a $700 dollar camera.

2. Get enough storage on your NVR. At my home I get 9 days of storage with 12 cameras and I have a 1TB NVR. My camera system has been set at a higher resolution and I record all the time instead of just on motion. On motion my cameras jump from an IPS image per second up to a higher frame rate. We have companies that deal with prescription drugs and they have to store their video for longer periods of time.

3. If you cannot afford a commercial grade system then buy 2 of the cheep systems when you buy one because cameras will go out, IRs will go out and if you buy an entire additional set you will have replacement parts.

4. Consider a repair agreement from Johnson Controls when you purchase a camera system. This is a monthly fee but it is an extended warranty to take care of things that go out. If someone destroys the camera that is not covered in the repair agrement since that should be covered under your insurance.

Larry.Love@JCI.com 801 898 6003 Johnson Controls