Difference Between Home And Commercial CCTVs

CCTVs are routinely used in commercial establishments to keep an eye on surroundings and make sure thefts and vandalism are deterred. The same goes for cameras intended for home use. But there are several differences which are important to be aware of so that consumers can make the right choice when purchasing a security camera.

For commercial use

Commercial closed circuit televisions are larger, more powerful and far more expensive than devices manufactured for home use. They can store more data as they have room for more than one hard drive, important because these cameras run 24/7 or at the very least, longer than CCTVs for home use.

Audio inputs and networking features that let users backup data to a server are also present as is support for central monitoring software. This option lets users access different monitors at once. For example, cameras set up in aisles, doorways and the outdoors send feed to a central location so people monitoring the system can view it on one screen without having to bring up different locations every time.

A primary difference between commercial and home CCTVs is with the cabling. The former relies on coaxial cables that are thicker, have a longer reach and are also more expensive. What users get in return is durability and consequently, better transmission.

For home use

Security cameras for home use are designed smaller to fit into confined environments. They may not be as powerful as commercial models but they're meant to appeal to consumers unwilling to shell out a small fortune on a camera.

Though smaller, home CCTVs are no less clearer as they have the same or almost the same frame rate as commercial cameras. The few drawbacks buyers can expect is less storage space usually for only one or two hard drives and a limited number of audio inputs. This doesn't pose much of a hassle, however, as the cameras don't have to cover very large areas.

It's important to keep in mind that both professional home and commercial CCTV systems can deliver the same picture and audio quality. Aside from the cabling, another main difference is in the features that each type boasts. Naturally, commercial systems have more because they have to service wider ranges, store more data and be able to withstand natural elements as they're often installed outdoors.

Additional features

Both types can incorporate additional features like infrared (day/night) and pan/tilt/zoom. This gives users a greater degree of control over systems especially if what needs to be monitored is valuable and sensitive.

The more features a system has, the more expensive it will be. What home and commercial camera users need to be aware of is that systems must be chosen depending on need, not simply because of cost or additional trimmings. For instance, a camera that's to be installed over a doorway and can scan the entire perimeter in front of it just by sitting doesn't have to have a pan/tilt/zoom feature. However, a very large room with an area that can't be covered by a single camera would do well to have a system with the movable feature. This decreases the need to install too many stationary cameras.

The most important factor to consider is quality. Plastic cameras with low-res that are cheap may compel you to choose them over branded devices that are more expensive. However, durability will be greatly compromised and you'll end up spending more since warranties and guarantees aren't usually present.

If you are looking for the best commercial cctv systems then Zoom Video is the right place to be. They are are Australian owned and operated servicing customers nationally, with an Australia wide workforce and 25 years industry experience.