Today, CCTVs are an essential part of any security surveillance system. But how to decide what CCTV is best suited to your needs? We bring you buying tips to help you select the best CCTV with high quality surveillance footage, whether you are looking for a security camera for your business or your home.

First, determine the coverage area and target distance by surveying and simple observation of the particular area to be covered. You know the famous phrase ‘think like a criminal’ so go ahead and think from the perspective of a thief. What areas are more vulnerable? What areas need multiple angles of view and hence more than one camera? Also evaluate the area to be covered i.e. the field of view. How wide is the area that is to be covered?

Next, estimate the target distance, in feet. This is the approximate distance expected to exist between the subject and the CCTV. Depending on this, resolve other important criteria. What kind of weatherproof rating is needed depending on the exposure to elements? This would be highly dependent on whether the camera is to be placed indoors or outdoors. Think about the visibility of the camera. Do you want the camera to be hidden or in plain sight?

The above two steps will help you select a CCTV with ideal focal length. You can find lots of Lens Calculators online that will help you determine the focal length most likely to work for you based on the target distance and coverage area. This is crucial as there is a tradeoff between field of view and magnification. As the magnification provided by a particular focal length increases, its field of view decreases.

The CCTV you opt is dependent on your individual requirements. If you need a night vision camera or a wireless CCTV, the camera you buy needs to have features that support this. However, always remember to determine the coverage area and target distance to determine the ideal focal length.