A CCTV system may be made up of one or more digital cameras, recording devices, and display monitors, all connected and networked using cables or a Wi-Fi setup. This could be a smaller system or a more complicated one with a large number of cameras – it all depends on your requirements, business size, and budget. A CCTV – system is an indispensable asset these days, as it will overcome the vulnerabilities of your workplace or home and keeps the site secure.
Installing a CCTV System
The below step-by-step guide will walk you through the basics of how to install the CCTV system yourself.
1. Planning
The first step in any process is planning. When it comes to creating a CCTV system, you need to consider your requirements for your CCTV camera system. Is your primary goal to see if any burglar tries to enter your home, or is it to monitor your staff at work? Or is it something else entirely? It’s important to have a clear idea of your goals and objectives.
This will help you decide what type of camera and how many you need, among many other factors. You should decide also whether you want short-range or long-range cameras.
2. Deciding the Camera Position
During the planning stage, it’s also important to determine the position of the cameras. However, in the second stage, you will need to think further about the practical aspects and decide exactly where you want to install them.
For example, it may be important to put them somewhere that they are protected from rain, sun, and other harsh weather conditions. It’s also important to decide the height of the cameras where they will be secure while capturing the best view.
3. Fixing the Camera
This is the actual stage where you install the cameras. The camera assembly will typically have a mount with holes for the screws. Place it on the wall in the position you of your choosing, and then mark the wall with a pen or pencil through the holes on the mount. Next, remove the camera assembly and drill holes at the points you’ve marked.
Finally, you can fix the camera mount on the wall with the screws. After drilling in all the screws, you can adjust the camera position and angle by tilting or rotating its frame to focus on the desired area or distance.
4. Installing the Recorder
Recorders are generally one of two types: DVR (Digital Video Recorder) or NVR (Network Video Recorder). DVR is commonly used for CCTV cameras while NVR is used with IP cameras. Whichever type of system you choose to use, find a suitable position to install it and make sure the recorder is connected to its hard drive memory.
5. Fixing the Cables
When installing the cables, make sure to check the connectors as well, as there are a range of different types of connectors. It’s important to use the right type of connectors with the appropriate cables that will attach correctly to these devices. Usually, BNC connectors are used, but sometimes you may also find others used with the recorder such as an HDMI connector.
Draw the cables along the sides and corners of your space, and use conduits for protection wherever they may be exposed. You may have to drill holes in the wall to pass the cables through in some spots. Connect one end of the cable to the camera and the other to the recorder.
6. Connecting the Monitor
In this stage, place the monitor in the most convenient spot for watching the live or pre-recorded feed from the cameras. After placing the monitor in your chosen position, you can connect the recorder to the monitor using another cable.
If you want to view the display from off-site, for example when you are traveling, you can use a router in addition to the above setup, which will send video signals to your mobile phone or a remote monitor. This will allow you to keep an eye on your system from literally anywhere in the world.
7. Finalizing the Process
Make sure the camera, recorder, and monitor are connected to their respective power supply points. Check that you have made the correct input selection for the recorder and the monitor.
Finally, switch on all the devices – your monitor should now show a display of the view captured by the camera. If there are multiple cameras, you can make the necessary settings on the monitor to view a single camera output in full screen, or multiple split-screen views corresponding to multiple cameras.
CCTV systems are pretty common in today’s homes and businesses, but many people still don’t know how these systems work. It’s important to know how these schemes work, and even better if you can install the system yourself. Make sure you keep a close eye on your CCTV system and perform regular maintenance – this will mean it will last as long as possible with minimal problems.
