6 common mistakes in making a video surveillance system

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Thanks to the big net of the Internet, we are blessed to have training videos and guide articles on almost any topic, so you can learn not from our mistakes, but from other people’s. Below you will find a list of the 6 most common mistakes that people make when they make their earliest steps in video surveillance. Read it to know how to avoid them!

Mistake #1: thinking video surveillance is only for professionals
Professionals in almost any field speak their own language that sounds like gibberish to outsiders. It sounds so complex and important, and inspires fear that the field itself is equally difficult, and therefore the only logical thing to do is to not waste everyone’s time and call the experts if you need video surveillance. Of course, this is a myth: if you have free time, everyone can get a grasp on video surveillance. Especially if you choose to use a simple video surveillance solution with intuitive interface, as well as transparent pricing policy.
Sure, if you know you don’t have spare time ti get into this, it is better to call a specialized company that you, your friends or at least a lot of strangers in the Internet, trust.
Read reviews, compare and evaluate – this will help you find your perfect solution for video surveillance.

Solution: video surveillance is not difficult or scary. There are many simple solutions that even a beginner can handle – for example, Xeoma.

Mistake #2: not having a plan
Before you start, spare some time to determine the range of tasks that your video surveillance will need to perform. Your choice of solution will depend on these tasks. For example, even free video surveillance can cope with a simple motion-triggered recording – such functions are already embedded into most cameras so there is no need to buy anything else. Some manufacturers even offer the use of their cloud-based video surveillance or video surveillance software in free mode.

Or, if you need more than that, you might know that video surveillance systems nowadays are even able to recognize their owner (or other authorized personnel), so you can use the various amenities of smart home systems. Naturally, these perks of artificial intelligence are harder to find and thus will probably be paid-only. However, your comfort is worth it, isn’t it?

Solution: A correctly selected solution depends on a correctly formulated task. Think the future system through to avoid overpaying or disappointment.

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Mistake #3: not thinking about the future
Nobody can see the future, but one does not need to be a prophet to understand that new amazing discoveries are made every day helping technologies evolve and grow. It is great if the chosen surveillance system is exactly what you need right here and right now, but what about the future? We recommend considering a solution for video surveillance that is actively developing and envisages the changes that will be used worldwide soon.

That’s why, if you’re at the start now and would like your video surveillance system to keep up with the latest technologies, you should not deploy analog DVRs. They are barely keeping up with their digital counterparts so far, and it will be getting only worse.

Solution: choose a solution for video surveillance with a potential. Look for those that are actively developing and already offer advanced capabilities. Like Xeoma, whose new versions are regularly released, and Face Recognition, Recognition of objects, emotions, car numbers, detectors of loitering, abandoned objects and more has already been added.

Mistake #4: choosing a solution with no expansion
A similar, but somewhat different problem arises when it turns out later that you cannot add more cameras to the current CCTV system. Or you can – but with difficulties beyond belief. The cost of upgrading or expanding a system is sometimes so colossal that it almost is the same as having a new video surveillance system. This is most often the case with analog video surveillance: firstly, DVRs have a limit of cameras that they can process; secondly, trenching new cables will ruin the walls and ceilings, so add up the cost for renovation.

Some digital solutions too have this flaw: an NVR only support up to 32 cameras, and if you need 1 more? Buy a new one! Or even some surveillance software that have up to 32 cameras in their cheaper mode, and even for the tiniest extra camera you will need to switch the whole system to a more expensive package, with no transition discounts.

Solution: when choosing a video surveillance system, consider future expansion you might need, and choose the solution that allows for that stress-free. Like Xeoma where you can simply add more licenses to the ones you already use.

Mistake #5: choosing a poor-quality solution
The saying goes: buy cheap, pay twice. Buying something of dubious quality and hoping for the best is sure a risky action. So many products are manufactured in China these days, and the quality of many of them are quite decent – and they cost correspondingly. However, the share of cheap but poor-quality goods is still dominant. The “no name” video surveillance equipment is a lottery: you can read about the lucky ones who won the jackpot, but the majority is still those who lost.

For example, a Vimtech camera that a user recently contacted us about. The camera offers some advantages: it is cheap with “easy” connection and view from Android or iOS (what else is needed?). It even has a website unlike many others – this must mean it is good, right? So why is the user unhappy, looking for a third-party program? The answer is sad: unstable work, no support, no warranty, and the complete inability to get more cutting-edge functions for the camera. No freedom of action, no development of new functionality, your feedback and requests are unheard. And that is left to do is either change the camera, or continue suffer with the product hoping that sooner or later it will fail.

Solution: if you feel adventurous, you should at least carefully examine product reviews, and pay great attention to the negative ones, to see if you could be still satisfied if the “worst case” happens. However, we recommend to look at inexpensive but high-quality cameras (with a warranty!) from the world leaders like Dahua or HikVision instead.

Mistake #6: overpaying for a brand
Another extreme that video surveillance newcomers go to is overpaying. One might think: “I don’t understand this, so I’ll choose the most expensive option – it must the best if it costs so much.” This is not quite so, and high prices can sometimes indicate not quality but manufacturers’ greed and need for someone to compensate their spendings on taking part in expos, in certification, etc. This goes for expensive video surveillance solutions as well. It’s better to choose a solution where features that you do not need yet are sold separately and can be purchased later, while only the most important features is included into the basic video surveillance package. Perfect example is Xeoma video surveillance software: basic video analytics is included in the main package, and the artificial intelligence options are bought separately when they are needed.

Solution: do not strive to buy the most expensive solution, when choosing a video surveillance system. Instead, focus on the medium price. Xeoma prices are much more affordable than competitors’, and the quality and functionality match the more expensive solutions. See for yourself!

Making mistakes is common to everyone. However, you can learn to avoid some of them while making your video surveillance system – with the help of our article. Find out what common mistakes you may encounter when organizing video surveillance, and don’t fall in this trap!

Any questions about Xeoma? Feel free to ask us!

December 19, 2019