How much should a surveillance system cost?
The question is a common one. How much should a quality video surveillance system cost? Customers in search of a new system can be surprised when they hear the actual answer. A quality system — quality being the core word – should usually run around $700 to $1000 per camera with installation and a digital video recorder.
For a four camera system the price should be around $2800 on the low side, and on the high-end of the scale around $4000. That range from $2800-$4000 represents the variable differences between the level of surveillance cameras you wish to use. Some surveillance cameras have night vision, vari-focal lenses, on-board computers, and such features which can add to the price and functionality of the system.
A four channel digital video recorder or DVR should cost around $800 if we separate it out from the system price, and an eight channel digital video recorder should cost around $1600. These DVRs (as we call them in the business) are actually dedicated surveillance computers which record the activity on your security cameras. Therefore, when you are buying a system, make sure the digital video recorder computer is a quality machine as well.
Now you may wonder, how would you know if it is a quality system or not — an excellent question. Essentially you can identify the DVRs pedigree by finding out how long it has been on the market. if a DVR has been around for more than a year and half, you are buying an old closeout system. Trust me here, you do not want to buy old technology. Do not be afraid to google the system before you buy and do some research about it.
The other important factor to examine about a digital video recorders is the compression scheme it is using to record its video. Compression scheme? Yep. I know it’s a fancy word, but it is actually very important. Compression is what the surveillance computer is using to record your pictures onto its hard drive system — the latest compression scheme is H.264. If you are being sold an old MPEG or JPEG based DVR, walk away. H.264 represents the cutting edge in today’s surveillance technology and will make the difference between blurry pictures and razor sharp definition.
Image quality can make all the difference. In the end, the video system is there to help the police nab the bad guy, and if your video quality is poor because you went for a “deal,” your video will not accomplish its purpose. The bad guys will get away, and you will be sitting there wishing you had spent more money on your video surveillance system. On the other hand, if you spend your dollars wisely on a quality DVR and cameras, the police will praise your foresight and reward you with attention. Ultimately because you are giving them sharp and clear video images the police will be motivated to search for the bad guys, because now they have evidence in hand and can make the crime stick.
Security & Cameras 