CCTV FAQ

• What areas do you service?
  • We are based in Farmingdale, Long Island. We serve the Tri-State Area and New England; however, many of our clients ask us to install our systems all over the country. With our systems being as reliable as they are, any service issues are able to be handled remotely or through our instructions on site.
• What is the difference between IP Cameras (connect with Network Video Recorder-NVR) and Standard Digital Cameras (connect with Digital Video Recorder-DVR)
  • IP cameras are often misunderstood as being needed in order to view cameras remotely over the internet. This is not the case. IP cameras and Standard Digital Cameras both have the capability of being viewed remotely anywhere in the world when connected to their respective video recorders.
    IP Cameras connect to a Network Video Recorder (NVR), and Standard Digital Cameras connect to a Digital Video Recorder-(DVR). There are DVRs that accept IP cameras (four maximum) called Hybrid DVRs. These systems have specific wiring and installation protocols and require professional installation and networking. The picture image quality from both these camera types is equivalent.
    Systems with fewer than five cameras can be managed with hybrid DVR systems or through independent software by a computer savvy person; however, larger IP cameras systems depend on the client's network. They require dedicated resources and a dedicated IT person with a high level of knowledge to manage and maintain multiple IP addresses and internal networks.
    Most IP based systems have ongoing maintenance costs for additional hardware such as routers, switches, hubs, and power supplies over Ethernet. There are costly reoccurring bandwidth charges that must be managed. Existing networks will potentially perform slower when IP cameras are added as they consume bandwidth.
    There are also remote viewing licensing fees with IP cameras that are not required with Standard Digital Cameras. The ongoing costs for managing and adding IP cameras are well beyond the cost of a capable in-house Digital Video Recorder (DVR). NVRs are not as easy to use by the end user as a well-designed PC based DVR. An onsite IT professional is not needed when using a DVR; however, a qualified CCTV company will need to be engaged for occasional service and support. A properly installed, well-designed standard digital CCTV system requires no monthly fees or other ongoing expense.
• Do you use wireless cameras?
  • On behalf of our clients, we choose to avoid wireless cameras for a variety of important reasons.
    The use of wireless cameras as a security tool in most applications is misunderstood. Today, all cameras may be seen remotely through the internet. Wireless cameras are susceptible to terrestrial interference and do not offer the image quality and overall dependability required for a reliable security solution.
    Where there is an individual camera that is unable to be reached with a wire (ie. separate building more than 75 ft from the building the main DVR is located), the solution is to put an additional DVR and internet connection in that building.
    DVRs are not meant to be exposed to the weather nor should they depend on the wireless connection to the Internet.
    There is also a misconception that wiring may not be installed in an aesthetically acceptable fashion. We have highly accomplished installers who install wires in the highest quality environments and are able professional conceal wires in creative ways. Our goal is to avoid the extra expense and poor performance of wireless video solutions.
• What happens once my 60-90 days of storage are up?
  • We custom build each DVR for our clients based on their individual needs. Clients who require a longer amount of storage (ie. 6mo, 1 year, 2 years) are addressed by adding larger and multiple hard drives to their system.
    We also have solutions for our clients who wish to archive data (save large amounts of data off the DVR) as well as back up solutions for incidences of theft, sabotage, or any other significant event.
    All cameras are recorded on motion only unless set for continuous recording. Once the hard drive fills up with recorded data (with motion), the hard drive begins to write over the oldest day automatically.
• What kind of cameras do you use?
  • All of the camera electronics we use are made by Sony. All of our cameras are color and come in a variety of focal lengths from wide to telescopic. These electronics are installed in a generic housing designed to be maintenance free and vandal proof. All of our cameras are infrared, which means they see in complete darkness in black and white.
    Infrared capability is most useful indoors and in small areas.
• Can I use my existing cameras?
  • Often this is possible; however, not all cameras are compatible with today's technology. Proprietary cameras such as those sold by ADT as well as IP cameras are not compatible with other DVRs.
    There are also cameras that are old by technical standards (more than 4 years old), whose resolution is not up to current standard. These are not recommended to be reused to get the most out of our current DVR technology.
    If the cameras are technologically up to date and are compatible with other DVRs, we can integrate your existing cameras.
• Can I view my business from another location?
  • Yes! As long as there is a working Internet connection/modem at the same location as the DVR and you have a PC, iPad, or iPhone with Internet connectivity, our software will allow you to view you cameras remotely.
• Do you offer financing?
  • Our advice is only to buy what you can afford, when you can afford to buy it. These days this sort of unsecured financing not only doubles the cash price, but also holds you to exorbitant interest rates on top of inflated prices. Financing a system also ties you into a specific vendor for the lease term.
• What are response times for service & repair?
  • Serving our systems is our forte and the driving force for our futures. We have designed our own advanced service system that allows our clients to interact with us in real-time, solving most issues very quickly and often right online.
    On site visits are set up by area and prioritized by the nature of the problem.
• How secure is the program/Who can view my business?
  • Completely secure! Only you or anyone you allow will see your cameras. Each person can have different access levels to use only those areas of the program you decide. Anyone seeing your cameras must have our Client software loaded on a PC and then requires your IP address, user name and password to access. Mobile devices require the same.