Security
17 Things to Consider Before Buying a CCTV Camera in Kenya
Nov
17 Things to Consider Before Buying a CCTV Camera in Kenya
The last ten years have seen significant advancements in CCTV cameras. However, to be fair, not everyone’s life entails these. It can therefore be intimidating to browse through the newest CCTV features and CCTV security camera types. A marketing consultant might also be a waste of time if you ask for their assistance. For added difficulty, they frequently use the most elegant language when selling CCTVs. You should therefore have a basic understanding of things to consider before buying a CCTV camera in Kenya for your home or business.
Below is a list of things you need to consider before you purchase Surveillance Cameras in Kenya
Does the CCTV come with an inbuilt storage SD card slot or does it depend on separate internal storage on the DVR?
Is the Camera Pan/Tilt?
In order to cover a large area around them, modern CCTV cameras can rotate both horizontally and vertically. A CCTV camera can rotate at its greatest possible horizontal and vertical angles, respectively. Some of the best CCTV cameras, like the Dahua Wizmind Series, have pan and tilt capabilities of up to 355 degrees and 90 degrees, respectively. The apps of some CCTV cameras allow for remote rotation. A CCTV camera with a higher pan and tilt is, therefore, necessary if you want to keep an eye on a sizable area of three-dimensional space.
What is the Image quality?
The best CCTV cameras currently available produce videos with a resolution of 720p (1MP) and 1080p. Of course, higher resolution means better quality, but it also means you need more storage to record a day’s worth of video. Purchasing a high-resolution camera might not be a bad idea if your DVR has a large internal storage capacity measured in terabytes. However, cameras with built-in storage can quickly fill up. Some cameras have an overwrite feature that, once the micro SD card is full, self-erases it and keeps recording. Of course, this can lead to issues with recording loss. A 1MP camera can use up to 38GB of data storage when recording continuously for a day. Therefore, before selecting a specific CCTV camera, consider how the resolution of the camera will affect storage capacity and backup time as well as visual quality.
Does it have a motion and audio sensor?
Actually, smart security cameras include motion sensors. Due to their high price, these CCTV cameras are currently not very common in Kenya, but they will undoubtedly become more commonplace. For instance, a Dahua 4MP Camera costs KES 6,500 per unit. CCTV cameras use audio and motion sensors to detect unusual sounds and movements and notify owners by sending them a notification on their mobile app. Investing in a CCTV camera with motion and audio sensors is worthwhile if you need a top-notch security system and want to protect your home or office as much as possible.
How easy is it to Install and set up?
You may need to download an app from the Google Play Store on your phone, install it, sign up, and authenticate by scanning the QR code with the camera the first time you use it. It shouldn’t take long to complete this. In general, setting up a CCTV camera in this day and age should be simple.
Can it be used for Video chat with your family?
Some CCTV cameras come with an inbuilt microphone that allows 2-way communication. This is key for people who want to keep in touch with their kids at home and ensure their safety and security.
Is the Camera Waterproof?
For an outdoor CCTV camera, waterproofing is important. If you want to monitor the space in front of your business, home, or any other outdoor space, you should look for waterproof CCTV cameras.
What accessories does it come with?
You should find out exactly what you’ll get when you purchase a CCTV camera before making your decision. The installation equipment, such as mounting stands, power screws, cables, and power adaptors, are the main contents to look for. Sometimes, the power adapters that come with inexpensive CCTV cameras are an extra cost. So make certain that your package contains all of these.
What is the number of Infra-Red LEDs in the Camera?
Small lights called infra-red LEDs are positioned in the center and on the sides of the lens. Infrared light is provided by these at night for night vision. Better nighttime recording quality will be achieved with more LEDs.
What is the Maximum range of the camera?
The maximum range or range of a CCTV camera depends on the size of the image sensor and the focal length of the lens. The farther the range, the clearer the objects will be that are captured. For outdoor CCTV cameras, a longer range is necessary. A CCTV camera should have a minimum range of 20 to 25 meters.
Does it work offline; does it have an inbuilt Hotspot?
Users can access the live stream on their smartphone without a Wi-Fi connection thanks to a CCTV camera’s built-in Hotspot. But only up to a certain distance from the camera does this work. Since they have an antenna, these cameras are simple to recognize. This is a useful feature for CCTV cameras placed in malls and small stores. Managers don’t need an internet connection to keep an eye on different areas of the floor.
Is it compatible with the existing DVR?
As a component of a CCTV system, some manufacturers produce and market CCTV cameras. Only their parent DVR is compatible with them. So, if you’re purchasing a CCTV camera for a DVR that already exists, make sure it is compatible.
Is the CCTV camera supplier genuine?
The number of CCTV Dealers in Nairobi, Kenya, and other significant Kenyan cities has greatly increased over the past few years. Many of them lack the accreditation necessary to provide and install CCTV cameras. These businesses are still present in the market, though, as Kenya’s surveillance laws are ambiguous. Over 75% of CCTV installations are thought to be illegal. As times change, it’s possible that a new law will be passed to get rid of illegal installations. For this reason, before ordering an installation, be sure to search for reputable and licensed CCTV Camera Dealers. Additionally, when purchasing from online retailers, confirm that the images are real. There’s a chance that some products’ images are deceptive.
Is it an Outdoor or Indoor Camera?
Indoor cameras are ideal for offices and homes. These are compact in size and typically have a dome shape.
Outdoor cameras, on the other hand, are ideal for spaces including grounds, outside shops, markets, airports, roads, etc. These have high pan/tilt and zoom which enables them to cover a large area.
Is it a Wired or Wireless CCTV camera?
Wired:
Wired CCTV cameras are quite popular in Kenya because of their lower price. These are connected to the DVR through a Siamese Coaxial Cable. Wired CCTV cameras are more suitable than wireless CCTV cameras as they are hard connected through wires.
Wireless:
Wireless cameras provide mobility and scalability advantages. These are typically simple to install and relocate. Wireless cameras of high quality are more expensive than wired cameras. These cameras are preferred in high-end offices and homes today because they do not obstruct the aesthetics with wires and cables. Wireless cameras require a high-quality router, a stable internet connection, and sufficient speed.
Price and Warranty
A decent-quality CCTV camera comes with at least a one-year warranty and robust ones can have a warranty of up to 3 or more years.
Best CCTV brands of Kenya
Hikivision, Dahua, Samsung, and Vivotek among others are some of the popular and reputed CCTV camera brands in Kenya. We have a huge collection of CCTV Cameras for sale in Nairobi, Kenya at the best prices.
You can also check:
