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CCTV Resolution Guide: 5 Factors That Effect The Image

cctv resolution

Many people are now investing in CCTV systems, but when choosing the right CCTV for your premise, CCTV resolution is one of the factors that you need to consider. This is because the CCTV resolution will affect the quality of the footage. You will want clear footage to identify the intruder’s face or the car plate.

It can be confusing when deciding between the different camera resolutions or your budget limits you. But you will need to consider carefully when determining the resolution you want to get. The number of megapixels of your CCTV determines the quality of the footage.

The CCTV resolution depends on the surface area you will want to cover, how clear you want your footage to be and your budget. High-definition CCTV may not offer the ideal resolution, and their images can be poor when you zoom in for more details. Before buying one for your premise, you will need to understand how resolution affects the quality of the footage.

What Is CCTV Resolution?

cctv resolution
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CCTV resolution is a technical term used for digital photography and video. It is related to the technical equivalent of the film grain in photography. The lower the number of grains is, the sharper the image will be.

Resolution is the number of pixels within an image’s width and height. IP CCTV resolution is the total number of pixels that make up the picture. A common video resolution would be a width of 1920 pixels and a height of 1080 pixels.

Usually, there will be one million pixels in a megapixel. You can get the total number of megapixels by multiplying the width and height of an image. You can get a 2MP image if you multiply 1920 pixels by 1080 pixels.

CCTV Resolution #1 - High Resolution CCTV Won’t Cost You More

cctv resolution
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You are wrong if you think that high-resolution CCTV will cost you a lot. Most top CCTV brands in the market focus more on high-definition CCTV. The price for modern CCTV is more affordable than before.

You can get a good resolution CCTV for your premise without breaking your bank. You may even get some sweet deals while purchasing a high-definition CCTV at a lower price. There are other features such as night vision and motion detection you can get together with your high CCTV resolution camera.

By getting an outdoor CCTV with a 5MP high CCTV resolution, you can capture vivid images of any suspicious happening detected around your premise.

CCTV Resolution #2 - Cover Large Areas With Multiple High Resolution CCTV

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The area you want to capture is another factor you must consider when selecting a suitable CCTV resolution camera. A high CCTV resolution camera can capture a very detailed image. But you will need to find the best position to install the CCTV to prevent blind spots as it may not cover every corner of your premise.

So if you intend to monitor a larger area such as the compound in front of your house, or a parking lot in front of your business premise, you will want to install a high-resolution outdoor CCTV system. It can help to monitor various spots instead of using a CCTV that uses a single fixed lens.

CCTV Resolution #3 - Operate High Resolution CCTV over Stable Network

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The stability of your network is another factor you need to consider when looking for a high-resolution CCTV, especially if you are getting an IP CCTV mainly operating through the network.

IP CCTV with a high-resolution function will need more bandwidth to transmit high-quality images and videos. You will need a network that is fast and stable. If your network is not stable and fast enough to transmit the images, it may deliver lower resolution videos.

CCTV Resolution #4 - Look Out For CCTV Resolution Examples & Reviews

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Before getting your ideal CCTV, you will want to look into the reviews of the CCTV from top tech media or genuine users. If possible, it is best to get a video sample, if there is any, to check the quality of the footage.

You can set up CCTV in various places. If you are looking for video samples, ensure you can check videos under different scenes and conditions with different resolutions, such as the weather, indoor or outdoor, etc., as it will affect the footage quality.

CCTV Resolution #5 - Prepare Enough Storage Space

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It would be nice to get a higher CCTV resolution as it can give you better image quality. But on the other hand, you will need a bigger storage capacity to store your footage. To run a higher CCTV resolution on your premise, you will want to use multiple storage options to save your footage. It is also better to back up regularly.

If you don’t have a large storage space or are limited by budget to get a bigger space, it is best to find a CCTV with advanced compression formats. But you will want to think twice before getting a CCTV with 4K+ ultra HD resolution.

Determining Which CCTV Camera Resolution is Right For You

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Different people have different needs. This goes the same with selecting the right CCTV resolution camera. Most of us will ask how many details is necessary, but there is no fixed answer. The more you want to see from your CCTV, the higher the CCTV resolution you need.

For example, if you just want to keep an eye on your kids playing in the backyard, a 960 or 720 AHD analog CCTV should be enough. If you want to capture the face of the delivery guy on your front porch, a 1080p AHD analog or 2MP IP CCTV is enough to handle it. But if you are looking for fast movement from intruders, you want something in the 5MP or 4K range.

CSI solution

Over the years, we have embarked to be the best provider of security and surveillance systems for many homeowners and retailers here in Malaysia. All businesses, regardless of size, warrant our full attention and service. We know our clients definitely need to pay extra attention to such intricate security details at their workplace.

We are one of the leading home security providers in Johor Bahru, Malaysia empowers us to have the experience and true understanding of how security, particularly remote surveillance and access control security, is of uttermost value to any business.

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