People frequently install a CCTV system at their home, business or shop and then never think about it again once it has been installed. Once it’s up on the wall, everything looks all right when you view it from outside. But old security cameras are not as reliable as they seem. Because the technology has changed a lot over the past decade, many older systems are quietly failing to meet the modern security requirements. In this special blog, we will discuss all the drawbacks of old CCTV cameras and will also try to understand how to upgrade them.
Basic Problems with Old CCTV Cameras
- The Footage is too blurry to be useful
Old, outdated cameras record at very low resolution. The footage looks fine on a small monitor, but the moment something actually happens, like a break-in, a theft, an accident, then you realise you cannot see the face well, it’s difficult to read a number plate, or even show you what time it occurred. Unfortunately, the footage that cannot identify anything is not really evidence. Newer cameras record all the footage in HD and 4K resolutions during day and night equally well. You can zoom into the footage and still see clear detail. That difference matters when you really need it as evidence.
- You Cannot Check Your Cameras Remotely
Traditional CCTV cameras keep recording all the time 24/7. That seems like an ideal feature but you have to watch a lot of videos to find what you are looking for. There are no alerts in it, so you do not know if something happened unless you look at all the footage. New cameras can detect all the suspicious movements, and send you a notification, on your phone immediately. And enable you to find out about the incident on the same day. You see everything live when it is happening.
- Night vision is weak
A lot of older cameras struggle after dark. Without decent infrared capability, night footage is mostly just shadows. You can tell something moved but not much else. Cameras today have much better low-light and infrared performance. Some even capture footage in colour at night. Since a lot of security incidents happen in the evening or early morning, this is not a feature you want to skip.
- No alerts when something happens
CCTV systems that capture real-time video have been the norm for years now. Although it may seem good to secure your property and monitor what happens outside your premise, the amount of footage generated from traditional CCTV cameras makes it difficult and tedious to locate an event. In addition, there are no notifications from these systems until you manually search them for something that happened. But now, with the introduction of newer, motion sensitive cameras that notify you via your smartphone, you will receive an alert when there’s an incident happening, rather than waiting until the-next-day to review your video recordings in a traditional CCTV system to identify what happened.
- Maintenance becomes a headache
The maintenance of the old CCTV camera became a headache for the users due to its complex wiring that deteriorates as time passes and the cables stop to transfer the data properly , and because of the aging hardware, it becomes difficult to repair due to the unavailability of new parts. Expanding the system is just as difficult for the users. Modern setups are cleaner. Many cameras are wireless or use simple cable runs. They are easier to install, easier to maintain, and easier to add to if your needs change.
- Everything works in isolation
A traditional CCTV camera system records footage and that is it and independent of each other. Today’s security systems can work together with door alarms, motion sensors, smart locks, and lighting systems. When one part of the system goes off, all parts of the system will respond according to their instructions. It is a much more practical way to protect a property.
How to Upgrade Your System
Keeping things simple when changing to a more contemporary system. So long as you follow these concepts, you will find it easy to complete each step.
Take stock of what you have: Assess to find what cameras currently exist, which location they are covering, and where they do not provide coverage. It will help you create a proper plan if you know what you are missing.
Think about what matters most to you: The various features provided by many cameras can include things such as, remote access, improved image quality, night time vision, and motion detection; therefore, not everyone wants the same camera features. So determine first, like which camera you need to purchase.
Pick the right camera for each spot: For instance, dome cameras are ideal for use indoors or mounted on the ceiling and will provide a good view of people walking into an area, while bullet cameras are better for long-range outdoor surveillance.
Sort out your storage: A local hard drive can be damaged or stolen along with everything else. Cloud storage and hybrid setup keeps your footage secure.
Find a reliable installer: The equipment is important, but it’s also important, that how it is installed. An established security camera installation team such as FDS security camera will assess your premises, recommend a suitable system and install it properly for you, plus provide ongoing support.
Final Thoughts
An old CCTV system can make you feel covered when you are not. Blurry footage, no remote access, poor night vision, and no smart features, these are not minor drawbacks. They are the kinds of gaps that people only notice after something has gone wrong. The professional team of FDS Security Camera helps homes and businesses move on from outdated setups and get security systems that genuinely work for you. Regardless of the fact that you are starting from scratch or replacing the old one system, we ensure the job is done properly.