6 top system design tips for the best solution every time

You’ve checked and clarified all of the operational requirements and are on your way to designing the perfect surveillance system. But, STOP! Have you read our top 6 system design tips?

TIP 1 – “Manage your client’s expectations on what the field of view may be”
Does your client want to see vehicles entering the gate at the front of their house, or monitor traffic and general surveillance? Do they require a general view of an area or a more focused zoomed-in view within an area? Use our field of view tips to help you calculate this accurately. Remember to consider the key three factors: size of image sensor, lens focal length and distance to target to work out your field of view.

TIP 2 – “Future-proof your site by installing an NVR with additional IP camera allocations”
You’ll thank yourself if you remember to add extra IP camera allocations and leave spare channels. It’s only after you’ve installed your cameras that you may need to add additional cameras to site. Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.

TIP 3 – “Always utilize gigabit networking ports between control devices”
This will ensure there is plenty of bandwidth between the control devices, for example, switches to switches, NVR to switches.

TIP 4 – “Redundancy recording using SD Cards”
Most LILIN cameras can record on to an SD card – great for redundancy recording just in case of NVR theft or network failure. Most LILIN cameras can record to micro SD card with capacities of up to 128GB. Recordings can be continuous or triggered by an alarm event, and playback can be viewed through the web browser, LILIN app, Navigator or directly from the card itself. Ensure you use a good quality branded SD MicroSD card with the minimum speed of 10.

TIP 5 –  “Use our free DDNS service (Dynamic Domain Name Service)”
Setting up remote access means you can access your cameras from wherever you are – even on your mobile device! Traditionally remote access was only available through paying for a static IP address, or a chargeable DDNS service. However, ours is free. Simple to set up using our online cloud service, utilizing DDNS means you only have to remember your own customized unique name.

TIP 6 – “Get the light right”
Don’t forget to consider factors that affect external camera performance, particularly in low light conditions. This includes light level (amount of light reflected to the camera), sensitivity – performance of the sensor in the camera & enhancement technology like sense up/frame integration and lens speed (ability of the lens to pass light measured by the F stop of the lens).