Everything you need to choose the right cameras, NVR, storage, networking, and AI analytics for your specific project requirements.
Choose the right camera form factor for your installation environment and monitoring goals.
Cylindrical housing, fixed direction, long-range IR. Visible deterrent effect.
Outdoor perimeterDiscreet ceiling mount, wide-angle, vandal-resistant. Indoor & outdoor.
Indoor & retailPan-tilt-zoom, auto-tracking, covers large areas. Operator-controlled or auto.
Large open areas360° panoramic view, single camera covers entire room. No blind spots.
Rooms & lobbiesBuilt-in AI chip, edge analytics, face/behavior/PPE detection on-device.
AI applicationsHeat-based imaging, works in complete darkness, perimeter intrusion detection.
Night & perimeter
| Feature | Bullet | Dome | PTZ | Fisheye | AI Smart | Thermal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outdoor Use | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Opt. | ✓ | ✓ |
| Night Vision | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Opt. | ✓ | ✓✓ |
| AI Analytics | Opt. | Opt. | Opt. | — | Built-in | Opt. |
| Relative Cost | Low | Low | High | Medium | Medium-High | High |
Higher resolution enables more detail capture, but requires more storage and bandwidth.
Resolution determines how much detail you can capture and how far you can zoom in digitally. For face identification, license plate recognition, or AI analytics, higher resolution is essential.
General monitoring, low-traffic areas, budget projects
Most commercial applications, good balance of quality and cost
Face ID, license plates, critical security areas
Large open areas, panoramic coverage, forensic detail
Focal length determines viewing angle and coverage distance. Match lens to your monitoring distance.
Lens focal length directly affects field of view (FOV) and monitoring distance. Wide-angle lenses cover more area but with less detail; telephoto lenses provide detail at long distances but narrow coverage.
Calculate your storage needs and choose the right NVR or cloud storage solution.
Storage requirements depend on resolution, frame rate, compression codec, and retention period. H.265 compression reduces storage by up to 50% compared to H.264 at the same quality.
| Storage Type | Capacity | Best For | Advantages | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NVR Local | 4-128 ch | On-premise, high security | Low latency, no subscription | Physical space, single point |
| Hybrid NVR | 4-64 ch | Backup redundancy | Local + cloud backup | Higher cost |
| Cloud VMS | Unlimited | Multi-site, remote access | Scalable, remote access | Bandwidth dependent |
| Edge Storage | Per camera | Remote, no network | No network required | Limited capacity |
Design your network infrastructure to support reliable video transmission and remote access.
Network design is critical for IP camera systems. Each camera requires dedicated bandwidth, and the network must support peak loads during simultaneous recording and live viewing.
Power over Ethernet delivers power and data via single cable. Simplifies installation significantly.
For distances over 100m or high-bandwidth requirements. Immune to electrical interference.
For locations where cabling is impractical. 4G LTE or 5G for remote sites.
AI transforms passive recording into active intelligence. Choose analytics based on your use case.
AI video analytics can be deployed at the edge (camera), server, or cloud level. Edge AI provides real-time response without network dependency; server AI handles complex multi-camera analytics.
Identify individuals, VIP recognition, blacklist alerts, attendance management.
Automatic vehicle identification, parking management, access control.
Safety compliance monitoring for helmets, vests, harnesses in industrial environments.
Early fire detection via visual smoke/flame analysis, faster than traditional sensors.
Occupancy monitoring, crowd density analysis, flow optimization for retail and venues.
Virtual fence detection, loitering alerts, after-hours intrusion detection.
Different industries have unique requirements. Use these guidelines for your sector.
Focus on PPE compliance, equipment monitoring, fire detection, and production line surveillance.
Temperature-rated cameras for freezer environments, wide-angle for aisles, license plate at gates.
Behavior analysis, access control at entrances, wide-angle for classrooms, outdoor perimeter.
Ruggedized cameras, PPE detection, crane monitoring, real-name attendance, perimeter security.
People counting, heat mapping, loss prevention, POS monitoring, customer behavior analysis.
LPR cameras, incident detection, speed monitoring, traffic flow analysis, wide dynamic range.
Complete this checklist before finalizing your surveillance system purchase.
Calculate based on coverage area, camera FOV, and overlap requirements. Typically 1 camera per 30-50m² indoors, with 20% overlap between cameras for complete coverage.
IP cameras offer higher resolution, better flexibility, and AI capabilities. Analog is only recommended for upgrading existing analog infrastructure. All new installations should use IP.
Minimum IP66 for outdoor use (dust-tight and water jet resistant). IP67 for harsh environments. IK10 rating for vandal resistance in public areas.
Standard commercial: 30 days. Regulated industries (banking, healthcare): 90-365 days. Check local regulations for your industry. Motion-triggered recording can reduce storage by 60-80%.
Our surveillance engineers have designed systems for 500+ projects across 30+ countries. Share your requirements and get a customized system design within 24 hours.