---
title: How to Choose a Video Surveillance System
description: Improving upon your security measures can be a little confusing when it comes to choosing the right system and how to install it, which is why we’ve put together a list of important things to consider when finding a system that fits your needs.
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---
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# How to Choose a Video Surveillance System
- Home
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- How to Choose a Video Surveillance System
[USI Security](https://inbound.usisecurity.com/blog/author/usi-security) 01/26/2021
[4 Comments](https://inbound.usisecurity.com/blog/how-to-choose-a-video-surveillance-system#postComment)
2 Minutes
Video surveillance systems can bring peace of mind to many businesses for various reasons. Whether you’ve had security issues in the past, or just want to keep your family or employees safe, video surveillance can do just that. Improving upon your security measures can be a little confusing when it comes to choosing the right system and how to install it, which is why we’ve put together a list of important things to consider when finding a system that fits your needs.
### Determine the Size of the Area You Need Monitored
The first step of implementing a surveillance system is to determine the size of the area(s) you want to monitor. This will help you figure out how many cameras, as well as the different types of cameras you may need. It’s important to consider areas that may be less obvious, such as windows or garages. For more wide open spaces, you might want to consider a camera that offers a panoramic view.
### Hidden vs. Obvious Cameras
This can be more of a personal preference, but another factor to consider is whether you want your cameras hidden or in plain sight. Having cameras in sight of your home or business can possibly act as a deterrent toward criminal activity as an intruder will know they’re being recorded.
### Lighting
Lighting is an important factor to consider when shopping for surveillance systems. Be sure to look for “lux” ratings of cameras, which will tell you how the system supports operating in low light. Other factors such as glares and reflections should be taken into consideration as well to receive maximum surveillance.
### Indoor vs. Outdoor
Similar to lighting, you’ll want to decide whether your system will be inside, outside, or both. outdoor cameras need to be able to function under inclimate weather, or subject to damage. Cameras that are visible outdoors are more likely to be tampered with, so be sure to choose a system that is equipped for different environments.
### Recording and Viewing
Lastly, you’ll want to consider how you want to record and store your video footage, as well as how to view it. Some systems have built in memory cards, which work well for single cameras. If you need to store a lot more footage, you might want to consider connecting your camera(s) to a separate digital video recorder or a network video recorder.
If you want live access to your camera's recordings, you can choose an IP (internet protocol) camera. As long as you have internet access, these cameras can be viewed using your computer, smartphone, tablet or smart TV.
It’s a good idea to make these considerations when choosing your video surveillance system so you can choose a system that works best for your needs. Planning out where you need cameras and how you want to view the footage will help make the integration process easier, and give you peace of mind knowing you have the right system to keep you protected.
[](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2292367/9c0ffaf3-3da8-4c72-aeff-10a763fde8cb)
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