Digital Video Monitoring Systems and Components

Here is a short list of popular products organized by device type. Options are available in standard analog, megapixel IP, and high definition analog.

Recording Platforms

DVR and NVR systems are common recording platforms. Embedded systems avoid constant desktop operating system updates and typically do not need antivirus. Many modern recorders support multiple HD camera formats including AHD, HD TVI, HD CVI, and IP.

Typical capabilities

Multi format support for mixed camera types
Remote viewing and mobile access
Continuous or motion based recording
Export clips for incident review

Outdoor Recorders

These are used when there is no building available for a recorder, such as gated entrances, construction sites, remote parking areas, cemeteries, boat ramps, and playgrounds.

Common add ons

Weather rated enclosure
Battery and solar options
Cellular or wireless backhaul
Locking and tamper resistant mounting

Micro Sized Box Cameras

Micro box cameras are compact and flexible. They are often used where a low profile camera is needed or where a specialized lens is required.

Micro cameras are commonly paired with specialized lenses to capture faces, lanes, point of sale areas, or narrow corridors where a standard camera form factor would be too large.

HD Box Type Cameras

Box type cameras are ideal when you need to pair a camera body with a specific lens for a particular viewing distance or field of view.

These setups are used when scene requirements demand a specific focal length, a specific aperture, or a lens type that is not commonly available on standard turret or bullet cameras.

Infrared Bullet Cameras

Bullet cameras are a common choice for outdoor coverage. Infrared illumination supports visibility in low light conditions and can improve nighttime monitoring.

Good for

Entrances and exits
Perimeter coverage
Parking areas
Walkways and common areas

Pan Tilt Zoom Cameras

PTZ cameras can pan, tilt, and zoom for active monitoring. They are often used for wide coverage where an operator may need to zoom in on an area of interest.

Considerations

Optical zoom for distance viewing
Preset tours for coverage patterns
Mount height and line of sight
Network stability for remote control

Starlight Sensitive Cameras

Starlight and low light cameras are designed to capture more detail in dim lighting. They can reduce the need for strong infrared lighting in many scenes.

Helpful when

Ambient lighting is low but present
Color detail matters at night
You want cleaner images with less noise

License Plate Capture

License plate capture is a specialized setup that requires correct camera placement, lens selection, and scene lighting. The goal is consistent plate readability.

What matters most

Distance and angle to the plate
Vehicle speed and shutter settings
Headlights and reflections
Dedicated capture lane coverage

Local and Long Range Wireless

Secure wireless links can connect cameras across barriers like parking lots, rivers, or highways, and can also extend network connectivity. Wireless backhaul is also a strong option for remote sites where trenching or conduit runs are expensive.

Wireless radios and equipment for long range camera connectivity

What this setup is used for

Connecting cameras across parking lots and roadways
Gate entrances and remote access roads
Construction sites and temporary projects
Parks, playgrounds, and public spaces

Typical components

Point to point or point to multipoint radios
Mounting hardware and alignment
Surge protection and grounding
Weather rated enclosures when required

Battery and Solar Powered Wireless Cameras

Battery and solar powered wireless surveillance camera for remote locations without utility power

Where these systems are used

Remote areas with no utility power available
Locations powered only part time by lighting circuits or timers
Gate entrances, rural roads, and perimeter monitoring
Construction sites, parks, boat ramps, and agricultural property
Temporary or seasonal monitoring installations

Typical components

High capacity battery storage sized for runtime needs
Solar panels for continuous off grid power generation
Charge controller and regulated power outputs
Wireless radios for long range video backhaul
Weather rated enclosure with surge protection

Battery and solar powered enclosures for camera systems are designed for locations where traditional power is unavailable or unreliable. These systems can operate entirely off grid using solar panels, making them ideal for remote areas with no electrical service.

They are also commonly used in locations where power is only available during certain hours, such as lights controlled by timers or circuits that shut off overnight. In these cases, battery storage allows cameras and wireless equipment to continue operating even when grid power is unavailable.

Innovative Surveillance designs each system around real world conditions including sunlight exposure, seasonal changes, power availability, recording requirements, and wireless distance. Solutions may include continuous recording, scheduled transmission windows, or power optimized operation depending on site needs.

Using Artificial Intelligence

Smart search can help locate objects of interest even when there was no obvious motion event, enabling searches for specific object types and vehicles.

AI assisted analytics can reduce nuisance alerts and speed up investigations by allowing searches for people, vehicles, and objects across recorded video.

Equipment Pricing

Pricing cannot be reliably quoted without a site visit because the product landscape changes rapidly and there are many camera and recorder choices. Site visits and estimates are not charged.