CCTV systems, both commercial and residential, are a growing market and you don't want to miss the boat.
What I believe is the most popular CCTV system is the stand alone commercial system with a local DVR. For this system you can use the Standard Sales Contract which will cover the installation and warranty. If you want recurring revenue, and you do, then have the subscriber sign a Service Contract. You can connect this local system by hooking the system up to the subscribers Internet service so that the subscriber can view the cameras on a computer remotely.
You can also provide Central Station Video Monitoring of the cameras so that when the alarm system is activated the central station will receive the video feed through the Internet. For this service you should use the Standard CCTV Sales Contract.
Gaining popularity is the Remote VIdeo Monitoring CCTV systems which is suitable for residential as well as commercial use. Use the Remote Video Monitoring Contract for this service.
I really didn't understand the technical difference between the CCTV systems so I asked industry expert Mark Fischer of Nationwide DIgital Monitoring to explain it to me. Here is what he had to say:
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Ken:
For traditional DVR for home or business, there is no fee incurred from anyone for you to view your video remotely. The system will work with either static or dynamic IP addresses but does require familiarity with networking and setting up routers with Network Address translation (NAT) and Port Forwarding to get most this type of system to work. But there are several advantages.
1. Local recording allows high frame rates
2. Does not consume tremendous amounts of internet bandwith
3. Supports systems from single to hundreds of cameras
Disadvantage:
1. hard disk failures may go undetected until recordings are needed
2. Life expectancy of a typical DVR is 5 years.
3. Machine subject to vandalism or theft during an intrusion
Off site system such as Napcos, Ozvison , VideoCells, etc record either streaming video or video based upon an event, such as video motion detection or input by an external device. These systems are designed to be more plug and play, so they do not usually require any network configuration and are easy to set up and install.
The advantages are:
1 Little knowledge of networking required.
2. Low inital investment
3. Free feature upgrades
4. High reliability of offsite storage sites reduces chances of lost video due to hard drive failures
5. Can be used for alarm verification, because most devices provide Pre alarm, Alarm, and Post alarm video needed to evaluate an alarm condition.
The disadvantages are:
1. Low frame rate
2. Low resolution
3. depends on internet connection being up all the time
4. requires a monthly fee for service.
A better solution and one we at Nationwide DIgital Monitoring have been pushing is a hybrid.
Local dvr at the site gives high res, hi frame rate . We then monitor several cameras including one that is watching the DVR off site. This provides a very high degree of security for the site.
Offsite systems do open up a new area for dealers: Systems with 4 cameras or less. Off site is a very cost effective alternative for these small systems where a standard DVR might be too costly.