Video surveillance

IP camera systems for Edmonton businesses, industrial yards and homes: coverage planning, PoE cabling, recorders, remote viewing and backup power.

Start with what you need to see

A camera that shows a blurry figure at the far end of a parking lot does not help anyone. Good surveillance starts with a list of questions: who comes through this door, what plate was on that truck, where did the pallet go?

We plan each camera around a purpose, such as identifying faces at the entry, watching an overhead door, or giving a general overview of a yard. That sets the lens, mounting height and resolution, and keeps the camera count sensible.

For a business, the usual priorities are entrances and exits, cash and high-value storage, loading doors, and the parking lot. For a home, it is the front door, the driveway, the back gate and any detached garage. Marking these on a simple floor plan before choosing equipment keeps the system focused and the budget under control.

How a modern system is wired

Most systems we install are IP cameras powered over the same network cable that carries their video (PoE). One Cat 6 run per camera goes back to a PoE switch, and a network video recorder stores footage on drives sized for how long you want to keep it.

Because the recorder and switch are the heart of the system, we put them on a dedicated circuit and a UPS so cameras keep recording during short outages, and so a power blip does not corrupt the recording drives.

• Retention depends on camera count, resolution, frame rate and motion. We size storage to your target.
• Remote viewing is set up through the manufacturer's secure app, with user accounts you control.
• Cameras can share your network on a separate VLAN, coordinated with your IT provider.

Edmonton weather and outdoor cameras

Outdoor cameras here see -30 C nights, hoarfrost and spring melt. We specify cameras rated for the cold, mount them under eaves where possible, and seal every penetration so water does not track down the cable into the wall.

Lighting matters as much as the camera. Built-in infrared works for short distances, but a dark yard often needs better outdoor security lighting to get usable colour footage.

Choosing cameras and recorders

There is no single best camera. A fixed dome is discreet and hard to tamper with indoors. A bullet camera with a longer lens suits a fence line or a long driveway. A wide-angle or multi-sensor camera can replace several cameras over an open yard or a parking lot.

Recorders are sized for both camera count and storage. More cameras, higher resolution and more motion all use more space. We set recording rules, such as continuous recording at entrances and motion-based recording elsewhere, to make the most of the drives you have.

• Choose fewer, well-placed cameras over many poorly aimed ones.
• Keep the recorder in a locked room or cabinet so it cannot be taken with the footage.
• Test exporting a clip before you need one for an insurer or the police.

Privacy and signage

Private businesses in Alberta are subject to the Personal Information Protection Act, which applies to video of people. In general, collect only what you need, post clear notice that cameras are in use, avoid areas where people expect privacy, and limit who can view and export footage.

For homes, aim cameras at your own property and keep neighbours' windows and yards out of frame. It avoids disputes and is simply good practice.

Questions we hear