Envirocom hand picks cameras, lenses, digital controllers, VCR's, and digital video recorders to meet each client's needs.

        

  

     We have found that name brand means nothing.  After comparing every camera body manufacturer and numerous controllers on the market,  we found the quality of the picture had nothing to do with the name brand.

     A camera system is comprised of four parts.  The first being the cameras.  The type of camera used is dependant on the taste and budget of the client.   Color cameras are very nice during the day, but need very bright lights at night to work well.  Black and white cameras work great at night with low light levels, but do not give as sexy a picture during the day.  
     The second part of the camera system is the control equipment.  The cheapest method to control multiple cameras is a switcher($275).  What you see is what is recorded and this is very dangerous if the picture is left unattended and a problem occurs at a camera that is not being viewed. The next method is a quad splitter($600) that can give a 4 camera system an affordable, always recorded, 4 by 4 picture. The next level of control is a 9 or 16 camera digital multiplexer($1800-$4000).  These machines are sophisticated dual computers that give total flexibility while viewing the cameras while keeping a constant stream of information flowing to the VCR for all the cameras all the time.  The last and most expensive level of controllers is a digital video recorder($4000-8000).  This is a full blown PC with special software and connection ports to allow up to 16 cameras to be routed through it.  The video information is stored on the hard drive and also viewed on the VGA monitor.  These boxes provide tremendous flexibility for the user.  All cameras are recorded constantly via digital compression.  The playback is very clear and able to be modified to enhance the picture for viewing.  What really sets the DVR apart is the ability of the PC to be networked throughout the complex and also over the internet.  Password levels can be established and a high paying tenant can be allowed to watch his area at any time.  The owner or manager can of course check out the facility from afar as well.  This has proven invaluable for unmanned facilities.
     The third part of any camera system is the viewing media.  After hundreds of installations we have found that bigger is better.  Planning the office is the key to success.  Make sure there is enough room to get a 42" Sony, maybe  3 or 4. This is a very good marketing tool.  
     The fourth part of any professional camera system is the recording media.  Up until the advent of the DVR(around 2000) the only way to record a camera was on a VHS tape.  Time lapse VCR's($400-1300) are coming down in price and are still the mainstay for recording video information.  The DVR is a new machine and will also be coming down in price over time.  There is no comparison between the two, the DVR is awesome!   As the price does come down the DVR will slowly replace the VCR.  
      A good camera system actually pays for itself over time.  Rarely will a tenant admit he smashed a gate or drove into a building, but a good picture proves it without a doubt.
 

      The most important stage of a good camera system is the planning stage.