CCTV Equipment - Cheap Vs Expensive

There are currently hundreds of different CCTV manufactures on the market offering many different types of cameras ranging from the very cheap to the very expensive.

Now from an end users point of view it may be difficult to understand the difference between two cameras which seem to be identical based on the specifications. They are both 600TVL resolution, they’re both varied focal with 25m IR but one costs £100 and the other is £180.

Based on this information logic says go for the cheaper option because you’re getting the same for less right? Unfortunately, no, you’re not. The reason one is nearly twice the price of the other is down to build quality and support.

You’ve probably heard the saying “well, they’re all made in the same factory” and there is an element of truth to that. The same camera chips will be used in a number of different cameras but again, there are hundreds of different types of chips ranging from good to bad. Also, the chip is only part of the camera. There is also the housing, connections and cables to construct.

In my eyes, the extra cost is spent on the build quality of all the components. When you actually compare a cheap camera next to an expensive camera there is a distinct difference in the look, feel and robustness of the cameras.

An analogy of this would be a rain coat from Primark compared to a rain coat from Marks & Spencers.

Both coats are waterproof, have a hood and 2 pockets, but one costs £60 and the other costs £100. Because a rain coat is more common to us it’s easy to understand that although they will both perform and keep the rain off, the more expensive coat will keep performing for a lot longer that the cheaper coat.

For example, a cheap rain coat may lose its waterproofing after 12 months just like a cheap camera’s infra-red LEDs may start to fail. So what seems to be cheaper to start with actually ends up costing more as you need to replace them.

Another way I feel the extra money is spent is in after sales support.

As with everything in life, things do go wrong and people make mistakes. With this in mind I never judge a person or company on something going wrong, but on how they deal with things. For example I had an issue with some control equipment from Pelco where the video card went faulty after 2 months. To determine the fault I was able to call their very professional and knowledgeable technical support who identified the fault and by the next I had an advanced replacement video card installed and the system was back up and running.

With some of the cheaper equipment I have found through experience that you don’t get this kind of support. In some cases the technical support is only contactable by email, or the number is always engaged meaning the fault takes a lot long to rectify than usual.

Now I’m not saying don’t install cheaper camera equipment because if installed correctly it will perform and do its job. What I am saying is if you do choose the cheaper option please don’t be angry at an installer if the cameras fails after 2 years, get water inside the lens or has a delay trying to repair or identify a fault.

 Just try and remember the old saying “You get what you pay for” as unlike clothing where you can pay over the odds for just a label, you only pay for quality with security equipment.

R.Martin