With over 14 years experience in the CCTV industry, Hitek prides itself on installing and maintaining high quality, unique CCTV systems and accessories at an affordable cost. Our extensive line of over 400 security products consists of CCD black & white and color cameras, lenses, monitors, switchers, digital and time lapse recorders, motion detectors and virtually all other CCTV accessories. Click here for a CCTV glossary and here for a lens glossary. Features and Benefits of a Digital Video Recorder (DVR) vs. VCR

If you, like many of our customers, know you need a camera but don't know exactly what type, think carefully about your application. We've included some helpful information below on the types of cameras and how they may be put to use. If you are a business owner or operator, we have some special considerations for you:

• Would I rather catch a thief or deter potential thieves from stealing?
• Do I wish to deter external thefts and/ or robberies?
• I may have a way to hide the camera, but can I hide the DVR/Server/Recorder from the employees as well?

If your primary goal is to deter potential thieves, you do not need a covert camera. For this application, we recommend a small and unobtrusive camera system. As your goal is to remind employees and potential thieves that someone is watching, the camera may be placed in a location that is clearly visible to all. In addition, you do not need to find a hidden place to set up the DVR. If this is your application, we have three common styles of unobtrusive cameras pictured below, or give us a call and let our trained professionals help you find the right product to best suit your needs.

If you wish to covertly monitor your employees or customers, we can certainly offer a variety of products to suit your needs. However, as we believe in putting our customers first, we want to point out to you the following considerations:

• Covert cameras cost more.
• You will need to ensure that not only is your camera hidden, but that the DVR and/or monitor are hidden as well. It only takes one employee to spread the word that a camera is in use and where it is located.
• Do you really want to fire and go through the expense of retraining personnel, or do you want to deter wayward behavior from happening in the first place?
• Perhaps you need a combination of covert and unobtrusive cameras.

Not Sure?
Give us a call or e-mail us at info@hitekinc.com. We'll be more than happy to discuss your needs and make a recommendation on equipment. We put our customers first and we want to ensure that you have the information you need to make an informed decision.

Should I use Color or Black & White (B&W) Cameras?
This is a simple question. Not only do B&W cameras typically offer a higher resolution picture while having tremendously better low light capabilities over color cameras, but you can buy them for a fraction of the cost of a color camera. Actually, unless noted otherwise, all of our B&W cameras are infrared sensitive, and may be used where even the lowest amounts of light may be present.

Color cameras typically demand a greater amount of light to be present for the imaging device to capture a clean, sharp image. Even with more expensive models, some color cameras tend to "wash out" the color when used in a low light environment. However, there are cameras for every application available at a price.

We recommend that you save yourself money by purchasing B&W cameras unless your application dictates the need to see color. This is especially true if you need the camera to see in low light environments. However, we highly recommend that you use a minimum of one color camera to cover the public entrance to your site. In the event of a robbery or theft, it is especially helpful in the arrest and later prosecution of the individual to have a full color description of the perpetrator's clothing.

Wireless or Wired Cameras?
At Hitek Electronic Security, Inc., we offer wired and wireless cameras, as well as wireless transmitters that you can use with any of our cameras to make it wireless. Wireless cameras and transmitters are perfect for hard to reach installations, or when a road or other type of structure separates the camera from the "monitoring station" where you have your recorder and monitor set up. Being that they are easy to install, they are also great to use if you are "technologically impaired" or are intimidated by the idea of running cable through your structure. However, as with any electrical device that uses radio waves to transmit a signal, there is the possibility of external interference that may make it impractical to use a wireless system. Although our 2.4 GHz cameras & transmitters are mostly immune to common interference (unlike 900 MHz), they may not produce a desirable picture under certain (and rare) conditions.

Our Recommendation?
If you're looking for the easiest and simplest way to install a surveillance system and don't mind paying a little extra for the added convenience, go with a wireless camera. However, if you're not installing in a difficult environment and you don't mind running a little cable, save yourself some money and go with a wired camera. On the average, we find that most home owners and small retail stores go with a wireless system, while larger stores and institutions go with wired cameras.