Let us guide you what is necessary and important. You can start to arrange your own security systems with the information given below.

So, how much we should spend on our security systems? Practically, we shouldn’t base on a figure but focus on what security systems we need but I will provide a guideline for those who totally have no idea how they should start. This is a statistic based on customer’s preference and satisfaction to their systems. Take klang valley as an example, property value in a new area, it is about 400k – 600k for a terrace house. Alarm and CCTV are the basics, usually a full alarm system with 3 to 4 cameras are needed for a terrace house. Products with full installation for both systems are about 4k – 6k. Compare the amount we spend on the security systems with our property value, it is about 1% of the property value. To be simple, 1% of the property value is a guideline for those who still wondering how much they should spend on a complete security system. This is a guideline for the house owner.

For business premises, please email or call us for advice because it really depends on the purposes of usage and structure of the building in order to provide the correct solutions.

Different area and different property need a different protection. The below information is just a reference to a basic setup of security systems on a different property.

 

In what situation you should use fiber solutions

① When the area is large, cabling is more than 300m – 500m

② When the site needs more than 30 cameras, due to cost-effectiveness

③ When the site will have future expansion

Fiber Optic sounds very high-tech, right? Actually, laying fiber cable is not that expensive but there is an additional cost for the fiber accessories, Fiber to Coaxial Converter. A pair of converter for the back end and front end of the system, because there is no fiber camera or recorder. Camera and recorder only come with BNC or Ethernet interface, BNC port for the analog camera using coaxial cable (also called RG cable), Ethernet port for the network camera using Ethernet cable (also called UTP cable, LAN cable, Cat5 or Cat6 cable). This is why we need a converter for each of the equipment when applying fiber solutions. The greater costs of fiber solutions come from the converter and workmanship because constructing a fiber system needs very detail handwork and involved many expensive tools.

Usual Method

No converter needed

Fiber Optic Method

Fiber to Coaxial converter needed

Advantages of fiber solutions

① Better-quality transmission, distance up to 20 km

② Huge bandwidth capability

③ Interference immunity such as electrical and electromagnetic interference

④ Avoid lightning surges and overvoltage

⑤ Smaller size and lightweight, neat cabling

⑥ Long service life, not easily oxidized compared to copper

As we know that raining is very common in Malaysia, especially during raining season. A huge benefit of Fiber Solutions is no more lightning surge can severely damage the system because fiber is made of glass not copper, it is non-conductive. The distant a fiber can transmit is up to 20km, it is more than enough for a large property or even a neighbourhood.

Fiber Optic  =  Optical Fiber

Fiber Cable  =  Optical Cable

There is a Chinese sentence “Troops are kept a thousand days to be used on one day”, mean that we keep something for years just to use it at a critical moment. This is the situation similar to a CCTV system, sometimes we know we need it very much but that is usually after an incident has happened. Please maintain your CCTV system every few months, or else you will only know it is not functioning when the time you need it and that will be too late. CCTV system is more complex compared to other basic security systems, it consists of the Recorder, HDD and Camera. This is the reason why it needs a proper maintenance more than other security systems.

The maintenance work is easy, you just need to check on the Recorder to make sure the recording functioning well (mean the HDD working well) and a paint brush to clean dust inside the recorder. Do not wipe with a wet cloth, just clean the dust inside the recorder. Make sure airflow inside the recorder is good, bad ventilation is the main factor causing a recorder lifespan shorter. Besides that, if you are not afraid of height then gently wipe the camera lens with a dry microfiber cloth, clean it once a year. Especially camera inside a kitchen, blurry image affected by the cooking oil.

1. Clean dust inside recorder and wipe camera lens
2. Prepare the Tools (screwdriver, paint brush and microfiber cloth)
3. Playback the CCTV footage (make sure HDD working well)  IMPORTANT

Of course, the more we spend on security systems the more protection we get from those security technologies, but first of all, we have to make sure all the systems are used properly. Secondly, how do we avoid being targeted by those evil persons. Some people install the alarm system just to make themselves feel secure psychologically but don’t have the habit to activate their alarm system. Don’t be overconfident as you never know whether you will become one of the victims.

Alarms and CCTV systems are both important but we have to make things practical as well. If you are forgetful and cannot remember to activate your alarm, please install an IP module with your alarm system so you can remotely control the alarm system wherever you are using a simple phone application. Security systems are only automated to a certain extent, whether or not we get the full protection depends on how we choose to use it. Convenience = Practicality. People don’t like to use things that are inconvenient, so always think of a convenient way to use your security system and try to make it a habit. i.e. Activate the alarm system before you sleep, when everyone is out and when there are only kids at home.

Possessions that you think might be useless could be valuable to others. Avoid placing items on the car porch or any place that can easily be seen from outside the house. Not every thief is a professional, some just want to steal items that are easily obtained but there is a chance they might harm your family after they get in and get discovered. Some people do have a bad habit of not closing their gate when they are at home. Always close the gate after you enter the house. Robber is not a thief, they are not afraid of people.

For business premises, never open the roller shutter door halfway as this is very dangerous. Robbers target shops like this, knowing that they can easily close your shutter with their bare hands. Who is going to help if no one can see you from outside? Robbers will take their time to rob and perhaps even rape. We often suggest installing a panic button at the counter or at the back of the shop because it is not costly and can be very effective. The panic button is connected to a siren, which will trigger after pressing the button. Some robbers are not afraid of people but the high-decibel sounds of siren will make them nervous and scare them away. Be smart and act stupid. Tell them you can’t deactivate the siren due to accidental shut down of the roller shutter during working hours. This method is not to protect your property because insurance claim will take care of that, this is to protect everyone in the shop. Imagine how dangerous it could be after they close the roller shutter door – they could do anything they want inside the shop.

① What is CCTV?

② Image Comparison

③ HD Analog Technology

④ Difference between HD Analog and IP

⑤ Wired and Wireless Camera

⑥ Camera Lens Comparison

⑦ UPS

What is CCTV?

What is CCTV? CCTV stands for Closed-Circuit Television, is a TV system in which signals are not publicly distributed but are monitored, primarily for surveillance and security purposes. CCTV is to observe, prevent and investigate any accidental case. There are so much purposes of using CCTV, not just for security. Technology improving days by days, image clarity of the camera is getting clearer and clearer.

Some big corporations are even using CCTV to analyze and improve their business. ‘CCTV = Security’ era has gone, now CCTV = Security + Smart Solutions.

The Applications for CCTV (few examples):

• Home security, check on maid to prevent child abuse or elder mistreatment.
• Check the number of people in large areas, such as exhibition center and stadium.
• Building and grounds security.
• Traffic monitoring.
• A temporary system to carry out a traffic survey in a town center.
• Hidden in buses to control vandalism.
• Supervise work on construction site.
• Production control in a factory.
• Recording the birth of an animal at zoo.
• Observing medical facilities and patients in the medical center.
• Overseeing locations that would be hazardous to a human, for example, highly radioactive or toxic industrial environments.
• Maintain proper security or access controls (for example, in a diamond cutting or sorting operation; in banks, casinos, or airports).

Image Comparison

Analog Resolution

HD Analog Resolution

4MP IP Resolution

HD Analog Technology

HD Analog came out about 7 years ago and widely used since 2014, it is currently the latest technology in the market. Actually, this topic is not included earlier. As I mentioned, this website is built to simplify security information and I don’t think this topic is important to know much because it might complicate a people without basic knowledge. I will explain this lightly for people who are curious about it.

HD Analog comes in HD-CVI, AHD and HD-TVI (from earliest to latest), simply called them CVI, AHD, TVI, each technology developed by different company. Many of the websites says good things about TVI, and AHD is the most widely used. We are selling both AHD and TVI. TVI comes with a finer image but some people prefer the image colour of AHD. Personally, I prefer the image colour of CVI but I don’t think it is good for a big project as the colour of the image is too vivid, making the monitoring work difficult due to the over colourful image on the monitor. There is no winner or loser among these technologies; theoretically yes but practically each has good and bad. Given example, Ferrari and Lamborghini both are supercars, but no one can tell which is faster because it also depends on the specific model and driver skills. Inexperienced installer may affect the systems perform its best, and monitor or TV using relates to the sharpness and colour of the image as well. Please do not obsessed with those websites or articles that like to compare with a winner or loser, sometimes because they are selling it or even paid for doing that. There are also poor factories manufactures all these AHD, CVI and TVI products, so we can’t tell which is good or bad by their technology because the products itself already came with poor quality. Keep in mind, Reliability is always the most important aspect when comes to security systems.

Differences between HD Analog and IP

Let us compare between these two technologies.

Although HD Analog technology is very common nowadays, but that doesn’t mean you will definitely get HD Analog camera on your new installation, please check whenever a quotation is given.
 

Wired and Wireless Camera

Wired, mean must connect Camera with Recorder using a cable. Wireless, mean Camera can connect the Recorder wirelessly. Wired camera can be HD Analog camera or IP camera. Wireless camera is also called wireless IP camera, only IP camera can be wireless at today’s technology, there is no such thing called wireless HD Analog camera.

Wired Connectivity Diagram

Cabling from camera to the recorder

Wireless Connectivity Diagram

Camera connects with recorder wirelessly

Wi-Fi Camera Connectivity Diagram

No recorder, micro sd card for recording

Wireless camera, it is quite interesting to certain people especially the younger generation. Wireless camera really saves us hassles in some situations, instead also saving our time and work. Unless a house or property is fully renovated, no hacking allowed then it is better to think of wireless solutions or else always go for wired solutions to have permanent and stable security systems. Using Bluetooth and WiFi as an example, both of it are closely connected to our daily life nowadays. Have you ever accidentally disconnected from your wireless router or bluetooth device? I guess the common answer is YES. There are always usage and distance limitation for wireless solutions. That is why we can’t fully depend on wireless security system. Besides that, wireless camera is not really cable-free, there is wireless signal for video transmission but there is no wireless power. Power cable is still a need, unless there is a switch socket at the location of installation.

Camera Lens Comparison

Of course, every camera comes with a lens, but do you know that we can actually select the focal length to suit the environment and location of installation. The focal length (measured in “mm”) of a lens determines how far the camera can see. Given example, a wide angle lens usually use at smaller places such as elevator, guard house and staircase. There are lenses from wide to narrow, 1.8mm, 2.8mm, 3.6mm, 4mm, 6mm, 8mm, 12mm, 16mm, 50mm and etc. Wide lens is to view nearer object, contrary narrow lens is to view further object. The most common focal length on security cameras are 3.6mm and 4mm, usually they fit perfectly in most environment.

UPS

UPS, Uninterruptible Power Supply. Batteries as a back-up power source, so you know you are covered during a power outage. During power outage, UPS let your security systems continue working for about 45mins to 90mins, depends on power consumption. It can prevent burglar cut off the electricity before they break in. Besides that, UPS is not only working when electricity cut off, UPS is always protecting the security systems as a voltage regulator, to protect the systems from voltage fluctuation caused by Lightning, Spike & Surge. Personally think that this is a must for security systems, I never let go a chance if it is under the client budget. In fact, I will ask them to get it somewhere else because this is not a good item to send by parcel due to its weight. No need to go for top brand like APC, too costly, any mid-range brand will do the job.

The Recorder and Power Supply are protect and stabilize by the UPS; make sure there is no interruption during power outage.

Analog CCTV is technology years ago; do you know there is HD technology nowadays? Compare to check the difference between Analog and HD image. If you are thinking about to upgrade your systems, it is time to go for HD Technology.

Analog Resolution

HD Analog Resolution

Cabling – laying cable for security systems. We cannot stress enough the importance of cabling in a security system. Always make sure you assign a trustworthy installer to carry out this work. Good cabling will save you money and future maintenance work.

This is a very IMPORTANT part of any security project BUT most of the owners have zero interest in this area. In most projects, cabling material and labour takes up a major portion of your security system budget.  For certain projects, cabling work can even cost more than the actual security product. Products and technology are evolving fast and they have their life cycle but a good cabling system will last you for at least 20 years without further expenses spent on maintenance. Therefore, we use only premium brand such as All-Link (Taiwan), Belden (USA), Lapp (Germany) and Schneider (France) with our 16 years of cabling experience.