Why Are Security Cameras So Low Quality?

Jon Jones ● Oct 1 ● 12 min read

With the ubiquity of security cameras, one would expect that the quality would be fairly high by now. Unfortunately, that is not the case for all security cameras. So, why are some security cameras so low quality? We’ll go over a few reasons on why some security cameras are so low quality. We’ll also offer the best alternative security cameras that capture footage with high resolution.

Why Are Security Cameras So Low Quality?

There are a variety of reasons why security cameras are so low quality. Oftentimes, security camera footage appears to be grainy and of low quality due to the file resolution and compression, the method of recording, and the typical cropping that takes place on such video files. Many security cameras have low resolution, meaning that they have few pixels per inch, because they are made cheaply. This is because security cameras are made for bulk collection since most of the footage is non-criminal. Hence, many people simply use the presence of security cameras as a deterrent for crime without care for how the footage appears. Knowing this, many companies opt to create security cameras as cheaply as they can so as to increase their profit.

Additionally, all security cameras capture a high volume of footage; thus, this footage is often compressed for storage thereby diminishing the video quality. Another reason why some security cameras are so low quality is because some cameras switch to black-and-white mode at nighttime. Thus, instead of capturing necessary details, many outdated security cameras capture dark and blurry images and video.

Nowadays, however, many security cameras offer high quality footage. In fact, here at Monarch we offer Verkada cameras that range from 5MP to 4K. Learn more about Verkada security cameras below.

How do Verkada Security Cameras Capture High Quality Footage?

With Verkada cameras, you won’t have to worry about why the security footage is so low quality. In fact, Verkada guarantees high-definition footage with their cameras, offering either 5MP or 4K. But, how is this done?

Verkada’s cameras are capable of concurrently recording video in both a regular quality stream and a high quality stream. The majority of Verkada devices are capable of recording video in standard quality for about 30 days. However, customers have the option of selecting a camera with standard, inbuilt storage capacity of 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, or 365 days. When Verkada cameras detect motion within the area, the footage is also saved in high resolution to the onboard solid state media. During the entirety of the retention period, Verkada ensures that the video’s standard quality is preserved.

The remaining space on the onboard storage is devoted to storing high-quality video and audio recordings (if they are enabled), together with analytic data (if enabled). This enables our customers to achieve their needed retention standards without having to perform any calculations. This approach of video retention is known as recording in adaptive quality.

How Does Verkada’s Adaptive Quality Video Retention Work?

High-quality video requires up to five times the amount of space as standard-quality video. Hence, if the camera is situated in a location with a lot of action, such as a busy entryway, the storage space reserved for high-quality footage may become full. If this occurs, the oldest available high-quality video is cycled out to make room for the most recent motion-based content. In such circumstances, the previous film will only be kept in normal quality, even if it is in high motion. The standard quality video retention is recorded continuously up to the designated retention of 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, or 365 days and is unaffected by motion.

Why Choose Verkada Cameras?

We’ve established that cheaply-made cameras will have poor quality footage. Thus, you’ll want to make sure you’re spending your money wisely. After all, if you’re going to invest in a surveillance system, then you’re not going to want security cameras that are difficult to install, maintain, and use. Nor will you want to pay for features you don’t even use.

Rest assured that Monarch has your back. Verkada cameras stand out from the rest because they provide an advanced, AI-driven security environment. Before we delve into the specifics of Verkada’s state-of-the-art security cameras, consider what features most security cameras should have (all of which are offered by Verkada).

What To Look For in Security Cameras (4k)

The following are some standard elements that 4k security cameras should have:

High Dynamic Range

High dynamic range (HDR) refers to the difference between the lightest and darkest tones, and it is responsible for adding contrast to visuals. 4K is a video format that produces high dynamic range (HDR) and a broad color gamut, resulting in more vivid and detailed footage.

High Image Resolution

Resolution refers to the amount of pixels in an image. The Ultra-High Definition (UHD) standard specifies a display resolution of 4K at 3840 x 2160 pixels (UHD or Ultra HD).

Infrared (IR) Filter

True day/night cameras have switchable IR-cut filters. They have IR illuminators and can see in both dark and bright surroundings.

Optical vs digital zoom

While both produce closeups, cameras with optical zoom capability generate higher quality photographs than cameras with solely digital zoom. Optical zoom is accomplished through the camera lens, whereas digital zoom is accomplished post-capture via the system’s software.

Optical zoom

When compared to digital cameras, 4K cameras with optical zoom provide higher-quality closeups. Through lens adjustment, users of optical zoom can see their subject more closely.

Digital zoom

4K cameras with digital zoom modify the image using in-camera or software image processing. Users can get a closer look with digital zoom by enlarging the image at a specific area and cropping the footage’s outer edges.

Camera Lens

The camera lens parameters have a direct bearing on the quality of the film shot. The following are some important terms and definitions to be aware of while assessing security camera lenses.

Focal Length

The focal length of a security camera is measured in millimeters (mm) and defines how far the camera can view. The longer the focal length, the further away the camera can focus. The greater the focal length, the greater the field of view.

Field of View (FOV)

The FOV of a security camera is the region that the lens observes (measured in width). A lens with a shorter focal length (2.8mm) captures a broader field of view than a lens with a longer focal length.

Creating A Verkada Security System

It is critical to address the most significant issues faced by organizations and institutions such as burglaries, theft, vandalism, and violence while developing your security system. Of course, you’ll also want to protect your staff and clientele and ensure they feel safe. At Verkada, we’re here to help you build a security system that is the best fit for you.  Consider the following features that make all cloud-based devices of Verkada unique:

• Solid-state Storage (SSD): No NVR, DVR, or server is required. This means you pay for what you use – and that’s all. Moreover, this reduces any extra overhead operations and the expenses they come with.
• Regular, Automatic Software Updates: No need to worry about if your devices are working properly or are up-to-date with our Verkada devices.
• Simple Plug-and-Play Install: Just a standard Ethernet cable is required for the cameras to be brought online and fully operational within minutes.
• Unlimited Storage on Camera and Cloud: Reduce your business’ liability risk with unlimited cloud archiving offered by Verkada cameras.
• Unlimited Users Allowed: You can easily authorize admins access to an unlimited number of users. So, if you want someone else in charge of security because you’re too busy running the organization, they can easily access everything you do – at the same time!
• Accessible Anywhere, Anytime: Access archived or live feed videos on any device or browser.
• Live Alerts: Receive instant alerts in any meaningful event.
• Infinitely Scalable: No matter how large your business is, we can help you keep everyone on the same page.
• 10-Year Warranty: Rest assured that your money is well protected!

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Verkada’s Security Cameras

Verkada offers technology that is secure and easy to use. The set-up is simple: once a device is installed, it is online and fully operational within just a few minutes. Consider the following advantages of Verkada’s high-definition security cameras:

• Live access feeds: One can easily monitor access-based activity.
• Floor plans: Quickly respond to incidents with real-time motion plotting. With floor plans, you could also click into any device in order to view the footage of that specific device.
• People and Vehicle Analytics: Verkada offers advanced search filters. You could search for individuals by clothing color or search for vehicles by color, make, or even license plates.
• Time lapse: Watch a day of footage in under 30 seconds with timelapses.
• Live links: You can share secure access to footage or camera feeds with authorized users via SMS or link. You could also limit the duration of time that viewers can access the footage. Of course, you can also easily add, edit, or even revoke user access.

Furthermore, Verkada offers white security cameras that are thoughtfully designed. The cameras have a durable design, firmware signing, and can detect tampering. We offer a variety of options to meet your security needs including: the Verkada Indoor Dome Series, the Verkada Outdoor Dome Series, the Verkada Bullet Series, the Verkada Mini Series, and Verkada Fisheye Series.

Verkada Indoor Dome Series

The Verkada Indoor Dome Camera is designed for indoor, high-traffic areas. It is the perfect general-purpose security camera. There are three versions of this camera: CD42, CD52, and C62.

	CD42	CD52	CD62
Image Resolution	5MP	5MP	4K
Type of Lens	Fixed, with 3x Zoom Digitally	Zoom, with 3x Optical and Digital Zoom	Zoom, with 3x Optical and Digital Zoom
Standard Retention	Up to 365 Days	Up to 365 Days	Up to 90 Days
Standard Storage	Up to 2TB	Up to 2TB	Up to 2TB
Audio	Yes	Yes	Yes
IR Range	15m	30m	30m

The Verkada Outdoor Dome Series

The Verkada Outdoor Dome Series is both weather- and tamper-resistant. Its capabilities function well even in areas with limited bandwidth and connectivity. This is perfect if you want to monitor the parking lot of your organization and if you want to capture key license plates. There are three versions of this camera: CD42-E, CD52-E, and C62-E.

	CD42-E	CD52-E	CD62-E
Type	Outdoors	Outdoors	Outdoors
Image Resolution	5MP	5MP	4K
Type of Lens	Fixed, with 3x Zoom Digitally	Zoom, with 3x Optical and Digital Zoom	Zoom, with 3x Optical and Digital Zoom
Standard Retention	Up to 365 Days	Up to 365 Days	Up to 90 Days
Standard Storage	Up to 2TB	Up to 2TB	Up to 2TB
Audio	Yes	Yes	Yes
IR Range	15m	30m	30m

The Verkada Bullet Series

The Verkada Bullet Series is ideal for long range, outdoor surveillance. It is built to withstand harsh environments. The Verkada Bullet camera is available in two lens types: wide angle and telephoto. There are four versions of this camera: CB51-E, CB61-E, CB51-TE, CB61-TE

	CB51-E	CB51-TE	CB61-E	CB61-TE
Type	Indoor and/or Outdoor	Indoor and/or Outdoor	Indoor and/or Outdoor	Indoor and/or Outdoor
Image Resolution	5MP	5MP	4K	4K
Type of Lens	Zoom, with up to 3x Optical and Digital zoom	Telephoto Zoom, with 8-20mm focal length	Zoom, with up to 3x Optical and Digital zoom	Telephoto Zoom, with 8-20mm focal length
Standard Retention	Up to 2TB	Up to 2TB	Up to 2TB	Up to 2TB
Standard Storage	Up to 365 Days	Up to 365 Days	Up to 90 Days	Up to 90 Days
IR Range	30m	50m	30m	50m
Audio	–	–	–

The Verkada Mini Series

The Verkada Mini Series offers both flexibility and enhanced resolution. The Mini Camera is a compact size that can fit any space, anywhere indoors! If you wish to conserve space, then this is the camera for you. There are three versions of this camera: CM41-S, CM41, and CM41-E.

	CM41-S	CM41	CM41-E
Type	Indoor	Indoor	Outdoor
Image Resolution	5MP	5MP	5MP
Type of Lens	Fixed, with up to 3x Digital Zoom	Fixed, with up to 3x Digital Zoom	Fixed, with up to 3x Digital Zoom
Standard Retention	Up to 90 days	Up to 365 Days	Up to 365 Days
Standard Storage	Up to 385GB	Up to 2TB	Up to 2TB
IR Range	N/A	15m	15m
Audio	–	Yes	–

The Verkada Fisheye Camera

The Verkada Fisheye Camera provides a panoramic view of the entire property – both indoor and outdoor. This camera allows for total surveillance coverage – which is critical to protect your organization. The Fisheye Camera comes in one version: CF81-E. It is both an indoor and outdoor camera with an image resolution of 12MP. It has a fixed type of lens that has the ability to digitally zoom up to 3x. The maximum storage capacity available is 2TB. It can store up to 90 days of footage. It has audio. Lastly, it has an IR range of 20m.

All in all, a Verkada security system offered by Monarch guarantees safety and security for everyone involved in your organization! Shop with us today.

Explore All Options Updated: Jan 6