Choose the best approach for securing your clients’ sites—a detailed overview of the differences between a visual verification alarm system (such as Reconeyez) and CCTV.
What is the difference between a visual verification alarm system and CCTV?
CCTV records footage at all times, while a visual verification alarm system records footage only when a threat has been detected by an alternative detection method, like PIR motion detectors, microwave barriers, a radar system or other types of sensors.
How does a Visual Verification Alarm System work?
Different visual verification alarm systems may work differently, in how the intrusion is detected and whether AI is used. This is how the Reconeyez visual verification alarm system works.
- Reconeyez security cameras are in power-saving mode by default. This is particularly important since these devices are battery-operated and fully autonomous, hence saving power for more critical activities
- The PIR detector detects movement (up to 35 meters distance)
- The camera is activated and also the infrared illuminator in case of low light conditions. An image (or a short sequence) is shot
- The image(s) is uploaded to the cloud via the bridge mobile network connectivity
- Image is analysed by AI object detection
- The alarm is confirmed or rejected
- Alarm details and images are sent to the monitoring centre, Reconeyez cloud user interface and/or the Reconeyez mobile application
(Read more about how Reconeyez works ⇨/how-it-works)
Pros of CCTV
CCTV is very commonly used, both indoors and outdoors. Since CCTV transmits footage constantly, it is best suited for documenting and investigating crimes, as the level of detail about the events is very high. CCTV is also great for providing detailed evidence for police investigations.
- Continuous recording: it provides footage of what happened before and after the intrusion
- Video can be more compelling than static images
- Better at documenting what actually happened
Pros of a visual verification alarm system
Visual verification systems are usually used outdoors to detect and respond to area intrusions. Since a visual verification alarm system notifies when the sensor has been triggered, it is a great solution for preventing theft or damage to expensive outdoor assets and equipment.
- It can be installed anywhere, even where there is no power or internet connection
- Suspicious activity is more likely to be detected within seconds
- More sustainable energy and data consumption
- Better pricing at monitoring centres
Integrated security: CCTV and a visual verification alarm system in combination
CCTV and visual verification alarm systems are often used in combination. Many of Reconeyez’s clients use both CCTV and our visual verification alarm system to make the most of the benefits of each.
- For different applications: CCTV for work-safety monitoring and Reconeyez for intrusion detection
- During different times: CCTV during work-hours, and visual verification alarm systems outside of working hours
- During different stages: Reconeyez visual verification alarm system curing the construction stage and CCTV once the construction is finished and the security needs become permanent
False alarms and visual verification alarm systems
False alarms and call-outs are a large cost and a serious downside to traditional alarm systems.
Visual verification alarm systems enable you to use the visual information to assess the situation and eliminate false call-outs. Many visual verification alarm systems use AI to prevent false alarms from even reaching the monitoring centre, to avoid the associated costs and to maintain urgency when an alarm is sent.
Our system takes it a step further–we don’t just use AI to stop false alarms from being sent to the monitoring centre; we also use a dynamic PIR that automatically adjusts the sensor’s sensitivity so repeated false alarms are not detected, reducing the battery and data consumption.
What is Reconeyez?
Reconeyez is the ideal security system for remote outdoor sites with no access to power or WiFi.
Reconeyez was originally developed to protect remote stretches of the NATO border. Our system is designed to be secure and reliable at a low total cost of ownership, and to require minimal human intervention.
What makes us stand out:
- Battery life up to 400 days
- IP67-rated
- HD-quality images
- 35m (115ft) detection distance
- 95% false alarm reduction with world-class AI