Your Restaurant Surveillance Frequently Asked Questions-Answered

April 24, 2009

With digital surveillance systems on the rise in popularity, naturally many inquiries arise with respect to their implementation and operation. Pinnacle Hospitality Systems would like to take this opportunity to brush some of the main areas of concern for those in search of a restaurant security camera system.

It is no secret that incorporating a complete package digital surveillance system into your hospitality based business will deter theft and vandalism, but the details are often intimidating to first time buyers or those considering an upgrade from their current system. Below are some restaurant surveillance frequently asked questions:

What is DVR? A DVR is a Digital Video Recorder. DVR’s are used to record videos from a surveillance camera and save them to an inbuilt hard disk. DVR’s have various types and features such as multiple channels and cameras, remote monitoring, alarm setting, motion detection and more. Some DVR’s have a PCI-Card, which is an inbuilt card for your PC that is compatible with various operating systems to make your CPU work as a DVR, allowing you to simultaneously use your PC monitor to view the video footage.

Do I get software of remote viewing with System? Yes, you will get the remote viewing software with our systems.

Do all the DVRs include motion detection feature? Yes, all multi channel DVR's include this function.

What is PCI-Card? PCI-Card is the inbuilt card for your personal computer, which helps you to make your PC the part of your Surveillance System. These cards also come with different characteristics for different applications such as different channels and different software for different operating systems.

Does wireless work as good as or better than cables? No, a wireless system is never as reliable as a hardwired system. We recommend using a hardwired system because there are a number of benefits when you run cables. The surveillance system is more reliable and secure because the signal cannot be picked up by someone with a wireless receiver. The price is also lower.

Does the DVR have any capabilities of off-loading the video/audio to another device? You can transfer video from the DVR to a memory stick. The DVR has a USB port. You can also upgrade to a DVR with a DVD/RW Drive if you wanted to use a DVD. Keep in mind this is only for transferring video clips not backing up the whole drive.

Does it come with a Warranty? Most of the DVRs and complete systems come with a 1-year warranty. Cameras and monitors have a 1-year warranty also. There is a 90-day warranty on-site and a manufactory warranty of one year.

How many days or hours does the DVR record the videos? We have varieties of DVR’s such as 4, 8, 16, 24, 32 channels, they also have different hard disks, so it will totally depend on which DVR you decide on. For example, 4 channel DVRs with 250GB hard disk will give you around 5 -7 days of recording based on the resolution you selected for the recording.

Will Resolution selected for recording effect the space on the DVR? Yes, the greater the resolution the more data used and therefore the more hard drive space needed. Other hard drive use issues are frames per second (FPS), the more FPS more a hard drive uses and also whether you set the system to record 24-7 or set to motion detect. Motion detect only records when you have movement on the camera and will greatly improve the amount of days you can record.

What is Infrared Camera? Infrared Cameras are designed specifically for extreme dark, night conditions. The purpose is to serve as a tool in night surveillance and include infrared illuminators to assist the camera with capturing video footage in challenging conditions. The normal human eye is capable of seeing in wavelengths below 700nm, whereas an infrared surveillance camera can capture footage that is invisible to the naked and unaided human eye. With infrared surveillance, you are able to capture footage without anyone knowing about it!

Restaurants and bars benefit greatly from adopting a complete DVR system, due in large part to the employee accountability and real-time footage the systems provide. With the ability to check footage from any location, a restaurant surveillance system can broadcast footage over the internet and allow managers the freedom and security to monitor restaurant operations remotely, in real time, anytime! Contact Pinnacle Hospitality Systems today with any questions regarding our available and custom restaurant surveillance packages.

About Pinnacle Hospitality Systems 

Pinnacle Hospitality Systems is your complete business solution. Pinnacle will help you improve your bottom line not only with proven computer hardware and software designed for the hospitality industry, but with unmatched business consulting and accounting resources. Pinnacle can integrate your point-of-sale, accounting, and inventory in a single easy to use interface. Automation in hospitality, be it a restaurant pos system, hotel pos system, or even stadium pos system, is vital in maintaining a thriving business. Automation is the future, and Pinnacle can take you there. Pinnacle products and service include POSitouch, Dinerware, IControl Enterprise, ICE Monitor Integrated Video Surveillance, Mercury Payment Systems Credit Card Processing, Givex Gift & Loyalty, Epson Printer Sales & Repair, Pinnacle Anti Virus software, On-Line Ordering, POSitouch and Dinerware 24/7 Help Desk and On-site field computer service repair.