Why Security-Grade Monitors Matter for Surveillance

Posted on March 3, 2017 in Security Cameras Retail Security

Quality matters when it comes to security camera monitors, and there’s a big difference between professional security-grade monitors and standard consumer-grade displays.

You may think that a standard consumer-grade LCD monitor is acceptable for video security applications and will save you money. However, while consumer-grade displays do cost less, they are not designed to meet the rigorous demands of security applications. A cheaper monitor can quickly burn out with continuous use.

1. Designed for Continuous Use

Consumer-grade displays are not meant to be used for more than a few hours a day at a time. The displays typically come with short warranties, some of which are null and void if the monitor is used continuously for surveillance applications. Consumer-grade displays lack proper ventilation and can overheat when used continuously.

Security-grade, professional video surveillance monitors are designed for around-the-clock use. These displays are equipped with proper ventilation to prevent overheating, and some monitors come equipped with built-in fans to ensure proper cooling and ventilation. Security-grade monitors are especially beneficial for security monitoring stations where multiple monitors are set up and various locations within the monitored facility are under continuous surveillance.

Compared to standard, consumer-grade monitors, security-grade displays are engineered for lower power consumption and image burn-in prevention. With continuous use, consumer-grade displays will show burn-in.

2. Mounting Flexibility

Another limitation of consumer-grade monitors is limited mounting orientation. For example, the displays are not designed to be mounted in portrait view. Many consumer-grade displays also do not offer Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) compliance for mounting displays to the wall.

Conversely, security-grade monitors offer much more flexibility when it comes to mounting and orientation. Many security-grade, professional displays can also be easily mounted in portrait view (which is commonly used in retail stores and shopping centers).

Many security-grade displays offer VESA compliant standard mounting holes for mounting the displays on the wall in accordance to VESA standards.

Subsequently, multiple security-grade monitors can be mounted and grouped together to create a video wall for viewing multiple camera views at once. This capability is ideal for security monitoring stations.

3. Multiple Connections and Security Controls

Professional surveillance camera monitors offer more inputs, outputs and specialized connections than standard consumer-grade displays.

Some security-grade displays also offer the capability to lock out various inputs for added security. This can prevent a user (such as a night-shift employee or on-duty security guard) from plugging in their own DVR for recording video without permission or connecting a gaming console into the display to play video games.

4. Better Warranty Coverage

Most consumer-grade monitor warranties consist of a standard 90-day warranty period if used in a commercial or surveillance environment. However, some consumer-grade display warranties state in the fine print that the warranty is void if the display is used continuously for surveillance applications.

Most security-grade monitors come with multi-year warranties that cover continuous use in surveillance environments. The longer warranty protects your investment and provides peace-of-mind, knowing that the display is covered during the full duration of the warranty.

Numerous Benefits for Surveillance Applications

Security-grade surveillance monitors are beneficial for a wide range of verticals including business, government, law enforcement, education, healthcare, retail and hospitality – and offer numerous advantages over consumer-grade displays.

Choosing a professional display specifically designed for continuous use provides a cost-effective security solution that’s built to last and offers the reliability, flexibility and performance needed for continuous surveillance environments.