Choosing New Cameras for an SSMS Site: What to Check

New cameras last for years. A good choice works with SSMS from day one and does not fill your disks too fast. This guide lists what to check before you buy. It is written for facility managers and IT admins.

Step 1 — Start with the supported brands

SSMS has native support for nine brands: Hikvision, Dahua, Axis, Uniview, Bosch, Hanwha (Wisenet), Vivotek, Reolink and TP-Link VIGI. Native support means SSMS connects to these brands directly. Buying from this list is the simplest choice.

Other brands can still work if the camera supports ONVIF or offers an RTSP stream.

• ONVIF is an open standard. It lets cameras and software from different makers work together.
• RTSP is a stream address that starts with rtsp://. Many cameras publish one for live video.

Step 2 — Check ONVIF conformance and profiles

A seller may say a camera "supports ONVIF". Check it yourself. ONVIF keeps a public list of conformant products. Search for the exact model number.

ONVIF groups features into profiles. SSMS works with three of them:

Important: ONVIF is phasing out Profile S. The last date for new products to apply for Profile S conformance is 31 March 2027. So when you buy new cameras, also look for Profile T.

Step 3 — Check the stream options

• Codec. A codec is the method used to compress video. Look for H.265 as well as H.264. H.265 usually needs less bitrate for a similar picture.
• RTSP address. The camera manual should list it. It is a useful fallback way to connect.
• HTTP/MJPEG. Some older or low-cost cameras only offer this simple stream of JPEG pictures. SSMS supports it, but for new purchases, prefer cameras with H.265.

Step 4 — Think about storage, not only resolution

More megapixels (MP) give more detail. They also raise the bitrate. Bitrate is how much data a camera sends each second, in Mbps (megabits per second). A higher bitrate fills your disks faster.

These are the typical starting values used by the SSMS storage estimator. They are estimates, not specifications.

In these starting values, H.265 needs about half the bitrate of H.264. Try your own numbers in the storage estimator. For the full method, read estimating storage and bandwidth.

Step 5 — Match the camera to the place

• Night. Is the area lit at night? If not, check how the camera performs in the dark.
• Lens. A wide view covers more, but shows less detail far away. Use wide views for rooms, and narrower views for gates and counters.
• Outdoors. Check the weather rating for dust, heat and rain.
• Angle. Avoid pointing a camera straight at the sun or at bright lights.

Step 6 — Test one, then buy many

1. Write down the exact model number from the supplier's quote.
2. Send the model to Skyline. Ask them to confirm it works with SSMS.
3. Buy one sample if you can, and fit it on site.
4. Check its live view, recording and playback in SSMS.
5. Then place the bulk order.

A note for Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia's Law on the Use of Security Surveillance Cameras says that manufacturing, importing, selling, installing, operating or maintaining security cameras needs prior approval from the Ministry of Interior. Ask your supplier and your installer to confirm they meet this. Sources: Umm Al-Qura gazette and Saudipedia. This is orientation, not legal advice.

Quick checklist

• The brand is on the supported list, or the model is ONVIF-conformant or offers RTSP.
• New models support ONVIF Profile T, not only Profile S.
• The camera offers H.265.
• You checked the storage effect in the estimator.
• Night, lens and weather needs are covered for each spot.
• Skyline confirmed the exact model before the bulk order.