Securing homes and businesses with video surveillance systems is no longer the luxury commodity it was once considered. Across the past decade alone, home CCTV camera systems have advanced in innovative ways while becoming increasingly more affordable. Their popularity has in fact inspired more and more homeowners to consider having a surveillance system in place a necessary part of homeownership.
Studies continue to show the advantages of having home CCTV camera systems over leaving residential properties unprotected. Both seasoned criminals and amateur delinquents alike will actively avoid detection by seeking out vulnerable houses since they are obviously easier targets. Even insurance companies recognize these advantages and now offer discounts or other financial incentives for installing security cameras at home.
However, it is the proper implementation of the various devices making up a home CCTV camera system that delivers the biggest advantage of all. Peace of mind for homeowners with families and assets to protect is by far the best benefit of investing in home security. But to make get the most value from the investment, there are some considerations that need to be determined first.
From different security camera types, wired versus wireless system setups, and camera placement to self or professional installation, there are many factors that set different security camera systems apart. The following article will inspect some of these considerations more in-depth to educate readers on what they should know. Of course, if you’d rather speak with a security camera expert about designing a system directly, contact our team at Security Camera King.
Choosing a Home CCTV Camera System
Many people might not consider CCTV products are intended for home use. This is simply untrue, however. CCTV is just the acronym for closed-circuit television system. What this means is a CCTV system is a closed transmission inaccessible to the public that sends signals to a specific receiver or monitor. Generally speaking, modern CCTV systems both record and store footage and can be viewed in real time.
Over time, CCTV products have incorporated newer surveillance technologies and taking on many new designs and styles. They also have a growing diverse variety of useful functions and features that make them more useful across all applications. All these different factors can be broken down and examined in the categories to follow.
Pan Tilt Zoom Cameras (PTZ)
A newer security camera type that is very commonly used across commercial and residential applications is the PTZ camera type. PTZ cameras give users the ability to pan and tilt while zooming in and out to increase focus on different settings. Panning is the horizontal motion while tilting is the vertical motion. One reason to consider a PTZ for a home CCTV camera system is that it increases overall coverage and can reduce the total number of cameras required to be added to the system.
Auto-Tracking Motion Detection
A common feature found on PTZ cameras is auto-tracking motion detection. Auto-tracking cameras are capable of recognizing a moving object such as a car or person and following it as it moves closer into range. This can be a useful advantage for capturing high-quality images with crucial details to be used later for identification purposes. In addition, cameras can be set up to only record video footage once motion is detected, reducing the total hard drive space that’s needed.
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Night Vision Cameras / Infrared
It’s recommended to have night vision technology on all outdoor cameras at home. Some level of night vision capabilities typically comes in most outdoor cameras now, which can be determined by the LUX rating. A LUX rating is the measurement of light intensity and how easily it can be perceived by the human eye. For example, a residential suburban setting has around a 3.0 – 4.0 LUX rating while a rural setting on a night where the moon isn’t visible has around a 0.002 LUX.
The lower the LUX rating a camera has, the better its night vision capabilities. Keep this in mind and check out the LUX rating on the home CCTV cameras when considering to find the most appropriate option. For completely dark settings, an infrared or IR camera might be the best option. IR cameras detect light that’s invisible to the human eye and can find objects from their heat signatures. These are especially useful for areas with heavy foliage or tree lines that easily disguise people once it’s dark and settings with no light at all.
Wired or Wireless Camera System
Another prominent factor to determine is whether to get a wired or wireless home CCTV camera system. Each of these options has its own pros and cons and will impact the type of products purchased. A wired surveillance camera system is more appropriate for estates and properties that stretch out further than 300 feet. Each individual camera will require its own independent cabling connection and will be difficult to move after the initial installation.
Wireless systems, on the other hand, are capable of transmitting signals to a centrally located dedicated device for up to 300 feet in ideal conditions. They are easily moved and need far less cabling solutions since they don’t require individual connections. They connect with a WiFi network and will be controlled by a computer. In addition, IP network camera systems are accessible to anyone with access to the network and are useful for large operations with full security details.
DIY or Professional CCTV Installation?
Depending on the technical level of the installation, it could be best to hire professional help over self-installation. Although there are certain camera types that are easy to install and setup, it is also easy to overlook preventable mistakes without years of experience. Something as simple as security camera placement and lens type could render a home CCTV camera system ineffective when it’s needed most. Professional security camera installers perform an evaluation over a property, develop a detailed plan, and then have technicians come to install all the necessary equipment. Getting a free security assessment is generally the most effective way to get the most from the investment.
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