Choosing the Best Home Security Camera System

Posted on March 8, 2012 by TinaCosta

Choosing the Best Home Security Camera SystemIn today’s high crime society, many homeowners are turning to home security camera systems to protect their home. However, choosing the best home security system can be a confusing task that leaves the homeowner wondering if they made the best choice. There are many different factors involved in choosing the best home security system and what is best for one person might not be best for another person. The information included herein is designed to help every homeowner make the right decision for their security needs.

First Things First

The first thing that needs to be determined is whether or not the home security camera system is going to be installed and monitored by a security company or if the homeowner is going to purchase and install the system. Self-installed systems are not difficult to install; however, they do not typically offer the same monitoring as those installed by security companies.

This decision is one that is personal to each homeowner and may depend on the homeowner’s budget. Monitoring companies often offer installation specials but they also have a monthly fee for monitoring the home. On the other hand, self-installed systems only have a one-time cost involved and that is the cost of the system.
Once the decision has been made on the type of system that will be installed, there are other factors that will help choose the best system for the home and homeowner.

Camera Placement

An important factor in determining the best home security system is where the cameras are going to be installed. This will help determine the types of cameras needed as well as how many cameras are going to be needed. Some of the things to consider include:

  • Outside camera areas such as doorways and dark corners of the yard.
  • Inside cameras in rooms where doorways come into the home and possibly in rooms that contain valuables, such as electronics or jewelry.
  • Hidden cameras for monitoring nurseries and other areas of the home where babysitters and nannies may spend time.

These placement areas are simply suggestions. Some homeowners want a camera in every room of their home and choose cameras that can monitor the entire room. The choice is one of personal taste but will help determine the best camera selection for the security system.

Camera Attributes

Once the number and type of cameras have been determined, it is important to determine how clear the images need to be when viewed on the computer or digital recorder. This will help choose the best camera resolution and frame rate. Many homeowners turn to specialists for help with this part of the selection process, unless they happen to be camera gurus. Image quality is vital if the camera captures an intruder in the process and the only identifying clues are on the camera.

The best home security camera systems function with what is known as full motion capture capability. This allows the camera to record the complete motions of the room’s occupants without having a slow and choppy appearance. As previously stated, it is important to be able to identify people and actions on the images that are recorded by the camera.

Wired vs. Wireless

This is another area that is going to be a personal decision. Many of the better home security camera systems on the market today are wireless. This cuts down on the installation time and cost. Wireless systems allow the cameras to be installed in many more places than would be possible with a wired system.

This is not to say that there are wired systems that are excellent. Wired systems have been around for many more years than wireless systems and are not dependent on signals making it from one place to another, they are securely wired and function regardless of interference from other devices.

Power Supply

Finally, the best home security system will have a backup power supply. All security systems must have power and typically that power is AC and wired into the home; however, in the event of a power outage, the family and home still need to be protected, which is why a backup power supply should be considered the sign of an excellent system.

Backup power supplies are typically in the form of a batter supply that only comes on when the system detects a lack of AC power. This batter should be checked on an annual basis to ensure it is charged and working should it be needed.

Choosing the best home security camera system is a process that requires researching the many different options available and comparing those options to the needs that have been determined by the homeowner. Once these two factors have been found to be in alignment, the homeowner will know that they have selected the system that is best for their needs.

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CCTV Security Camera Systems

Posted on February 28, 2012 by TinaCosta

CCTV Security Camera SystemsThere are many different types of security camera systems on the market today due to the increased number of people installing them in their residences. Businesses are not the only place that needs to be safe and secure and residential applications of security systems shows this to be true. The CCTV security camera system is one of the most popular types of systems installed.

CCTV security camera systems allow the homeowner to watch their home from practically anywhere without having to go room to room and play back a recorded video. CCTV is closed circuit television that gets its live feed from cameras placed throughout the protected area.

CCTV systems were typically only found in big businesses such as banks and airports; however, they are becoming commonplace in homes as a means of security and monitoring the home.

The CCTV

Installing a CCTV security systems are installed on a private network within the home or business they are protecting. They can be used for monitoring activity or recording video surveillance. Technology today has made it possible to install them wirelessly and watch them remotely. These systems are excellent for many different purposes in addition to security.

Fighting Crime with CCTV

CCTV security systems have played a large role in fighting crime. The presence of these systems in homes and businesses provides security guards and investigators the tools they need to find out who committed the crime and acts as a witness to the crime that cannot be refuted. This is one of the main reasons that businesses install CCTV systems and what has spurred homeowners to do the same thing.

Home CCTV Cameras

Homeowners might think that a CCTV system is complicated and hard to install. However, the exact opposite is true. The images produced by the cameras are as high in resolution as the owner chooses based on the system purchased, in fact, some systems are as high in resolution as 1600 x 1200 pixels. The system can be set up to record only when motion is detected, on a timed basis or continually, depending on the needs of the home.

There are many added features that can be installed with a CCTV system that can enhance the security features such as infrared for nighttime monitoring. Other features that can be added include tilting and zooming cameras as well as cameras that work in low light areas without infrared.

Monitored Area

The amount of coverage the CCTV security system provides is a decision that must be made by the homeowner. There are security systems that can cover up to 16 rooms in the home. The homeowner can monitor their entire home, their garage, yard and any other area they desire, simply by adding more cameras to the set up. The monitored area can be viewed in real-time or later on the stored video the system records and archives.

Cost

The cost of the CCTV security system varies greatly and depends on many factors. Some of the factors that affect pricing include:

  • Coverage: The number of rooms being monitored will play a large role in the cost of the system. This is due to the number of cameras that will be needed.
  • Added Features: Features such as tilt and zoom, infrared and low light will add to the cost of the system.
  • Resolution: Higher resolution creates a clearer image but also increases the price.
  • Color: Color systems are pricier than black and white.
  • Display: This is the monitor which can be as large or small as desired. There are flat panels and traditional monitors that have multiple screen views.
  • Camera type: This will also greatly affect the price. There are many different ones to choose from and that choice will be a large factor in the price.
  • Audio: There are CCTV systems that have audio.

Planning out the system from the cabling needed all the way through to power usage will help provide a complete picture of the price. This will also help when getting quotes so that all of the quotes will be based on the same system.

The Law

Before installing a video surveillance system it is important to find out if there are any laws concerning the system. There may be privacy laws that have to be followed when installing the system in a private home. The video system is a powerful tool for securing the home; however, there could be concerns about visitors to the home being videoed without their knowledge. Be sure to consult an attorney and make sure all legal practices are followed.

CCTV security camera systems provide security and safety to homes and businesses. They allow for recording and live monitoring from remote locations and can be an excellent deterrent to criminals. Live monitoring makes it possible to keep a watchful eye on the babysitter and kids when away from home. Ultimately, these are one of the top security systems for home and business use.

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Advice on Camera Surveillance Systems

Posted on February 20, 2012 by TinaCosta

Advice on Camera Surveillance SystemsHomeowners and business owners who have decided to take plunge and purchase a camera surveillance system should follow the advice and lessons learned from others who have already been through the process. The tips and advice on camera surveillance systems that these people have to offer can save the installer the headaches that they have already experienced. Some of those tips are offered here to help get the process of choosing and installing a camera surveillance system underway.

What is the Security System For?

This should be one of the first questions asked. The way the system is going to be utilized will play a large role in the type of system installed as well as how the system is configured. There are many different reasons for installing a security system, such as:

  • Security of the home or business; 
  • Observation of employees or household staff; 
  • Intruder prevention and detection; 
  • Fire and smoke monitoring 

These are some of the more common reasons for installing a security system with camera surveillance. Homeowners like the peace of mind a camera system gives them when they are not home but want to be able to monitor their home and children. Businesses use the camera monitoring system to observe employees and ultimately provide a better customer experience through training and reformatting business practices based on what they observe. Deciding exactly what the purpose of the system is will help choose the right system and features for that system.

Computer Based or Digital Recorder

This is another decision that must be made before purchasing the system. If the system is simply going to be recorded to a DVR, there aren’t as many other factors to consider. On the other hand, if the system is computer based, the OS will have to be taken into account as well as how much memory the computer will need along with the hard drive size.

Linux and Windows are the two most common operating systems found in camera surveillance systems. Linux based systems are typically more expensive and more difficult to have repaired than Windows systems and so are the more common choice if a computer based system is chosen. Night Recording If the system owner anticipates needing the ability to record in dark areas, cameras must be equipped with infrared in order to capture movement in the dark.

Camera Type

It is best to determine what type camera is needed before the installation date or there could be problems and the cameras have to be replaced. Typical cameras include the PTZ or pan/tilt/zoom camera which allows for rotation of the camera through programming, while a stationary camera only captures what is in its lens view. The price difference between the two camera types is vast and thus the decision should be made prior to purchasing cameras.

Remote Access

If remote access is desired, the decision to go computer based will have already been made. Remote access of surveillance systems allows parents to check on the babysitter from a remote location and businesses to activate their PTZ cameras as needed, all without ever visiting the location of the system.

Is Cable Type Important

This question will only be important if the system owner is doing the installation. If a professional surveillance company is installing the system this won’t be a consideration; however, if the installation is being done by the owner of the system, CAT 5 is the typical cabling installed for IP cameras and analog cameras will do better with RG 59.

Power Supply

The last consideration should be the power supply. Again, this should be determined prior to making the final purchase of equipment. The power supply is an important component both in the continual power supply and in the backup power supply component. Distance will play a large role in the power supply; if the power is pulled over a long distance, it will lose voltage. The best bet for the power supply is to have a professional installer do the wiring for the power.

Regardless of who handles the power supply installation, there must be plans for a backup power supply. This is important in the event of a power outage. Many criminal activities take place during power outages and having the security cameras properly functioning during this outage will help deter criminal activity.

There are many more aspects of installing a security system with surveillance cameras that must be considered. The advice here is simply tips based on the experiences of other homeowners and business owners that have installed these systems. The key, as can be seen by the majority of the tips, is in the planning process of the system. Every aspect must be considered before any steps are taken to put the plan into action, doing this will help prevent any mistakes that have to be changed in order to reach the desired goal.

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