Do you want the peace of mind of knowing that your property is safe when you are not around? A home security camera system can help you. In the US, one in five homes has a home security camera installed, Home Security Survey, making them one of the most popular smart home devices in the world. the market right now.
However, they are not just for home safety, they can also be useful if you want to check that children are home from school and doing their homework instead of playing outside or, thanks to the built-in speakers, calm anxious pets. that they are alone at home.
Home security cameras work the same way as the best video doorbells, by connecting to the internet and sending a notification to your phone whenever motion is detected in the camera’s field of view.
If you receive a notification or just want to see what is happening in your home, you can use the companion app on your smartphone, tablet, or if you are at home on a compatible smart display, such as Amazon Echo Show 10 or Google Nest Hub (2nd generation ), to watch a live feed from the camera to see what’s going on.
All security cameras also have a built-in speaker and microphone that allow you to chat with anyone in the camera’s field of view. Home security cameras will also store recorded images when motion is detected so they can be reviewed at a later date.
Base Station or Direct Wi-fi?
Like those from Ring, Google, and Swann, some home security cameras connect directly to your home Wi-Fi network, which means they are very simple to set up and do not require any additional kits. Others, however, require a base station, sometimes called a hub. The base station connects directly to your router via an Ethernet connection and creates its Wi-Fi link to the security camera.
This connection is usually more stable than a direct link between the camera and your router, and it is also more secure, which means that the camera transmission is less likely to be intercepted by unauthorized users. The benefits don’t end there either base stations often also offer local storage for images recorded by cameras, eliminating the need to subscribe to the camera’s cloud storage service.
For some, this is in the form of a micro SD card slot located in the base station, while others use flash memory under the hood of the hub. However, it is worth noting that with Arlo home security cameras, for example, if you use the base station for local storage, you will not be able to view the stored videos through the app; you will need to remove the micro SD card from the base station and connect it to a computer if you want to review the footage.
Home Security Cameras and How do They Work?
A home security camera is a video recording device that captures images of your home and property that you can view on a smartphone, tablet, or computer from anywhere using an internet connection. Most home security cameras are motion-triggered and will record when they detect motion, as well as send you an alert. Some can record 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, which is known as continuous video recording (CVR).
A security camera is an excellent tool for providing home security and the peace of mind that comes with it. “Homeowners, in general, like to be able to keep an eye on things, whether it’s to find out about particular incidents or just to see who just arrived. A security camera can do that for you.”
How Many Kinds of Home Security Cameras?
There are two main categories of cameras for home security: indoor and outdoor. Within these categories are several subcategories of security cameras, including wired and wireless cameras, AC and battery-operated cameras, reflector cameras, and doorbell cameras. The main difference between indoor and outdoor cameras is that outdoor cameras are weather-resistant, so they can withstand rain, sun, and dust.
According to Jordan Frankel, vice president of security consultancy Global Security Experts Inc., outdoor cameras typically have a protective layer on the housing and lens that will last for years. This makes them more expensive than indoor cameras.
Types of Home Security Cameras?
Wired Indoor Cameras
Wired indoor security cameras are connected to a central recording device using a coaxial cable or an Ethernet cable. These are usually dome cameras, which can be mounted on the ceiling and provide a wide field of view inside a house. They usually require professional installation.
Wireless Indoor Cameras
Also called Wi-Fi cameras or IP cameras, wireless indoor cameras connect to a Wi-Fi network and store their images in the cloud. They are easy to install as they don’t need a cable to transmit your video feed, but they still need to be plugged into the power.
There are several specialized indoor cameras, including cameras that dispense treats to your dog or cat, and baby cameras that record the temperature, humidity, and air quality in a baby’s room.
Wired Outdoor Cameras
Wired outdoor cameras are connected to a central recording device and are typically bullet-style cameras, named for their long, cylindrical shape. They can be mounted on walls or ceilings and do not need to be plugged into a power outlet. Many wired cameras can be used outdoors or indoors and generally require professional installation.
Wireless Outdoor Cameras
Wireless outdoor cameras are similar to indoor cameras, but they are larger and more weather resistant. Ideally, they should be mounted to a wall or structure with a specific mounting plate and screws. Some include a built-in spotlight and siren to help scare off intruders.
They generally have a wide field of view (130 degrees or more) and cover a larger area than most corded bullet cameras.
Indoor Home Security Camera System
Indoor cameras, which typically cost around $ 100, should be placed at a minimum on the ground level of your home. Avoid private areas like bathrooms or bedrooms, but cover any easily accessible area, like a front hallway, or any area that is central to your home, like a living room.
Indoor cameras are more likely to be plug-in than outdoor cameras, which may not be near an electrical outlet. However, we recommend getting cell backup for the plug-in cameras so they stay on even if the power doesn’t.
Indoor Home Security Camera Important Features?
1. A good picture. There is no point in putting a camera in your home if the footage is grainy or blurry. Look for at least a full high definition (HD) resolution (also known as 1080p or 2-megapixel sensor) and the ability to stream live to your smartphone or computer.
2. Motion Activated Recording Or Alerts. Indoor cameras can be set to record continuously or when motion is detected. In either case, they should send an alert if they detect movement so that you are aware of any potential problems.
3. Accessible Storage. A camera can record to the cloud or local storage like a micro SD card. With both options, make sure you can easily access the footage to view events in real-time or after the fact.
4. A Wide Angle Lens or Pan and Tilt Capability. An Indoor Camera A wide-angle lens lets you see more of your home with one device. A field of view of around 130 degrees shows you left and right, as well as ahead. Alternatively, a camera with pan and tilt capabilities achieves a similar result.
5. Two-Way Talk. A built-in microphone and speaker allow you to have a conversation with someone in your home. This is useful to drive away a thief without confronting him or to talk to his son when he returns from school.
6. Geofencing Or Scheduling. These two features are key to maintaining privacy as they can automate your cameras, turning them on when you go out and off when you return. Geofencing uses the location of your smartphone and the schedule can be set based on your usual movements.
Outdoor Home Security Cameras
Many of the home security cameras available right now are mains powered and designed for indoor use only. These are best suited for anyone who wants to monitor their pets or children, rather than those looking for a home security camera to catch intruders, as, by the time the camera detects them, they will have already entered your home.
Instead, if you’re looking to keep an eye on anyone lurking on your property, consider a weatherproof camera for your home’s exterior, and they’re available in both mains-powered models and battery-powered designs. Those connected to the mains may require professional installation if you do not have the relevant electrical ratings but will be constantly monitoring movement without worrying about discharge.
Battery-powered home security cameras should last three to twelve months before they need to be recharged. However, this depends on how many times the camera identifies movement, how often its live feed is triggered, and the number of times the microphone and speaker are used to interact with someone in the camera’s field of view…
They will be out of service when the battery needs recharging; the camera will notify you when the battery level is getting low unless they have a removable battery and you buy an extra one, which can be exchanged for the dead battery in seconds.
Important Features of Outdoor Home Security Camera?
1. High Definition Video. You don’t want to incur the expense and hassle of installing cameras if you still miss important details. Outdoor cameras need to be able to record in Full HD or higher to ensure crisp, clear video as well as a live feed to your smartphone or computer.
2. Motion Activated Recording Or Alerts. An outdoor camera should record as soon as it detects motion and sends an alert. If you can record 24/7, you should send an alert every time it detects movement on your property.
3. Accessible Storage. Whether you’re using cloud storage or local media storage, make sure you can easily view footage while shooting or after the fact.
4. Night Vision. This feature uses infrared technology to allow the camera to see what is happening even when it is dark outside. Look for a range of at least 30 feet. Some cameras include bulbs or built-in spotlights that produce full-color night images, as compared to black and white images produced by night vision technology.
5. Sound Detection. Provides an additional layer of security as you can trigger a recording before the camera even sees anything. Sound detectors can detect common noises such as broken glass, dog barking, or garbage cans when disturbed.
Can a Home Security Camera Replace a Video Doorbell?
Since they work the same way, you might be wondering if a home security camera could replace a video doorbell. While it offers the same basic functions; Like alerting you when it detects a person or movement on your doorstep and allowing you to watch a live feed from the camera and interact with anyone within your field of view, there will (obviously) be no physical doorbell for someone to press.
Similarly, you would need a smart speaker, such as an Amazon Echo (2020), or a smart display connected to the camera to ensure that you receive an audible notification inside your home if someone comes to your door.
A security camera is often mounted higher than a video doorbell to ensure it captures the full length of someone at your door, and with a secure bracket that would make it difficult for thieves to remove. So if you’re right after you can see who’s at your door, the benefits, such as motion detection and alerts, of a mounted camera.
Doorbell Security Camera Important Features?
1. Motion Activated Recording. A doorbell camera must have a motion sensor, so even if someone doesn’t press the doorbell button, the camera will start recording and send you an alert.
2. High Definition Video. Full HD video will make sure that you can see and identify the faces of the people who are approaching your door.
3. Two-Way Audio. A microphone and speaker ensure you can have a conversation with someone at your door.
4. Cloud storage. Video doorbells need to send their images over Wi-Fi to the cloud and store them for seven to 30 days. You can access the footage remotely and save it to your phone if you need it.
5. Live View. The ability to activate the doorbell camera signal at any time to see what is happening in front of your home is a key safety feature.
6. Power Source. It is always preferable to replace an existing wired doorbell so that the video doorbell can connect, but a battery-powered video doorbell is also an option.
Tips for Setting up Smart Home Security Cameras
It’s easier than ever to set up your home security system to monitor package deliveries, make sure kids get home safely, and take a look at your home while you’re out of town. But if you don’t want to install a complete smart home security system, there are many relatively inexpensive ways to keep an eye on your home when you are away. Here’s how to get the most out of your devices so you can better protect your home.
1. Don’t Hide Cameras
Unless there is a specific activity that wants to catch a person, like someone breaking into your car, don’t bother hiding your security cameras outside. Most thieves consider the presence of security cameras when selecting a target and avoid houses where they could be caught in the act, according to research from the University of North Carolina.
2. Protect more than Front Door
Choosing the right location for your home security cameras will largely depend on the layout of your home. However, some key areas are more important to cover than others. Your front door sees a lot of traffic, from visitors to deliveries.
Covering the entrance with a camera or video doorbell helps monitor for intruders, but keep an eye out for more mundane things, like whether the delivery driver is handling your packages correctly. It should also cover the less obvious places in your home.
Back doors are a common entry point for intruders, as they are more likely to be left unlocked (close the back doors!), But ground floor windows on the sides or back of your home as well. present an attractive option for intruders. Also, consider putting a second set of eyes on these vulnerable spots.
3. Configure Motion Detection
You don’t have time to monitor your cameras 24/7 or watch hours of video, so make sure you have a camera with motion detection. Some cameras allow you to set certain gaps in your camera’s field of view to monitor movement.
So, for example, you can get an alert when something comes to your door, but not when a cat is running through your yard. Some smart camera systems also require a subscription for advanced features.
Nest cameras, for example, can detect general motion, but with a Nest Aware subscription, the camera can tell the difference between a tree swaying in the wind and a person approaching your door.
Consider what type of activity you want to monitor and activate the appropriate function on your smart camera after connecting.
4. Do you Have the Power?
Your outdoor cameras will need a power source. Consider whether you want a battery-powered camera or one that plugs into a nearby outlet.
Not having to connect a power cord to your home to plug into an outlet at a plus, but keep in mind that battery-powered Wi-Fi cameras tend to drain quickly in colder climates.
Look for an outdoor Wi-Fi camera that can connect to the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz radio band to alleviate network congestion. If you’re having trouble getting a good signal outside, try a wireless range extender.
5. Secure Accounts
You’re installing a smart security system so you can keep an eye on your home, especially when you’re not there. However, if you don’t protect your account properly, you’re leaving the metaphorical door open for intruders to look through your cameras as well.
To avoid this, be sure to change your camera’s default passwords. Older cameras or other brands often use very simple security, and the passwords for them are up to a Google search, which can expose you to scary situations.
For smart cameras like Nest, Amazon, or Wyze, make sure to provide complex passwords to your accounts and enable two-factor authentication if available. If your camera is connected to Wi-Fi, make sure your router is also protected by WPA2 encryption. You can never be too careful.
Artificial Intelligence
Getting notifications about motion detected by your home security cameras can be helpful if it’s a real incident, but those that turn out to be about birds on your lawn, the wind rustling through trees, or even the headlights of cars shining through windows from the road can be frustrating.
To combat this, many home security cameras, including those from Arlo, Ring, Eufy, and Google, also offer useful features to reduce these nuisance alerts; for example, activity zones so that you only receive an alert when movement is detected in these areas and artificial intelligence that can identify whether an animal, vehicle or person also caused the alert. Most home security cameras also offer integration with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or HomeKit.
They can be configured to work with your smart speakers and displays; which alerts you when motion is detected and, in the case of smart displays, as well as some TV streaming devices, view the camera stream on your screen or your television.
However, not all home security cameras are compatible with all voice assistants, so be sure to verify that they will work with your current equipment before purchasing. also, read Top 8 Cheap Bluetooth Speakers with Good Bass in Trending.
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