Security Camera

Many people are constantly trying to improve the level of safety found at their homes, either because they want to protect their families, or simply because they want to make sure that their property remains untouched.

Besides classic security measures such as a high fence or strong locks at their doors, more and more people also tend to use modern technology to their advantage, by installing one or more security cameras.

As the demand for this kind of products has been constantly growing, manufacturers have also tried to make their products more and more advanced, and to incorporate in them technologies that otherwise were only available for professional video surveillance systems.

Right now, something very similar to a battle is held between home surveillance systems that use the newer wireless security cameras and the home surveillance systems that use the classic wired security cameras. Advantages and disadvantages are quite equally distributed between the two, leaving the final decision up to the buyer.

Here are the basics and advantages and disadvantages of each presented with the intention of helping you decide which type goes well with your house, and which suits your needs better.

Home surveillance systems with wireless security cameras

• These systems can be of two kinds. They either come with an additional receiver and equipment that allows the user to monitor the camera from a TV screen, or the much more practical yet also much more expensive IP camera, that can be connected to a router and monitored from any computer or mobile device that has access to the Internet. The downside of the last is that it could be hacked. Typically something like that never happens for the average user, but never say never.
• As the new trend, wireless security cameras are the usual choice for those that want an easier installation. Being battery powered they eliminate the need for wiring, which at times can be a complicated task in some houses. A drawback to this however might be the fact that the batteries can run out very fast for some models. That means that you need to have batteries around your house all the time, which is neither practical nor good for your financial situation.
• Another significant advantage of wireless security cameras is that they work better with computer or mobile phone surveillance software.
• Other advantages are represented by the fewer limitations on where these security cameras can be placed, since no external power cable is required. Also, having no cables makes them much easier to hide.
• Various incompatibility issues might appear for these systems, such as strange signal interference and other unpleasant things that can set the alarm off for no reason. However, most good manufacturers make sure that their products are well tested, in an attempt to avoid these issues.

Home surveillance systems with wired security cameras

• This type of cameras represents a cheaper alternative to the previous, and generally they are considered to be more reliable. They also need to permanently be connected to a power source via a dedicated cable. The major problem that might appear when installing these cameras is represented by the cables. Cables need to be very carefully arranged so that they cannot be cut by any eventual intruders.
• Even thought the installing process might take longer, wired security cameras have a great advantage. After the installation they require low or no maintenance at all. This automatically recommends them as an ideal choice for individuals with medium or large properties that want complete monitoring and above all, stability.
• It is worth knowing that because of the cables required, the placement of a wired security camera can be in some situations restricted. Also, various accidents might happen with the cables if they are not arranged properly. This can result in a failure of the surveillance system which can be easily used by thieves to their own advantage.

The decision is strongly influenced by the buyer´s residence

Overall, the surveillance system with wireless security cameras looks ideal for small properties and for people that want a fast and accessible solution that will increase their safety. On the other hand, the security system with wired cameras represents a more professional approach, and even though it might require additional resource it will prove to be more stable. In terms of cost, there are no big differences between these two choices, but the bigger the price will be, the better the product.

Regardless of the potential advantages and disadvantages of the wireless or the wired security cameras the final decision is always on you. You are the one who knows your residence best and can consider the weak points in its security where burglars or thieves might attempt something.

All security camera owners have one thing in common: they want their device to function properly for as long as possible. Being the owner of one or more security cameras makes it able to permanently monitor your place of residence, giving you the chance to stop worrying about potential thieves. It is only normal then for every person that posses at least one of these gadgets to hope to get the better out of them, without being constantly required to make upgrades or buy new products.

Buying from the beginning an advanced security camera from a top manufacturer is by far the most important thing to do, if you expect stability and consistency. Even though money might get to be a problem in such a case, the investment is guaranteed to be worth it in the long run.

However, just buying a good surveillance camera is not enough. The way it is maintained and the spot where it is placed are equally important factors that contribute to its life span.

By not making a few common mistakes you will manage to increase your security camera´s durability and in many cases, even its efficiency.

• Avoid pointing the camera at the sun at all costs: Sadly, this is happens all the time, and not only with security cameras. Technology is not meant to be directly exposed to the sun. It melts. The security camera should be placed in a position that shields it from the sun and the rain, otherwise it might be damaged in no time. Even if on the box it says that the product is very resistant to all variations of temperatures and to most of the weather´s conditions, you should never take any chances.  It might happen sometimes that the only place you can install your newly bought security camera is somewhere where it can be affected by the weather. The only thing you can do in that case is to find a way to protect your device, such as building a platform above it or anything similar you can think of. Just do not leave it unprotected for it will not work for long.
• Installing it into an inaccessible position is not always a good idea: Putting a security camera in a place that cannot be reached by people is something that should always be done. Still, this does not have to be overdone, for in some special situations you will need to be able to access it. It is a well known fact that security cameras that use infrared technology have the tendency to attract spiders or other small creatures. If a spider leaves a web right on the lens of your camera then your visibility will be greatly affected. You do not want that to happen, nevertheless it usually does. In that case you have to be able to access your device easily so you can clean its lens. Try to find a balance between an inaccessible position that can bring a greater visibility and protect it from other people, and a position that can be easily accessible in special circumstances by you.
• Even more location problems for wireless devices: Wireless security cameras have many advantages over the classic wired surveillance cameras, yet they are more prone to other problems as well. If such a camera is not placed correctly and its signal is interfering with a wall or any other object, it might not be able to correctly transmit anything, and subsequently to not work properly. Even worse, it might not send continual information and make the surveillance impossible in some occasions. When that happens it is generally bad, as the camera has been already installed and configured, and you will most likely have to repeat those processes in order to fix the issue.
• It might also happen that certain wireless security cameras receive interferences from TV antennas or any other device that emits signals. The first step in avoiding this is by buying a wireless camera that has been extensively tested by the manufacturer. Again, the most expensive they are, the lesser the chance for these kind of problems to appear.
• Hiding a security camera is not necessarily worth it: This is another common mistake that most people make when installing a new surveillance camera. They try to put it in some of the most unexpected places, hoping that it will not be exposed. This is generally a bad idea. Simply by installing a security camera in a place where others can see it means that thieves will instantly get discouraged, thinking that your residence is very well protected and the risks that they will have to take are much higher. The simple presence of a security camera can do in some situations more good than even the monitoring itself. Keeping this in mind can save you from losing a lot of nerves.

Maybe you are one of the many people interested in your home safety that finally made up his mind to visit a local security specialized store and buy a surveillance camera. That is indeed a good decision, as a device like that can keep a lot of trouble at bay and even offer you a peace of mind. However, with so many models of security cameras being available, you should get an exact idea on what you really want, just so you will not acquire something that you will later consider as a bad investment.

Analyzing the property

Doing a little research around your property is always a good thing to start with. Inspecting the areas where you think a security camera can be placed is always recommended before a purchase. If possible, try to think of a placement spot where the camera can be seen by others but that is not to defenseless either. Generally thieves will get discouraged if they realize that the property they eyed is using security measures. They will not know what exactly to expect and will think twice before making a move.

• Become an imaginary thief for a few minutes and consider carefully all the weak security spots of your property. Think about the methods you would use to get pass through those areas without being detected. In this way you will get to know the places where a security camera can be extremely effective, from the places where it would simply represent an expense that serves no purpose.
• It would be excellent if you would know how wide the area that you want covered is, and also the distance of the target. This will simplify to a great extent the process of finding a security camera that will offer the best view possible.
• Getting more specific about the spot where the camera will be placed is also recommended. Since you will have to choose between wired or wireless surveillance cameras, you will have to think of ways in which you can arrange the eventual cables that are required for most devices. If you consider that you cannot get a cable to a certain spot that all the facts indicate as ideal for placing a camera, then you should probably choose a wireless device. You also have to consider that many cameras should not be exposed to direct sunlight, to rain or to snow. Finding a spot that shields them from the weather and that makes them visible yet untouchable is always ideal.
• The installed camera needs to offer clear images and video, otherwise it would be rendered useless. This is not as easy as it seems. Buying one and putting in on the wall is not always enough. Calculating the best focal length is a precaution that can save you of a lot of trouble after the installation. There are a few online lens calculators that are very accurate and that can provide you with the exact numbers that you need.
• Each camera has a resolution, which is always very important. The higher the resolution, the better the image quality will be. This also means that the higher the resolution, the most expensive the camera will be. HD security cameras are always the ideal choice, but as they are rather new on the market their price often tends to be simply too high.

Getting a little familiar with some common types of cameras is also recommended.

• Box security cameras: These are mostly used indoors as they offer no protection from weather and are quite fragile. They are fairly common in small shops, where they generally make a point by stating that a certain area is watched, which usually discourages any potential thieves.
• Dome security cameras: Very popular, these are much more resistant than box cameras. They can be used with the same efficiency both indoors and outdoors, and in many cases they are made to last for a really long time. They can also be reinforced with special materials in order to be protected from vandalism.
• Lipstick security cameras: Very small cameras, these are not intended to be seen, and can be easily hidden in various places. Depending on the model, they can be highly resistant to weather, which makes them a popular choice for home surveillance.

Some of these types of cameras can also have the Night Vision feature which makes them able to monitor areas with low lightning. These can be more expensive but their usefulness is undeniable.

Money should not be an issue

Keep in mind that a product that is expensive most of the time is worth it. The same applies to security cameras, as sometimes the price range can be so contradicting that you might wonder if a certain product is really worth that much. The answer is that it is, as long as it is used according to its specifications.