Home Security Cameras

Home security cameras are becoming increasingly popular for several reasons.

They offer affordable and flexible monitoring, both inside and outside homes that can be viewed in many different ways by the homeowner or by a security service.

Surveillance of the Perimeter

Numerous homeowners utilize outdoor home security cameras as one part of their security plan. Cameras are usually placed in strategic locations at windows, doors, and towards the entrance to the property. You have the option to use a wired or wireless security system.

In the case of a wired system, make sure you have a convenient power source. A common problem with security cameras is the lack of a nearby power source, especially for outdoor CCTV installations. It's not very wise to step outside with your security camera system in hand only to discover that there's no power source. If you know potential power problems up front, you can get good advice from sales representatives or even CCTV installers before you buy.

If power connectivity is a challenge, you have several options. You can have new power connections installed at the location of your cameras, or you can run wiring from your power source. Or you can go for a system that draws power from a battery. There are even solar security cameras available for locations with lots of light.

There are several advantages to having outdoor surveillance cameras.

The first would be that the cameras may alert homeowners to a burglar's presence in the event that the burglar "cases" the property before actually making the attempt at a robbery. This allows steps for prevention.

The second advantage is that sometimes just the presence of home security cameras would be enough to dishearten any would-be burglar. He will usually look for a different target.

And lastly, if your home actually is burglarized, the video recordings or photos that you get from the cameras can be used by the police to identify and prosecute the burglar.

Location

The ideal location has two features. The first being a placement which permits a good view of the face of any person that approaches the house or its surroundings. The second requires any camera is set up high enough that interference with its operations is impossible for intruders.

This can make it harder to service, but ensures it remains free from any tampering or blocking attempts. Popular locations include inside light fixtures, under the eaves of a house, and concealed by trees and shrubs, or other landscaping features.

Features

For people looking to purchase an outdoor security surveillance system, they should look for certain features on the camera such as night vision technology, and make sure it is weatherproof.

The possibility exists that some burglars may try to destroy the camera or cover the camera lens, so it would be a wise choice to buy cameras with solid housings.

Lighting - If you want your home security cameras to monitor an area at night, you need to make sure the area has enough light for the camera. You can do this by adding extra lighting, or you can choose a camera with low lux ratings or even infrared capability, depending on how low the light level is.

Weather - A sturdy, durable protective cover is essential for outdoor security cameras. Depending on the climate in your location, you may need to consider the temperature ranges your system will need to endure. Not many CCTV cameras can work in extreme temperatures.

Indoor Surveillance

When it comes to indoor home security cameras, they can be used in a very similar way, with similar advantages.

In addition, many people have been using indoor security systems to observe the behavior of their children, the elderly, or their employees.

Many parents use what are called "Nanny Cams" when leaving their children with a babysitter. These cameras are small enough to be hidden in objects such as a ballpoint pen or a wall clock. There is usually no awareness by the babysitter that he or she is being observed.

"Nanny Cams" are limited, however, and could possibly even give parents a false sense of security. For example, the fact that locating the camera in let's say the bedroom and there is no indication of abusive behavior does not exclude the possibility that abusive behavior is happening in the bathroom or any other room.

Another use of a home security system is to let the visitor know about the system. The reason would be to check on the welfare of the elderly or children. Typically, in situations like this, people actually welcome the presence of a camera.

A digital or analogue camera placed in a location of the homeowner’s choosing shows all of the activity, all day and night.

This allows continuous monitoring of children, older family members, caregivers and trades people who come near a home, as well as the ability to screen for potential intruders. If cameras are going to be used in this way, it is wise to be sure that the cameras cover as much of the home as possible.

It may be a good idea to spend some extra money on motion sensor technology so that the cameras are not running all the time. Used properly, home security cameras can give peace of mind to homeowners, adult caregivers, and parents.

Wireless Security Cameras

Wireless home security cameras send signals of the pictures through walls to a control center where they are viewable on a computer, mobile phone, TV or at the office of an external security company. Images recorded by the cameras may be saved in various formats such as VCR, DVD and in files kept on a computer hard drive.

With the ever-improving reliability of wireless camera systems, wiring may not be required. However, if you are planning to install wireless cameras, you still need to plan your installation beforehand.

Wireless cameras may be moved around more easily than their wired relatives and are easier to hide without trailing wires. Wired cameras are cheaper and may be a good option for home security systems that rely on cameras mounted mainly on the house, or close to it, and are considered easier to use for those without a basic knowledge of computers, because no software is needed.

Limitations

Every system has limitations, and a camera's range can be reduced by obstacles between the security camera and the control/receiver unit. The presence of walls does not eliminate the wireless option from consideration, but you will need to calculate what distances and what obstacles are in the path of the signal, otherwise you may not chose the right system.

Complications arise when a homeowner buys a system that doesn't fit their situation. If you determine your needs ahead of time and get competent advice, your security system should work well.

Types of Home Security Cameras

There are a number of surveillance cameras available for the home. Here is a brief list.

Dome Cameras are very common. Like their name, they are dome shaped and fit easily on ceilings. Some dome cameras can even be placed outside the house, but there is a specific type of installation for them. Dome Cameras are one of the most popular of the security cameras, because it is virtually impossible to pin-point what angle the cameras are viewing, unless at close range. Dome cameras have adjustable lenses and are also available in black and white.

Bullet Cameras are named such because they are sold with a bullet like housing. The bullet camera is very small in size and has an integrated design.

The length of the lens is very long and is shaped like a stick. Some bullet cameras have a infra-red LED feature. This allows a LED light in infrared spectrum which is not visible to the human eye.

The light illuminates the viewing area and therefore it is possible to monitor the area even in complete darkness. Depending on the model, these cameras can monitor in darkness up to ten to fifty feet depending on the model.

Bullet cameras are weatherproof. They do not have the ability to use different lenses because they are sealed inside the bullet-shaped housing.

Computer Based Systems include specific hardware and software which allows a homeowner to convert a computer into a home security system. Through the help of a special card, one can use the computer to survey the house, as well as record the display on a disk drive.

Stand alone Systems work like VCRs. They consist of the same machinery, and most of the video processing is done via hardware. The surveillance footage is then saved on a disc drive in digital format. Most stand alone systems also have remote capability, which allows them to be controlled via the internet or on a network.

There are various types of home security cameras available in the market. One unique way of monitoring the house without a camera is using fake security cameras. Fake home security cameras, like fake cell phones or fake weapons, create the impression that the house is well monitored.

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