A Beginner’s Guide to Security Camera Systems

A security camera can be one of the greatest features you can add to your home. It gives you peace of mind when you’re away and provides you with the ability to observe your home at the touch of a button. Whether it’s checking in on the kids when they get home, a pet, a maintenance worker or catching a burglar in the action, a camera can be a very smart solution. Camera types, video quality, customized special features, and even the way it’s hooked up in your home are all crucial to a successful system. Deciding how to choose a security camera system for your home doesn’t have to be difficult.

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How to Choose a Security Camera System for Your Home

When choosing a security camera system for your home there are a few things you need to look at for maximum effect. Outlined in this security camera system buying guide are some crucial points about what to look for when buying a home security camera system.

1. Type of Camera

There are a few general categories of security cameras; dome, bullet, pan/tilt/zoom (PTZ) and smart cameras. All of the above are commercial grade camera except for smart cameras. Dome and bullet style cameras are the most popular solution for most situations. They come in various lens angles to be tailored to your application. Next is a PTZ style. PTZ cameras can cover a full 360-degree area with one unit and afford you the ability to zoom and adjust angles as necessary all through remote control operation. Lastly are smart cameras. They are the DIY or Do-It-Yourself solutions. They sync right to your WIFI and record either on an SD card or on the cloud. These cameras are good solutions for controlled environments.

2. Image Quality and Video Monitoring

Image quality is everything when it comes to your home security camera. Higher resolutions or higher TVL (television lines) ensures that you don’t miss any details. Lighting and ambient conditions all affect cameras as well, checking to see if your camera has auto-lighting features allows you to make sure you have a perfect picture every time.

3. Special Features and Mobile Applications

Special features like night vision allow the camera to see in the dark by utilizing the IR spectrum of light which can be invisible to the human eye. Features like live-stream and video monitoring are often connected to your mobile phone. This allows you to check on things at home in real-time. Quickly checking the cameras at home will help confirm if there truly was a break in to contact emergency services as needed. Motion Detection is an essential perk for those who are often not home. This can feature alerts you when your camera detects something through a live-stream function.

Consult with a Professional

A lot goes into making sure you have the perfect system. Using this beginner’s guide to security cameras can help you get started on the right path. When deciding what to look for when buying a home security camera system, it’s best to consult with a professional security installation company. No home is complete without a security camera system in place that affords you peace of mind. Contact us today for more information on choosing the security camera system right for you!

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