Security cameras are becoming a very important investment for business owners, renters, and homeowners. The question that many of them ask is, “what should I look for when buying a security camera?” Answering this question is very important so that you can get the best security camera for your needs.
Security cameras present us with so many benefits. One of them is the ability to deter trespassers and criminals as well as protection from other types of intrusions. Technology has even made them more wholesome since you can now monitor security cameras using mobile apps.
There are so many security cameras on the market these days. Finding the best security camera system has become a herculean task. We understand this challenge and wrote this post to help a befitting security camera for your home or business location.
What Should I Look for When Buying a Security Camera?
Safety is a very important aspect of human existence. We don’t just need to secure human life, we need to protect belongings and finances.
Crime rate all over the world is rising daily making security accessories a lot more popular. There are different brands and types of security cameras available today. Here are a few factors that will help you sift through to find a suitable one for your purposes:
Video storage
The market is filled will all kinds of high-tech cameras that can tempt you to shell out a lot of cash. While you are considering such cameras, you also consider the cost of data storage. Many times, the camera might be affordable, but data storage will carry a lot of the cost.
We suggest that you should be realistic. Would you spend the whole day looking at your footage? Is there a need for your cameras to run all day and all night?
Don’t you prefer that your camera only records clips after being activated by motion? The last option presents you with the most efficient and affordable option since you will get useful footage at affordable costs.
Fast motion activation
No one wants a camera that hesitates. While part of this will depend on the speed and strength of your Wi-Fi, your camera must also have fast motion activation.
This way, it can send you alerts once there is motion in the area that it covers. You should never trade “fast” when it comes to choosing a security camera, especially when working with multiple cameras.
Resolution
Experts will say that the most basic and important feature of any camera is its resolution. This goes beyond choosing security cameras to choose cameras for other purposes.
To get high-quality images, you must invest in cameras with high resolution. Compromise this feature and you will have unclear or pixelated videos and images. In this case, you can’t recognize faces in your footage.
HD cameras are becoming more common these days. The good news is that many of these cameras are affordable and readily available. Your best bet when balancing cost with the resolution is 1080p.
Night vision
You should always check to see that your security camera comes with night vision. Isn’t nighttime the period of the day that you need the most security? Your cameras need to be alert all through the night and be capable of picking clear images during this period.
Many smart cameras on the market today come with night vision modes. These cameras switch to these modes automatically once it is nighttime or there is a dearth of natural light.
Power source
Cameras come with different types of power sources. If you are using CCTV cameras connected to DVR systems, you need each camera to be close to a power source.
On the other hand, IP cameras connected to NVRs get power from multifunctional Ethernet cables. The latter option offers more flexibility especially if you are working with so many cameras over a large area.
Consider the kind of power source the camera requires. Check whether it matches your needs and current system before you shell out funds to purchase the security camera.
Privacy
One of the cons of security cameras, especially those connected to the internet, is the possibility of hacking. If you can view your camera feed remotely through the internet, there’s the possibility that hackers can do the same.
You need to get security cameras that offer more than just video footage. Many cameras are beginning to offer two-factor authentication that sends you an OTP via text message, email, authentication app, or phone call. As such, a hacker wouldn’t gain access even if they crack your username and password.
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Categories of Home Security Cameras
What should I look for when buying a security camera? So far, we have discussed a few factors you should consider to get the best security cameras for your home or business venue. In this section, we will look at the popular categories of home security cameras.
Video doorbells
As the name implies, they are doorbells with built-in security cameras. They need low-voltage wiring that connects to an existing doorbell for their power. However, a few of these camera systems come with batteries. In this case, you’d need to recharge or replace the batteries periodically.
The cameras send videos and alerts to your mobile device once a person rings the bell or they detect motion. They feature two-way audio allowing you to speak to the person ringing the doorbell. A few models come with memory card slots while others allow you to store footage to the cloud directly.
Wireless security cameras
These cameras are unobtrusive and they connect directly to your home network. Just like the video doorbells, they also send footage and alerts to your smartphone. In some cases, you’d need to plug the camera into a power outlet while others work with rechargeable batteries.
Video storage is mostly to the cloud even though some allow local storage to memory cards. If you choose the former option, you have to pay a recurring fee for cloud storage.
Floodlight cameras
The cameras in this category combine bright LED floodlights with security cameras. As such, the cameras beam lights on potential intruders as a way of scaring them off.
Many of the models on the market today are designed to replace traditional security floodlights. As such, you will need to wire the floodlight camera into an electrical box. Regardless, there are a few plug-in and battery-powered models as well.
Asides from the sirens, these cameras also come with two-way audio so that you can speak to visitors. Just like the other two categories, you can either store your footage in the cloud or on memory cards depending on the model.
What Should I Look for When Buying a Security Camera?-Wrapping Up
By now, you should have your answer to the question, “What should I look for when buying a security camera?” We have shown you some factors to consider when making a purchase as well as different types of security cameras. Do you have any questions? Kindly drop them in the comments section below.
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