How to choose a home security camera

Nowadays, having a video surveillance system or security cameras is an optimal solution to keep thieves away and protect the home and its inhabitants.

The constant progress of technology has led the security sector, especially in recent years, to offer the market increasingly efficient products, for all needs and at very competitive prices.

We can satisfy our security from a simple surveillance camera that we can buy at an affordable price to really complex systems that stand out for their efficiency and home automation.

In this article, we are going to try to break down what home security cameras we can find on the market, their different types, and how we should choose them. It is a complement to the article on security measures to prevent theft at home.

Although first, we would like to see where thieves enter homes (Chalets, flats, offices, warehouses … etc) so we leave the following infographic that can give us an idea of ​​the weak and unsafe points of our homes.

As we can see in the image, the security camera is the last option for users, however, and as we will see in the article, it is one of the most effective options both inside and outside the home.

Remember… What is the security camera? They are video surveillance cameras responsible for capturing everything that happens in a space, whether open or closed; house, chalet – single-family homes, parking lots, business…etc

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What advantages do surveillance cameras provide?

Alarm systems have a double function: First, it is to dissuade intrusion into the home and, if it occurs, to be able to detect it and notify the appropriate person as quickly as possible, but also:

• Although it may seem unbelievable, the psychological aspect is important, since this anti-theft system provides “peace of mind” to the users of the house, recognizing that they can be warned while trying to enter the house.
• Discourage possible theft since they are really visible.
• They are relatively cheap and the price range for sale in the market is wide.
• Surveillance cameras are extremely useful as they allow you to monitor the activities of people visiting your home and office, as well as events. We have a record of what happens.
• Collect evidence of possible crimes – robberies that are practiced in the home.
• It can help you make correct and fair decisions when it comes to resolving disputes, both at home and professionally. we have pictures to resolve disputes.

Everything is not so pretty, it must be said that there are some disadvantages such as; privacy problems, complex installations are not cheap, theft cannot be stopped “in situ” but rather it is a warning and registration measure, and being an electronic system, in the worst case, we have hackers.

Of interest is the article on how cities watch and spy on us, we can be surprised!

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Security cameras: Types, tips, and which one to buy for home

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Types of security cameras

With technology, the market offers us a wide range of possibilities, from the most modern with Wi-Fi to those that are simply for show, and the different types of surveillance cameras according to their functions and capabilities:

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1. Indoor cameras

They are the simplest that we can find on the market and the cheapest since they do not need as many mechanisms and protections as those used abroad.

2. Cameras with movement and zoom

hey, are usually used in large spaces with a security center where a person monitors and watches the cameras. These robotic cameras have the properties of movement on the pan, tilt, and zoom.

3. Infrared cameras or night vision

These types of instruments are used in surveillance where there are spaces with poor lighting. Normally they record all day and at night they automatically turn on their infrared with a black and white vision. They are the most expensive on the market for LED night vision.

They are used as video surveillance cameras within a CCTV installation … What is a CCTV system? They are the acronym for closed-circuit television, which forms video surveillance technology to monitor a variety of activities and environments where its components are linked to each other.

A CCTV installation will allow the images received from one or several cameras to be viewed on a monitor and stored on a recording device. An example of a CCTV system in schematic format would be:

4. Hidden cameras

They are the so-called spy cameras to monitor and monitor a house, office, or business, going 100% unnoticed. They are introduced inside some objects how; motion sensors, smoke detectors, plugs…etc.

5. IP cameras

The IP camera, are those that connect directly to the Internet showing the image it displays. They are the most used and sold on the market since they currently also incorporate Wi-Fi and you can manage them and view the images they capture from your computer, smartphone, or tablet.

The main advantage of the IP camera is that it is a video surveillance device allowing images to be seen in real-time remotely, through the connection with an Internet IP address.

We can find them for sale with technical specifications for normal consumption, for home, or more developed for professionals.

As we can see in the following image, there are a lot of forms and models, which also include other functions such as a wifi IP camera :

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6.Vandal resistant cameras

They are used in public transit areas vulnerable to theft and possible aggression. It is mounted on fixed and resistant housing. It is often used a lot in warehouses, parking lots, nightclubs, public roads, and in general in any outdoor space.

7. Wi-Fi or wireless cameras

They are those that are not directly connected by a cable. They usually have a battery that makes them work and they transmit data via WiFi.

They are used inside the house, for example, to see how the children or the baby are doing, and technology has also been incorporated into IP cameras to work directly with internet monitoring.

8. Exterior cameras

These types of cameras are designed to resist weather actions (rain, wind…etc) and are used in outdoor spaces. When we buy an outdoor camera, the price is usually more expensive, mainly because of the protective casing.

9. All-in-one cameras

With the advances in technology, there has been a reduction in the type of camera that you can find in a store, so they have been incorporating different elements so that they can have more functions.

For example, there are models that are both indoors and outdoors, that use Wi-Fi and monitoring through the Internet, either on a computer or mobile. In the end, we can have a secure installation with cameras as complex as we want and more if we use home automation in the home installation .

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Differences between analog and IP camera

What is the difference between an analog camera and an ipe? Analog cameras communicate with a video recorder, they need a physical device to record what happens.

On the other hand, IPE cameras communicate by the network, that is, some direct to a “web ipe” where the recording is stored or the most modern ones, by Wifi, which, for example, information is recorded for a while on our mobile.

Although in the next section we analyze the image quality in different monitoring systems. The following table shows the notable characteristics between analog and IPS:

image quality

An important issue is knowing the quality of the camera image that we are going to receive from our installed device. We leave a small comparative summary table of the most common characteristics depending on whether it is analog, in IP, in HDS DI (Full HD) format and HDS CVI (High Definition Video):

What security camera to buy?

Before buying a video camera surveillance system, you should think and plan well about what we really need to recognize which areas we have to monitor and what economic budget we have. We can follow the next steps

1. What functions do you need ?… Decide if you want to prevent only intrusions or also use the system in case of robbery, medical emergencies or to control the entrance of people (relatives, children, employees, etc.)
2. We have to determine the type of control we need. Yes, we only want the images to be recorded or we want to see what is happening through the mobile or another device.
3. To set up a security system it is important to point out the weaknesses of the house on a small scheme – sketch, that is, the main accesses; doors, windows, garage, balconies…
4. Look at possible camera locations. For example, if there are places that can be accessed but there is nothing of value (A shed in the junk garden or an independent garage)… You should think about whether you really need security in these spaces.
5. You must consider the number of users of the home. The installation must be practical and its activation or deactivation also; be it with remote control, by voice, keyboard, mobile…etc.
6. Look at the quality of the image, better if it is HD 1080P.
7. Finally, you must determine the degree of action, that is, if a robbery occurs, how will I be notified. Whether by SMS to the mobile, by means of an audible alarm, or a system connected to a CRA (Alert Reception Center) that connects the police.

If we do not want great pretensions and a surveillance camera with a very reasonable quality-price ratio. Directly buy the Xiaomi Dome Camera HD 1080P Security IP camera system for surveillance …

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How to choose a home security camera

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1. Location

Think about where you want to place each camera; Is that area subject to water ingress (in which case, check out our list of outdoor cameras)? Also think about how you will power the camera. Some have built-in batteries, others need constant power so will need access to an outlet.

2. Privacy Privacy

is also worth considering; If the camera is recording, can it just be played or will the recording require a password to play? If an app can only access the recording, you may need a password. Will other users share your account (or get suspicious if you don’t share it)?

3. AI Features

One thing you shouldn’t neglect is detecting people or pets in some way (and whether it’s on camera or only available via subscription). It makes a big difference because the better the detection system, the less likely the system is to alert you with unwanted false alarms.

4. Subscription Options It’s important

to understand what you do and don’t get for the subscription level you choose. Manufacturers are interested in selling AI features, but in reality, they often depend on the fee, so are you happy to pay it? In most cases, it’s not necessary, but you’ll get little more than live view and two-way talk (features that don’t require third-party server support).

5. Trust

It’s about when numbers 2 and 4 (Privacy and Cloud Subscription) collide; Cloud subscriptions are a big part of this industry and you have to ask yourself how sure you are that you are sharing your data with the right organization. Look for systems where any remote storage is encrypted (i.e. so that the cloud location can never understand it). If you don’t trust the company, don’t send the data (video from home).