Home Security: How To Choose The Camera That’s Right For You
As we continue our series on home security, we’re now ready to touch on the main feature of surveillance security systems: the cameras themselves. These days, the options available with video surveillance systems in general are so nuanced and complex that the most visible and necessary component of each system – the camera – often gets overlooked among the information needed to understand such systems in the first place. It’s very important that homeowners have a clear idea of which system they intend to use, its limitations, and what type of cameras will be compatible with it.
With such an important decision at stake, not to mention the security of your home or business, it’s easy to get caught up in concepts such as routers, DVR’s, monitoring feeds, IP vs. analog systems, whether or not to go wireless, etc. What type of camera you choose, regardless of which system you decide to go with, should be more than an afterthought; after all, whether or not your system is analog or IP isn’t going to have much bearing on the quality of the image produced, so it’s important to pick a camera that provides the best results for your purposes without spending unnecessary cash in the process.
Because the camera itself is the central piece of your security system, we’ve compiled a list of common questions and useful tips to help you make the best decision to suit your unique security needs:
Does it even matter what type of camera I get?
In a word, yes! Emphatically so, in fact! The type of camera you choose should be compatible with the system you want to use yet should have all the specifications necessary to capture the type of footage that works for you. For example, HD cameras are great for noting details like car license plates, but are unlikely to help much in that regard if the camera is indoors watching an entrance.
Indoor or outdoor?
This is your call, and it depends on where you need to place the camera. It should go without saying that outdoor cameras are going to be more durable – and therefore more expensive – than indoor cameras, but the features available with each are going to differ. Obviously, if you own a car dealership, you’re going to need an outdoor camera, whereas guarding a bank vault several meters underground will probably do just fine with an indoor camera. The same is true for homes, and where you place your cameras is a decision based on where you know they’ll be of most use to you.
What are the different types of camera available?
There are five basic types of cameras on the market, each with their own advantages and design features, which can be extremely valuable or helpful depending on your situation:
Dome Cameras
Dome cameras are a style of camera in which a few different types – IR, pan/tilt/zoom – can be fitted. In other words, dome cameras are a style of construction, not necessarily a distinct feature in and of themselves. At first glance, most new buyers will recognize dome cameras as the half-sphere shapes that hug the ceilings of banks and other secure facilities; they’re small, unobtrusive, barely noticeable, and durable. The camera and lens itself is protected within the dome shape, which is typically made of plexiglass or durable plastic, and they’re tamper-proof and can even come with “smoked” or tinted covers, meaning that would-be miscreants with an eye for security systems can’t tell which way the lens may be pointing, thwarting any larcenous plans they might have. Most IR and pan/tilt/zoom cameras come in dome housing and typically consume less power than their counterparts, making them ideal for hi-res indoor surveillance, IP systems, and wireless use.
Pro Box Cameras
Pro box cameras are probably the most recognizable construction style of the bunch, looking for all intents and purposes like, well, actual cameras. Typically, they can be seen outside convenience stores, banks, supermarkets, and fuel stations due to their durability and versatility. They have the advantage of detachable lenses to enable the property owner to switch out lenses for wider field of view, thereby saving the expense of having to add another camera just to cover the same area. Pro box cameras are especially durable and therefore great for outdoor use, and are often used to house IR and pan/tilt/zoom cameras with the added advantage of lens versatility. They generally need to be wired, and sometimes can have more stringent power needs than dome cameras.
Hidden Cameras
Hidden cameras are the spies of the security world, and they’re mostly applicable in situations for monitoring situations in which no obvious threats are presented or expected. Whereas traditional cameras serve as a deterrent as well as a security precaution, hidden cameras are useful for guarding normally safe areas such as offices, deposit boxes, or other areas to which employees or third-party service workers may have access.
There are a variety of features available to most, but not all, camera styles, most of which are fairly type-specific and not always available in combinations so you’ll need to be conscious about your unique security needs and what features you’re going to require in your system.
Infared Security Cameras
Infared, or IR security cameras have the unique feature of being able to capture footage in zero (0 lux) or low-light environments, making them ideal for night security while you’re away or asleep. They’re sometimes referred to as “night vision cameras” mainly because of their ability to capture footage in total darkness, and a distinguishing feature of their construction is the placement of night vision LED’s around the lens to provide small amounts of ambient light, which is invisible to the naked eye. IR cameras come in a variety of styles to suit indoor or outdoor use, and for various security systems, including dome, pro box, and pan/tilt/zoom construction. They can be weatherproofed and specially treated to withstand extreme environments, and function just as well during the day as they do at night, making them ideal for 24-hour surveillance.
Pan Tilt Zoom
Pan/tilt/zoom cameras are, as suggested by their name, capable of a wide field of view not because of lens size, but because of their mobility and zoom/focus features. These are ideal for those on a budget – one camera that can cover a wide field of view is cheaper than several static cameras to cover the same area. Their one downside is greater power consumption and need for more regular maintenance (they have, for obvious reasons, more moving parts), but usually the trade-off between one camera that costs a bit more and needs a little extra TLC as opposed to several units to cover the same area is worth the effort.
High-Definition Cameras
High-definition or HD cameras are generally the most expensive of the bunch, and are available in just about any style or construction. While they’re going to require high-powered lenses and the necessary circuitry to render crisp, clear images, the resulting clarity is invaluable for high-security situations or long-range surveillance. For example, if you need a wide field of view over a large area, an HD camera will allow you to zoom in on a given area on the screen in the recorded footage and still retain a fair amount of detail.
IP Cameras
IP, or Internet Protocol, video systems are video security systems that work primarily by transmitting data and images via Ethernet or Wi-Fi as opposed to analog coaxial cabling. For this reason, HD (Hi-Definition) images are attained much more easily, meaning they’re particularly well-suited for HD purposes should you need that feature. The main advantage afforded here is simplicity and self-containment. All that’s really needed for an IP Security system is an IP-enabled camera, a high-speed internet connection – DSL, Broad Band or Fiber is optimal –a router and Ethernet cable. Other than that, the only necessary component of hardware, obviously, would be a computer through which to both remotely control and view the camera. It’s also worth pointing out that IP cameras work especially well for pan/tilt/zoom construction, as the commands for them are transmitted via Ethernet cable rather than traditional means.
Video surveillance is a complicated aspect of your home security system, but it works extremely well as both a deterrent and a means of gathering evidence and tightens up overall security on your property. It’s well worth taking the time to find the camera and system that best suits your needs, since it’s very easy to waste a good bit of money on inadequate parts or redundant components. Be sure to subscribe to our weekly blog and newsletter for more advice on real estate and homeownership as well as new property listing, and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for real-time updates on listings and properties!
– Get It Right Solutions LLC