A Beginners Guide To Security Cameras

Which is the best security system for small businesses? What things will I need to look in a Home CCTV system? And is Arlo a good brand to invest in? Today, it’s clear CCTV is the most dependable form of security. From Businesses to public areas, homes to streets, institutions to places of worship, the technology is now there. So, in our beginners guide to security cameras, we’d like to look at the things that make such a small gadget work for everyone.

Needless to say, we have always included this kind of instruction when comparing different types of surveillance cameras. But we never had a moment to speak on these things in a detailed manner, which is why we have thought of this topic.

Do I Need Security Cameras?

Simply, there are far more reasons as to why you should get a security camera system than why you shouldn’t. The little guy keeps on getting more powerful, becoming smarter, and the cost drops even further. All this is thanks to the stiff competition in the market, whereby each provider wants to have a considerable fan base.

Anyways, if you can get the right CCTV system for your needs, not only will your investment pan out. A good security camera system will also:

• Provide video evidence of the events that have occurred
• Help authorities in the investigation
• Deter crime before it happens
• Help prevent disasters like fire
• Connect you with family while away
• Track performance of the employees
• Monitor the health of the loved ones
• Detect suspicious activities in real-time
• Increase property value and lower insurance fee

Last but not least, some security camera brands, like Hikvision, have analytics to assist in better organization and management of your store. A good example of such features is people counting, which you use to track the slowest or busiest days in the week.

How Do I Choose a Good Security Camera?

In general, we have a vast selection of security cameras to consider in each scenario. We’re not just talking about brands but also different styles and capabilities that each pack under the jacket. So, you must put on the eye of a hawk if you’re to get exactly the piece that fits into your scene.

But again, how can you tell if a wireless security camera system is what you need and not the wired design? Or in which case scenario should you think about a DVR instead of an NVR?

Well, as fishermen will tell, all waters will look cool until you jump in. Similarly, all cameras will appear intriguing at first until you get to use them.

Therefore, to make sure you install your property with the right type of CCTV:

• Determine your needs

Your reasons to have a security camera are different from your neighbor’s or even your business place. It’s the first thing you should think about before you even start shopping around.

If you want to heighten your home security or monitor how the babysitter handles your child, check it down. It’s what will lead you to the right camera type that’s effective, convenient, and reliable.

• Assess Your Budget

How much budget are you willing to invest? Do you want a one-time payment or can you also manage the renewable monthly fees?

If you can only afford a single payment, an expandable security camera system with DVR or NVR can make a great choice. But if the area to monitor is small and you’re okay with short-clip event recordings, then a standalone WiFi camera like Eufy or Arlo could serve the purpose.

However, the problem with the Arlo security camera is that all the models after Arlo Pro 2 no longer support the free 7-day cloud storage. So, you’ll need to pay every month or annually to access the recorded videos and use some of the powerful AI integrated.

• Decide your Camera Type

When you determine what your property needs and the budget you’re ready to pay, everything else gets easy. Let’s say you want to secure the average single-family house, either a standalone or expandable NVR security system will work. If you want to watch the front yard of the house, a PTZ outdoor camera can cover a larger scene alone, but a video doorbell can watch the doorsteps discretely.

Other features you can use to decide beween different types of CCTV system include:

• The Quality of Image: consider the highest camera resolution possible to record footage rich in details and clarity. This makes it easier to identify important details like a person face and license plates
• Digital or Analog: This is all about the funds you have in place. If you have little, a Hybrid DVR system will be far more affordable and also support PoE technology. So, you could save some bucks with it and still enjoy the convenience of several IP cameras, including PTZ.
• Power supply: if the place in question is inaccessible to wired power, a battery-powered security camera will be the best to have. But if you want to monitor 24/7, a camera with wired power would ensure continuous connection and uncut recording.
• Smart intelligence: a camera with advanced features like customizable motion detection, facial recognition, and line crossing detection can alert you when an intruder breaches these parameters. Hence, keeping you in the loop of what matters most.
• Type of storage: a CCTV with both cloud and local storage support can help ensure you still have recorded evidence when one fails.

• Supported frame rate:

• It will be better if a DVR, NVR, or camera itself has the option to adjust the frame rate. This can help make sure you get smoother and crispier videos when needed, plus reduce the bandwidth or storage consumption if called for.
• Bandwidth requirement: With a camera and standalone PoE security camera, the internet’s everything. The same applies if you would want to remotely watch your CCTV camera from anywhere in the world. Therefore, do confirm the total bandwidth of your prospective cameras matches your modem’s upload speed.
• Modes of recording: make sure the device supports the type of recording you want. Most DVRs and NVRs support up to four modes, including manual, motion-activated, scheduled, and 24/7 recording. On the other hand, standalone cameras mainly record by events, but you can still find some that record in schedules or continuously.
• Remote viewing and playback: if you already have the internet at home or office, you could add your CCTV to the connection to enable remote access when away. So, do make sure your brand of interest has a dependable and secure smartphone app, PC software, or both.
• Installation and setup: if you don’t want to hire a professional installer, consider a PoE or Wireless security camera system. A DVR security system tends to use many cables that can be a hassle to run by yourself. Then, the analog cameras require to plug into power to be active. So, you must have a power outlet nearby all the cameras or else some electrical skills to connect the Siamese cable to the power supply switch.

Final Thoughts

Even if you’re living in an apartment or college dorms, a security camera is all worth having. It can make an amazing third eye to keep track of your valuable items when you’re not in or watch your pet.

The best part is that more and more CCTV cameras keep on flooding the market. This has led to manufacturers becoming more innovative while still maintaining that competitive advantage, such that you can find a decent technology listed under $50.

In any case, that will be all for now. We hope you enjoyed reading the article about beginners guide to security cameras and you learned three or four things to focus on your next CCTV system.