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In the course of CCTV installation, a lot of people tend to think you only need a perfect system to keep off burglars. While, indeed, it’s true, that’s just a part of your security solution. If you’re to have eyes on everything getting in or out of your property, you also need a good setup plan. And in this article, we’re going to share a few pointers on where to place security cameras outside home to achieve those results.
However, you already know the best places to put security cameras is at the main entry points like front doors, garages, side, and back door. So, we’ll be talking about something different, specifically the design patterns that professional installers use to ensure their wired or wireless outdoor security cameras have zero blind spots.
You Don’t Need to Hire Security Professionals
Technically, many video surveillance systems in the market today are DIY solutions. That includes not just the standalone but also the expandable security camera systems with DVR recorders. So, even the novice owners can get them up and running in minutes without having to pay the professional installers.
Needless to say, you still have to follow the crucial laws on surveillance to avoid confrontation with your neighbors and authorities. You’ll also need to decide whether you’ll hide the security camera in plain sight to capture and identify the intruders without them knowing. Or leave it easily noticeable to deter the would-be intruders before they have broken into your property.
But, regardless of how you want the cameras to appear, you’ll still need to place them in the right place to make the most of them. Thus, let us jump to our subject and see where or how you can do that without leaving any blind spots.
Where to Place Security Cameras Outside Home
Well, to be honest, where you place your security cameras outside is crucial for optimal results. However, you can still utilize that front/ side/ back/ garage door yet the burglar manages to sneak into your home without any of the cameras noticing.
The reason for that is that the pattern you use to position your camera truly matters. That’s it can leave the area you’re hoping to monitor exposed to no or multiple blind spots. And many burglars do know you can beat about any security camera when you figure its visibility limitations.
In any case, there are many patterns you can position your security cameras. One that most DIY installers make the mistake of using is the Mid-Wall pattern. The technique involves mounting the security camera mid-wall and positioning its view perpendicular to the wall- specifically facing downwards.
Sadly, however, the mid-wall pattern is only effective in a few applications. In fact, security professionals hardly use the method as it tends to leave two serious blind spots- one on each side of the camera. So, the burglar can sneak from either of the sides and disable the camera without any chance of seeing whom did it.
On the contrary, you can eliminate the two blind spots when using a 180-degree view like that of the Arlo security camera. However, an extra wide-angle lens tends to distort the video quality so badly compared to the narrow-angle lenses of similar resolution.
Alternatively, you can eliminate the blind spots with an auto tracking security camera. But even though it won’t compromise the video quality, the camera might be ineffective when two intruders are moving in different directions. Hence, the reason we’d recommend you use either of the following placement patterns if you want the best results.
- Back to Back Mounting Pattern
In this method, the idea is to install your security cameras still at the mid-wall- can also be above your main entry points. But this time you’ll be using two cameras instead of one. Also, you’ll need to place the cameras back to back such that each is viewing in the opposite direction. Hence, eliminating the blind spots that would occur when using one camera.
- Secret Service Mounting Pattern
Similarly, the idea here involves the use of two cameras and on the same wall where you have your entry point. However, we won’t be mounting the cameras back to back, but separately such that they’re focused on each other. In other words, the cameras will be kind of watching each other’s back so the intruder can’t sneak behind either without being seen.
Note, you’ll need to ensure the cameras are at most 15-20 feet between each other if they have a fixed lens. If the cameras have a motorized zoom lens, you can place them further apart since the optical zoom ensures the video will still be sharp at a distance. But, of course, you have to adjust the view to cover the whole scene without leaving a blind spot at the center.
- Corner to Corner Mounting Pattern
If you have enough budget at hand, this pattern design is the best to eliminate all the blind spots on your property. Just as the name, it involves placing the cameras on each corner of the house. But you’ll also need to adjust the view of the cameras such that they follow a unified path (clockwise/ counterclockwise). Thus, eliminating all blind spots and ensuring that the burglar can’t tamper with any camera without the other recording him/ her.
What To Know Before Deciding Where To Place Your Security Cameras Outside
Before all else, each outdoor security camera usually performs differently from the other. Also, we all have different reasons why we might need to add one to our properties. So, the very first thing you need to do before deciding where you’ll place your security cameras is to figure out your situation. Once you do that, it will become easier to find the perfect system that will suit your needs.
Regardless, some of the features you might want to consider in that case include:
- Image sensor: usually, it’s best to purchase a security camera with the highest resolution possible. That way, it will help ensure you can still get crispier images for the objects at a distance or after digitally zooming them.
- Coverage: usually, a wide-angle camera is the best to cover more grounds and minimize possible blind spots. however, the camera won’t have great clarity of the object farther away (beyond 40 feet). So you might want to invest in multiple narrow-angled security cameras or a single one that can pan and tilt.
- High Dynamic Range: also known as HDR, this feature can help minimize the effect of glare from the sun while providing the best balance of lighting possible. Hence, ensuring you get crispier images without leaving the scene too dark or overexposed to light.
- Durability: you need to consider the weather conditions that your outdoor cameras will be facing in your area. That includes sufficient operating temperatures and the highest IP ratings possible. But even then, you still might want to consider placing your camera where it’s somewhat sheltered to last even longer.
- Connectivity: in a nutshell, this simply means mounting your cameras where they can reach the signal to the receiver without a hassle. If it’s a PoE security camera, that means not beyond 100 meters to ensure it can effectively transmit the power and data on one cable. Then, the wireless cameras shouldn’t be beyond the signal range their manufacturers recommend.
Final Thoughts:
As you can see, good home security is not about buying and installing a dozen cameras all over your property. It’s also not just about the entry points but ensuring you place the cameras in a way that leaves no blind spots that the burglar can use.
In any case, either of the three design patterns we’ve mentioned can be very effective on where you place your outdoor security cameras. However, consider adjusting the view of the cameras horizontally rather than vertically down, as a lot of people do. You’ll be able to get the most of each camera and also it will capture the person’s face much better.