A Guide To Choosing The Best Home Surveillance System

It’s never been simpler to watch your home with the ever-growing market of connected home surveillance systems. Streaming video cameras connect to your home’s WiFi network, allowing you to send alerts, videos, and live video feeds directly to your phone and keep track of activity even when you’re away. Some models come with integrated spotlights and floodlights that effectively shine a light on the intruders.

Types of Home Surveillance System

Security cameras aren’t only used for business and in homes, but they are also used. Many homeowners install security cameras at home to ensure their security and safety. If you’re looking to install it at home, there are three options to choose from, including the following:

  • Wired security camera. It uses cables to connect to the Internet and a power source.

Check this article for the 5 types of cctv cables that you can use.

  • The wireless security camera. It uses a cable to connect to the power source; however, it connects to WiFi to provide internet connectivity.
  • Wire-free security camera. It connects to WiFi to allow an internet connection and uses a battery as an energy source.

All three options have advantages and disadvantages. Understanding them better can help you decide the most suitable choice for you.

Wired security cameras

Pros

  • Consistent quality of the video. There is more uniformity in the video quality because it is wired. This ensures that you can be able to see the images.
  • Securer. The Internet is connected through cable, which makes it more secure than WiFi. WiFi is more susceptible to hackers since they will locate it while looking for WiFi connections.
  • More secure. Wired Internet is more reliable than WiFi. The signal may get weaker when using the latter.
  • There is no monthly charge. Some wireless CCTV systems have a monthly cost; however, this is not the case with cabled cameras for security.

Check this article on how to set up a home wireless camera without dvr or nvr.

Cons

  • Not compatible in conjunction with different home security devices. It may not be compatible with other intelligent security systems within your home.
  • Mobile apps have limited features. Applications. While they may be mobile-friendly, their capabilities may be restricted.
  • Installation by a professional. You may need to employ a professional to complete the facility.
  • Requires specific hardware. They may not be compatible with other equipment, such as regular computer monitors. 

Wire-free and wireless security cameras

Pros

  • Simple installation. It’s easy to install as it doesn’t require cables apart from the line connected to the power source in case it’s wireless. It’s not necessary to employ an expert for this.
  • A regular computer monitor is used. You are not obliged to buy a specific screen specifically for CCTV. Because it works with WiFi any standard computer will do the trick. If you’re searching for an LCD screen, click here for an article on curved screens instead of flat. This article will provide more information about these choices and show the most suitable option for you.
  • Cloud storage lets access to footage from any location. You can check the videos stored in the cloud from anywhere provided you’re linked to the Internet.
  • It is simple to operate. It’s also user-friendly and you won’t be able to figure it out even if you’re not tech knowledgeable.

Cons

  • Greater security risk. It connects to WiFi, which poses a greater security risk since hackers could get into it.
  • Monthly cost per month for cloud storage. It doesn’t come with no charge, so it’s an additional cost.
  • Batteries should be replaced when you are using wire-free. If using wire-free it is powered by the storm, you’ll need to change them eventually.
  • Inconsistent quality of video. Your internet connection rate will influence the quality of the video.

Wireless, wired and wire-free security cameras have advantages and disadvantages. Consider your options carefully to decide the most suitable choice for your needs.

Latest Surveillance System Trends

The world of home security cameras has transformed rapidly over the last 10 years. The speedy internet connection at home, the smaller camera sensors and the cost-effective WiFi chips have enabled these cameras to achieve mass market popularity quickly. 

Before being bought through Amazon, Ring was one of the first players to enter and around the security doorbell and floodlight camera marketplaces. Some of these budget cameras let you save footage locally on microSD cards, eliminating the necessity for cloud-based video storage services that have become an excellent source of revenue for manufacturers. But , the manufacturers have also found a method to lure customers into the recurring subscriptions they offer Artificial Intelligence.

Some camera makers are now incorporating artificial intelligence and object recognition subscriptions. This allows their cameras to recognize individuals, animals, cars faces, packages, and vehicles. They generally function by analyzing the video footage cameras upload to their servers, and transmitting the results back to you in real time as alerts for smartphones. (Some cameras can run these programs locally on your phone, such as new Google Nest cameras, but they’re not part of the standard.) They also benefit from reducing alerts and recording of animals, trees, and many more.

Some businesses are creating customized artificial intelligence capabilities to teach your cameras to detect specific changes, for example, whether the car is parked at the end of the driveway. Additionally, some camera makers are adopting starlight sensors, which can “see” color in extremely low-light situations, allowing night vision in color without flood lights or spotlights. 

How Home Security Cameras Are Tested?

Extensive testing method builds on the experienced for testing televisions, cameras, and other connected devices. We concentrate our testing on the speed at which the camera can send alerts to your phone whenever motion is detected — and for video doorbells, if you can see who has pressed the bell, as well as the quality of its video, intelligent features such as data privacy, data security. These elements can alter your experience with wireless security cameras and video doorbells.

One thing to note: Given the new floodlight cameras that are coming on the market, we haven’t yet tested them in our laboratory tests. Look up our guide to the top floodlight cameras for security for hands-on assessments of these latest cameras outside of our labs.

To test the response time, measure the time it takes the camera to sense any movement in its area of view and then send out alerts to the smartphone app. For doorbells with video, we also measure the time it takes for an action to trigger a warning on the smartphone and a live-streamed video feed. This is crucial if you have someone waiting to enter your home.

To test the quality of the video, a test room was set up with various resolution charts, everyday objects, and human mannequins to act as stand-ins and assess the clarity of the video from cameras under good lighting or low light. 

The engineers designed this test to highlight weaknesses within the cameras, either within their lens, sensor or software. We also apply diverse levels of light for every lighting scenario. These tests all test the ability of the viewer to discern people or other objects within the frame, like potential intrusions. The test’s will be displayed in a specific video quality score for each camera and doorbell in our rating.

When it comes to intelligent capabilities, we look at the powers of a variety according to the type of security camera for your home. They could include monitoring zones such as facial recognition, person detection and the ability to control your voice (with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri and Apple HomeKit) and smartphone alerts. Dual-way sound, timers and geofencing (which switches alerts off and on depending on the fact that the device detects that your phone and you likely are nearby). These functions are incorporated into a Smart IQ rating for smart devices, allowing you to determine which cameras are more intelligent than their counterparts.

How to Choose a Home Security Camera

  1. Choose Your Camera Type

The kind of camera you need depends on where you want it to be placed. If you’re looking to install one in the house, then there are plenty of cameras for home security that are available. If you’re interested in an outside camera, you’ll have to choose whether you’d like the wireless security camera or video doorbell. 

To monitor an entrance or exterior doorway, think about installing a video doorbell since your doorbell wiring can power it. If you’re looking to keep an eye on another part of your home, it is best to use a wireless secure camera. If you’re looking to watch an area that already has a wired floodlight you might want to replace it with a floodlight security camera. Although most video doorbells are built to withstand weather conditions, not all security cameras are weatherproof. Check the specs of the camera when you’re thinking of putting it outdoors.

  1. Pick Your Power Source

Security cameras powered by batteries, including video doorbells and floodlight cameras (yes, there are many alternatives) are the most flexible regarding placement within the vicinity of your house. Based on the camera you choose and how often it’s used, you’ll be required to recharge it from every week to every couple of months to every once or twice per year. 

Doorbells and wired cameras bypass the problem of recharging, but they may limit your location choices in the event you don’t use an extension cord, or employ an electrician.

Be aware that the power source you choose can restrict the types of doorbells you can pick from. This is particularly true for video doorbells since there are not many models powered by batteries available.

  1. Compare Cloud Storage Plans

Before you choose the doorbell or camera you’d like, determine how much cloud storage it is free with and what storage you will need to pay. Most manufacturers use cloud storage — where the footage is stored remotely on a server instead of memory cards since the videos are big and they can earn profits from subscriptions. With no cloud storage (or local storage) if you don’t receive an alert to a possible burglar, you’ll be left with no idea who tried to get into your home. Some cameras will not let you download videos to report to authorities unless you’re willing to pay.

The amount of free online storage and the cost of storage plans will vary significantly from one model or manufacturer. 

  1. Consider Your Privacy

While these cameras can provide security, remember that they can offer a view of your home and connect via the web. If you can view your home via your smartphone, an outsider can have a look at the same view. The company may also possess access to your footage.

“There are some cases of companies deploying these with weak security that can be circumvented,” says Justin Brookman, director of technology and privacy security at Consumer Reports.

“Don’t use default credentials. Set up your own username and password that is difficult to guess.” Check out our article on making strong passwords to ensure your passwords are as secure as possible.

Many cameras offer two-factor authentication. It’s an additional security feature that gives users a passcode for one-time use through text messages, phone calls, emails, or authentication applications. You enter the passcode with the username and password every time you sign in. In this way, if someone hacks into the password you have entered, they will not be allowed access to your camera until they have access to your unique password. If your camera comes with this option, make sure you enable it. More information is in our guide on stopping cameras that are secured from being hacked.

The security issues don’t suggest that you should not buy an indoor security camera; however, If your privacy concerns are something you’re concerned about, you might want to keep these cameras away from bedrooms.

Contact CCTVSG for your surveillance systems need

CCTVSG offers a wide range of top-quality CCTV products from Hikvision, Dahua and Uniview and security surveillance cameras that cater to your specific needs and requirements. We have years of experience in the security industry, and our team of experts is happy to help you select the perfect surveillance system for your home or business. 

Contact us today!


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You may contact or visit us to let us know your requirements and your site condition, and then we will provide you the professional consultation on CCTV camera system. You can also request an obligation free site survey, our installer will visit your place and discuss with you on site.

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HikVision and Dahua, which are currently No. 1 and 2 surveillance system providers in the world, which are supplied and installed by us for many years. We supply, install and configure the latest IP Cameras, DVR, XVR, NVR, etc.

We always strive our best effort to provide our customers best products, latest technologies, best service and best user experience.


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