Choosing a Home CCTV Security System

In unsettled financial times, crimes like burglary tend to rise and the last few years are no exception. Locking your doors and windows can only help so much. A CCTV security system is a proactive way to protect yourself, your business and your family both inside and out. A home security system with a surveillance camera can allow you to keep an eye on your property and record what happens there in your absence.

Choosing the right CCTV camera requires a few considerations. A security camera offers various capabilities, and deciding which of them are important to you will help you decide which surveillance camera is the best purchase for your system.

Wired or Wireless?

A wired security camera and system is more stable and delivers better, more reliable images. On the other hand, wired CCTV systems are more difficult to install and limit your range considerably more than a wireless security camera system. Wired security cameras are more difficult to hide, and more difficult to move if you decide to reconfigure your security setup later.

A wireless security camera, on the other hand, is easier to set up and can be relocated with relative ease. Wireless surveillance cameras are often less expensive than wired ones, and can broadcast to a device as much as 500 feet away. On the downside, a wireless security camera is less secure and less stable, and doesn’t provide the same high quality you’ll get from a wired security setup. A wireless security camera setup will also still need some power source, either via an electrical outlet or with an included battery. If your CCTV camera uses batteries, you’ll need to place it somewhere easily accessible so that you can replace them as needed.

Do You Need Low Light Capability?

Most security systems today can record in fairly low light conditions, but you can purchase a security camera with night vision capabilities that allow you to view and record in total darkness. Judge the night vision capabilities of the camera by comparing the LUX value on the surveillance camera. The lower the LUX rating is, the higher the amount you can view. Thus, a LUX of .5 will get your better night vision capabilities than a CCTV camera with a LUX rating of 1.

Always On or Motion Sensing?

It’s most common today to use CCTV cameras that only begin recording when a motion triggers the recording. A motion-activated security camera saves space on your hard drive or tape and makes it easier for you to survey recorded CCTV tapes later. On the other hand, constant surveillance may be an important option for security cameras that are used for legal purposes or to record time lapse changes.

Finally, consider your options for playback and viewing. Many of today’s CCTV system allow you to view the security camera playback from remote devices, including your smart phone and any computer with an Internet connection.

When choosing a CCTV security system, be sure to take your needs into account and choose a security camera setup that works best for you.