Camera Tips for Home CCTV Systems

If you’re planning to join the growing number of people who protect their homes with CCTV systems, there are a number of things to consider before you lay wire or buy a single CCTV camera. These tips can help you choose the right CCTV system and security camera configuration for your home and your needs.

If your budget is limited, confine yourself to CCTV systems with 4 cameras or fewer. There’s usually a very big jump in price when you go from a 4-camera system to a 5-camera system. The main reason for this is because DVRs, used to record footage from your surveillance camera, come in 4-channel, 8-channel and 16-channel configurations. If you really think you need more than 4 cameras, experts suggest using a PC-based DVR system that can be scaled upward as you can afford to purchase and add more cameras.

Choose a security camera model that can cover more area. Wider angle lenses allow you to cover more ground, but you’ll generally have less detail. If you choose security cameras with adjustable lenses, you can adjust the focus as you add cameras and need to cover less ground with each CCTV camera.

Cover each entrance to your home with a camera to give you the best view of people approaching your home. Use outdoor cameras for the entrances so that those cameras can cover your grounds as well. Position the front door camera facing away from your house so that you can see the faces of people at your door.

At the backdoor, place the security camera about 10 feet away from the door so that you can watch part of the back yard while still being able to see enough detail of people at the door.

Cover your garage door and driveway with the same camera.

Always place cameras on the side of the door that opens so that the door doesn’t block the view of what’s happening.

Choose outdoor infrared cameras for your outdoor CCTV systems. That will allow you to view what’s happening in low light. Make sure that he camera has enough range to cover the entire area you’re covering.

If you have babysitters, a nanny, house sitters or other people who work in your home, you may want to add an interior camera to your CCTV system plans, but be aware of any laws concerning surveillance cameras in your community.

CCTV systems have come down enormously in price, but do expect to pay for quality. When your family’s safety is at stake, price should not be your sole determining factor.