Shopping for a Home Security Camera

Crime and prevention are common topics of discussion for most home owners. One of the proactive ways to prevent crime is by installing a security camera. Many people get overwhelmed by security cameras and feel that it is something only for the smart people; in fact, today’s security cameras are so simple to use and maintain that they are ideal for almost anyone. Security cameras have a lot of other benefits besides just monitoring your home, they can monitor your child while he/she is playing in the garden or even watch the baby sitter or the live-in maid to ensure that the child is not being harmed.


There are so many home security cameras on the market that the average consumer is bound to get confused. Almost every website or catalog claims that their cameras are the best. While most home security cameras are effective, you should do your homework to get the best camera for your purpose.


Know beforehand why you want the home security camera. Do you want it for the outdoors or indoors and what is your budget limitation? Indoor cameras are generally more for spying, surveillance and monitoring, whereas the outdoors are more geared for home security. But there is not hard and fast rule – you can use either camera anywhere you want.


Security cameras for surveillance are often known as CCTV or closed circuit television.
Once you have decided on your budget, you need to know the distance that you want monitored. Most home security cameras can survey up to 50 feet and thus, if you want long or variable distance monitoring, ask if the camera has interchangeable lenses. Check to ensure that the camera comes with a kit to install; most installations are very simple and only rarely is a professional required.


If the camera is going to be for the outdoors, ensure that it has a protection from sun, rain or snow. You do not want bird poop to fall on it on a regular basis. Check the lux of the camera. Lower lux numbers mean that it can still work with low levels of light. Plus, if your facilities do not have bright lights, you may want to stick to a black and white camera. And finally make sure that the image captured is clear and acceptable to you. If the resolution is poor, the camera may not be worth it, especially if you are trying to catch details.


The next step you have to decide is if you want a wireless camera. The wireless home security cameras have one great advantage. They do not need any wiring and because they do not have this limitation, they can be placed anywhere - both indoors and outdoors. These wireless cameras are so small that they can be placed anywhere in the home. However, wireless cameras are easily influenced by electronic signals. Wired cameras are usually more stable and not easily affected by nearby electronic transmission.


If you want a camera for night time surveillance then you need to have a camera with infrared capabilities. A home security camera is a long term investment, so take your time when buying one. The market is such that the ball is in your hands- so ask for discounts.

Security Camera Video Surveillance Not Just For Banks

Security camera video surveillance is not just for the banks and jewelry stores any longer. You can have one installed in your home if you wanted to check on a nanny or if you own valuables and feel they might be in danger of being stolen. Many people install security camera video surveillance cameras for personal protection against home invasions or robberies. These security camera video surveillance recorders make people feel safe in their own homes and that is worth the price. They can be a little pricey, but safety is always the number one priority and you can not put a price tag on safety.


One can purchase security camera video surveillance over the Internet; however, you will then have to find a certified installer to install all the equipment. It’s best to find someone locally who can sell you the equipment and install everything at the same time. Some companies will offer to watch the surveillance tapes for you through a streaming live feed if you don’t want it hooked up in your house for viewing purposes. They will monitor the activities in and around your house to make sure you are safe and if anything is wrong, they will notify the authorities immediately.


Security camera video surveillance can be and should be placed around a pool area to make sure no one breaks-in to swim because you are then responsible if someone drowns, even if they broke in. and if you have small children, it’s best to keep a security camera video surveillance aimed at the pool for safety reasons. Security camera video surveillance can protect both your family and your valuables against break-ins and damages.


If there is a fire while you are away, a security camera video surveillance will show this and alert the authorities as to what is happening quickly so you will save your property faster and perhaps save lives if people are sleeping.


Many people install the security camera video surveillance to catch people who work in their home such as nannies who watch their children. They don’t want the nanny abusing their child, or a house cleaner or construction worker stealing from them. They will either watch the tape as it is happening or view the video later and then confront the person regarding the incident and then fire that person for their misdeeds. Allowing the person working in your home to know that the security camera video surveillance is there will help to keep them honest.

Post-9-11-Security

Have you noticed people talking about 9-11 recently? How about home security? If your answer is yes, you shouldn’t be surprised. September 11th changed our world more than anyone could have expected. And now security culture is all the rage.

You might say, "Well, it’s not that different really!"

Now see, that’s what I thought too -- that was until I talked to my friend -- a mother of two whose parents run a security company in a major North American city. The fact is, specifically since 9-11 people are becoming more and more concerned about personal and commercial security. More security guards are being trained and posted. And even the average Joe is buying more security cameras for their homes. It’s made my friend’s life that much more comfortable, knowing that she has an "in" in the home safety business. It’s something that I might look into too.

That is why a new product caught my eye recently. It’s what they call a "smart" security camera. You know the company’s on the right page to make an intelligent product when they call themselves "VideoIQ". The actual camera is called VideoIQ iCVR -- and it’s designed to actually notice when something suspicious is going on. So, no more watching BORING playback. It also can store months of footage locally. Talk about putting technology to work for you: novel computer vision and machine-learning algorithms make for easy sleeping at night. Buying wholesale, the product will run you $1,289. If this is the sort of thing you are interested in finding more about too, you can head over to www.videoiq.net/products for details.

It doesn’t matter if you’re single mother eating sesame sticks while shopping for clothing at the mall department store, stroller in tow and looking for a way to make sure your child has a SAFE and HOPEFUL future, or a single elderly man in a button-up shirt reading the comics while sitting on the same park bench you go to every day for the pleasure of it, and trying to figure out how to maintain the peaceful and secure lifestyle you value so much -- security cameras are really starting to become more of an issue with everyone since all these things were highlighted by 9-11.

I’m always excited to hear and learn more about what we can do about it.