Cameras are now a familiar sight to most of us today. Security cameras are fixed in businesses as well as homes to discourage any act of theft and also in the process record events in case of a theft. This brings us to the following question; do security cameras also capture sound? The answer is not a straightforward yes or no, as several aspects define the ability of a security camera to capture audio as well as video.

Laws and Regulations Governing Taping

The first area of concern is the legal provisions in your state concerning taping and or recording of voice in a private setting. This is especially true in the states that have specifically provided for the regulation of audio recordings, where all parties must consent to the taping. This means that the person who would be recording the conversation and any other people whose voices would be captured during the recording must consent to it. The other states only allow one-party consent, which means that the person who is using the camera can record audio without informing others. Some states have no laws that can directly regulate the process of consent when it comes to audio recording.

Thus, ensure that you consult the local and state laws before installing security cameras that can capture audio before facing the law. As much as you may own or manage this particular property, tapping people without their legal consent may amount to wiretapping or eavesdropping. There are legal consequences that you could be charged or sued and end up being penalized.

Audio Recording Functionality of Security Cameras

Depending on the model of the cameras used in the Best Security Cameras, the cameras may have integrated microphones to record audio. Some of the cheapest home security cameras only record videos. However, there are specialized home and business cameras that are fitted with microphones to enable the recording of audio in addition to the video.

Some of these camera systems can even record audio in addition to video and transmit real-time feeds to monitoring services and mobile applications. Thus, the authenticated user could not only observe but also listen to real-time events in the observable camera view. The camera would also continuously capture the combined video and audio signal.

Therefore, if capturing sound simultaneously with video or hearing the activity at the property is critical for your security camera system, select the models that are equipped with audio recording options. Just ensure that you are meeting the consent recording laws of your jurisdiction before proceeding.

Employing the Recorded Audio Footage as Evidence

Similar to how recorded videos can be useful in case of a security event, the same applies to the recorded audio. In some circumstances, the audio would include a conversation between the perpetrators or a statement that the perpetrator makes. This could assist police in their work and investigations or help in court cases as supportive evidence.

Nevertheless, consent laws have to be complied with when it comes to recording audio for such a shred of evidence to be used in court. Even if it contains important material, recordings made covertly without the consent of the other parties involved cannot be admissible as evidence. Whenever there is an instance where an audio recording happened then the proceedings should be checked by a lawyer before constructing a case in court.

Therefore, for business owners and property managers, find out what laws apply to your jurisdiction first if you intend to record sounds for legal purposes. Again, homeowners should ensure that they consult their state and local laws before relying on home surveillance audio as the backup for police reports and insurance claims when a break-in or any other mishap happens. Caution should be observed at any time audio is involved.

Pros and Cons of Audio Recording

In addition to checking whether it is allowed to record sound under your particular conditions, you should also fundamentally determine whether you need to record sound with your security system. Here are some pros and cons to weigh when deciding if your cameras should record just video or audio too: Here are some pros and cons to weigh when deciding if your cameras should record just video or audio too:

Pros

  • Can give more details and substantiation if an event takes place
  • Enables surveillance of voice conversations and any other sounds that may suggest unlawful, hostile, or perilous activities.

Cons

  • Issues of consent and law arise in states where only one party must consent.
  • Creates bigger files that require the use of more data storage space
  • May be regarded as too obtrusive and unnecessary by the staff or visitors in case they do not notice them and they are easily seen

This way, you decide which set of factors is most important for your unique security needs and proclivities. Just make sure you are aware of all the capabilities of your system’s audio recording before deployment. If you only need video, disable the microphone where possible on the cameras.

Security Camera System Selection for Your Site and Situation

When choosing the security camera and placing the security camera, it is important to take into account what features and functions are really necessary. Make sure to clarify beforehand whether you require or desire audio recording capabilities at all. If it will not be convenient for your situation because of consent laws, data storage, or personal preferences, select camera models with no built-in microphones.

Because recording consent laws differ significantly across the country. Therefore, if there is a doubt, seek the help of a legal expert to clarify legal provisions and case laws in your jurisdiction before recording sound. The relative advantages and disadvantages can also help you determine whether RVC/A or RVS is more consistent with individual property lawful security requirements.

Protect your home today with ADT’s top-rated security solutions!

Call now at +1 877-470-7879 to get a free consultation and find out how you can secure your home with the best in the business. Don’t wait—ensure your peace of mind with ADT!