Having a home video surveillance system is among the effective methods of preventing crime and safeguarding your home. However, with all these products available in the market, it can be quite challenging to find the right system. In this article, the reader will be able to understand the important aspects of choosing a home security camera system for video surveillance and monitoring.

Evaluate Your Home Security System Requirements First of all, one must consider what kind of security he or she needs for their particular home. Key questions to ask yourself include: 

  • Do you require both outdoor and indoor surveillance cameras? Decide the amount of the property that you wish to be monitored. Outdoor cameras look at the driveway, backyard, or other home exterior entries while indoor cameras can watch entryways or a particular room.
  • There are two types of surveillance cameras: basic and advanced. Basic systems are triggered by motion to record videos. Some of them notify you through your phone when there is motion, allow you to talk back through the camera, store videos in the cloud, and work with other smart home devices.
  • How will you manage the cameras; will you be the one to monitor or hire a professional to do the monitoring for you? DIY video surveillance allows you to view feeds at your discretion through apps. Professional monitoring entails a company that closely monitors your cameras daily and alerts you as well as the authorities in case of any event.

It is also important to note down some of the key features that you should consider when shopping for financial software. Once you determine your needs, key features to seek out include: 

High-Quality Video Resolution It is recommended to aim for a resolution of at least 1080p or higher, which is HD. This results in video footage being clear as seen in the figures above.

Night Vision Capability Cameras that offer night vision enable you to monitor activities even when there is complete darkness.

Wide Field of View Generally, a camera with a motorized pan/tilt, 140 degrees or higher FOV covers more of the goings-on at and near your premises.

Weather Resistance Outdoor cameras must be able to resist high temperatures, low temperatures, humidity, rain, and snow. Look for devices that are rated as weatherproof or water-resistant, ideally at least IP65 or even IP66.

Smart Home Connectivity If you would like to connect your cam with other smart devices, make sure that it is compatible with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Samsung SmartThings, or EFT.

Secure Data Encryption Techniques such as AES 256-bit ensure that your video streams and storage are only accessible by those who are supposed to.

Easy Remote Access It should be possible to watch live streams and recordings from your smartphone, tablet, or PC anywhere you are.

The Best Home Security Camera Companies With an understanding of key features, these top-rated brands offer reliable, technologically advanced home surveillance systems: 

The Ring is primarily famous for video doorbells, but they also create fantastic DIY outdoor/indoor security camera systems with two-way talk, smart alerts, high HD resolution, and easy access with an application.

Arlo Arlo creates weatherproof wireless cameras that can be placed anywhere there is no need for any wiring. Their systems offer free cloud storage, automatic recording of videos, night vision, and connection to other smart home devices.

SimpliSafe In addition to whole-home protection, SimpliSafe proposes acclaimed wired and wireless home security camera systems with professional monitoring, integration with other smart home systems, fast notifications, and high-quality HD video.

Logitech Circle 2 This camera can be used wired or wirelessly, in home and office environments, as well as in open environments. The standout features of Logitech Circle 2 are its 180-degree viewing capabilities, versatile night vision, integrated two-way audio, a well-designed app, and support for time-lapse capture, speed-lapse videos, and multiple backup options.

Nest Cam Part of the Google family, Nest Cam offers indoor/outdoor weather-resistant cameras with smart notifications, high-definition 1080p video streaming through apps, clear talk through the camera, and compatibility with other Nest smart home devices.

Some General Considerations When Buying Security Camera System Keep the following important factors in mind when selecting home video surveillance: 

  1. Video quality – go for 1080p HD or higher
  2. Night vision – Obviously, this is one of the most important features to see the activity at night.
  3. More information – A wide field of view of not less than 140 degrees captures more information from the scene.
  4. Water resistance - The outdoor camera has an IP65 or IP66 protection rating.
  5. Smart home compatibility – Select a brand that is compatible with smart home systems that are familiar to you
  6. Video Security and Privacy: Data encryption – AES 256-bit or similar
  7. Remote access – view footage anytime utilizing apps on a smartphone, tablet, or laptop.

Installing Your Security System Properly After purchase, installation of the video surveillance system is critical so that you can get the best out of the product. Best practices when setting up cameras include: 

  • Install the cameras in areas that require surveillance to have night vision and motion sensors.
  • Install the cameras at a height of 6 to 15 feet with a tilt of 10 degrees downwards to have the best view.
  • Make sure that remote access functions properly through applications and that cameras switch on as per the motion sensor configurations.
  • Define the recording schedule and general features as well as specialized options like through alerts for security.
  • Generally, the two-way audio should be tested on all the cameras that are equipped with this feature.
  • Install signs that suggest that the area under surveillance is being monitored via video surveillance.

By following this home video surveillance buyer’s guide, you will be able to get the right system for your home. Ensure that you select cameras that will meet your security needs, go for the best brand, and make sure that you install the cameras properly for security purposes.

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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!