What You Need to Know About Security Cameras
Security Cameras help keep your home safe and are becoming more popular for homes, businesses, and public areas. This category includes professionally installed systems like ADT and Vivint and standalone DIY cameras, sensors, and locks from brands like Wyze and Arlo.
Wired cameras connect to on-site storage devices such as digital video recorders (DVR) or networked video recorders (NVR). They also use Ethernet cable connections and can run even during an internet or power outage. To learn more, visit https://visiondetectionsystems.com/.
Resolution is one of the first things a prospective buyer needs to understand when considering an IP security camera. Resolution refers to the number of pixels that comprise an image and is commonly measured in megapixels (MP). The higher the resolution, the more detail will be visible in your video footage.
A common misconception is that the term “resolution” means the same thing as the term “pixels”. This could not be more incorrect! Pixels are the building blocks of an image, but resolution refers to how many of those pixel are used for an image’s display.
When selecting a security camera, it’s important to determine the resolution level that is required for your unique monitoring needs. This includes the size of the area you’re trying to monitor, lighting conditions, and any environmental changes that may occur. It’s also important to consider the camera’s frame rate and storage space requirements.
The higher the resolution, the more detail you will be able to observe, but remember that more resolution can also mean larger file sizes which can require more bandwidth and storage space on your device. It’s important to weigh these considerations against your budget and overall monitoring goals.
For example, identifying an intruder or reading a license plate requires a higher resolution than just observing someone’s body language. Additionally, if you’re using the cameras for outdoor surveillance, it’s best to go with a higher resolution to account for any weather changes or shadows that might appear in your footage.
The other important factor when determining resolution is the camera’s focal length and sensor size. Focal length is the distance between the lens and the image sensor and plays a key role in your camera’s field of view and zoom capabilities. A shorter focal length will provide a wide-angle view and is great for large areas of coverage, while a longer focal length provides narrower views and enhances zoom capabilities for detailed monitoring. Additionally, the camera’s sensor size is important because it dictates how much light will be captured by the image sensor. A larger sensor size can offer better performance in low-light situations.
Motion Detection
There are 2.5 million burglaries every year in the United States, and motion detection is one of the best ways to prevent them. It works by sensing the presence of people or animals on a property and triggering a series of automated responses. These can range from turning on a security camera to activating lights or even sending an alert to the police. It’s a great way to protect your home, business or even pets.
The first thing you need to consider when selecting a security camera is what type of motion detection it has. There are two basic types: software-based or passive infrared. Software-based motion sensors are triggered by changes in the image or video data itself, while PIR uses an infrared sensor to detect body heat and movement. You’ll want to choose a solution that meets your specific needs and budget.
Aside from recording video footage, a security camera with motion detection can also trigger lighting or other automatic actions. This feature can be especially useful if you live in an area with high crime rates or if you have children. It can also deter criminals, as they will be less likely to attempt a crime in an area that’s clearly monitored by cameras.
Most security cameras that include a motion sensor are smart devices, which means they can connect to your home automation systems. This enables them to send real-time notifications to your smartphone whenever they detect any movement. You can then view the footage on your smartphone or other connected devices and immediately take action. For example, if the sensor detects a trespasser on your porch, you can activate the garage door opener or turn on the lights.
Some smart security cameras can also distinguish between pets, humans and cars to cut down on false alarms. They can also send the footage directly to your local network instead of going through a central server, which is more efficient. Some are even starting to include cognition at the device level, meaning they can tell you what they have detected without relying on a centralized system.
Cloud Storage
Security camera systems with cloud storage rely on a provider’s data centers to store and process footage. This removes the risk of losing data from on-site devices in the event of disaster (fire, floods, or vandalism) and makes it easy to access footage for investigation and monitoring purposes from anywhere. Choosing a reliable and secure provider will ensure that your video surveillance data is protected with server-side encryption, two-factor authentication, and SOC 2 Type 2 certification.
The amount of storage capacity needed depends on the number of cameras, recording quality, and video format. Using motion-detection or scheduling to only record when there is activity can minimize the size of the footage saved on local drives and help maximize storage life. The number of times the footage is viewed can also affect the storage requirements, with more frequent viewings requiring more storage space than fewer views.
Before uploading to the cloud, video footage is often compressed to reduce file size and allow for faster uploads over the internet. The data is also encrypted, helping to avoid data theft during transmission. It is important to choose a provider with strong data centers and advanced physical and cyber security measures.
Another factor to consider is bandwidth requirements, especially for large enterprises with many cameras. High-resolution IP cameras can generate large files that require substantial bandwidth to stream or download. An overtaxed network can cause lags and interruptions in service, which could be a problem for mission-critical security operations.
Some cameras have no internal storage and rely on an NVR or DVR to store footage. They use either video cables or Wi-Fi to connect to the NVR, which then processes and stores the footage on a hard drive. Other cameras have an onboard storage device that can hold a certain number of hours worth of footage, though this is limited by the camera’s specifications and features.
Integrating a camera with cloud storage requires connecting the camera to an account on the provider’s website and configuring the settings for how it should save footage. This typically involves entering the camera’s settings menu through a web interface or mobile app and configuring which types of footage to upload, recording quality, and storage preferences.
Wireless Options
Whether you’re shopping for home or business security cameras, you have the option of choosing a wired or wireless system. Wired systems tend to be more stable and reliable than wireless options, but each has its own advantages.
Wired systems rely on hardwired cables to transmit video and audio signals between the camera, network receiver or monitor, and power source. This method of signal transmission requires more wiring considerations and a longer installation process, but it offers the benefit of a consistent and reliable connection. This is especially important if your property is large or you’re worried about signal interference from nearby devices that may disrupt the transmission of your data stream.
On the other hand, wireless cameras communicate using a WiFi connection rather than wires to transfer data between devices. Compared to wired models, this setup can provide a greater range of coverage because the camera is not restricted by the length of cable attached to its power source or network router. Many of these devices also use radio frequencies to transmit data, which can travel over much longer distances than traditional wired signals.
If you opt for a wireless camera with cloud storage, this feature gives you the freedom to access your footage from anywhere. This is particularly useful for businesses because you can check to see if any suspicious activity occurs on-site without having to visit the location in person.
When it comes to monitoring your security cameras, you can choose between continuous or motion-activated recording modes. Continuous recording captures footage 24/7, while motion-activated recording saves on storage by only capturing footage when movement is detected. You can also set a camera to record continuously, even when the power is off, for added peace of mind.
Some wireless security cameras also offer built-in alarms and two-way communication for more peace of mind. These features make them ideal for renters and landlords, who typically aren’t allowed to rip holes in walls to install a wired camera or change the location of an existing one. The downside of these wireless models is that they require more maintenance, as you’ll have to replace batteries or charge them regularly unless you choose a solar-powered option.