How to Choose the Best CCTV Camera Kit For Home
From porch pirates stealing home deliveries to feeling safe in an increasingly weird world, more and more homeowners are installing security cameras. But how do you choose the best cctv camera kit for your home?
You probably won’t need a system with 16 different channels, but the resolution should be decent.
Video Resolution
The resolution of a camera determines how crisp and clear the video will be. This can be a big factor when choosing a security system for home as you want to make sure the video quality is high enough to read license plates and intruders’ faces, among other details.
There are a variety of CCTV camera resolutions on the market, and deciding which is best for you will depend on what you’re using your system for and what your budget is. For example, if you’re looking for a surveillance system that can record in 4K, the highest resolution you’ll find is 8MP (2160p). However, these cameras are usually priced more than their counterparts with lower resolutions.
Legacy analog CCTV systems record at a maximum resolution of 704 x 480 pixels (NTSC for the United States and 720 x 576 pixels for Europe). This is known as D1 resolution. CCTV Cameras Pros offers both PC based and stand alone DVR recorders that can record at a full 30 frames per second at this resolution.
Other common CCTV camera resolutions include 2MP (1080p), 4MP (1440p) and 5MP (2020p). The higher the megapixel count, the better the resolution. However, it’s important to note that a camera’s resolution can be affected by its lens and focal length. A camera with a larger lens may have a wider field of view but can lose resolution when zooming in on details such as license plate numbers or an intruder’s face.
Field of View
The field of view (FOV) is how wide an area a camera can see. This can make a big difference in whether it’s suitable for your needs or not. You want a camera with a large FOV, so that it can cover more of your home or business without blind spots.
When shopping for a CCTV poe security camera system system, check the FOV of each camera you’re considering. Look for a wide-angle lens that can show you left and right, as well as straight ahead. This will ensure that you’re not missing anything going on in your home or business.
Some cameras feature a super-wide angle lens, which covers a viewing angle of up to 180 degrees. These lenses create a fisheye effect, which can be good or bad, depending on how they’re used. One use is as a virtual peephole for your front door, where it can help you spot intruders but can also distort their faces.
Other cameras feature a more traditional FOV but have the ability to zoom in and out to focus on specific areas. This can be particularly useful for baby monitors and nanny cams, where you may want to watch a small area of your home or workplace from a far distance. Other features that can be found on some CCTV systems include night vision, which can be via infrared or color from a floodlight, and pan/tilt/zoom capabilities.
Motion Detection
As security becomes more advanced, technology like motion detection is gaining in popularity. This feature scans video footage pixel by pixel and sends notifications when it recognizes movement. The more sophisticated models can even detect specific objects or patterns that might signal a criminal act.
This technology is based on passive infrared (PIR) motion sensors, which read heat signatures. They’re triggered only by living bodies, and they can tell the difference between a tree swaying in the wind or someone walking past them. This reduces the risk of false alarms and saves battery power.
Many cameras come with a built-in speaker and microphone for two-way communication, which is a great way to speak with anyone who’s in the camera’s view. It’s also possible to get a device that integrates with voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can command the device using your voice.
If you’re worried about property crime, consider a smart motion detector that’s connected to a home security panel. When it senses a threat, it will cctv camera kit for home notify you and your monitoring service so they can respond immediately. This type of system is more efficient than one that constantly records 24 hours of footage, and it saves space on a hard drive. It’s a simple feature that’s incredibly valuable in keeping your home secure.
Remote Access
For peace of mind, set up a CCTV camera kit for your home and monitor it remotely. Swann offers one-, four- and 16-camera systems to keep your family, business and property safe. Some systems feature DVR recording, night vision and motion sensors while others have 2-way audio. These systems are ideal for homes and offices as well as schools and retail stores. They’re also easy to install and affordable, making them ideal for do-it-yourselfers.
Look for cameras that can be accessed via your smartphone, tablet or computer. Depending on the model, they might offer local video storage on a micro-SD card, cloud video storage or integration with smart home ecosystems like Alexa and Google Assistant. Most cameras support two-step login authentication and WPA2 compatibility with your home WiFi network to prevent hackers from accessing your footage without your consent. Some brands also offer end-to-end encryption to protect your privacy.
If you want to improve your camera’s online security, make sure to use a strong password, turn on two-step login authentication and enable the latest firmware update. You should also consider using a VPN service like NordVPN to create a secure connection between your home router and your camera. This will prevent threat actors from identifying your camera and exploiting its vulnerabilities. If the camera is visible outside your home, you can also use it to deter crime by making your house appear a more difficult target for intruders.