What to Look for When Buying Home Security Cameras
Keep Your Family Safe with the Latest Home Surveillance Technology
When it comes to smart technology, security is always top of mind. A study by NDP Group Connected Intelligence found that 61 percent of home automation revenue came from network-connected home security cameras. If you’re looking to take your first steps into the smart home world, security cameras are a great start. But with hundreds of products on the market, you need to make sure that you’re buying the right ones for your New York home. In this blog, we highlight some of the features you should consider when investing in new cameras.
SEE MORE: 3 Benefits of Using a Smart Home Surveillance System
IP vs. Analog
The first step is upgrading from analog to IP cameras. While analog cameras send their footage directly to a Digital Video Recorder, IP cameras send it to a Digital Network Recorder. Network-connected cameras let you manage your surveillance remotely and make it easier to integrate your technology with other products. For example, you could connect your camera with a smart doorbell, so it begins recording as soon as someone rings.
High-Definition Resolution
When many people think of home surveillance, they imagine the grainy CCTV images they’ve seen in movies or TV shows. Due to the latest advancements in technology, now almost all smart security cameras offer high-definition video resolution. Look for cameras that have 1080p resolution or higher.
Wide Field of View
Depending on how you want to use your home security cameras, you need to pay attention to your field of view. If you’re going to be placing your camera right on your front door, a field of view of 80-100 degrees will do. For most indoor applications, you should be searching for cameras that offer 180-degree view for maximum coverage.
Remote Management
One of the benefits of going with an IP camera is that you often get remote access from a mobile app. Research your cameras thoroughly to see to what extent you can control them. Some only let you look in on live surveillance footage. Others let you pan, tilt, and zoom remotely so you can get a better view of what’s going on in your home.
Notifications
Many cameras, whether standalone or as part of a smart security system, offer alerts in the form of push notifications, texts, calls or emails. You choose what you want to be notified about whether it’s your kids getting home or someone pulling up your driveway.
Cloud Storage
If you want to store your surveillance footage, there are a variety of options you can choose. Most security cameras only offer cloud storage—not local storage. Cloud storage usually comes with an additional subscription charge depending on the amount of data you want to store and for how long you want to save it. Find cameras that offer encryption with their storage, so no third parties will have access to this information.
With the technology behind surveillance cameras evolving daily, it’s hard to figure out which are the best fit. The experts at House Systems can help you find the cameras that make the most sense according to your needs and preferences and link them to a comprehensive security system for optimal results. To get started, fil out our online contact form or call us at 1-800-357-5124.
