When shopping for a cameras in a home security system, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the extent of options available and the confusing technical language. Just stroll into any store and you’ll notice a slew of different brands all claiming to sell the same camera. Every brand promises to offer high-resolution video with night vision features; with so much similarity, it can be difficult to sort through the competing products.
Here are the top 10 things you need to consider when choosing the best Home Security System for you!
1. Consumer-Grade vs Commercial-Grade Security Cameras
What you may not realise is that there are two categories of cameras available, Consumer-Grade cameras that you can find in everyday retailers, and there is also Commercial-Grade cameras which those everyday retailers use to protect their inventory. And theres a good reason why.
Consumer-grade cameras, which normally come with 8 or 16 cameras and a video recorder, generally retail for less than a thousand dollars; these are what you’ll find in stores. On the other hand, Commercial-grade cameras, start at around $400 per camera, which is much more expensive. Commercial-grade video recorders start from around $500 and go up to $5000 depending on the amount of storage, camera connection, and image processing functions. If you are looking for quality security, and are willing to pay extra for it, then this option is for you.
2. Image Quality is a necessity
Nothing makes sense if you can’t see what the cameras are showing you. Avoid low-cost cameras that create blurry, low-quality photographs. You must think qualitatively rather than quantitively in this case.
Commercial-grade camera systems are designed for situations in which failure isn’t an option meaning they have a higher performance than consumer-grade alternatives. Consumer-grade cameras are often designed to perform well in bright light, but when the illumination is dim (think sunset or darkness), their flawed quality becomes apparent. Commercial cameras outperform their less expensive counterparts because they contain larger internal video sensors and higher-quality components that can adjust to low light and capture quality footage.
But is there such thing as too much quality? In short, yes! Video surveillance camera systems come in both 1080p and 4K which is about four times the former in terms of the number of pixels used to make up the image. You would normally think that more pixel’s equal better quality – and you’d be right! But this also creates some issues including streaming and storage issues. With such high-quality images, come large file sizes which impact streaming speed and take up a lot of storage. In general, a 1080p camera system will provide enough quality to suit your needs.
3. Mixed-Lighting Conditions and Night Vision
When coping with harsh lighting situations or zero light situations, commercial-grade security cameras exhibit their supremacy. Commercial-grade cameras solve mixed-lighting condition issues with unique light-handling features.
HDR, which stands for “High Dynamic Range,” is a software and hardware solution used by these cameras. When thinking of an example of a dark room and a brightly lit doorway in the room, HDR takes an exposure of the room and an exposure of the entryway, then merges the two photographs to generate a properly exposed composite image of the two locations. The picture seems to be entirely normal to everyone since the entryway and room appear to be at the same light level. Commercial cameras now have HDR as a basic function. Unfortunately, by the time buyers learn their low-cost consumer camera lacks HDR, it’s generally too late because the cameras and recorders have already been installed.
Commercial cameras also outperform their counterparts when it comes to zero-light circumstances. In order for a camera to see in the dark, it requires a light source to illuminate the area beneath it. Unfortunately, consumer camera night vision illuminators are only designed for short-range use and have a set brightness. This means they usually over-expose what’s close by in a picture, making people and objects look “blown out” and lack detail. Commercial cameras, on the other hand, are frequently fitted with more advanced night vision infrared (IR) illuminators that can automatically adapt brightness to the scene. This feature is commonly referred to as “Smart IR”, this adjusts the infrared light output of the scene. The subjects look correctly exposed and in full detail when using Smart IR. A camera’s use is restricted if it cannot record and produce a properly exposed and crisp image both during the day and at night.
4. Integration
A surveillance system is rarely a stand-alone system in today’s networked environment. It’s important to determine whether your planned home security system will work with other items.
Integration is the term used to describe “smart” devices that can communicate with one another through a network. Commercial camera systems frequently interface with other smart devices, such as voice control products, thanks to the emergence of the linked house (aka “smart home”) and products that allow you the power to manage lights, alarm systems, camera systems audio/video, door locks, and more. A voice-controlled device like the Amazon Echo, for example, may display a camera image just by asking for it. Another key feature is the triggering of a security sensor due to an intrusion. When a sensor is triggered, the system can automatically turn the house lights on and lock all exterior doors to contain the burglar or prevent their entry. Systems that formerly had little in common can now work together to provide new features and advantages.
5. Remote Access
Another game-changer that comes with an Internet connection is how video is accessed and stored. Cloud video storage is a relatively recent technology, and what makes it so remarkable is that all video from your cameras can now be uploaded to remote storage. What is the significance of this? If someone brakes into your house, there was always the danger that they might also steal the security video recorder. However, with cloud video storage, this will never happen again. Each camera can transmit its footage immediately to the cloud through the Internet, and once there, the film is permanently safe—which means a considerably better possibility of apprehending the intruder. Cloud video storage has become a commonplace aspect of the security landscape, with more security video customers choosing cloud backup in addition to – or instead of – an on-site recorder. The way video security clients save their footage is being influenced by networking, and the trend towards the cloud will continue to develop.
Also see our articles on Smart Surveillance and Smart Devices in Home Alarm Systems.
6. Hacking – how to prevent it
It’s tough to ignore the significant benefits consumers receive from connecting their home security system to the Internet, even if there might be hackers lurking everywhere. It’s become a reality of Internet life that no computer is completely secure, and security camera systems are no exception. Various vulnerabilities and exploits found by security experts and hackers alike have plagued the surveillance camera market in recent years. As a result, there is a heightened focus on ensuring that security systems are secure against network attacks. A VPN Router/Firewall, which is a sort of computer designed to block out undesirable threats, is one of the finest ways to safeguard your surveillance camera system. When it comes to securing any type of networked equipment, these devices are quickly becoming the norm. Network security has become an essential component of setting up and implementing a security camera system, and it is something that no one can afford to overlook.
7. Placement of Cameras
In order to maximise the value of your system, you must ensure that the cameras are properly positioned in order to achieve the best results. They must cover all of the important regions while remaining invisible. You can conceal your security cameras in a variety of ways. Miniaturised peephole cameras can be disguised as or inside other ordinary home goods, blended or camouflaged into the surroundings, or totally hidden.
8. Thermal Cameras
A heat sensor in a thermal camera is capable of detecting minute temperature variations. The camera captures infrared radiation from nearby objects and generates an electronic picture based on temperature differences. Because things are seldom the same temperature as their surroundings, a thermal camera can identify them and show them as unique in a thermal picture.
Thermal cameras are useful in situations where there is absolutely no light. They are currently being employed in high-end residential projects with enormous amounts of ground to cover and/or little to no landscape lighting. Thermal cameras can observe living objects from large distances using their heat signature, something a regular camera cannot.
9. Searching your footage – ‘Deep Learning’
The security sector is rapidly evolving due to a new trend in surveillance video search technology known as “Deep Learning.” What is Deep Learning and why does it matter? To begin with, Deep Learning helps someone to find what they’re looking for without having to go through hours of irrelevant video material. Consider a webpage that functions similarly to a Google search engine, allowing you to specify the things you’re looking for in the recorded video footage. For example, if we need to see all footage from today that includes a police car, we just put “police” into the search bar, and every critical frame of video including a police cruiser shows in seconds. When compared to the time when video was searched by tediously scrolling through hours of recorded material, this is a major development.
10. Installation
You might feel the need to install your new home security system to save costs; however, you should refrain from doing so. We understand that it will save you a lot of money but trust us when we say that it will not be worth it. Only a properly fitted CCTV system can provide you with peace of mind. Professional, experienced technicians who are specialists in this industry and know their tasks will be required for this.
Seek assistance and installation from Barrenjoey Locksmiths to help you pick the best security camera system for your needs. Technical expertise, client service/aftercare, and reputation are all a part of Barrenjoey Locksmith’s services.
Where Barrenjoey comes in….
At Barrenjoey, we offer and install a full range of access control systems and smart locks to protect your home or business. Our products and installation services make access control easier than ever and provide tailored systems for every home or office configuration.
When it comes to home security, ensuring your security systems are selected and installed effectively makes all the difference. Barrenjoey Locksmiths expert team are available to guide you through the process of selecting and curating the right system to suit your home and household needs. Whether you are looking for a CCTV Camera system, a home alarm system, back-to-base monitoring, an intercom, or a more holistic smart home security system, Barrenjoey Locksmiths can arrange a site visit and consultation to secure your home or workplace. Our security services also include deadlock and window lock services, rekeying, security screens and doors, as well as lock-out and lock repair services. We are also available to help if you have lost your car keys, are locked out of your vehicle or need a new transponder key – call our 24/hr emergency lockout line.
Barrenjoey Locksmiths services the entire Northern Beaches region and the North Shore of Sydney, and our mobile workshops can deliver most repair or replacement jobs on the spot without lengthy delays. Contact us today to discuss your home security and Commercial Locksmith Services needs.
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