If you’ve been considering purchasing security cameras for your home, you may be wondering where to start. Security cameras are available with a variety of features to choose from, which can make choosing the right one a difficult task. Whether you need cameras for home security or commercial security, TN Security can evaluate your needs and install the best security for your Pittsburgh home or business.
Before beginning your search for the best security system, you must consider how you plan to use the security camera system. All modern security cameras will monitor your home and keep you updated on what’s happening around your home or business.
The major decisions come when choosing the right features for your cameras. While they all function similarly, every camera has its own unique features. Some cameras have long battery life, while others have motion detection or an adjustable field of view. In your search, you will also find that certain cameras have the same features, but the features are more advanced in other security camera brands.
When searching for a security camera system, it’s crucial to pay close attention to all of the features and determine whether or not they will meet your needs for commercial or home security. Pittsburgh residents should talk to a professional such as TN Security to ensure no holes in the security of their buildings and property.
This can include door sensors, fire sensors, and other security measures further than just security cameras for your home or business. Not all systems support full home security and may be limited to cameras, or these extra features may be afterthoughts and not part of the main objective.
There are basic features that all modern business or home security cameras should have. The type of camera you buy should rely on what you plan to use the camera for. You can certainly purchase a modern security camera without some of these features to save a buck, but you will also want to ensure you don’t need those features so you arent limiting yourself.
Two-way audio allows you to hear the audio picked up by your security camera and respond via an app on your smartphone. This feature can be used to say hello to your postman or a visitor or to warn intruders that you are calling the police.
The camera you choose needs to have a high-quality resolution that is high enough to ensure you can clearly see what’s going on in the video beyond a shadow of a doubt. The footage should be clear and easy to tell what is going on. You should also be able to adjust the resolution to capture video at a minimum of 720p if storage is a limitation, which is something else you need to plan for.
Wireless security cameras are easily set up quickly and rely on a battery for power. Wired security cameras get a constant power source since they are wired into their power supply. They can take longer to set up but do not rely on batteries.
Both wireless and wired cameras may require a Wifi connection that is on a 2.4 or 5.0 GHz network. While wireless networks are increasing in effectiveness, depending on the threats you are looking out for, ethernet cameras may just make the difference. Wired security cameras are certainly recommended over wireless when it comes to security system installation for new construction.
If you plan to have cameras installed outside, they must be weather-resistant. The last thing you want to do is invest in your security cameras to have them damaged when it rains or snows. Humidity can get inside the camera and short the electronics or block your view.
The average security camera should be able to detect motion and send you an immediate notification to your phone about the motion. This allows you to respond to whatever the camera picks up, even when you’re not home. You can also take a screenshot or video of the detected motion that you could later view through the app.
This allows you to see threats as they are happening rather than looking at your recorded footage after the security threat has passed.
For optimal protection, your camera must have night vision. This will allow you to capture clear footage, even at night. Full-color night vision security cameras, a newer security camera technology on the market, can even see at night in color, which can help identify burglars and external threats even better!
Keep in mind that you can’t save everything that your camera records, but you do want to make sure you have adequate local storage and the option of cloud storage to ensure that no critical video security footage is lost.
As mentioned above, you can integrate many security camera systems with your mobile phone. With an app, you can control the various settings of your camera, giving you power over your security from anywhere. Long gone are the days that you had to be standing at a central monitor to view your security footage or to even see through your live security cameras. If you are on vacation or on the road for a job, you can still monitor your property.
In addition to the basic features, there are a variety of advanced features offered in high-quality, typically more expensive security cameras, such as:
Most security cameras need Wifi to record, so in the event of a power outage, they can be rendered useless. If you have a camera that can record for at least 30 minutes when the power is out can be very valuable, especially in high-security areas of your home or business.
Recording every motion detected by your camera could quickly fill up your storage space. This is why it is crucial to have a camera with advanced motion detection and tracking. It could also be distracting to receive constant motion notifications for something that blew in front of the camera or a car passing by.
With a smarter security camera, you can differentiate between the motion of people, animals, packages, and cars, helping you avoid unnecessary notifications. Some more advanced cameras can also track motion once it’s detected.
Another great feature of more advanced cameras is an adjustable field of view. This allows you to be more versatile in your setup since you can adjust what is being monitored. You can also avoid blocking the screen by a building or other objects with an adjustable field of view.
At TN Security, our expert team will work with you to choose the right security cameras for your needs. Contact us today to learn more about which security camera systems will serve you best!
