8 Things You Need to Know about Home Security Surveillance

Is it time to have a home security system installed in your home? Are you considering adding video surveillance? Before you have a home security surveillance system installed there several things that you need to consider and be aware of before purchasing a security system.1. Determine where the cameras will be placed to provide maximum coverage.
You need to know where the cameras will be placed in order for them to meet the needs and requirements of your family. This will enable you to purchase cameras that will have features designed to work best in certain situations. Not all cameras work exactly the same way. Some will work fine in tight spaces while others will not perform as well.

2. Consider installing ‘nanny cams’ inside your home
Small cameras such as the “nanny cam” can be used to secretly monitor any help you have in your home, such as a cleaning lady, an installer, or a caregiver for your children. With all the horror stories of incidences involving children when in someone else’s care, it is no surprise that concerned parents are resorting to this method of surveillance.

When people know that there is a video camera in the room, they act differently. They are more cautious of their actions.

Nanny cams work best when they are well hidden so that no one knows they are being monitored. When selecting the location of where to have the camera(s) installed, make sure that you maximize the field of vision for each camera. It is pretty useless to have a camera installed that only covers a small area of the room, which is the least frequently used space in the room.

3. Determine the number of cameras
You will also need to know the number of cameras needed to accommodate your home and your yard. The system you purchase will depend on the number of cameras required for your needs.

Leave room for future upgrades and adding additional surveillance cameras to the system. The last thing you want to do is buy a system and have it installed and then a month later realize that you need one more camera, but they system cannot accommodate any more video cameras.

4. Would you like digital or analog video?
What is the difference? Analog video is an older technology… well dates back to the original TVs. Analog video tends to produce a grainier image. Analog black and white video cameras tend to produce a better image in low light situations, such as at dusk.

Digital video surveillance cameras give you a much clearer video image; however, in low light instances, they do not perform as well. With a digital video cameras the video can be stored on a computer hard disk in a very compressed format that will give you many hours of recording time before the system ‘loops’ and over writes the oldest video images.

Another option is a hybrid video surveillance, where the analog video cameras are connected to an analog to digital converter and then the video is stored digitally on your computer.

5. One part of the home security system solution
Home video surveillance systems are designed to enhance existing home security systems not to be the only home security system you have. A home security surveillance cameras work best when paired with a burglar alarm system.

Even though you have video surveillance systems being monitored does not mean you discontinue the precautionary measures used before. You must still remember to securely shut and lock all the doors and windows. Do not leave valuable possessions lying around in plan sight. They still need to be put away in a secure location.

6. Video surveillance can collect valuable evidence
Video surveillance cameras can provide evidence should a crime be committed within view of the camera. The video cameras do not stop the crime, but will help you prove who committed the crime and what the crime was. It is pretty hard for the criminal to deny that it is his face in video when he is breaking into your home.

Now, there is always the chance that the video will not be good enough to be used as evidence. So don’t get over confident and solely rely on your home video surveillance system to protect your home.

7. Consider a wireless security system
A wireless security surveillance system is the easiest system for a do-it-yourselfer to install. It is important to ensure that the equipment you have purchased uses an encrypted transmission to standard WiFi networks. This encrypted transmission will prevent a passer-by from picking up the transmission and enabling them to hack into your wireless system. Thieves would love the opportunity to re-program your system to allow them to come and go as they please.

8. Providing a visual deterrence
Remember the effect visible video cameras can have on an unwanted intruder. It will stop some intruders from invading your home, but not all. Video cameras have become so commonplace that people have a tendency to ignore them. Make your video surveillance convincing enough to work on those that would ignore them.

By taking these eight things into account you are now better equipped to select the right home security surveillance system to protect your home and family.

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