How to Choose the Right Home Security Camera

If you have ever thought about installing some security cameras around you home there's no better time than now. Home security cameras are becoming more and more popular since they can help identify thieves, vandals or just whose at your front door. They also act as a deterrent to crime since criminals will generally look for the easiest target. When looking to invest in some home security cameras there are some things to consider.

The camera however is also just for seeing what is taking place using a monitor or TV. More than likely you will want to also record what is taking place for evidence later on should something happen. For this you will need to plug the camera into a security DVR (digital video recorder) or some other device such as a computer with video recording capabilities. However this article will focus on some tips for choosing the correct camera.

So first you need to decide where you want the security cameras and the field of view (FOV) they will provide. If you were only thinking of installing one camera you would probably want to put it on the front of your garage or on a porch looking toward the street. You would also want a fairly wide field of view so a camera with a 3.6mm lens would probably be best. This will provide a good overall view of someone approaching you home.

A home security camera with a 3.6mm lens provides good overall coverage, however if your goal is to get facial details of someone at a distance greater than 20 to 25 feet you would need a larger lens in the camera, either a 6mm or 8mm. The larger the lens the more detail you can see at a particular distance but your field of view will be smaller. Is is similar to looking through stronger and stronger binoculars. So you need to decide what your goal is and whether one camera will suffice or if you need 2 or more.

Lighting is also a factor for good picture quality. During the daytime pretty much any security camera will provide a good image. However at night or in low light conditions you may need to use supplemental lighting. This could be a porch light or floodlight and you could also have them be motion sensitive. If installing additional lighting is not possible or desired you would need to use infrared security cameras. These type of cameras will provide a color picture in the daytime then switch to black and white and turn on there infrared illuminators at night.

Another factor you want to consider is the video resolution the camera can provide. This is usually stated in lines of resolution or TVL. Standard analog cameras will usually state 380, 420, 480, 550 lines etc. and the higher the number the more resolution or sharper the image will appear. However there are other factors such as the quality of the lens or DSP (digital signal process) used that can make one camera outperform another so the lines of resolution are important but not the only factor.

When first looking for a home security camera to fit your needs it may seem a bit overwhelming. So by first determining what area you need to cover, where you want to place it, the lighting conditions and if it is for an overall view or a more detailed view you have a good place to start. If you really are not sure which camera is best sometimes the only way to really get started is to purchase a camera see what kind of results you get and go from there. Most retailers will offer a trial period where if the camera doesn't work for you needs you can simply return it for a different camera.

Mike Ward is the owner of Security Cams, a leading distributor of home security cameras and digital video recorders. For more information about home security cameras, please visit Security Cams

Your Property Will Be Safer With Outdoor Security Cameras

You can Make Your Property Safer With Outdoor Security Cameras. You can install different types of cameras depending on your needs. The bullet camera is the least intrusive and is more difficult to detect. The tilt and zoom model is for those who want to get a closer view of an object. The box type has the largest span and is easiest to detect.

The presence of this camera may be enough to deter people from intruding on your property. We live in a time where burglars and those who would invade your home are becoming more brazen. The authorities cannot be in all places all the time. You have to take care of yourself and your family. If you travel on business and leave your family alone you will sleep better knowing their is a camera in place.

Some people even put up signs saying there are cameras in place on their property to deter intruders and burglars. They will think twice before committing a crime if they know they are being filmed. You might want to use an infrared camera for nighttime use.

This allows you to capture images at night time in complete darkness. Most security cameras today that use infrared illuminators to see in darkness also provide full color pictures during the daytime. This makes the infrared security camera a very versatile choice for security indoors or out.

Go with a traditional box style camera if you want to have security over a large span or have difficult lighting situations. These cameras can be fitted with a number of different lenses and have adjustable settings for a variety of lighting conditions. There outdoor use however will require a weatherproof housing.

For your business property you may want to go with a pan tilt zoom camera. This will allow you to adjust your view from side to side, from up and down and even zoom in. If you have a security team on your business staff you will want to use this model. It will give your security staff the most functions.

Your staff will be able to see all around your property from one location. This is better than a stationary camera where an intruder might avoid being seen if he can avoid the view of the camera lens. Make sure you have a security team trained to use the camera or hire an outside security team. There are many companies who will provide you with a security team already trained in camera security. Or of course you can train the staff you already have in place in how to use the camera security system.

Check with your insurance company. Some offer discounts on monthly premiums if you have a security camera system in place. When you have video of vandals you will help law enforcement in capturing them. And you will have an easier time with your insurance claims if you have film of it.

Depending on your area climate you will want to protect you camera system from weather damage. If you live in very cold area you might want to install a small heater to keep you camera from freezing. If you live in a high wind area you will want to protect your camera from flying debris or from blowing off its mounting. Look at a security system to day for your home or business.

About the Author: Mike Ward is the owner of Security Cams, a leading distributor of security cameras and digital video recorders. For more information about security cameras, please visit Security Cams.

Don't Put Off Installing Those Outdoor Security Cameras

There are many good reasons to install outdoor security cameras, but perhaps the most important is to increase the security of your home or business. By installing security cameras around your property, you will be taking advantage of the best way to keep your family and your possessions safe and secure. These cameras provide real peace of mind and put an end to sleepless nights.

Even though you may think you have nothing of value that would interest thieves, you may still become a victim since most criminals aren't terribly selective. A good security camera also provides the opportunity to view what's going on around your property, allowing you to easily investigate if you hear a noise outside.

When it comes to protecting your business, cameras provide security against nighttime break-ins since smash and dash attacks against businesses are becoming commonplace these days. If your business is broken into, surveillance cameras will help with the identification and apprehension of the criminals, increasing the odds of recovering your merchandise. Future attacks will likely be thwarted as news spreads that you've installed surveillance cameras. Criminals prefer easy targets.

When it comes to choosing outdoor security cameras, you will find a number of different options. One popular camera for outdoor use is the bullet camera. These cameras are ideal because they are self protected against the elements. If the security camera won't be installed in a covered area, this type is one to consider. You will never have to worry about damage from wind or rain.

Another popular camera for home or business use is an infrared camera. This type of camera takes very clear pictures, even at night. Infrared cameras are generally weatherproof and can switch from color to B/W images as the light level falls. Sometimes referred to as Day/Night cameras since during the day or adequate light situations they provide a full color picture. Then at night or as the light level decreases they switch to B/W and use the infrared illuminators to provide a clear image even in total darkness.

Older outdoor security cameras are black and white, but newer models offer a full range of color capabilities. The color cameras film in color by day and black and white by night. This is because it's very difficult to get a clear color image in low light situations, but black and white shows up beautifully at night. The best outdoor security cameras are those with dual capabilities. No matter what kid of camera you choose, you can rest assured knowing you have added protection for your property.

About the Author: Mike Ward is the owner and operator of Security Cams, a
leading online provider of security cameras and digital video recorder systems. For more information about security cameras, please visit Security Cams.

An Introduction To Infrared Security Cameras

Infrared (IR) light is invisible light that the human eye cannot detect; this invisibility is attributed to the fact that infrared light makes use of longer wavelengths than is the case with the wavelength of light from the visible spectrum. Infrared security cameras therefore work on the premise of being able to capture images based on very little or no light. Light levels are actually measured in terms of 'lux'. A low lux rating enables a camera to see better in darkness and also when there is no light at all.

Most cameras that use infrared light will have lux ratings of 0 which of course means that such a camera will be able to see when there is absolutely no light around at all.

Some people even choose to use color infrared cameras that are able to switch over to taking black and white images in the dark, while in the daytime they provide color images. In order to determine whether to shoot in color or in black and white these cameras have photo cells inside the camera that monitors and keeps track of whether it is daylight or not.

The best IR camera is the outdoor IR camera. When picking your security camera (IR) you must look at factors such as the distance rating and also the cost of the camera. Remember that if you choose to buy an indoor camera that has a bigger range than the dimensions of your interiors, then the pictures taken will be less than perfect because of their inability to focus properly in limited areas.

Also, when it comes to purchasing these cameras you should be prepared to spend more money than is the case with purchasing an ordinary security camera. Though at the same time you will find a lot of choice in terms of style, and of course you can also buy some very high quality infrared security cameras as well.

You can purchase an IR security camera from many local surveillance or alarm companies, however many times you will find better deals and more selection from online security camera retailers.

The main purpose of using such security cameras is to provide surveillance over areas of a home or business premises that is not properly lit. They also to cover sensitive areas in the absence of proper lighting which may make it impossible for an ordinary security camera to capture images of the events taking place.

With the help of an IR security camera you can record events even when there is no lighting. Indoors such cameras can keep track of interiors even when the interiors are in total darkness.

Even if criminals get onto your premises and turn off the lights, the help of an IR security camera will still enable you to record the events as they take place. This provides you with ample evidence to help catch the criminals.

If you pay a little extra you can pick up better quality security cameras and this ensures that the footage provided will be of superior quality. Clear and crisp images can prove to be very helpful in tracking down criminals that have broken into your home or office.

Mike Ward is the owner and operator of Security Cams, a leading online
provider of infrared security cameras and hidden cameras. For more information about security cameras, please visit
www.security-cams.com.

Feel Safer With Outdoor Security Cameras

These days we are confronted by more and more stories of crime and sometimes it can feel as if there is never going to be a time when one can be safe anymore. But this is not the case, there are tools that can be used to make one feel safer and outdoor security cameras are a perfect way in which to achieve this.

Outdoor security cameras should be just one element of an overall security strategy and this type of thinking can be applied to one's house or one's business. There are some key factors that have to be present in a good security strategy, to make sure that it is as effective as possible.

Before embarking on a security strategy, it makes sense to consult with seasoned security professionals. If possible choose a local service provider who is aware of the particular circumstances of your neighborhood. There are many times when having local knowledge can be a real advantage over the criminals. Things such as understanding the community and having expert knowledge on the geographical lay out of the area are very important.

If consultation with local security professionals is not possible there are many online security companies that can assist you in determining just the type of equipment that you will require. There are three elements to a good security program though and these include Monitoring, Deterrence and Capture.

Monitoring literally refers to the act of keeping an eye on the area you want to protect and this is where outdoor security cameras are the most necessary. Given that they are out of the way, those being recorded will act naturally and this could help to pick up strange behavior that might lead to a crime. Whether you have live monitoring or not recorded video evidence is vital to apprehending those responsible. A good system will have video recorded onto digital video recorders or some other type of recording device.

Deterrence is perhaps the most important part of the program as these measures would aim to prevent the crime from even taking place. This component would consist of elements such as high fences, visible security cameras, notices stating the premises are under protection and perhaps posted security guards in more extreme situations.

Capture is the least desirable part of the program as this means that the crime has indeed taken place. You want to ensure that those responsible for the criminal act pay for what they have done. Capture can be ensured by having direct communications with an armed response company, the police or other authorities. This ensures that when the alarm is raised, there is a quick reaction and the criminals can be apprehended.

These elements make up what most would consider to be a very good security strategy. Outdoor security cameras are a very important element of this strategy and even more so if one wants to prevent crimes from taking place. The only concern with these devices is the possible implications of entering someone's privacy, but if it is one's own home or business then this won't apply.

About the Author: Mike Ward is the owner and operator of Security Cams, a leading online provider of infrared security cameras, wireless security cameras and hidden cameras. For more information about security cameras, please visit www.security-cams.com.