Do I Need A Home Security Camera?

For years, the mindset has been that unless you owned a business or a mansion, security cameras were not for you. When people think of security cameras, I'm sure they still conjure up images of a team of security guards watching footage in a room filled with televisions. After all, what reasons would you have for a surveillance system?

The answer: More than you may think.

Security cameras exist primarily for recording a break-in or trespass. Many burglars simply break in, grab the first thing of value that they see and flee. In this case, the police may not have time to respond to the call before the burglar has fled. A camera allows the police to more easily identify the criminal and bring them to justice.

The important thing to remember is that the criminals know this as well. Would-be thieves are not interested in getting caught or having trouble. And, as you probably know, most burglaries are crimes of opportunity. A well-placed security camera will make it less likely that a thief will consider entering your home as the chance of getting caught is vastly increased.

Finally, security cameras offer peace of mind. Some people like to know who just pulled into their driveway or who knocked at their door without having to go check. A well-placed camera will let you do this. And, you may not know this, but with a little work, you can view your security camera feeds from the Internet. That means, if you are on business and want to check in on your house, all you have to do is log on.

Can I Afford A Home Security Camera?

You are probably thinking no. Or that if you can afford one, it's still too costly for what it offers. However, this isn't necessarily the case. Remember, security cameras are no longer the province of millionaires and companies. Ordinary homeowners, just like you, can now purchase surveillance cameras at a much more affordable rate. We'll discuss prices below, but suffice it to say that a good quality, weatherproof camera can be purchased for as little as $99.00. So, the real answer to my question is yes, you can afford a home security camera.

What Should I Buy?

There is no one correct answer here. For a normal package there will be three necessary components. These are a) the cameras, b) the cable, and c) the monitor. There are special considerations for each of these items. However, it all depends on finding a balance between what you want and what you can afford. I will go through some guidelines of what to consider when adding a security camera to your current home security.

1. Cameras: The first step in deciding what kind of camera you need is to determine what you want your cameras to do. What do you want to protect? Where do you intend to place your camera(s)? What are the weather conditions? Will it need to record outside or inside? Will it ever be recording in the dark? Once you've determined these sorts of things, you will be ready to consider the following:

a. Light Sensitivity:This is the amount of light necessary to produce a viewable image. When searching for a security camera, you will see this referred to as "Lux." The lower the Lux, the better. A lower lux means that less light is needed for an image to be seen. A higher lux means you will need more light to produce a viewable image.

b. Resolution: This relates to the quality of the detailed image. It's how clear the image will be. As a simple analogy, poor resolution would be like watching the big game on your grandmother's TV from the 1950s. The image is grainy and not all that enjoyable. A higher resolution is like watching the game on your new high-definition flat screen. Not only can you tell what sport is being played, you can also clearly see the players' faces. This is particularly important if you have to use your surveillance footage as evidence to catch a burglar.

c. Various Features: The importance of these features can be determined by the consumer. You may want some or all of these features depending on how you plan to use the camera.

i. Recording Capability

ii. Motion Detection

iii. Pan/Tilt Options

iv. Zoom

2. Cable: This is the wiring you will run between your camera and your monitor.

3. Monitor: There are a variety of different options. You can purchase anything from a small black and white monitor for around $100, or you can purchase a high quality, large color monitor for about $550. The middle ground in this case would be something like a medium-large flat screen LCD monitor for around $250. I recommend that you take the time to review the different options and see what level of quality you need and want for your system.

There are also many accessories that you may want for your camera. Brackets, pan/tilt controllers, and infrared illuminators are just some of the options you may wish to purchase to increase the level of your security camera system. Information on these options should be available on your retailer's website.

The last thing I will mention about options and accessories is a recording unit for your monitor. The best option is to use a Digital Video Recorder. They offer a longer recording time than VCRs. Also, they can record onto your computer. Many of these DVRs will allow you to set them up so that you can view recordings or live feeds from an internet connection.

Where Should I Buy a Home Security System?

My advice here is to shop around. This will be an integral part of your security system and you want to make sure that you have reviewed all of your options. I recommend you compare the different companies based on:

1. Product Offering

2. Price

3. Technical Support

4. Company Reputation

The purpose of this article is to explain the benefits of a home surveillance system, the different options available to you as a consumer, and the things you need to consider in making a purchase. The above information is not intended to be fully comprehensive. If I have left anything out, please let me know. I will be happy to update this with relevant information at any point.