March 9, 2020 by Anas Mustafa
A home security camera may be the key to preventing a break-in. One TV news station surveyed what deters burglars, and many indicated that a camera at home would cause them to think twice before targeting the home.
Securing your home can be an exciting but challenging process. Adding a camera to your home security system is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family. However, many people do not know what to look for when they purchase a camera. Without being prepared, you may find your home security system is not as good as you hoped.
When it comes to buying a home security camera, there are some things to know so you can avoid making a mistake with your purchase. These include:
1. Cost
Many homeowners looking to buy a security camera make their choices on the price of the device; however, this is one of the biggest mistakes you can make when you purchase a security camera.
Although these cheaper cameras can seem on par with the more expensive ones, they are, in fact, quite inferior. Buying a less expensive home security camera will likely leave you with a difficult to install a camera that is unreliable and has low-quality software.
2. Night vision
This feature is critical for home security cameras, but not every device has it. When you are looking at camera features, remember to ensure the device has night vision. Without this feature, your camera won’t be capable of recording the footage at night.
It is also important to be sure that the night recordings are of good quality, not grainy. This means you may need to research a trusted brand to be sure you get the best out of the night vision feature.
3. Subscription
Many security companies have subscriptions for their services, and you will need to keep this in mind when purchasing a home security camera. You may end up buying a cheaper home security camera but end up with a higher subscription fee.
Other companies do not provide subscription fees, but the cost of the camera may be higher and the camera may not include any secure cloud recording. Before buying consider what you need and want in a security camera and whether you want 24/7 live view access, cloud based recording, or 24/7 recording.
4. Privacy
Unfortunately, it’s not just your home that you need to consider keeping safe. Cybersecurity also becomes a big issue when you purchase a security camera. Keeping all your home security information in the cloud may not be the best way to protect your privacy especially when the camera was not purchased from a reputable security company. Many DIY products can be low cost options but can also be easily hacked. A reputable security company can help you choose and professionally install the best options when it comes to cloud based cameras so that you know the camera and the cloud based recording is safe, reliable, and secure against cyber attacks.
You may even want to opt for some local storage that allows you to keep private information off the internet. This allows you to keep your family, home and information safe and secure.
Other things to look for in a home security camera are the ability to set a personal password and what type of encryption is offered with the device. It’s often the little things that are important to the bigger security picture.
5. Reputation
The security industry is becoming more and more high-tech as new companies are coming on the scene, promising the next best security camera. While these startups may have a good product, it’s essential to know a little something more about them before you entrust your safety to them.
Companies that have been in the industry for a long time already have an established line of products that are tested and proven reliable. When it comes to keeping your family safe and secure, go with a brand name that has built a reputation for security.
6. Think ahead
Technology changes quickly, and what’s useful and attractive in your home security camera today might be outdated next year. It’s important to keep in mind what changes you may want or need for your security system in the future. Anticipating future changes to your home security system will help you keep you and your home safe in the long run.
7. Quality footage
Many things determine the quality of footage for your camera. While the resolution is one of them, it shouldn’t be the only factor that you consider for a home security camera.
Other specs to look at include the frame rate of the device, IR LEDs, the range of the camera and more. To get a good idea about the quality of the footage a camera is capable of capturing try finding samples online.
By comparing the video from different cameras, you’ll be able to see how all these elements of the device impact the quality of the footage. If the worst should happen and you need video evidence for the police, you will want to have the best quality images to offer.
Purchasing a home security camera to keep everyone safe is one of the best ways to deter burglaries. However, finding the best camera for your system can be a challenge.
There are many things that homeowners fail to consider before they buy a security camera.
When you are selecting the device that is right for you consider what you’re getting for the price, any ongoing monthly fees, the reputation of the company, what quality of footage the camera can record, whether it has night vision and how secure your data is with the security company.
By keeping these factors in mind when you are buying a home security camera, you’re likely to make the right decision.
For more information about home security cameras, call Canadian Security Professionals at 1-877-494-9911 or contact us here.
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