A Guide to Wireless Home CCTV Systems

Installing CCTV Systems used to be complicated and time-consuming, but advances in technology have made it far easier to install your own CCTV security and security cameras. CCTV systems, once confined to businesses that could afford the expense of installing the wiring for a security camera and DVR, are increasingly being used in homes. In fact, today you can easily purchase and install an entire CCTV system, complete with surveillance camera and recorder, for less than what you’d have paid to buy a DVR just ten years ago.

If you’re considering installing a wireless home security camera and recording system, this information can help you make informed choices.

What’s On the Market?
The most popular types of surveillance camera for homes are wireless nanny cams and security cameras. There are a lot of advantages to using a wireless IP camera and just a few drawbacks. Because you don’t need wires to send a signal to the DVR, you can easily move your security camera around to capture what you want to capture as long as you keep the camera in range of the base station. You’ll pay between $100 and $500 for decent security camera systems, though they can go much higher depending on the options you choose.

The biggest drawback to a wireless security camera is, ironically, security. Unless you tie your camera to an IP network and transmit video encrypted, the signals can be intercepted by just about anyone in range who knows what to look for.

Special Options
Low-end CCTV systems have wireless cameras that are always on, but when you get into the higher end systems, there are many other options. Among the most popular are security camera systems that turn on when they sense motion. Motion sensing cameras are fairly inexpensive and as easy to set up as standard CCTV systems.

Hidden Camera Surveillance
In most cases, you have the right to record anything that happens in your home as a property owner, but you should always check your local statutes to be sure. If you’re planning to record outside, it’s important to position your security camera so that it doesn’t accidentally capture footage from a neighbor’s home or private property.

Today’s homeowner can choose from many different types of CCTV systems and components. The price ranges on modern CCTV security equipment are easily affordable for most homeowners and can be offset by savings on insurance premiums. If your home is unprotected, consider the advantages and benefits of installing a CCTV camera system for your safety and security.

Buying Cameras for CCTV Systems

The security camera is one of the most important elements of most CCTV systems. Choosing the right security camera will make the difference in whether the footage you capture will meet your needs. These are among the things you should consider when choosing a surveillance camera for the CCTV system you own or are planning to buy.

What Is Your Intent?

One of the major factors in deciding which CCTV camera to buy is the reason that you’re setting up surveillance in the first place. The more detailed you need your security footage to be, the more important it is to choose the right camera. If your main purpose is to discourage shoplifters or intruders and to inform you when there might be a problem, for example, you can get by with a fairly basic security camera. If, on the other hand, you believe that your security footage may be needed to identify someone, you’ll need a security camera with much higher quality and resolution, as well as one that can be set for the right focal distance for recording.

In addition to the quality, your intention will also dictate the configuration or style of camera you choose. Bullet cameras are obvious, and are designed to be mounted in plain sight. They’re the best choice if you want to deter wrongdoers with an obvious security system. They also make it obvious who and what is being watched, though, since they are completely visible. Dome cameras are hidden behind a lens, making them much less obvious, as well as making it harder for people to tell when they’re being observed. Finally, there are small surveillance camera choices, like nanny cams, that are meant for hidden recording. If you decide to use one of those, be sure to check the laws about hidden surveillance in your jurisdiction.

What Kind of System Do You Have?

When you’re adding a CCTV camera to existing CCTV systems, you need to make sure that the new camera will be compatible with the existing system.

Where Will the Surveillance Camera Be Installed?

The location of the cameras you hook up to CCTV systems is another factor to consider. Outdoor cameras require protective housing, not only to protect them from the weather, but also to protect them from impact damage and from being damaged by vandals or stolen. Indoor cameras are frequently less expensive because they don’t need the same protection.

Choosing the right security camera to for CCTV systems isn’t always as straightforward as it seems. If you have questions about the best choices for your needs, a professional installer will be happy to answer your questions and help you make the best decisions.