Security Cameras are an effective deterrent against criminal activity, such as theft, break-ins, or vandalism. They can also help prevent internal issues, such as employee misconduct or false insurance claims.
Our top pick, the Eufy S350 indoor camera, is an excellent value at just $100. It comes with a wide field of view, person, package, car, and trespass detection. It also has built-in cloud and local storage, so it can continue recording even during a power outage. Click the Construction Site Security Cameras to learn more.
Security cameras are designed to capture footage in areas where you want to know what is happening. The most common areas are the front doors of homes and business entrances, but they can also be placed in back alleys or parking lots to help deter crime. Security cameras that are capable of capturing facial images can be particularly useful in identifying potential perpetrators.
If you’re shopping for a security camera, look for one that is specifically labeled as commercial-grade or “enterprise grade.” These cameras are engineered to work better in less than ideal conditions like bright sunlight and will be far more likely to capture the details you need to identify criminals. Consumer-grade models are cheaper but will often perform poorly under these conditions.
When buying a security camera, look for one with a high resolution and night vision capabilities. These features will give you the best chance of catching criminals and deterring them from entering your property. Make sure the camera is equipped with a microphone and speakers, so you can communicate with anyone who is in the field of view. Many smart security cameras have two-way audio and can be accessed via smartphone apps.
Some security cameras allow you to store your footage in the cloud. This is a great feature to have, especially since it will mean you can access your footage even if your home or office loses power. If you choose a system with cloud video storage, it’s important to check the manufacturer’s website for a history of data breaches. Hackers are constantly targeting Internet-connected devices and have a proven track record of finding weaknesses in security systems.
Motion Detection
Motion detection is a key security feature that helps you keep tabs on your home, even when you aren’t there. This function is triggered by movement in the camera’s field of view and can send an alert to your smartphone. Some models allow you to customize the type of movements that trigger alerts, ensuring that only the important things get your attention. This can help prevent you from receiving notifications every time a neighbor walks by your window or drives by your house, or even worse—everytime the wind blows your pet’s fur!
Motion sensors can be either wireless or wired, depending on your needs. Wired systems are more permanent and require professional installation, but many wireless options are easy to DIY install and connect to your home’s Wi-Fi internet for remote monitoring. Wired sensors also need to be connected to your home’s electrical system, so they aren’t a good option for renters.
A motion sensor uses a PIR (passive infrared) or microwave motion sensor to detect movement in the camera’s field of view. Different cameras offer different motion detection features, so it’s important to research the options available and find the one that best suits your home. Some common features include adjustable sensitivity settings to avoid false alarms from non-threatening movements, a buffer or pre-recording function to capture the moment before an event is triggered, and a variety of detection zones. Some cameras also have AI-powered features like human detection, which uses advanced video analytics to distinguish between people and non-people objects to reduce false alarms caused by things like dogs or trees. Some camera brands also provide a mobile app that enables you to remotely control the device’s motion detection and recording.
Audio
While video cameras provide a great way to keep your property safe, audio capabilities give you the added ability to hear and communicate with those in your view. In addition, audio can enhance the benefits of smart video analytics and help you to react in real-time to situations that occur on your property.
Most modern CCTV camera models include microphones for recording audio. These can be found either built-in or as a separate accessory that connects to the camera via an RCA wire. If you are looking for a two-way communication security camera, look for features that prioritize sensitivity range, noise reduction performance, and weatherproofing durability. These features will ensure that your camera is able to clearly pick up the audio you need without picking up external sounds, such as footsteps or other unwanted ambient sound.
For example, Cove’s indoor security cameras use an advanced noise reduction algorithm to minimize ambient sound and focus on nearby speech and important activity cues. This results in clearer audio capture and improved sound quality when compared to traditional surveillance cameras that only record the video portion of your footage.
In addition, audio can also be used to deter intruders from trespassing on your property by sounding alarms and even allowing you to communicate with them through the camera. This type of audio and visual deterrence is proven to be 97% effective at scaring off trespassers, which can be especially helpful when you don’t have a lot of time to react when they appear.
Audio can be especially useful for detecting a variety of events, such as breaking glass or raised voices. However, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with your local and state laws regarding the recording of audio. For example, many States require that one party knows and consents to the recording of a conversation.
Cloud Storage
Many security camera solutions utilize cloud storage for a number of reasons. This type of storage keeps footage on offsite servers, which makes it accessible to authorized users remotely using any internet-connected device. It also eliminates the need to install and maintain on-site devices that can be susceptible to physical or cyber threats.
End-to-end encryption ensures that all video data remains secure as it transfers to the cloud and while stored there, making unauthorized access difficult. Additionally, many cloud storage providers offer two-factor authentication to further protect data. Lastly, regular security audits and updates safeguard against emerging cyber threats to minimize the potential for a data breach.
Integrating a CCTV camera with a cloud-based storage solution is a simple process that can be accomplished from the camera’s control panel. It may require a little bit of research to find a reliable provider that best meets an organization’s security needs in terms of storage capacity, pricing, and security features. Once a cloud-based storage solution is selected, it’s important to monitor it regularly and verify that it’s working properly.
Alternatively, many intelligent cameras feature edge computing capabilities that allow them to perform some processing and storage tasks locally on the camera itself. This can help reduce reliance on the cloud and improve response times for alerts and incidents.
To back up footage from a CCTV camera to Google Cloud Storage, the camera must be connected to the network and have a Wi-Fi connection. Once the camera is connected to the network, it’s important to check its settings menu to ensure that cloud storage has been enabled and to set the recording preferences that will determine when and how the camera saves footage. Finally, it’s a good idea to periodically check the Google Cloud Storage bucket to make sure that all recordings are being backed up correctly and that no data has been deleted.
Remote Monitoring
If you want to watch your home security cameras remotely, you must have a compatible mobile app and a fast and reliable Internet connection. Some companies make their own smartphone apps for their security systems, but others partner with third-party apps to let users view video feeds using their smartphones. Some systems use a dedicated cellular signal to stream footage, while others require a WIFI connection or a wired ethernet cable.
Some home security camera models come with a DVR or NVR to store videos locally. They also include a hard drive to store recordings, which can be accessed from onsite devices or remotely. However, storing the footage onsite can leave it vulnerable to tampering or damage. Cloud storage offers a more secure alternative by keeping data offsite on a dedicated server. The system can even upload data to the cloud at predefined intervals or after a specific time period has passed.
Most security camera devices offer motion detection, a technology that triggers recording only when the camera detects movement. Depending on the model, it may be possible to set a threshold for motion detection that ignores minor scene changes and only records movements that meet a certain level of intensity. This can significantly reduce bandwidth and storage usage.
When choosing a remote monitoring camera, choose one with a high video resolution and wide field of view for maximum clarity. Consider a night vision option to monitor dark scenes and avoid glare. You may also want to look for a camera that is PoE, a feature that enables power delivery over an Ethernet cable instead of through separate power lines. Some security camera models also feature a built-in microphone for audio monitoring.