Selecting A Home Security Surveillance System – Part One
Protecting Your Family and Home With Video Surveillance
Is it any less safe today then it was 20 years ago?
Statistics show that crimes nationwide have actually decreased over the last twenty years (at least in the US), yet most folks feel like this world is less safe with each day. Whether this is due to the media or an increased sensitivity to crime, one’s personal security and safety is a growing concern for millions of people and thus people around the globe are looking to home security surveillance systems to protect their family and property.
On the surface, the idea of a home security surveillance system sounds like a piece of cake. Simply buy a few cameras, slap them up and PRESTO you and your family are safe from harm. While home security surveillance isn’t rock science, it also isn’t that easy.
There are many questions to be answered, concerns to be addressed and choices that need to be made in order properly select, install and manage a home security surveillance system. The following multiple part guide will take you from start to finish with selecting, installing and managing your home security surveillance system.
Let’s get started.
Part One – What is Video Surveillance?
Video surveillance is a form of surveillance that captures video streams using surveillance cameras, a video recorder and a monitor so that a person or persons can watch in real-time (or after the fact) whatever it is that they wish to monitor. Like surveillance in general there are different types of video surveillance.
The two most common types of video surveillance are Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) and IP surveillance. The difference between these two types of video surveillance is based on the underlying technology used to generate, record and store the video surveillance streams.
Next time, in part two of this series, we will take a look at what CCTV is and what it means for your home security surveillance system.
4 Comments
Thanks for starting this series Garrett. I look forward to your explanations of the various aspects of security camera systems.
@Pamela
Thanks – I hope you like it.
Wireless is becoming more and more common. But you need to use the “good stuff”. You can source from places like SmartHome or sometimes from local security suppliers if they will sell to the public. Many do not, but some will. Do consider monitoring service costs when you are selecting your stuff, your monitoring source may have preferences.
One of the first aspects of a home security camera to consider is whether you will use a wireless home security system or one that requires connection to a power source. There are many security camera options that are wireless. This means the camera does not need to be connected to an external power supply and there is no need for wires. However, the camera still requires a source of power which is often an internal battery. A wireless home security camera may be easier to install because there is no wiring but it can be more difficult to maintain because the batteries may need to be replaced or recharged frequently.