How to Choose the Right Camera Security System for Your Home

0 Comments. Posted by Editor on Monday, November 7, 2011 at 6:29 pm.

A home is the single largest investment most Americans will ever make, and most go to great lengths to protect it. They buy insurance, install new locks, and have fancy alarm systems put in. But even so, burglary and theft of property remain common crimes in America. In fact, about three-quarters of all crime is property crime, according to the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics.

Going Hi-Tech

Until only recently, security camera systems for the home were far too expensive for average Americans. Not to mention the fact that they were difficult to install and to operate. But new technologies have changed all that. Instead of relying on antiquated videotapes, newer models feature digital video recorders (DVR) that let homeowners record huge blocks of time cheaply and easily. How easily? If you have ever used TiVo to fast forward through commercials on your television, chances are you can figure out most security camera systems for home.

Who needs them?Most homeowners install a home security camera to protect against break-ins. As upsetting as it may be, however, most theft of property cases do not involve masked intruders or stealthy cat burglars, they involve people we know and trust. Housekeepers, cleaning people, nannies, and home service professionals are all hired to perform certain jobs at domestic residences. Depending on how much time they spend there, they may have complete and total access to your home. Putting in a home security camera might seem a bit extreme, but many homeowners are forced to do it when items start going missing.One of the first security camera systems for the home was the famous nanny cam. The hidden home security camera gave concerned parents the ability to monitor babysitters, nannies and caregivers without them knowing it. The picture quality on these early models was nothing to boast about, but they got the job done. By comparison, most modern cameras feature picture resolutions that are superior to a standard analog television.Residential security camera systems are typically sold in kits that include a number of cameras (often three or four) and a digital video recorder (DVR). Let us take a moment to review a few of the most important features every homeowner should consider before he buys.

Motion Detectors

No matter how large the hard drive of a DVR, it can fill up quickly if you are recording continuously at high resolutions. Cameras with motion detectors address this issue by only recording when someone is actually in the room.

Live Video Feeds

Many of the top security camera systems can transfer live video feeds over networks, which lets homeowners watch streaming videos when they are away. Checking on babysitters, teenagers, and even on pets can now be accomplished with any internet-ready computer that is connected to your network.

Large Hard Drive

Even with the motion detectors, hard drives must be overwritten every now and then. As you might expect, the larger the drive, the less often old data must be expunged.