Home Security Cameras

A home security camera, as part of an overall security system, can help provide protection from burglars and vandals. If mounted visibly outside, it can provide protection before someone breaks in - when burglars and vandals see a security camera they usually go somewhere else. If mounted indoors, a home security camera can hasten a burglar’s exit and also help the police to identify them. There are a number of factors to consider when choosing a home security camera.

The first, as discussed above, is the location of the camera. If the home security camera is to be mounted outdoors in an exposed location, then you need to choose a model that is weatherproof. If you live in an area with extreme temperatures (less than -10 degrees F or more than 110 degrees F for color cameras, -10 degrees F to +122 degrees F for black and white cameras), then you need to choose a model that has a built-in fan and/or heater. This can extend the operational range of the camera. Cameras mounted indoors in a controlled environment do not require any special temperature considerations. You also need to consider what type of mounting bracket the camera has. Models are available with wall and ceiling mounting brackets and hardware.

Another factor to consider when choosing a home security camera is whether to use a wired or wireless model. Wireless models are more expensive, but the ease of installation helps make up for the difference in price. Labor costs to install a wireless camera will be lower than the cost of installing a wired camera. A wired camera requires a video cable to be run between the camera and the display or recording device being used. Look for a Plug and Play model, that uses a simple RCA plug to make these connections. A wireless home security camera uses a wireless transmitter and receiver to complete the connection between the camera and the display or recording device. Be sure to consider the distance between the transmitter and receiver. All of our cameras use a 2.4GHz transmitter/receiver combination, which will transmit a video signal 700 feet with a clear line of sight. What this means is that even with obstructions such as walls or ceilings, these cameras will still transmit a clear signal for a few hundred feet.

Whether to use a color or black and white camera is another consideration to be made when choosing a home security camera. Color cameras provide more details about the recorded image, while black and white cameras actually have higher resolution. For example, at a given distance, a color camera might record the color of an auto license plate, enabling you to determine what state the plate is from. On the other hand, it might not provide enough resolution for the numbers and letters on the license plate to be read. A black and white camera used from the same distance, because of its higher resolution, would not give you the information about color, but might allow you to read the plate.

The resolution of a home security camera is specified as the number of horizontal lines - that is the number of lines that the camera "paints" on the display or recording media. The higher the number of lines, the better the resolution. Typically, a "standard resolution" camera would provide around 320 lines for a color camera and 380 lines for a black and white model. A "high resolution" camera would be capable of 460 lines for a color camera and 560 for a black and white camera.

Color and black and white home security cameras have differing degrees of sensitivity to light as well. Light sensitivity is usually specified using a value of LUX, which gives an indication of how little light the camera needs in order to "see", or record a usable image. The lower the LUX value, the more sensitive to light the camera. Thus, the lower the LUX value, the better the camera can "see" at night or indoors with no lighting. For example, a home security camera that sees down to 1 LUX would be able to record a usable image in the late afternoon, around dusk. A value of .1 LUX would allow use of the camera in a lighted parking lot at night. A value of .05 LUX, and the camera would be able to record an image in very dim light, actually better than the human eye would be able to see in the same conditions.

It's clear that choosing the right home security camera can be a complicated process. This is why it is important to do business with a company like totalsecuritywarehouse.com, to benefit from our years of experience in this business. In addition, we have one of the largest available selections of home security cameras in the industry.