How to choose the right security cameras

Security cameras can help provide protection from burglars and vandals. Mounted outside your home or business, they can scare criminals off before they break in or damage your property. Mounted inside, they can hasten a criminals exit if they have found a way in. They can also help the police to identify suspects if you've been burglarized or vandalized. There are a number of factors to consider when choosing security cameras.

As mentioned previously, one of the first factors to consider is where the security cameras will be mounted. If they are to be mounted in an exposed outdoor location, then you will need to choose weatherproof models. In addition, if they will be exposed to temperature extremes (less than -10 degrees F or greater than +110 degrees F for color cameras, -10 degrees F to +122 degrees F for black and white cameras), then you will need to choose models with built-in fans and heaters. Cameras mounted indoors do not require any special considerations, unless mounted in an area with temperature extremes (for example a frozen food locker in a grocery store).

Another decision you will need to make is whether to choose wired or wireless security cameras. Wired cameras can transmit their signals over a greater distance than wireless models. Wireless cameras cost a bit more in the beginning, but require much less labor for installation. Wireless cameras can transmit their signals for about 700 feet with a direct line of site, and several hundred feet when transmitting through walls and doors.

Another factor to consider when choosing security cameras is whether to use color or black and white cameras. Color cameras provide more overall information about your subject, such as the color of an automobile or the color of a person's clothing. On the other hand, black and white cameras operate on less available power (important when using battery-operated wireless cameras), furnish a higher resolution, and provide better low-light operation. Let's look a little more closely at resolution and low-light operation.

Resolution is usually specified as the number of horizontal lines used to "paint" the image. Typical resolution values are 380 lines for color security cameras and 420 lines for black and white models. Low-light ability is usually specified using the minimum LUX value of the camera. Typical LUX values are 1 LUX for color cameras and .05 LUX for black and white cameras. By way of comparison, 1 LUX is about the amount of light available late in the evening, around dusk. .1 LUX would be like a well-lit parking lot at night. And a camera that can "see" down to .05 LUX can actually see better than the unaided human eye - enabling some cameras to "see in the dark".

For even better low-light operation, choose a black and white camera with the optional X-Vision technology. This technology allows the camera to see down to .003 LUX - this is almost total darkness. And for the best of both worlds, choose a model with the dual-mode day/night capability. This technology uses color during the daytime and switches to black and white at night when there is less available light.

It's probably apparent to you that there are a number of complicated factors involved in choosing security cameras. This is a good reason to do business with totalsecuritywarehouse.com. You can benefit from our expertise gained through years of experience in this industry. And we have one of the largest selections of security cameras anywhere.