What to Think About When Selecting a New Security Camera

Security cameras are among the most fundamental pieces of security equipment on the market. They can help security agents to monitor the activity of visitors, safeguard sensitive areas, and prevent unauthorized access. Homeowners can use security cameras to accomplish many of the same tasks. Homeowners with camera-enabled security alarm systems can see people approaching the house, monitor hidden parts of the property that cannot be seen from the house, and can add an additional level of security to the most important areas of your home.

Factors to Consider

When selecting a camera, think about the size of the camera, the space you have available, image/video display and memory, power supply and battery life, cost of upkeep and professional monitoring, and what additional pieces of equipment are required in order to use the camera.

Camera size – Unless you specifically want to keep a camera hidden or inconspicuous, do not automatically dismiss larger camera models. A larger size might mean additional user controls, extended battery life, and other additional points of value.
Available space – Some cameras require vertical and horizontal clearance; this is especially true of pan-tilt-zoom cameras. Dome cameras may require a little extra space for air circulation. Refer to the device’s specs to see what its space requirements are and compare that to measurements you have taken of the camera’s intended destination.
Image/video display and memory – Some cameras require auxiliary monitors in order to display image and video. Most hidden cameras store information on a USB or other computer data storage card while other devices store information on an internal hard drive which can be downloaded at a later time. Make sure you understand what sort of display the camera requires.
Power supply – As a general rule, cameras that are more powerful require electrical power and have to be plugged in to a power supply or hardwired into your building’s electrical system. Hidden cameras are usually battery operated and will power down when not actively recording. You have to keep these cameras charged in order for them to continue to function.
Upkeep and monitoring – Businesses usually employ people whose job is to monitor cameras and keep the security system working. You have to anticipate how much time will be required to monitor the footage your cameras record and what sort of upkeep tasks your chosen system will require.
Additional equipment – Many high-end cameras require a display monitor, hard drive storage, and appropriate video cables. Except for hidden cameras, you can expect most cameras to require some specific hardware for mounting. The expense of additional equipment can range from nominal to considerable so make sure you factor this into your choice of camera.

Place and Purpose

It is also important to think about the place that the camera will be securing and what, precisely, its purpose will be. These two considerations may be closely connected. Being very clear on the purpose of a camera will help you narrow down the list of potential options. It is also important to have realistic expectations of what your new security camera can do. You might discover that the place you wish to secure will require a different sort of camera or more than one camera at a time.

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Article written by Jen Blair of the Sprightly Shopper, Follow her on twitter.

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