Features to Look For in a Home CCTV Kit
Home CCTV systems are one line of defence against crime, and work best alongside burglar alarms, video doorbells, smart intercoms & lighting. Most can also be integrated with smart home devices to offer even more security.
For maximum peace of mind, consider a camera that can run for a time on battery power in the event of a power outage or clever burglar cutting electricity to prevent capture of forensic evidence.
Video Resolution
The resolution of your camera’s image is one of the most important factors to consider. The higher the resolution, the more detailed and clear your video will be.
Resolution and frame rate are the two essentials of video quality. A high pixel resolution creates a more detailed image and a high frame rate provides smooth motion.
After choosing your cameras and system, monitors and supporting equipment will complete your home cctv kit. High resolution monitors display the most details, but lower resolution components are okay if your budget is tight or you are monitoring an older system. Choose a monitor that supports the maximum resolution of your camera(s) for best results.
Field of View
A security camera’s field of view determines how much of a scene it can home cctv kit see at once. Standard angle cameras typically have a viewing angle of 25 to 60 degrees, which captures one-third of the overall landscape and provides sharper details and less blind spots than a wide-angle camera. Wide-angle cams can be especially effective for monitoring large areas, such as parking lots and warehouses, or if you want to keep an eye on your home driveway. Some models can even have a 360-degree field of view.
SimpliSafe’s HD security camera with a 120-degree field of view keeps an eye on your property from anywhere—with crisp video resolution, night vision and instant phone alerts.
Motion Detection
A motion detection capability is a great security feature to have for any home CCTV system. This feature allows users to record video only when a trespasser is detected and saves time and digital storage space by preventing unwanted recording.
A range of motion sensor cameras are available with different sensors to detect movement. For example, infrared sensors use energy emitted from people or animals to trigger, while microwave sensors respond to changes in temperature. The type of movement that sets off the camera will depend on the specific sensor used, but most are designed to be as effective as possible and deter crime by alerting residents and authorities.
Some systems, like AlfredCam, allow users to set the areas that motion detection applies to reduce unnecessary notifications. This is particularly useful for homeowners who live on busy streets and don’t want their cameras to pick up activity from the neighbours.
Infrared Night Vision
Infrared night vision allows your home cctv kit home security camera to see more of your property, even in low-light conditions. This capability is usually facilitated by infrared LED illuminators that emit invisible light to illuminate the scene around the camera and trigger the image sensor.
Visible light makes up only a small part of the electromagnetic spectrum, which is why your CCTV cameras show things in black and white. However, some cameras offer color options if you want to monitor key locations like your entrances or driveways.
In order for your home surveillance system to see well in the dark, a good quality lens is necessary. Issues like dust, water vapor, or strong reflective objects can obscure the camera’s lens and prevent it from producing high-quality images at night. For this reason, you should check the lenses regularly to make sure they’re clear of obstructions. If you do encounter problems, contact the manufacturer for further assistance.
Two-Way Audio
Two-way audio capability allows you to communicate with people on your property in real time. Whether you want to talk to the delivery man, warn away a potential burglar or give your kids a verbal order from the other room, a wireless security camera with two-way audio can be a lifesaver.
The quality of the sound should be your top priority when choosing a network video camera with two-way audio. Look for one with high-quality speakers and microphones to ensure you can hear clearly. Also, check if the camera supports full-duplex audio transmission mode, which doubles the utilization of bandwidth.
This is a feature that is commonly found in doorbell cameras, but it is also available in some IP security cameras. You can use it to communicate with visitors at your front door or on the porch, confirm package delivery without going outside or even monitor your driveway to deter car thefts.
Pan-and-Tilt Motors
A pan-and-tilt motor allows you to rotate a camera in the up and down or left and right directions. This can be used with a standard box camera or any security camera that has a mount for a turning device.
These motors can be operated with either open or closed loop control. An open-loop motor simply rotates faster the further you push a joystick, while a closed-loop system is more accurate and precise.
Some of the more advanced models have built-in inertial stabilization and tracking capabilities, as well as GPS geo-pointing functionality. This allows the unit to receive GPS latitude, longitude, and altitude coordinates over the built-in Ethernet interface and automatically point a payload at that location. This is especially useful for drone aerial photography and time-lapse shooting. These units also have high-performance two-way communication and an API with documented command protocols for systems integrators to write custom control software.
