Security Cameras With Recording Capabilities
Security cameras are a crucial part of any home or business protection system. They can help law enforcement catch criminals and provide an accurate account of what really happened in any situation.
The presence of these cameras can also deter crime, preventing robberies and other types of theft before they happen. They can even protect packages left on your doorstep when you are away from home.
Video Recording
The ability to record footage plays an important role in effective security systems. It helps businesses detect and deter crime, reduce loss prevention issues, improve employee productivity, and mitigate the threat of counterfeit claims.
For the best quality video, look for cameras that offer HD resolution. This ensures that you’ll be able to see faces clearly and make out details of any people or objects in the frame.
You can also opt for 4K (2160p) resolution, but that may eat up your video storage and wireless bandwidth much faster. A happy medium is 2K, which still provides a good level of detail but won’t drain your storage as quickly.
Wired systems require physical cables (typically Cat5e or Cat6) to transmit data and power between the camera and recorder. Wireless and wire-free options communicate over your home Wi-Fi network instead of using coaxial cable, though some rely on rechargeable batteries for continuous power.
Audio Recording
A security camera with audio recording capabilities allows you to keep an eye on what’s happening around your home even if you can’t be there. You can monitor your pets playing outside, hear a neighbor security cameras arguing with a guest or just listen to your children talk in their rooms.
If you need a smart security camera for a remote location where Wi-Fi won’t cut it, look for one that supports cellular data. The best options for this are the Arlo Go 2 and the Eufy 4G Starlight Cam, which cost about $250 each and offer customizable motion alerts, night vision and more.
Some security cameras require a monthly subscription for features like monitoring, cloud storage and cellular backup. However, there are also plenty of subscription-free security camera options that offer the basics at a much more affordable price. Consider the number of cameras you need, whether you want indoor or outdoor use and if you’re okay with paying a subscription fee or not.
Two-Way Talk
Having security cameras with two-way talk capabilities gives you the ability to chat and speak to someone who’s in front of the camera. This is especially useful when it comes to monitoring kids and elderly parents, talking to your pets while you’re out of the house, and warning burglars and intruders verbally.
With this feature, you can communicate with people in front of your cameras by holding the microphone button on your smartphone or tablet. Once you’re done speaking, you can release the button to stop the transmission. This is a helpful tool when you’re working on your home from a distance and need to communicate with contractors or service providers.
If you’re interested in purchasing security cameras with two-way talk, make sure to check out their audio quality. You want to be able to hear your children, pets, and service professionals clearly. You can also look for features such as night vision, zooming, and pan/tilt to find the right fit for your home or business.
Tamper-Resistant Design
Vandals and thieves are always looking for ways to damage or interfere smart camera solutions with your security cameras. Protecting your equipment from these attacks requires both physical strength and proactive technology. Intelligent Tamper Detection features are one increasingly popular strategy for protecting your camera hardware.
Focal Length
In a surveillance camera, the focal length refers to the distance from the lens to the image sensor. A long focal length results in a “tight” shot, while a short focal length provides more of a “wide” shot.
The image sensor inside a surveillance camera converts light into electrical signals that are interpreted by the software to create a digital image. This image processing is known as AWB (Auto White Balance). Almost all modern cameras use some sort of AWB function to ensure that the colors in your recorded footage look accurate under any lighting condition. Some cameras even have built-in AWB that automatically adjusts the camera to a specific scene’s lighting.
Motion Detection
Security cameras with motion detection keep an eye on areas where intruders are most likely to enter. They also help prevent wasted video footage, since the camera only records when something interesting happens.
Most wireless cameras have night vision capabilities so they can detect movements at any time of the day. They also use smart detection to only alert you to important events. Some cameras have person, animal, package, and sound detection, so you only get notifications for the things that matter.
Security cameras are useful for businesses to monitor customer traffic and keep a record of what happened in a particular situation. For homeowners, they can also record negative interactions or unfortunate accidents for legal purposes. They also provide a way to assess the performance of a business and identify improvement opportunities. Security cameras also help prevent potential liability issues in the event of an accident or crime.
Cloud Storage
Local storage saves footage on devices connected to CCTV systems, like hard disk or solid-state drives. Cloud storage, on the other hand, uploads data to remote servers maintained by service providers. The latter provides many advantages, such as scalability and independence from Internet connectivity.
The aforementioned server infrastructure also ensures high levels of security. Only authorized users can access the stored data, as long as they have the right credentials. The same applies for software and hardware updates, which eliminates the need for IT staff to invest time in manual maintenance.
A security camera with built-in storage will usually only offer a limited amount of capacity, but you can easily supplement this with a paid subscription. This makes your data more secure as it’s locked away in a remote location, reducing the risk of hacking or physical damage. Moreover, end-to-end encryption (E2EE) prevents even the company you’re working with from being able to access your clips.
