Types Of Home Security Cameras

There are two main types of security cameras: indoor and outdoor cameras. And within these categories, there are then wired camera and wireless cameras, floodlight cameras, doorbell cameras and many more. They are also types of home security cameras that will help to protect your home and allow you to monitor it while you are away.

When choosing security cameras for your home, you need to consider the placement. Outdoor cameras are designed to be able to withstand all types of weather conditions, whereas indoors cameras are less hardy. Outdoor security cameras may also be equipped with things like floodlights and alarms to help deter intruders.

You need to consider the vulnerable spots in your home and then use this information to determine the ideal placement of your home security cameras. This is the best way to decide which home security cameras will be right for your needs. In this guide, we'll explore the different types of security cameras available now.

What are the main types of security cameras?

Confused about the sheer number of options available to you? Let's explore some of the main options below and some of their greatest benefits.

Wired indoor cameras

A wired indoor camera system is connected to a central recording device in your home, usually by a coaxial or ethernet cable. These are usually dome cameras that are mounted on the ceiling and can provide good coverage of your home. These will need to be professionally installed as the wires will be concealed in your walls and ceiling.

Wireless indoor cameras

Wireless indoor cameras are simple and easy to use. They are often called IP cameras or WiFi cameras. They connect to the internet and use the WiFi network to save footage to the cloud. With this type of camera, you should also be able to access your security cameras from anywhere using a smartphone app.

You can also often find specialist indoor cameras that are intended for one specific task. For example, they might dispense pet treats or allow you to monitor the temperature in your baby's room.

Wired outdoors cameras

Wired outdoor cameras work in a similar way to wired indoor security cameras. These are usually bullet cameras which can be mounted on walls. The camera lens will be very hardy and able to stand up to harsh weather conditions. These need professional installation to ensure the wires are tamper proof.

Wired outdoor cameras are the most common type of CCTV cameras that are installed to protect homes. The camera detects motion and will typically have night vision capabilities to deliver high quality images, even in low light.

Wireless outdoor cameras

Similar to wired outdoor bullet cameras, wireless outdoor cameras have the same bullet camera shape as their wired counterparts, but function in the same way as a wireless indoor camera. They will be very weather resistant and might have special features such as motion detection, sound detection, night vision, flood lights and alarms.

Battery-powered outdoor security cameras

If you are looking for a cost-effective alternative to a wireless outdoor camera, then a battery powered outdoor security camera could be ideal. This weather-proof bullet camera will run on a batter, so you don't need to have this plugged into the mains.

This type of security camera will only switch on and start recording when motion detection is activated. This saves the battery and makes the system more efficient.

Floodlight dome cameras

Another popular choice for outdoor cameras is a floodlight dome camera. This type of security camera features a powerful deterrent that may help to prevent intruders from targeting your home. Most security cameras rely on just their presence to deter would-be thieves, but this type of camera takes it one step further.

When the dome cameras motion sensor is activated, it activates a spotlight that will illuminate the person. Not only will this allow for improved picture quality, but it will also draw attention to the intruder.

Video doorbell cameras

Another popular choice for outdoor security cameras is the video doorbell. Not many people think of this as a security device, but it can help you to monitor your home. Many will only start recording when they detect motion thanks to the sensitive motion sensors.

This footage is then sent directly to your phone, so you can get a real-time alert from your property. A battery powered video doorbell will also allow you to speak to the person and they will be able to respond. If they are up to no good, knowing they are being watched by your security cameras is likely to be enough to send them on their way. But if they have a legitimate reason for being on your property, it can be helpful to be able to speak to them. For example, they might simply be delivering a parcel and you'll be able to tell them where to hide it when you aren't home.

Should I choose indoor or outdoor cameras?

Outdoor cameras can be a strong deterrent to thieves, but indoor cameras offer some additional benefits. For a complete home security system, you should consider a combination of both indoor and outdoor cameras. This will provide the best possible coverage of your home and can also be helpful for keeping an eye on things like pets or elderly relatives.

Studies have found that the presence of cameras is enough of a deterrent for many thieves. By protecting key and vulnerable areas of your home with outdoor cameras, you can have peace of mind. Strategically placed indoor cameras can then cover any additional weak spots in your home security. This could also help provide valuable evidence to the police if you are ever broken into.

Some people worried about privacy concerns when installing cameras in their home may want to focus on outdoor cameras only. These will typically have no sound recording capabilities and will not be pointed at indoor areas of your home where people spend most of their time.

Relevant Article: How To Choose A Security Camera

What are the most important factors to consider?

When choosing the right security cameras for your home, there are a few things to consider:

• Picture quality is the most important aspect of security cameras. A security camera is no use if the picture quality is too blurry to be able to identify anyone in the picture. Look for a full HD camera lens to make the most of your CCTV cameras.
• Motion detection. If you opt for a wireless camera setup, motion sensors can help to save recording space. With wired cameras, you will be recording constantly to a hard drive in your home that will need to be erased periodically. But with motion detection, you can choose to just record when something is happening.
• Accessible system. Whether you choose wired cameras or wireless cameras, the most important thing is that you can access it. Smart security cameras will allow you to access the footage on your phone or from a cloud storage account. With a wired system, this is more likely to be stored on a system in your home. You need to know how to use your system to be able to make the most of it.
• Wide angle camera lens or a moving head. You either need to have a wide angle view of your home, or you need to be able to pan and tilt your camera to see everything that is going on. Bullet cameras are more likely to have a wide lens, while dome cameras are more likely to offer pan and tilt capabilities.
• Microphones and speakers. A two-way talk system will enable you to check in to your home from anywhere. This is popular with video doorbells, but it can also be found in some indoor dome cameras.
• Smart scheduling. To make your system more efficient, some also offer something known as geofencing or scheduling. This will turn the system off when you return home and can save energy, which is particularly useful for battery powered cameras as it will preserve the cam battery.

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