Home Surveillance - How to Choose the Right Security System
You probably saw the recent footage of a woman watching people in her house while she was in another room on the phone with 911.
They caught those intruders.
Home security is big business and because of this, there are a plethora of services and equipment to choose from.
So, if you are thinking about purchasing a home surveillance system, how do you know what's right for you? The high pressure sales guy will want you to buy the most expensive and best, but do you really need all the gadgets and cameras that come with it? Before you start shopping, you need to consider exactly what kind of security you are looking for so you don't end up with too much.
Here are some of the things to take into account when thinking about home surveillance: 1.
What is the purpose of the camera monitoring system? Do you want the system strictly for your house security or are you checking up on people there? Depending on the purpose, cameras can be exposed or hidden.
Exposed ones are a great deterrent for potential burglars.
But, hidden ones allow you to monitor interaction between baby-sitters and your children or what goes on while you are not there.
2.
What is it you want to see on the security monitor? Frame rate and range of the camera determine the quality of the picture you are going to see.
The slower the frame rate, the longer the recording, but quality is compromised.
Also, you could miss an important detail in between pictures.
Discuss your expectations with your dealer and he can help you determine the right home surveillance equipment.
3.
Do you want to hear what's going on too? Audio is not always important.
If you see intruders in the house, do you really need to hear what they are saying to know their intent? But, if your goal is to check up on the nanny or baby-sitter, you do want to hear what he or she is saying to your child.
4.
Do you need remote access? This is a convenient way to check up on the house while you are at work, on vacation or leaving the teenagers alone, for the weekend.
You can access your monitor from any computer.
Your installation expert can set up the system so that, with a log-in code, you can view them from any computer.
5.
How many cameras do you really need? The size of your residence as well as the specific locations you want to monitor determine the number of cameras.
Do you want exterior ones to record your whole lot or just the perimeter of the house? Does every room really need a camera? These are some things to consider.
When you're ready to buy, always shop around for the best equipment from a reputable dealer.
Ask to see the equipment you are thinking of buying in action to make sure the picture quality and range is good enough to suit your needs.
If you can't make out the facial features of a burglar, what good is the system?
They caught those intruders.
Home security is big business and because of this, there are a plethora of services and equipment to choose from.
So, if you are thinking about purchasing a home surveillance system, how do you know what's right for you? The high pressure sales guy will want you to buy the most expensive and best, but do you really need all the gadgets and cameras that come with it? Before you start shopping, you need to consider exactly what kind of security you are looking for so you don't end up with too much.
Here are some of the things to take into account when thinking about home surveillance: 1.
What is the purpose of the camera monitoring system? Do you want the system strictly for your house security or are you checking up on people there? Depending on the purpose, cameras can be exposed or hidden.
Exposed ones are a great deterrent for potential burglars.
But, hidden ones allow you to monitor interaction between baby-sitters and your children or what goes on while you are not there.
2.
What is it you want to see on the security monitor? Frame rate and range of the camera determine the quality of the picture you are going to see.
The slower the frame rate, the longer the recording, but quality is compromised.
Also, you could miss an important detail in between pictures.
Discuss your expectations with your dealer and he can help you determine the right home surveillance equipment.
3.
Do you want to hear what's going on too? Audio is not always important.
If you see intruders in the house, do you really need to hear what they are saying to know their intent? But, if your goal is to check up on the nanny or baby-sitter, you do want to hear what he or she is saying to your child.
4.
Do you need remote access? This is a convenient way to check up on the house while you are at work, on vacation or leaving the teenagers alone, for the weekend.
You can access your monitor from any computer.
Your installation expert can set up the system so that, with a log-in code, you can view them from any computer.
5.
How many cameras do you really need? The size of your residence as well as the specific locations you want to monitor determine the number of cameras.
Do you want exterior ones to record your whole lot or just the perimeter of the house? Does every room really need a camera? These are some things to consider.
When you're ready to buy, always shop around for the best equipment from a reputable dealer.
Ask to see the equipment you are thinking of buying in action to make sure the picture quality and range is good enough to suit your needs.
If you can't make out the facial features of a burglar, what good is the system?