If you’re thinking about setting up home security cameras, you’re probably facing a ton of questions right now. Where are the best places to put your security cameras? What type of cameras are right for you? Are you going to use them enough to make it worth it? These are the same types of questions that you would ask for any purchase. But, protecting your home shouldn’t be stressful — we’re here for you! Before you set up home security cameras, consider the following things.

Why Should You Have Home Security Cameras?

Home security cameras are a great way to protect your home and stay connected to it on-the-go. Today, you can stream your cameras live to your phone with nothing more than a WiFi connection. They do more than just catch burglars. They help you stay connected to your home and family!

Beyond feeling safe, there are plenty of reasons to stay connected. Here are a few:

• To see your kids coming home from school
• To lazily let the dog out the back door, but still keep an eye on them
• To check on pets throughout the day
• To answer the front door
• To create home movies and memories

Choosing the Right Kind of Camera

Now that you know how your family will use cameras to keep your home protected and connected, let’s talk about which cameras are best for your home. There are countless options out there, but to keep it simple, you can break cameras down into three basic types: Indoor, outdoor, and doorbell cameras.

Indoor vs Outdoor Cameras

There are a few differences between indoor and outdoor cameras. First, outdoor cameras need to be weatherproof in order to withstand the elements. Check the camera’s IP Rating before putting it outside to see if it’s weather and waterproof. Second, outdoor cameras need their own power source like a solar panel. Both allow you to check in from your phone day or night.

Doorbell Cameras

Doorbell cameras are a little different. Rather than just recording on motion (though they do that too), doorbell cameras will start recording when someone rings. Then, they’ll connect you to the front door through a video call! They replace your existing hardwired doorbell. If you don’t have a hardwired doorbell, don’t worry. You can still set up battery-powered doorbell cameras too!

Things to Consider When You Set Up Home Security Cameras

While you’ll surely be using your cameras to keep your home safe, they’ll quickly become part of your daily life. To make sure you are getting the most out of your cameras, there are a few things to keep in mind when setting them up.

Camera Position

All cameras have a specific field of view, usually around 130°. This is what the camera is able to “see” in front of it. If something is too close to the camera, part of it might get cut off. For this reason, when placing an indoor camera, it’s better to put it in the corner of a room to get the most out of its field of view.

Camera Range

How far do you need the camera to see with clarity? Some cameras have zoom capabilities, however, digital zoom does not improve clarity when you zoom in. If you’re just trying to see the area around your home, most cameras will have all of the range you need. If you need to see further than that, you might need to explore other camera options. When it comes to night vision, most cameras use high-power infrared LEDs to light up the field of view. This usually lights about 20-50 feet in front of the camera, which is perfect for protecting a home.

Motion Detection

When something moves in front of your camera, it’ll start recording. This is great for catching bad guys, but not so great if you live on a busy road. Cars driving by constantly could trigger your motion detection and send you unwanted video clips! Luckily, the sensitivity can be easily adjusted to prevent these unwanted motion recordings. When setting up your cameras, test the motion detection to make sure you are only getting the videos you actually want to see throughout the day!

How to Buy and Install Home Security Cameras

Now that you know you definitely want to set up home security cameras and you know which ones are right for you, it’s time to protect your home! If you are a DIYer, this is a task you’re probably looking forward to. If not, you might be a little intimidated at the task of installing cameras around your home. Don’t fret! That’s what we’re here for! Cameras can be easy to set up, but if you need some help, you can always go with a professional installation to make sure everything is done right.

Have more questions about home security cameras? We’re here for you. Call us today to talk to a security specialist to find out which cameras are best for you or to set up an installation!

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