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10 things that you should not miss while buying a security camera for your home
Gadgets Now | Komal Mohan16 Aug, 2021, 01:39PM IST
Installation: Go for plug-and-play solutions
Perhaps one major factor that may have been causing hindrance for you to invest in a home security camera could be how easy or difficult it is to install it. Most cameras today are simple to install and are accompanied by a plug-in adapter. You will have to decide the placement of the camera you are buying to be near an outlet.
Range: Go for cameras with minimum range of 20 to 25 meter
The range of the camera depends on the focal length of the lens and the size of the image sensor. While looking for a home security camera, you must opt for the one that has at least 20 to 25 meters of range.
Resolution support: Choose between image quality and storage
Most home security cameras offer support for 720p or 1080p resolution. Some of the cameras out there even come with support for 2K or even 4K resolution recording too. Higher the resolution, better are the details in the footage. However, on the flip side, higher resolution footage also means heavier size of the clips.
Smartphone app support: It’s a must
Nowadays there are apps for most things that we may require in our daily lives. And so not surprising there are apps to help you monitor what’s going inside your house. So, pick a home security camera that offers support for smartphone apps as this allows you to easily monitor your home, with your phone being the access device. You can check the app’s rating on Google Play Store or Apple App Store before to find out how easy or difficult it is to use the app.
Motion and audio detection support: Buy the ones that have sensors for both
Home security cameras should be able to notify users about any unusual sounds or movement. This can be in the way of an alert on the companion app or an alarm on the linked device. Ensure the one you buy supports this. There are home security cameras that have either motion detection sensor or audio detection sensor, there are also those who support both. Try going for those that support both, unless the purchase really shakes your budget.
Night vision support: This is a big must
A must-have feature for a home security camera is night vision support. For this support to be presenting your home security camera, you must look for Infra-Red LEDs — the small bulbs located on all sides of the main sensor.
Storage: Choose between hardware or cloud storage
Most security cameras today come with cloud storage support. The footage gets automatically uploaded onto a cloud server and the company may offer buyers a paid subscription for the same. Alternatively, some security cameras also come with support for local storage that includes making use of a microSD card or an external hard drive.
Durability: Depends on where you are installing the camera
It is important to check the durability of a home security camera. This depends on the key places where you will be putting these devices, including the entry and exit points. Things to look for include water-proofing and other climate conditions like the average temperature. Look for a rugged solution if the place you are installing it may get occasional windstorms.
Connectivity: Wired or wireless
In terms of connectivity, you will find both types of cameras — one that requires Wi-Fi and one that doesn’t require Wi-Fi. Most cameras today require a home Wi-Fi network, which means that you will have to place them within range of your home's router. The wired cameras depend on video cables to transmit images. Both have their own pros and cons depending on where you want to install.
Privacy: Find out what company is doing with the camera footage, look for encrypted solutions
Last, but not least, it is important to see what the company is claiming about data privacy. If it is offering encryption, two-factor authentication to access the footage, etc.