1080p Video Surveillance Outdoor

A home security camera is a video recording device that captures footage of your home and property that you can view on a smartphone, tablet, or computer from anywhere using an internet connection. Most home security cameras are motion-activated and will record when they detect motion, as well as send you an alert. Some can record 24/7, which is known as continuous video recording (CVR). There are two types of security cameras: wired and wireless. Wireless security cameras use Wi-Fi to transmit surveillance footage to a cloud-based server over the internet. This allows you to view the footage on any internet-connected device. Note that many wireless cameras are not entirely wireless because they need to be plugged into AC power via a power cable, although some use rechargeable batteries instead.

There are a few different ways to approach the different types of security cameras, either by location, where you put them in your home or business, by power, how they receive power, by connectivity, whether they require Wi-Fi or cellular signals, by the way they record footage, whether locally or on a cloud, or by their design.

By Location
*Indoor Cameras: Indoor cameras, which typically cost around $100, should be placed on the ground level of your home at the very least. Avoid private areas like bathrooms or bedrooms, but cover any area that's easily accessible, like a front hallway, or any area that's central to your home, like a living room. Indoor cameras are more likely to be plug-in than outdoor cameras, which may not be near an outlet. Most indoor cameras require Wi-Fi or an internet connection, except a few that connect and record directly to a DVR or NVR. And even most NVR - and DVR-connected cameras these days connect to the internet to provide you with remote alerts.
*Outdoor Cameras: Outdoor cameras, on the other hand, tend to cost around $200. The reason? They come with weather-resistant cases so that they can withstand large temperature ranges as well as various solids and liquids, be it rain, snow, hail or dust. Unlike indoor cameras, outdoor cameras are more likely to be wireless - meaning that they're powered by batteries and connect to Wi-Fi - due to fewer outdoor outlets. But one thing that is important to note is that wireless cameras may still require the internet.
*Video Doorbells: Video doorbells are another type of outdoor cameras used specifically on front doors. Otherwise known as doorbell cameras, they may include a chime or replace an existing doorbell setup so people can see and speak to their guests remotely through a mobile application or smart home device.

By Power
*Wired Cameras: Wired cameras, typically indoor, have the advantage of never requiring us to replace their batteries; rather, they're either plugged in or hardwired into our home. However, the disadvantages are there as well; one, we don't love adding more wires to our already connected smart home, and two, if our power or Wi-Fi goes out, which occurs more often than we'd like, the camera may not be able to connect to our app.
*Wireless Cameras: Wireless cameras are much easier to install than wired cameras, but of course, we had to take battery life into consideration; a year is a reasonable time period for a camera to last, in our opinion. While some batteries are rechargeable, some we have to replace completely every so often. Some outdoor cameras come with solar panels, meaning that they charge continuously from the sun, never requiring a battery change.

By Connectivity
*WiFi-Connected Cameras (Digital or IP Camera): These days, most security cameras are WiFi-connected, meaning that they have a corresponding app that allows us to livestream footage, receive motion or person-activated notifications, and control our camera remotely. This took our home monitoring from local only to remote; we could literally see what was going on at home from anywhere in the world, so long as it had Wi-Fi. For the most comprehensive monitoring, we recommend getting a smart security camera, meaning it's connected to the Internet.
*Cameras That Don't Require WiFi (Analog): If you don't have Wi-Fi, there are still cameras that'll work for you. Most record directly onto either a micro-SD card or hard drive, so while we couldn't livestream footage, we could see what went on in retrospect by downloading the local storage onto a device like our computer.

By Recording
*Digital Video Recorders (DVR): DVR cameras are typically analog cameras, meaning they're not Wi-Fi-connected; they're usually part of wired security systems. Typically, the camera connects to a hard drive via a coaxial cable.
*Network Video Recorders (NVR): The majority of NVR cameras are Wi-Fi-connected, otherwise known as IP or Internet Protocol cameras. These cameras can either be wired or wireless. If they are wired, they likely use Ethernet cables rather than coaxial cables.
*Cloud Recording: Cloud recording refers to off-site footage recording through a cloud server operated by the camera manufacturer or a third-party. Some older IP cameras can use your own cloud storage (e.g. Google Drive, OneDrive, etc.), but most cameras nowadays use their own subscription-based cloud storage. That is, you pay the company monthly or yearly to store videos in the cloud. The advantage of cloud storage is that you can view your footage anywhere with an internet connection, and if your camera gets destroyed, you'll still have access to its recordings.

By Shape
*Bullet: Bullet cameras, usually wireless, are good for securing on rooms' corners for the most coverage.
*Dome: A bit harder to install than bullet cameras, dome cameras have the advantage of being hard to steal, as they're placed on ceilings. They also provide a wider field of view than a regular camera due to their spherical design.
*Pan, Tilt or Zoom: Sometimes, we don't want to be limited to a camera's field of view, which is where panning, tilting and zooming comes in. This gives us more freedom to see exactly what we want to see, and the best cameras can pan all the way around for total coverage.
*Box: A box camera is exactly what it sounds like, a camera shaped like a box. These aren't super common when it comes to smart home security and were more popular during the late 1800s and early 1900s.
*Hidden: Also relatively self-explanatory, hidden cameras are designed to look like other objects, be it a pen, teddy bear, or simply a camera small enough to remain unnoticed. We don't recommend getting hidden cameras, as visible cameras can be a deterrent to would-be burglars.
*Turret or Eyeball Camera: Looking pretty similar to a dome camera, a turret camera has the best of both worlds, as we could position the camera in any angle we wanted in a theft-resistant setup.

High-Definition (HD) Video Capture
Gone are the days of grainy, choppy safety footage. Most advanced safety cameras come with at least 720p resolution, and it is even possible to upgrade to 1080p. With HD video recording, you get a clear image to see exactly what is going on in the camera's field of view.

Security Camera with Two-Way Audio
You can now alarm system installation that comes equipped with a speaker and a microphone for two-way audio. With this feature, the person monitoring the video can communicate with the person or people in front of the camera.

Night Vision and Low-light Recording
With a WiFi night vision outdoor security camera installation that can still record clear images in the dark, it is much easier to protect your home or business at night. Some night vision cameras use image intensifiers to amplify the ambient light that is in the frame. Other low-light surveillance cameras may use infrared light to provide a clear image in the dark.

Cloud Storage
One option for storing the video is to buy a DVR, but you do not have to be limited to the storage space you can house on-site. With great wireless outdoor security camera systems that connect to the internet, you can upload all of your safety footage to a security camera with cloud storage service. That not only means that you get more storage space, but it also means you can check your camera feeds from anyplace you have access to the internet. Furthermore, it's better for security camera service. With cloud storage, an intruder cannot destroy the evidence of their crime by stealing the DVR or tape.

Wireless Communication
The need to run a wire can be limiting when installing home safety cameras. With newer wireless cameras, you have more placement options, and it also makes installation easier. Additionally, you can move the cameras around if you feel like you need to. Wireless camera systems can provide 24 hours of camera service that connects easily with your alarm system, and they use advanced encryption to protect the signal.

Remote Monitoring
With the new cameras that connect to the internet, you can monitor your video at any time. As long as you have an internet connection, you can use an app on your phone, tablet, or laptop to view the camera feeds. You can use this feature to check on the kids when you are at work, or you could use it to keep an eye on your house while you are away on vacation.

Triggered Activation
If you have the best smart home alarm system can be connected to the security panel to provide features like triggered activation. With this feature, the triggering of one of the alarm sensors will activate the camera. As an example, you could have a camera set up to watch the front door. When the system detects the door opening, it could be programmed to start recording for that event.

Wide Dynamic Range
The dynamic range of home alarm camera systems refers to its ability to record in conditions that are bright and dark accurately. In some situations, you might have an area where part of the field is very bright, and another part is very dark. With a camera that has a wide dynamic range, it can balance the light in the video to make it, so the bright parts do not get washed out, and so the darker parts don't get too dark to see.

Buying a home security camera is a relatively simple process. Follow these five steps to purchase the right one for you.

Decide What Parts of Your Home You Want to Protect
Make sure to cover all the places where a burglar could enter your home, as well as the main areas that an intruder would have to walk through. In addition, determine if you need indoor cameras, outdoor cameras, or both, and where you want to position them. When you're installing cameras both indoors and outdoors, make sure they're high enough that an intruder can't grab the camera or cover it in some way.

Choose Your Power Source
Decide if you want wired or wireless cameras. Wired cameras don't need a power source nearby, but they do need to be wired back to a central recording device. As a result, they typically require professional installation. Many wireless cameras need an outlet outside or inside; the latter will require drilling through your exterior wall to route the power cord, but it will prevent someone from unplugging the camera or cutting the cord. Some wireless cameras can be powered by a cam battery that will need to be charged periodically, either with a wall outlet or solar power if the camera is designed for it. The main advantage of wired cameras is that you can record continuously to a local device, and therefore you don't need to pay monthly cloud storage fees or worry about being hacked. For their part, wireless cameras are much easier to install and many have more advanced features, such as facial recognition, activity zones, and more user-friendly mobile apps for viewing footage remotely.

Determine Your Budget
Prices for a single wireless camera range from as low as $25 up to $399. The average cost for a complete system to cover your home is $200 to $2,500, depending on how large your property is and what model of camera you choose. If you need multiple cameras, the purchase cost and ongoing video storage fees can add up quickly. However, you can install these cameras yourself to save on installation costs. If you do opt for professional installation, it starts at $100 per camera. Wired cameras are generally less expensive upfront, and there are no ongoing video storage fees. However, count on installation costs of about $200 per camera, typically with a four-camera minimum.

Pick the Right Features
Key features of a home security camera are motion-activated recording, smartphone alerts, good-quality resolution, and night vision. These will help keep your property secure. Other features that can be helpful include two-way audio, built-in sirens and floodlight, and a wide field of view to capture more area with fewer cameras. Advanced software features to consider include cameras that can differentiate between people and animals, and those that monitor specific activity zones to help filter out false alerts. Also, think about whether you need a camera that will record continuously or just when something happens. Recording continuously will ensure that you don't miss anything, but it requires a lot of Wi-Fi bandwidth and video storage.

Consider Your Privacy
Wireless cameras transmit footage over the internet and store it on a cloud-based server, which means it technically can be viewed by other people. To reduce this risk, only buy cameras from companies you trust and that advertise the security of their cameras. Look for built-in privacy features, such as geofencing (which turns your cameras off when you're home and on when you leave, based on your phone's location); or a physical camera shutter that can block the lens. In addition, only consider wireless cameras that offer two-factor authentication (which sends you a text or email with a special code after you type in your password) to guard against hacking.

If you have had a camera or many cameras for over a year, you will want to do annual maintenance to ensure you have a good picture and that you can find a recording if something were to happen. Otherwise, when you need it, you will find out that the cameras are not working or need cleaning, etc... Following these 7 steps for regular camera system maintenance is critical to ensuring that it continues to function appropriately and provide reliable surveillance. Here are some key maintenance tasks that should be done on a camera system each year:

Clean camera lenses: Over time, dust, debris, and other contaminants can accumulate on camera lenses, which can affect image quality. Use a microfiber cloth and lens cleaning solution to gently clean camera lenses, making sure not to scratch or damage them.

Check camera housing: Inspect camera housing for damage or wear and tear, which can affect its ability to protect the camera from the elements. Replace or repair any damaged housing as necessary.

Check cables and connectors: Check camera cables and connectors for damage or corrosion, which can affect the camera's ability to transmit video signals. Replace or repair any damaged cables or connectors as necessary. Also, make sure that they are securely connected. Oftentimes people move or bump the recorder so that cameras or wires could come disconnected.

Test camera functionality: Check each camera's functionality by viewing live feeds and reviewing recorded footage. Make sure that all cameras are properly aligned and configured, and that they are capturing high-quality video footage. Ideally, you position the camera away from a wall that might reflect all the infrared back at the camera and wash out the image. Also, make sure trees are trimmed so they are not blocking the shot.

Update camera firmware: Check for any available firmware updates for your cameras, and apply them if necessary. Firmware updates can improve camera performance and add new features or functionality.

Review storage capacity: Check the available storage capacity of your video recording devices, and make sure that there is sufficient space to store video footage. Consider upgrading or expanding storage capacity if necessary. Hard drives usually last 3-5 years. So you will need to keep checking if yours is still working or just replace it every 3 years so that the odds of it failing on you are low. You can get a new hard drive here.

Review system settings: Review your camera system's settings and configuration, and make any necessary adjustments to improve performance or address any issues that have arisen. Examples would be if you want cameras to record on motion or 24/7 or if you want to adjust the area it's recording so it isn't picking up traffic etc.