Burglar Alarm Tips

Video surveillance cameras used to be used in banks, secure areas, and occasionally in the compounds of the rich and famous. These old cameras were usually part of a closed circuit television (CCTV) system that was expensive and difficult to install and costly to maintain. The cost of CCTV systems made them prohibitive for most home owners.

Advances in information and digital technology have made CCTV systems a thing of the past, and today’s video surveillance systems are much more affordable, reliable, and easy to use.

The mere presence of video cameras can do a lot to deter intrusions. Most would-be thieves will decide that a place with security cameras is not worth the trouble. So if you want an extra measure of protection for your home and property, a video surveillance system can be a worthwhile investment.

IP video surveillance camera

Most security systems today use Internet Protocol (IP) cameras which are pretty simple to install and maintain. They deliver digital information via an IP network, unlike CCTV cameras which required a complicated system of coaxial cables. And that information can be monitored live.

You can buy IP surveillance cameras individually or bundled with surveillance software. You’ll need the software to record, retrieve, view, and broadcast your feed.

You can place the cameras wherever there’s a connection to an IP network. The most logical places are near entrances to your home, on any outbuildings you have, and on the perimeter if your property is large. If you have valuables displayed inside your home, you should probably put one there too.

Each camera has its own IP address and unlike webcams, they don’t need to be connected to a PC. The quality of the digital images is vastly superior to analog. And sophisticated IP cameras will also pan, tilt, and zoom.

One of the biggest advantages of IP video surveillance systems is that with a network video recorder you can monitor the feed in real time from any computer with Internet access. In most cases, you can even access it with a smart phone. Being able to check up on your house when you’re away can provide a lot of peace of mind.

CCTV systems store their recorded images on VHS tapes, which were then dated and stored. Because the images captured by IP surveillance cameras are digital, the information is archived on servers where it can be accessed instantly via search.

IP systems are more expensive than CCTV systems, but the price is dropping rapidly. Most of the major home security system providers now offer it, so ask for a quote. You may be pleasantly surprised by how affordable video surveillance turns out to be.

Read about other kinds of home security systems here.

IP video surveillance camera Image Flickr: Matti Mattila