In 2017, there were over 1.4 million burglaries in the U.S. An effective way to deter nefarious individuals is by installing outdoor home security cameras.
However, one of the first things you’ll realize when you start shopping for this is all the available options. It’s up to you to find the one that best suits your needs.
To ensure you get the right outdoor security camera system for your home safety and security, consider the information here. By learning about some of the most common features and what they do, you can figure out what will help you feel most secure.
Features to Look for When Shopping for Outdoor Home Security Cameras
If you want to purchase and install outdoor home security cameras, be sure to look for the features found here. You can also learn what benefits they offer.
Connectivity
Most security cameras available for home use today operate through your home’s Wi-Fi network. This means you need to situate them within a range suitable to work with your home’s wireless access point or router to function properly.
It also means that if there’s an interruption to your Wi-Fi signal, because of an electrical outage or spotty service, your camera won’t work.
You can also find systems that work through cellular networks. These operate via an internal 3G/4G modem along with a data SIM card, which you must purchase separately.
Power Source
Most outdoor security cameras use a plug-in adapter for power. This doesn’t mean it’s impossible to move the camera to another location, but that you have to consider the outlet’s location when choosing the install area (or have an extension cord available).
There are also options that can operate untethered. These usually have batteries as their source of power. Some systems have replaceable batteries and others have batteries that are rechargeable.
Each provides you more options for where the cameras are installed.
Monitoring Capabilities
There are some outdoor security cameras that provide continuous streaming while others are motion activated. Both have their benefits, but you need to consider which one is right for your needs.
The answer to this question will help you figure out if you need a camera that offers constant live streaming, or that only comes on when it detects motion. By choosing a live streaming option, you can log in and see what’s happening any time.
With a motion-activated system, video is only recorded when motion is detected. This is an important distinction and one you need to consider carefully.
Subscriptions or Storage
Video storage varies in types and options. You can choose cloud storage, which is going to send your footage to a remote server. You can also choose local storage, which includes a separate storage device to hold footage you want to save.
While most cameras make you choose one storage type of another, there are some that let you choose from both these options.
You may also have to pay the optional subscription fee (usually on a monthly basis) if you choose cloud storage.
The Field of View
You need to think about how much you want your security camera to “see.” Since you are probably using it to guard a specific area, such as your front yard, back door, shed area, etc., having a larger field of view is probably going to be more appealing.
There are some cameras that have a 180-degree lends. You can also choose IP cameras, which offer a manual tilt and pan functionality that can dramatically increase the field of view.
The Price
The price of an outdoor security system can vary a lot based on the camera type and the features it offers. It’s a good idea to consider what your budget is before you start shopping.
Advanced Features
Beyond the more basic features, such as live stream, two-way talk, night vision, and alerts, there’s a whole world of integration and features available.
For example, some tech-advanced cameras available for sale today offer facial recognition. These can help you distinguish between people and virtually anything else. They can also let you know who you see from a database of family members and friends you have added to your account.
There are other models that let you set the activity zones. This means you can choose a certain area in your camera’s field of view you want to pay more attention to or ignore. This allows you to focus on the areas that are most vulnerable, such as your garage door, driveway, or another location.
Keep in mind though, the more advanced features you choose with your system, the higher the price will surge.
Why Mobile Video Guard is a Smart Option
While considering all the factors and features listed here is crucial, when it comes down to making a decision, Mobile Video Guard can meet your needs and exceed your expectations. For example, with Mobile Video Guard, the security cameras you install offer four views, red and blue strobe lights, a speaker, cellular modem.
Also, compared to other video surveillance options, you can save between 60% and 90%. With our company, you can also enjoy some other features mentioned above, such as remote video surveillance and the ability to install the cameras permanently or temporarily.
If you want more information about Mobile Video Guard security camera solutions or about why these solutions are right for you, contact us. Our team can help ensure you get the security and peace of mind you are looking for.
