Before going out and purchase cameras, a home security system package or just buy something because it’s “the top of the line,” it’s important to think about why you need it, what you are recording and how you will be viewing it. Once you have a better understanding of your needs, whether its for inside your home, outside your home or both you can start making some product decisions.

Before you do anything its important to understand the laws regarding surveillance. In most states anyone recording audio or video in a specific area must alert anyone within the range that they are being recorded. If you have a hidden cameras in your home or in a specific room that is recording and you do not inform guests or others in the home they are being recorded it is considered illegal. If caught you could be brought to court where you could face fines or possible jail time.

Home security cameras come in two types, wired and wireless. Wired cameras are going to be more difficult to install and the wires could hamper your attempts to be discrete but the quality of the image is much sharper than a wireless camera which can be much more discrete and easy to install. The wireless transmission however can easily be interrupted by other broadcasts from cordless phones and baby monitors or even worse they can be intercepted, defeating the purpose of the security cameras all together.

Now that you know the options regarding the types of transmission of video and are aware of the laws regarding recording audio and video you can start thinking about what type of recording or viewing system you would like to use. Viewing or recording systems come in a few different options. If you are simply monitoring an area such as the kids play room or the front door a live feed should be sufficient. Live feeds can simply go to a tv or computer in your home which can be configured to be viewed via the internet so you can monitor the area from wherever you are as long as you have and internet connection, some can even be viewed using your mobile phone through applications offered by your service provider.

If you are protecting or guarding something or you just can’t monitor it often enough and feel more comfortable being able to go back and view the footage later a recording system may be best for you. VCR recording has been very popular in the past but with todays technology most are recorded straight to a hard drive. This allows easier viewing and much more recording time.

Finally you must choose your cameras. There are many companies that manufacture and sell video surveillance cameras so finding something that is right for you should not be a problem however you should have in mind general size and functions you need your camera(s) to perform.

If you’ve decided through the corse of reading this article that you need to be discrete about your video surveillance you would want something small such as a pinhole camera or hidden camera. If you are simply monitoring your home inside or out, a basic video surveillance camera is probably best for you. It informs people they are being recorded and can help you avoid charges and possible convictions.

For more information regarding home surveillance or other home automation contact our friends in Winchester at System7 by sending an email to Info@systemseven.com.

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