| When you get to the point that you're going to | | | | have a home office, put a camera in there. |
| design and install a home security camera system, | | | | Hardware |
| be aware that one size does not fit all. You'll need | | | | Speaking of location, the kind of camera you buy |
| to customize your design to fit the needs that | | | | will be influenced by where you plan to put it. For |
| you have for your family and the limitations that | | | | example, if the camera is going to be located |
| you might have in the floor plan at your home. | | | | outside then you want it to be more visible. One |
| For example, the answers to the following | | | | such kind of security camera is called the bullet |
| questions may dictate the sort of home security | | | | camera. This kind of camera has a long lens and is |
| camera system that you install. | | | | mounted on a wall-bracket, away from the side |
| - Do you have kids? If so, you may want to | | | | of your home. Typically they will run on 12V DC |
| place a security camera in their vicinity so that | | | | current. |
| you can keep an eye on them wherever you are. | | | | With a camera of this sort, you get double duty |
| You also have the added benefit of making sure | | | | because it can not only monitor activity outside, it |
| that no one enters the yard without you knowing | | | | can act as a deterrent, keeping burglars away. |
| about it. Security cameras can also keep an eye | | | | Police in most major cities will tell you that the |
| on your baby in her room. | | | | chances of a break-in or a burglary are almost |
| - Do you hire outside help to come into the | | | | cut in half by the presence of one or more clearly |
| home? Speaking of babies, a home security | | | | visible security cameras in, and around, your |
| camera system can help you keep an eye on | | | | home. |
| your babysitter. By putting a camera in certain | | | | On the other hand, if the camera is located inside |
| locations you can monitor their activity with your | | | | your home, you want to make it as unobtrusive |
| children. This can bring you a lot of peace of mind. | | | | as possible. One such kind of camera is known as |
| - Do you have a home office or otherwise work | | | | a dome camera. This camera comes in the shape |
| from your home? If you do, you probably have | | | | of a dome that fits on the ceiling of your home. |
| made a substantial investment in expensive office | | | | You've seen these sorts of cameras in retail |
| equipment. And if you travel away from home, | | | | stores and casinos. You can use dome cameras |
| you'll want to keep an eye on things while you're | | | | outside as well, but they need to be protected |
| away. A home security camera system can help | | | | against the elements. |
| you do this. | | | | A similar sort of camera is called a board camera. |
| Whatever your situation, you are going to have | | | | These kinds of cameras have a fixed lens |
| very specific needs that must be met by the | | | | mounted to a circuit board. Additionally, it might be |
| hardware and layout of a home security camera | | | | packaged in a small case or it might be put in a |
| system. | | | | dome -- or it might not have a package at all. |
| You also have to decide what you want to do | | | | Cameras of this sort will have a small pinhole lens. |
| with the images that are captured by your home | | | | In other words, a very small opening. Sometimes |
| security camera system. For example: | | | | these kinds of cameras are called spy cameras. |
| - Will you be recording the camera's images to a | | | | You can put this kind of camera almost |
| hard drive on your computer? Whether you go | | | | anywhere. These are great if you put them in a |
| hardwired or wireless, your PC can be connected | | | | hidden location. Often, these kinds of cameras are |
| to your home security camera system through | | | | put in a smoke detector or pointing through a |
| the use of a digital video recorder (DVR) | | | | small hole in a wall. |
| multiplexer. What this means is that you can send | | | | Time of Day |
| picture data to your PC. Not only that -- you can | | | | If you want to monitor the outside of your home |
| control your camera via your computer, as long | | | | at night -- and who doesn't, as almost all robberies |
| as it is connected to the Internet. What this | | | | and break-ins happened once it gets dark -- you'll |
| means is that you can see what your cameras | | | | want another kind of camera: an infrared camera. |
| are watching and control what they're doing. | | | | This kind of camera automatically sees in the |
| - Will be pictures be beamed to a monitoring | | | | dark, recording everything in black and white. |
| company? It is possible to combine a home | | | | They're very good at detecting moving objects |
| security camera system with remote monitoring | | | | when it's completely pitch black outside. What this |
| to alert police if there is a break-in at your home. | | | | means is that you can sleep comfortably and not |
| And you can even provide evidence after the | | | | worry at all that you'll wake up to a nasty |
| fact. | | | | surprise. |
| You'll need to decide for yourself what you want | | | | Conclusion |
| out of your home security camera system. Let's | | | | Before you buy a home security camera system, |
| look at some other basic questions that may | | | | make sure you've done some research. Make |
| apply to everyone who finds themselves shopping | | | | sure you've asked yourself the right kind of |
| for a home security camera system. | | | | questions. This will help you make an informed |
| Location | | | | decision when it comes to the well-being of your |
| The most obvious place for putting a camera is | | | | family and personal property. |
| at the main entry to your home. In this way you | | | | And one more thing: |
| can screen who is coming to your home from | | | | Don't cut any corners. A home security camera |
| another location say in your office or in your | | | | system can be expensive, but it is worth the |
| bedroom. You may also consider putting a camera | | | | peace of mind. |
| near where your children play outside. And if you | | | | |