Home Surveillance Systems: Which One Should You Choose?

When it comes to home surveillance systems, consumers are faced with a host of different, and often very confusing, options to choose from.  Hidden cameras, digital IP-based video surveillance technology and CCTV home surveillance systems are some of the different set-ups that are currently available in camera security systems.  This article will provide an overview of these different systems to help you determine which home surveillance system is most suitable for your individual needs.

Using hidden cameras for home surveillance systems is becoming an increasingly popular choice with consumers.  Today’s spycams, often referred to as nanny cameras, feature pinhole lenses which can be incorporated into any number of a variety of household items such as lamps, clocks, books or sculptures for virtually invisible home surveillance systems.  These hidden spycams are often connected to a digital recording device (DVR) which stores the captured video footage on a memory card for later viewing.  Wireless hidden cameras also make popular home surveillance systems, and these work by attaching the camera to a wireless transmitter which sends a signal back to a receiver at a remote viewing station.  Hidden cameras are a great option for home surveillance systems when you want to be equipped to discreetly catch dishonest parties who are stealing from you or mistreating family members.

Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) systems were the original home surveillance systems and initially consisted of an analog camera feeding video along a cable to a monitor and a video recorder.    CCTV home surveillance systems have evolved considerably over recent years and now typically feature either one or more security cameras which send video to a monitor and a DVR through the use of a cable or a wireless transmitter and receiver.  The DVRs are designed to activate when motion is detected as pixel movement and many CCTV + DVR home surveillance systems provide additional features such as networking for viewing images on the internet or a cell phone, loop recording and email notifications.  These home surveillance systems are an affordable and user-friendly option and you don’t need to be an expert to install them either.

CCTV + DVR home surveillance systems are sometimes marketed as digital surveillance systems since they have incorporated some digital components into their set-up.  However, for those seeking true digital technology, IP-based home surveillance systems represent the most advanced camera security systems available today.  IP-based home surveillance systems consist of a digital  camera which transmits the digitized video signal over a LAN line to a computer or server, and from here the real-time images can be viewed, recorded or instantly transmitted to anywhere in the world.    IP-based home surveillance systems usually provide a much higher image quality than other systems along with better information retrieval and storage features, however they are also a pricier alternative.  Digital home surveillance systems are highly adaptable and are a great option for those who want to be able to monitor a number of cameras from a remote viewing station, or for those who may want to expand their home surveillance system to include more security cameras in the future.

When shopping for a home surveillance system think carefully about the system that will best service the current and future needs of your family and be clear about which of these three technologies you are actually purchasing.