Staying abreast of the most recent developments, trends, and innovations in today's rapidly developing technological landscape is vital. A sound camera surveillance system can protect your home from robbers to wedding crashers. Although it may appear straightforward, many aspects exist to consider when installing a surveillance camera system. It's not just about plugging in cameras and watching the live feed. Establishing an effective security camera system requires planning and attention to detail to get the optimum results.
A well-thought-out camera installation will give you peace of mind, alert you to intruders, and help identify any suspicious activity around your premises. On the other hand, a poorly planned camera installation can leave security gaps or even cause more problems than it solves. Learn about the latest camera developments, best practices, and pitfalls so that you can use cameras to their full potential in your home.
1. Use the right camera for the job
Before installing cameras, you should evaluate what you want each camera to achieve. An effective camera plan will help you avoid the mistake of installing the wrong type of camera in the wrong place. Choosing the best camera requires careful consideration of several different factors. Such as field of view, zooming capacity, type, and image quality are all crucial factors to consider.
2. Don't skimp on security
When choosing your camera system, purchasing a high-quality model is vital. A cheap camera might look like a good idea at the time, but you'll regret that decision when it breaks down on you. A high-quality camera will work well for many years, while a cheap model might break down after only a few months. If you skimp on camera quality, you might end up with faulty images, which could cause you to miss an actual break-in.
You might even end up in court because your poor camera system led to you missing a crucial part of the break-in. A high-quality camera system allows you to zoom in on distant objects. This can be important when you want to see who's approaching your home.
3. Be aware of your environment
The environment where you install your cameras is an essential factor to consider when installing surveillance cameras. If your cameras are installed in a dusty environment, they will get clogged with dust and fail faster. If your cameras are installed in a humid climate, they might rust or get moldy, damaging the camera and reducing its lifespan.
If you have animals roaming your property, you must remember that animals can damage cameras. If you have birds or other flying animals on your property, you might consider getting camera cages so they won't damage the cameras.
4. Choose the right location
When choosing the location of your cameras, you need to factor in the purpose of each camera. The following considerations should be made:
Height: The surveillance camera is perched too high and has a narrow field view. When homeowners want to monitor "everything," they often mistake mounting the security camera in the most elevated possible location. If you put up your surveillance camera more than 11 feet, its field of view will be severely compromised.
The risk of theft or vandalism increases if you place your security camera too low. The worst-case scenario has the very thing that was supposed to keep you safe become lost or damaged. The ideal height is between nine and ten feet, but you should check the manual to be safe. Because this is high enough to discourage the average person from tampering with it, it is the recommended height. And it's still low enough to record events 30 feet away from your home.
Location: Another possibility is that the security camera was placed in an easily accessible but vulnerable area. You must decide where you need to see and don't. For example, if you want to be able to see if someone is approaching your front door, you need to install a camera at the front of your property.
A surveillance camera best monitors the area just beyond your backyard gate. Consider the places you absolutely must have visibility and the places you can do without.
Accessibility: When you have close neighbors, you shouldn't put up cameras where they can be easily seen. In case of a home invasion, the intruder may be able to determine the brand and model of your cameras, giving them an advantage the next time they attempt a break-in.
5. Have a reliable power supply ready
Your camera system will require electricity to function correctly, so you need to have a plan in place for a reliable power supply. If installing cameras outside, you must consider the power outage risk. If a power outage occurs outside your home, the cameras will go out too. If you're installing cameras outside, you can install a generator or a solar power system to provide a backup power supply.
If you're installing cameras inside your home, you don't need to worry as much about power outages. However, you still need to consider the risk of a power surge. If you're installing cameras inside your home, you can use a surge protector to prevent power surges from damaging your cameras.
6. Solid WiFi and cloud setup
Another critical aspect of installing surveillance cameras is ensuring a solid wireless WiFi connection between the cameras and the recording device. If your cameras are connected via WiFi, test the WiFi connection to see if it's reliable. If your cameras transmit video wirelessly, you must ensure the WiFi connection is reliable and fast enough to transmit video.
If your cameras are connected to your home network via Ethernet, ensure you have reliable Ethernet cables that can transmit video without interference.
7 Don't forget to test regularly
To avoid problems with your camera installation:
- Test it before calling it finished.
- Test your WiFi connection to ensure your cameras can transmit video without interruption.
- Test your cameras to make sure they're recording correctly. You should conduct weekly tests to make sure everything is in working order.
If something goes wrong, you'll be able to fix it right away. By performing regular tests, you can avoid problems with your camera installation and make sure everything is running smoothly. Last, you must also ensure your camera system is properly maintained. Routine maintenance is required to ensure that your system runs smoothly and efficiently.
8. Having enough of the extras
You or the salesperson probably didn't realize you needed the extras, so leaving them behind is a common blunder. Some of the extras:
- Lack of ethernet cables
- Tools for severing and removing insulation from wires
- Tape for electrical wires
- Wet wall patching kit
- Some additional fasteners
- Accessory for fishing behind drywall
The worst part about this error is the potential for the project duration to balloon. The once one-day installation process is now spread over two or three days.
Plan as much as possible to ensure you have all the necessary equipment. Always plan for the worst-case scenario, and you'll be prepared for anything. You can always return newly purchased items if you end up not using them, so there's no reason to open them before you need them.
9. User names and Passwords
In their haste to finish the task, many people either fail to jot down their login information or continue using old credentials. This issue can arise even before a security camera is put in place. Some security cameras require a username and password that can be difficult to configure if you can't remember them and haven't written them down.
If you're using a Foscam IP camera, you may have to switch from a dynamic to a static IP address. You will need to access your router's administration panel to accomplish this. Failing to update router and camera passwords is a much more severe problem. What I mean by "login information" isn't just your wireless network password. Like your personal computer, your router requires a login name and password. Like with your computer, you should immediately alter the existing settings for the username and password.
Take notes as you create your username and password. Safeguard your passwords by either storing them in a secure location or by using password-protected websites. Password-protected websites may have recurring fees.
Conclusion
This article offers the tips and the background you need to avoid mistakes when installing the best surveillance camera for your home or business. Continue reading our blog Hoe.com for more home and security-related info.
