Buying a home security system is the best way to protect your home, your family, and your possessions. Got a question about home security? We've got answers! Read up on how home security systems work and shield your home today.
A home security system is designed to protect your entire home by securing different entry and exit points such as your doors and windows. It also goes beyond this and works to secure interior or open spaces where you keep all of your valuables. Home security systems are made up of a number of devices including cameras, motion sensors, and alarms that work with a central control panel in order to prevent intruders from entering your home.
A home security system generally functions by installing a camera either indoors or outside and can detect motion in the area in which it is surveilling. The video is typically sent to a built-in storage device or through cloud storage, and you can access all of your images and video clips through your monitor or receiver. Many cameras are outfitted with motion detectors, which will start recording any time they sense movement in range. If you get a camera with pan-and-tilt capabilities, the camera lens will point itself automatically in the direction it senses motion and start recording.
There are a range of different types of home security camera systems that are worth looking into. It is important to first identify what type of camera you want and the purpose of this camera. Do you want an outdoor camera to survey the perimeter of your house, a doorbell camera to see who is at your front door and when you get deliveries, or an indoor camera to keep an eye on the inside of your house when you are not there? When looking for the perfect camera for your needs, you should also consider the tilt and pan range of the camera to ensure it is capturing the entire area you want to see.
Generally, wireless home security camera systems are more advanced due to their flexibility and customization. They allow you to easily connect different devices to your home security system via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, so you can watch the footage from any device anywhere you are. Wireless home alarm cameras also tend to be more discrete since there are no visible wires. However, it has often been said that wired camera systems are more reliable as they are not dependent on internet or cellular connectivity.
Durability & Design
When you're looking at outdoor cameras, it's important to think about the weather in the area you live in. If it rains or snows where you live, you'll need a waterproof/water-resistant outdoor camera that will withstand the elements. In areas where there is a lot of dirt, you'll want an outdoor camera with a dust-tight design. For indoor cameras, you might want a camera that is more discrete and not as obvious whereas your outdoor camera should be more visible to scare off potential burglars.
Video Quality
Most security cameras have a 1080p HD resolution, however, some might have 720p HD resolution. You'll want a camera with a high-definition resolution, especially for areas with varying levels of lighting to avoid glares or shadows from getting in the way of an otherwise clear picture and making it look more like reality.
Field of View
The field of view refers to how wide the camera's lens is. You'll want a field of view of at least 120 degrees with 180 degrees being the maximum which shows everything in front and to the sides of the camera. Another option is to get a camera that pans all the way around to have a larger field of view.
Night Vision
If you get a camera, you obviously want to see footage 24/7 because anything can happen any time of the day or night. Night vision can either be in the form of infrared via LED sensors or from a bright white spotlight. LED sensors to produce black-and-white footage at night, which might be preferable for indoor cameras to avoid shining a bright white spotlight in your home, whereas the spotlight might be helpful for outdoor cameras to ward off burglars and raise awareness of the area.
Audio
Cameras with speakers and built-in microphones allow for two-way communication via the mobile app, so that you can talk to your kids, or someone at your door, or to even tell a deliveryman where to hide your packages.
The short answer, yes. In recent years there has been a significant increase in the number of burglaries taking place meaning that more and more people have started to look into purchasing home security systems. Although they can be pricey to install, in the long term, having a home security camera system can actually save you money by helping to reduce your homeowners insurance. It is certainly safe to say that home alarm cameras are the most effective way to deter intruders from entering your home.
*Up to 60% off Trusted Neighbor System: Requires 36-month monitoring contract starting at $44.99/mo. without QSP for professionally installed systems, (24-month monitoring contract in California, total fees from $1,079.76), and enrollment in ADT EasyPay, OR month-to-month monitoring contract for self-setup systems starting at $44.99 without QSP (one month minimum.) Offer excludes already discounted equipment bundles. Professionally installed system orders available over the phone only. Offer includes up to 60% off the purchase of any Trusted Neighbor system with minimum purchase of $1,169 required for Professionally Installed systems OR $719 for self-setup systems before promotion is applied and depending on geographic location. Trusted Neighbor eligible systems must include a minimum of one (1) ADT Base, three (3) door/window sensors, one (1) motion sensor, one (1) Yale smart lock and one (1) Google Nest Doorbell (battery). Max. discount $750. Offer available for new ADT customers only. Limit one per customer, not combinable with other offers. Upon early termination of 36- month monitoring contract, ADT may charge 75% of the monthly service charges due for the balance of the initial contract term. Quality Service Plan (QSP) is ADT’s Extended Limited Warranty and is available for an additional fee starting at $13/mo. for comprehensive product protection. Professional monitoring required for ADT to notify emergency contacts or services on your behalf. Service and installation charges vary depending on system configuration, equipment and services selected. Cancel by calling (888) 392- 2039 or by following the instructions in your order confirmation email. Free shipping applies to standard shipping (approx. 5-7 business days) and not available in HI or AK. Some features, including mobile notifications, remote control, video streaming and video recording, require working internet and Wi-Fi, a Google Account and Google Home app linked to your ADT+ app. Minimum OS requirements are available at g.co/home/req. iOS is a trademark of Cisco and is used under license. Google Nest products and services featured are designed to make life easier and to build a helpful home and were not designed specifically for life-sustaining or safety-critical use cases. These products and services are compatible with the self-setup System, and depend upon working internet, Wi-Fi, and, in some cases, the service availability from ADT and/or Google. To learn more, please visit http://g.co/nest/TOS. Expires 1/14/2025
Google and Nest Doorbell are trademarks of Google LLC.