Table of Contents
If you have decided to install CCTV cameras around your home, then congratulations, you have taken the right step towards securing your assets and family. However, simply installing CCTV cameras without planning is not enough to completely secure your home.
Studies show that armed robberies, petty theft, and burglaries usually take place in premises that have poorly placed CCTV cameras around the perimeter. In other words, poorly positioned CCTV cameras can leave a lot of blind spots uncovered.
Even if one blind spot is left uncovered, it will jeopardise the entire system and make the CCTV system less effective than if you positioned the cameras correctly. This is why we recommend that you leave the installation to the professionals who use their vast experience to build you a customised security blueprint!
Read below to learn more about the types of CCTV cameras for home use, some top positions to look out for, and the costs associated with installing CCTV cameras at home.
CCTV AND DETERRENCE
CCTV cameras provide the fundamental building blocks of modern security. The technology has existed since the 1940s and has played a pivotal role in curbing crime around the world.
CCTV cameras are the first line of defence against criminals who seek to cause harm to you, which is why these systems are often the first to be installed around premises.
Numerous studies have revealed that the mere presence of CCTV cameras in a residence is enough to deter crime by a large percentage. The reason for this is that criminals hate to be seen. After all, who would want to have their face plastered over the news after committing a crime?
This is why criminals will often think twice before robbing you after detecting a CCTV system on your premises.
TYPES OF CCTV FOR HOMES
CCTV or Closed-Circuit Television is available in many forms and sizes. CCTVs work by sending a video signal over a wired or wireless channel. The technology was developed as a wired system, in fact, that is exactly where the system gets its name.
Unlike a regular television system that receives signals from various sources, CCTVs were developed to be a “closed” system that could only broadcast a single video signal. The benefit of this system was that it was very simple and foolproof since the signal could not be piggybacked or disrupted by jammers or nefarious individuals.
Over time, CCTV technology started to evolve with the growing demands of the system around the world. Today, there are several types of CCTV systems, each with its own advantages.
Let’s look at the best types of CCTV systems for home use:
Bullet cameras
Bullet cameras have been around for quite some time. They are the successor to the original CCTV camera system, which was often bulky, heavy, and difficult to manage. Bullet cameras were designed to be better in many ways than the original design since they were compact, lighter, and had better internal hardware.
These cameras have an elongated cylindrical shape and look like a bullet, hence the name. They are excellent deterrents and can be positioned in multiple ways.
Perhaps the biggest advantage of these cameras is that they are highly versatile and can be installed in outdoor environments.
Dome cameras
If you have ever shopped at a store, then you might have noticed dome cameras on the ceiling or wall. These cameras have, you guessed it, a dome shape and are excellent for monitoring indoor areas.
Dome cameras also have a lot of utility for residential owners. Since these cameras are encapsulated within a glass dome, they are harder to steal or tamper with. More importantly, the glass also helps hide the direction of the camera lens, so criminals will have a very hard time discerning the camera coverage.
PTZ cameras
Pan Tilt Zoom (PTZ) cameras are even more versatile cameras that are equipped with a motor on the base of the camera. The motor can move the camera lens around in any direction! Whether you want to shift the angle left, right, up, or down, with PTZ cameras you have precise control over the area that you want to cover.
Some PTZ cameras also have an auto-swing feature where the camera can move in a predefined direction. For example, if you want to cover both the entrance and the adjacent area of your home, then you can set the camera to swing so that it covers both areas periodically.
These cameras can also be used to zoom in on threats. With the advanced lens system within the camera, the operator can easily zoom in and get an enhanced view of a potential threat. These camera systems are the default choice for monitoring premises and are excellent deterrents as well!
Day/Night cameras
As the name suggests, day/night cameras are specifically designed to cover a wide variety of lighting conditions. Camera footage is usually subject to light. Low light can result in grainy footage which can make it difficult to discern threats.
At the same time, a lot of light, like in an outdoor setting can cause lens glares which can equally make things difficult to focus. This is where day/night cameras are most useful! These cameras are equipped with a special lens that can take in more light for low light settings, as well as deflect extra light from sun glares, car lights, torches, and more.
Network/IP cameras
All modern CCTV systems use IP (Internet Protocol) cameras because of their ease of video sharing and remote monitoring. Network cameras are quickly becoming the new norm in surveillance technology due to their immense use and software features.
Network cameras work in the same way as wired CCTVs, except that they transmit the video signal over a network where the footage can be viewed from virtually anywhere in the world so long as you have a stable internet connection.
Network cameras were once subject to signal strength. So, if you had low bandwidth or an unstable connection, the footage would have considerable video lag. However, thanks to advancements in wireless technology, these cameras can now provide a near lag-free experience making it ideal for home use.
Furthermore, network cameras can also be smart. For example, modern IP cameras can transmit data to an online server where the footage can be analysed using advanced algorithms and even artificial intelligence.
This way, you can get way more utility from the camera since it will be able to detect humans, pets, noises, and much more. The best part is that these modern camera systems can stream enhanced video data in real-time, making them great for all-purpose use!
HD cameras
As the name suggests, HD (High-Definition) cameras provide unparalleled image and video quality, and are available in resolutions starting at 720p, going all the way up to 4K. The reason why these cameras are so popular is because they provide crisp video with incredible detail, even if you zoom in on the footage.
These cameras are ideal for outdoor use where you want to cover a large area. If a threat is detected from afar, you can simply zoom in on the footage without losing a lot of detail. Although HD cameras can be expensive, they are the ideal choice for people looking for superior-quality security footage.
HD technology is usually a feature in many new cameras and is available in almost all CCTV camera models such as the bullet and dome.
What’s even more interesting is that thanks to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and advanced video algorithms and codecs, even 720p cameras can push out 1080p or higher resolution. You can even get brighter and enhanced footage with the help of high-dynamic range Rendering (HDR) in some HD cameras.
BEST LOCATIONS FOR CCTV CAMERAS AROUND YOUR HOME
Camera placement is everything. No matter how much money you pour into a CCTV camera system, it might all be for naught if you don’t position the cameras correctly.
Here are some tips on how you can maximise the coverage of CCTV systems:
Outdoor CCTV camera placement
Front Door: All crime begins at an entry point. This is why you need to begin securing your home from the outside.
The most common entry point for burglars to break into your home is through the front door, which is why having a CCTV camera at the main entrance is crucial. However, the placement of the camera should be such that it covers the door and the hallway leading to the main entrance.
This positioning will provide a clear view of the path the intruder takes so you can easily retrace their steps and figure out the places they went through.
Backyard: Once the entrance is covered, you must shift focus toward other entry points around your home. For example, the backyard must also be under surveillance for maximum protection and a complete view of the entire exterior of the property.
Covering both the front and back entrances will give you full coverage and enable maximum security! It will also leave intruders no place to hide around your home.
Garage and Attic: We also suggest that you cover additional areas around the home like garages and attics. Garages are a frequent break-in point for intruders which is why you should place a camera either inside or outside the garage for maximum security.
Similarly, if you store things in the attics, then it might be a good idea to cover that area as well. We recommend going with a wired system for attics since wireless cameras might not work well there due to signal strength issues.
Indoor CCTV camera placement
Even (in the rare case) if intruders can circumvent your first line of defence, you can be sure that they will be caught by the indoor CCTV camera system.
Main Lounge: Indoor camera placement will depend on your use of the camera system. For example, cameras can be placed in the main lounge with the most windows. This way, even if an intruder manages to break in, the indoor camera will pick up their movement.
Main Hallway: the best way to get the most out of your security system would be to add cameras that extend the coverage of the outdoor cameras.
For example, if you have placed a camera for your front door, it would also be wise to cover the main hallway or main staircase that leads to the front door.
This way, you can track any unwanted movement in your home and even get a good view of the face of the intruder since they will be entering face-front in the hallway.
Kitchen and Office Space: most kitchens have a door that leads to an outside area of the house, which is why it would be a great idea to place a wide-angle camera that covers the entire kitchen, especially any door that leads to the outside.
Similarly, if you work from home and have built a dedicated office space, then we recommend that you cover that area as well since it can have important documents and valuables like laptops, gadgets, documents, money, and more.
Use-Case Indoor Cameras: Furthermore, you might also want to use indoor cameras for more than just intruder detection.
For example, many parents who opt for babysitters might benefit from keeping an eye on their kids while they are away. Indoor cameras are also widely used to keep an eye on pets as well!
Indoor cameras, especially the ones with internet capabilities, are great for homeowners who are almost always away from their homes due to work or other commitments. This way, you can keep an eye on your property and have peace of mind wherever you go.
We recommend that you work with a professional security company like Calder Security to figure out exactly where you should install the cameras for maximum coverage for your use cases.
WHERE NOT TO INSTALL CCTV
Knowing the best places to install is just as important as knowing where NOT to install CCTV around your home.
Here is what you should watch out for:
Neighbour Property:
Depending on where you live, it may be illegal for you to install CCTV around your neighbour’s property. There are specific state laws against this type of installation because it results in a breach of privacy.
Even if you install the camera on your property, it would be wise to make sure that the camera doesn’t cover your neighbour’s property.
Bathrooms:
This goes without saying that installing cameras in bathrooms is never a good idea. First, it is an extreme breach of privacy, and secondly, even if an intruder accesses the bathroom, chances are there would be nothing there worth the trouble of stealing.
Bedrooms:
Just like bathrooms, bedrooms are private spaces, and putting up a camera there might not be a great idea. Even though you might store valuables in your bedroom, it would be a much wiser decision to cover the entry and exit point(s) of the bedroom for security as well as privacy.
HOME CCTV INSTALLATION COST
The exact cost of CCTV system implementation depends on your needs and expectations of the system.
Generally speaking, a single CCTV camera system with accompanying hardware like a Digital Video Recorder, monitor(s), wiring, and installation costs can cost around £540 – £660. This amount can be used as a base and can increase with every additional camera that you add to the system.
Each add-on camera would cost around £120, so for example, a 3-camera system would cost roughly £780 – £900.
The best way to understand the cost of a CCTV camera for your personal use is to contact a professional security company like Calder Security. Call us to speak to our security experts who can pay a free visit to your property to assess the type and size of system required.
CONTACT CALDER SECURITY
Once you understand the importance of home security, the next step would be to contact a security company that you can trust and rely on to provide the best service suitable for your requirements.
Picking the right security company is crucial, especially one that has the right skill, knowledge, and experience to provide you with the best security solutions.
At Calder Security, we offer a comprehensive solution for CCTV cameras that are state-of-the-art and comply with CCTV laws and regulations.
We understand the special security and safety needs of various properties and offer professional installation services for CCTV systems bespoke to each property.
We are expert SSAIB-approved security system installers and supply only high-quality CCTV equipment from trusted brands such as Hikvision, one of the world’s leading CCTV manufacturers.
We conduct every aspect from surveys, design, specification, and installation ourselves, and our professional repair and maintenance services ensure that the CCTV systems work in optimal condition all year round, guaranteeing effectiveness and compliance with the law.
We also offer professional CCTV monitoring services that help detect criminal activity and security breaches as they are in progress for the appropriate action to be taken, even when the property is empty.
Contact us here or call us at 0800 612 9799 to talk to our security experts right away!
Photo by Jeffrey Zhang on Unsplash