Video surveillance cameras are a standard of home automation and security. Your basic home automation kit comes with at least one; some offer two. Regardless, supplementing with extra cameras can be a chore. There are so many cameras with so many features.
Vivint Smart Home’s 2020 “Ultimate Security Camera Buying Guide” addresses this very topic. This post will not go into the details of that guide, but it will look at five must-have features the guide mentioned. If you are looking to buy new video surveillance cameras for your home, make sure you get all of these features.
Table of Contents
HD Resolution
The whole point of installing video cameras is to be able to see exactly what is going on at home when you aren’t there. Heaven forbid video footage shows a crime in progress. If that were the case, wouldn’t you want HD resolution? Of course you would. You would want the cleanest images possible to help catch the perpetrators.
All of this is to say that you really need cameras with HD resolution. They are bit more expensive, but well worth the investment. You’ll be glad you spent the extra money the first time you need to rely on video footage for something important.
Night Vision
Second only to HD resolution is night vision capability. Many of today’s video surveillance cameras can produce clear images even when the sun goes down. A camera with night vision can help identify that creep walking through the neighborhood trying to break into cars. It could mean the difference between identifying an unwanted guest at your door or inadvertently opening your home to them. Why take a chance?
Motion Activation
Assuming you intend for your new cameras to record and store video, your best bet is to look for units with built-in motion activation. This feature ensures that cameras are always rolling when there’s movement in front of them. At the same time, cameras can shut down when there is nothing to record. This saves battery power and storage space.
Onboard Audio
Doorbell cameras introduced us to the idea of equipping video cameras with onboard audio. The feature is now standard fare for video doorbells. Manufacturers are adding it to their standalone video surveillance cameras as well.
Why do you need this feature? Because onboard audio allows you to communicate with anyone standing in range of your camera. You can speak with unknown visitors before you open the door. If you see someone you do not trust approaching your home, you can use the onboard audio to warn them to go away.
Remote Access
Last but not least is remote access. Being able to control your cameras via a smartphone is indispensable. Remote access lets you view video feeds in real time. It lets you check stored footage without having to be home. And if you need to change the angle of your cameras to get a better view, a swipe of the finger is all it takes.
Parents find this especially helpful. Remote access allows the use of video surveillance as a babysitter of sorts. Whenever they are not at home, they can keep a watchful eye on things. The kids find it comforting, too. They feel safer knowing that mom and dad are paying attention to what is going on at home.
Video surveillance cameras are a dime a dozen. They are everywhere. But they are not all equal in terms of their quality and capability. If you’re in the market for some new cameras, be sure to look for the five features discussed in this post. They are must-haves in this day and age.