Home Security Cameras

You'll find cameras in two different varieties, wired, and wireless. Wired cameras send their signal through a cable to a receiving station, where the video is either recorded or sent to a monitoring center. Wireless cameras, obviously, don't use wires to send the signal. Both have their advantages and disadvantages.

Wired cameras, since they are connected by a cable to a recording device have an advantage over wireless cameras. The signal from a wired camera can't be blocked by pipes and appliances. The signal can also be sent a greater distance. The big disadvantage of wired home security cameras is that you will need to run wires and cables for the cameras and the recording station. If you have some experience running wires and cables, then you may be able to do this yourself, otherwise, you may want to hire professionals to install wired security cameras.

Wireless home security cameras don't need to have wires and cables installed, as wired cameras do. But the signals from wireless cameras can be blocked by any metal objects that may be between the camera and the recording station. You will also need to consider the range of the camera's signal. Wireless signals can only be sent a limited distance before it weakens.

If you plan on installing your home security cameras yourself, then wireless cameras may be the better of the two options, although it isn't impossible for a do it yourselfer to install a wired system.

Once you've decided whether you want wired or wireless home security cameras, you'll need to choose a location for the cameras. You'll want cameras to cover most if not all of the entrances to your house. At the minimum, you'll want a camera covering the front door, and one on the back door. You may also want to install cameras near any windows that may be used by burglars to gain entrance to your house. If you have any valuables in your home, you may want to consider a camera inside the house to keep an eye on them. It may also be a good idea to have one or two cameras on your yard, the plus side to having cameras on your yard, is that you can also use the cameras to keep an eye on your young children while they are playing outside.

If the cameras are placed in plain sight, they may serve as a deterrent to burglars. Some burglars will see the cameras, and make the decision to seek an easier target. A determined burglar however, may find a way around the cameras, and break in anyhow. Hidden cameras won't be spotted as easily by burglars, so they will be more likely to be caught on video.

If you are recording the video from the security cameras, you'll need a secure location for your recorder. If it's too easily accessible, an experienced burglar may find it, and take the recorder and the tapes with them.