There are a few basics about CCTV security cameras when deciding to protect your home and family. CCTV cameras come in two forms. They are either CMOS or CCD cameras and are differentiated by the image sensor. CMOS based cameras are cheaper but produce a lower quality image than the CCD camera.

To find the best camera to fit your needs, the first step is to identify what purpose you intend the security camera to serve. For example, a camera to monitor general crowd movement is a much lower requirement than if you need a camera that can pinpoint a face in the crowd.

If the area you want to monitor is outdoors, there are requirements such as durability concerns that need to be address unlike an indoor security camera. There are factors such as weather and vandals that will test the durability of your camera.

The overall size of your security system, including the number of cameras you will need, will determine your spending ceiling. If it was just one camera you might spend a little extra for extra features, for example higher resolution. But across a 20 camera system that little extra you spend per camera will definitely add up to some serious money. Your budget will directly impact your buying decision and needs to be sufficient for the right cameras to adequately serve your needs.

The lighting in the area to be monitored by your security camera is another important consideration. A high quality camera designed for daytime use installed in a low light environment won't be able to render anything more than shades of black. If that is the case you will need flood lights or some other source of lighting in the area.

For nigh scenes, black and white cameras are recommended since they can deliver sharper images in low light settings. There are also day/night outdoor cameras with lighting sensors that adjust the camera for optimal recording at different lighting levels.

There are also night vision cameras for true low light recording. Take a look at the Lux rating. The lower the Lux rating the less light the camera requires. Cameras with a Lux rating of 0 are designed for complete darkness.

The resolution of a camera is the measure of image sharpness that the security camera can capture. A higher resolution camera can produce higher quality images. Lower end cameras come in resolutions of 330 lines and up while higher quality cameras have up to 400 lines.

When it comes to recording the video feed from the camera, most people will do with the DVR, which stands for digital video recorder. In more advanced monitoring systems there are controls for panning and zooming the camera in real-time to get closeups or follow a particular object.

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by Artur Knowles
Statistics have shown that robberies are getting more and more rampant these days. Based on FBI reports, robberies have been increasing steadily since the year 1999 up to year 2003.

From the year 1999 to 2003, the increase in robberies went as high as eighteen percent, fourteen percent of which were robberies that took place in residential areas, in the suburbs. With crimes and robberies taking to places that are supposed to be kept safest for our families, the need for some degree of security measures could not be stressed highly enough.

Security Cameras

Installing a home security camera is one of the most common security measure that a homeowner can think of. Home security cameras are very easy to install. Although it cannot prevent or stop anyone from breaking into your home, it can discourage and ward off robbers since live feeds from home security cameras can now be transmitted to local receivers and monitoring stations. These live camera feeds are constantly monitored by people from your remote home security system, enabling them to respond immediately and appropriately to any emergency or robbery. Another thing about home security cameras that can discourage robbers are its recordings that can now be used in court as evidence of the crime.

Installing Your Security Camera

Home security cameras are available in many types and shapes allowing you to install them in the most inconspicuous areas in your home. It also comes in wired or wireless models that are easy to set up or install. The wireless home security camera allows you to set the camera up without the tell-tale signs of the cords and wires running along in every corner. Using a wireless home security camera is discreet as well as hassle-free.

Some homeowners may choose to install security cameras in plain view of everyone. Again, this is one way of discouraging robbers from entering the house. Some homeowners of larger homes also choose to set up their cameras in more discreet or hidden areas around their homes. It allows them to monitor activities of guests and house help without being seen or noticed. Both approaches work best depending on your main purpose of installing the camera.

How Many Cameras Do I Need?

Ideally, the specific number of home security cameras will depend on many factors:

- size of your grounds - size of your home - the number of rooms - the number of entrances and exits - how closely you want every corner monitored

The number of cameras that you have covering your home should not be your one and only consideration. Your home's and family's security does not stop there. Keep in mind that as many as three home security cameras per room would still be useless if these cameras are not backed up by a solid home security system with people who can monitor and respond appropriately to untoward incidents should the need arise.

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