Everyone wants to feel secure in their own home.  Perhaps you’ve been thinking about installing a home surveillance system or upgrading an existing one in your Keller TX home.

Rapid advances in surveillance camera and communication technology have allowed for sophisticated features previously found in very costly and complex systems used in business and industry to find their way to residential use.

So if you’re looking for a new system that will make you feel protected in your home, read on for some questions you will want to be answered about home surveillance. 

SEE ALSO: Is Your Home Safe and Sound for the Holidays?

Are today’s security cameras wired? 

In the old days (relatively) of security camera systems, systems were wired with coaxial cable like your cable set-top boxes.  The new systems are IP based – the same networking technology used by all your computers and devices.  Many work over Wi-Fi and some can work in both wired and wireless modes.  Cameras require power to operate, so they will need to be plugged into a power source, or custom wiring run to mounting locations. 

Home surveillance is an important aspect of securing your Westlake, Texas home. Surveillance cameras can deter intruders and provide evidence in the event of that a determined individual manages to break through your home defenses or a natural disaster like a flood occurs. In one of our previous posts, we discussed the main features to look for in a home security system. One of those features was a surveillance system. Today, we’re going to dig deeper into the specifics of surveillance cameras and how to identify which options are best for you.

SEE ALSO: What Features Should Be Included in Your Home Security System?

The Cameras
Modern surveillance cameras no longer create black and white images so grainy you can barely make out faces. Instead, high-end surveillance cameras can produce crystal clear images in 360-degree environments, giving you a complete view of your home’s access points. Using the newest updates to video data compression, you can view and store high-resolution footage without overloading bandwidth.
When choosing your surveillance cameras, it’s important to know the different types that are available. Here are some of the most popular options:
• Dome Cameras: Named for the domed shape of their lens, dome cameras are designed to stick out of ceilings and entryways so that potential intruders are aware that they are being observed. The dome camera’s 360 view and unobtrusive design make it the go-to option for indoor monitoring.
• Discreet Cameras: Unlike dome cameras, discreet cameras are useful when you want to hide the cameras from view without compromising the footage quality. Discreet cameras can be made to resemble fire sprinklers, smoke alarms, and even decorative objects such as clocks.
• Bullet Cameras: Bullet cameras are typically used in entryways because they monitor a fixed location as opposed to having a 360-degree view. Designed in the shape of a bullet, these cameras are optimized for indoor and outdoor use.
Which camera type is best for your home will depend on a number of factors, such as a camera’s desired location, your home’s décor, and your other security features. One of our security experts can assess your environment and offer recommendations on the appropriate camera types.

The Interface
The days of security rooms with dedicated monitoring computers are long past. Now, you can pull up your surveillance camera’s view on your smartphone, enabling you to monitor your home in real time from your living room or halfway around the world. In addition to smartphone access, you can also take advantage of touch panel interfaces. The sleek wall mounted interface gives you touchscreen access to all aspects of your smart home automation system, from security to lighting control to intercoms. By integrating your intercom system and your surveillance system into one seamless interface, you can see and speak with visitors from within the safety of your home.

Our Recommendation: IC Realtime
IC Realtime is the leading supplier of home surveillance equipment ranging across security cameras, intercom systems, Digital Video Recorders, and more. IC Realtime’s products are durable and built to endure the rigors of the Texas outdoors while maintaining polished and minimalist designs that complement your décor. Their comprehensive security solutions can handle all of your home’s surveillance needs.

When you think about home surveillance, security is probably the first thing to come to mind. But surveillance cameras have far more uses than simply catching intruders in the act. With instant access to real-time footage right from your smartphone, the sky is the limit for what you can monitor with cameras in your Dallas area home. Below, we cover five of our favorite applications for surveillance cameras.

SEE MORE: How to Choose the Right Home Surveillance System

Did You Leave the Oven On?

Have you ever had that nagging sensation that you might have left the stove or oven on? It’s a simple matter to walk into the kitchen to check…unless you’re not at home when that sense of dread hits you. Not to worry! Just pull up your phone and check the surveillance camera in the kitchen. If the oven is on, you can hurry home or call a family member to turn it off for you.

Watch Your Pet While You’re at Work

Have you ever wondered what your dog or cat gets up to while you’re gone? Now you can know! Surveillance cameras do more than just satisfy your curiosity—they can keep you in the loop so that you know if something is wrong with your furry friend.

See When Your Package Arrives

Package theft is a real concern, especially if your home has an exposed entryway. But with surveillance cameras, you can know exactly when the delivery company drops off your latest Amazon purchase. While just having a visible camera is enough to deter most thieves, for extra security against package theft, you can add a video doorbell that allows you to speak through the integrated microphone if someone comes to the front door and picks up the box.

Most people know that having a surveillance system is a good idea, but they don’t really know the full extent of just how important it is. If you’ve been considering adding a home surveillance system to your Southlake area property, take a few minutes to read over the statistics below. Based off industry and government research, these statistics can open your eyes to the high cost that comes from not having surveillance and the peace of mind that comes from knowing your home is protected.

1. Nearly two million residential burglaries are reported in the U.S. annually.

You may think it won’t happen to you, but the truth is that burglaries happen all the time, and high-end homes are often seen as more tempting because they’re more likely to hold valuable items. In fact, every 13 seconds, a home in the U.S. is burglarized. Even if you have your valuables safely locked away, having your home broken into is not something that anyone wants to experience.

2. 14,000 people in the U.S. have to deal with a water damage emergency each day.

Burglaries aren’t the only concern for homeowners. A leaky pipe or broken water heater can wreak havoc on your home while you’re away. With a smart surveillance system, all you need to do is check in occasionally to verify that your home is fine, and you can avoid thousands in damages caused by water leaks.

SEE ALSO: 5 Great Uses for Your Home Surveillance System

3. Homes without security systems are almost 3X more likely to be burglarized.

Interviews with thieves have revealed their tricks of the trade, and one of the most common responses is that burglars will not bother going after a home with a security system. As soon as they see the surveillance cameras tracking their every move, thieves simply move on to easier targets. That leaves your family and belongings safe.

There are a lot of different options out there for home surveillance cameras. How do you know which ones are right for your Colleyville area home? The answer to that question will depend on the unique aspects of your property, and DB Media Solutions can help you design the best mix of cameras for your needs, but to give you a general understanding of the differences between the most popular cameras styles, we’ve put together a brief overview below.

SEE ALSO: 5 Statistics that Highlight the Importance of a Home Surveillance System

Bullet

Often installed in the corners of rooms or entryways, bullet cameras have a limited range of visibility, but they provide an excellent image of wherever they’re pointed. This style of camera is commonly used in both indoor and outdoor environments. If you’re looking for a camera that can monitor a specific location, such as the front door or the area in front of your safe, then the bullet style is a good choice.

Dome

Dome cameras are great for areas where you need full visibility. You often see dome cameras installed in the middle of rooms so that they can take in a 360-degree view. These cameras fit easily into the ceiling and are fairly unobtrusive. Depending on your needs, you can get dome cameras outfitted for each space. So in a living room, you might opt for a high-fidelity camera that can capture footage even in low lighting conditions. For your outdoor spaces, you should go for a weather-resistant design and perhaps a camera that allows for long distance recording.

Discrete

If you prefer to keep the presence of your surveillance system unknown, then discrete cameras are the way to go. These cameras are designed to look like something else while still maintaining clear, high-definition footage. You can get cameras that look just like smoke detectors, water sprinklers, or other devices you would commonly find throughout the property.