Thinking About a Home Surveillance System?

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. 

Some recent models are totally wireless, running on battery power.  Bear in mind that batteries in those models will need to be periodically replaced or recharged. 

Will I be alerted when someone comes into my home? Or rings the doorbell? 

Yes, most systems have a motion detection technology that can trigger an alert. These alerts can be sent through an app on your smartphone, a text message, or an email.  They can also be sent through a home automation system, like our partner Savant, and displayed in a comprehensive screen that monitors multiple locations. 

Can I monitor my new puppy from work? 

The newest systems have cameras with two-way audio capability, so you could even talk to your puppy.  Of course, you could keep an eye on kids at home or an elderly parent as well. You could even get an alert when there’s no motion for a long period, which could indicate a problem. 

Can the system record video over a period of time? I want to see what my housekeeper is doing, or who showed up unexpectedly at the door. 

There are various options for recording.  Some systems record footage locally on a DVR device, and some send video footage to cloud-based storage.  Most have a way to view that footage remotely over the Internet, and fast forward, rewind, or go through it based on dates and times.

What if I don’t want to wade through a lot of video recording to find something specific?

That’s where the power of the latest technology comes in.  Artificial Intelligence (AI) software techniques now have the power to analyze video.  The software can detect objects, people, pets, colors, vehicles and sometimes more.  Our surveillance system partner, ICRealtime, provides just such a system.  It makes finding specific things in videos as easy as searching for something like “man in a white shirt” at your front door. 

How well do these cameras work outdoors? Here in North Texas, it can be freezing one day and 90 degrees the next?

Despite the sophisticated electronics in the newest systems, there are models built to withstand the elements, including heat, cold, rain, and humidity extremes.

What else do I need to know?

You might want to know that we have over 13 years’ experience as a professional integrator in the Ft. Worth area, and can help you with all your home security needs.  Call us today at (817) 980-0347, or reach out to us here.