Tools and Materials
Product costs, availability and item numbers may vary online or by market.
What Features Should My Security Camera Have?
Security cameras have come a long way from the grainy black and white images of early models. Today’s security camera installations, whether inside or outside your residence, can provide a lot of protective features. You can choose models that:
- Send motion alerts to your phone or tablet
- Allow you to remotely view activity
- Provide audio monitoring and two-way audio communication
- Have infrared technology for night vision
- Remotely control the camera for rotating, tilt and zoom
- High-definition recording and photo capture
Where Should I Install My Security Cameras?
Before purchasing a security camera system, you’ll want to walk around your home and property to find the places where having a camera will give you needed video coverage. Having security cameras can give a homeowner more peace of mind, but they need to be installed in optimal locations to give the best coverage. It can also be expensive to try and cover the entire perimeter of a large property.
Start your install plan with a sketch of your home. Think about where a camera would be most beneficial. Typical camera placement locations include:
- Front and rear entry doors
- Driveways
- Porches
- Off-street windows
- Interior common rooms
You will want to pick out locations that are unobstructed and are protected from the weather. Cameras should be at a minimum of seven feet high and up to 10 feet high or more. Security cameras designed for outside use are the choice, even if under the eaves of a home.
Whether installing inside or out, you should plan on at least 3 camera locations. This will provide a basic security plan. Also, you need to consider if you want wired security cameras or wireless. Wired cameras are the best for covering a large area but can be rather expensive and difficult to do as a DIY project. Wireless cameras are simple to install but are reliant on having a strong Wi-Fi signal to work properly.
How Do I Mount a Wireless Security Camera?
Wireless security cameras are usually the simplest for DIY installation. Being a self-contained unit, there aren’t any cables to run through walls or depending on your model, a need for having an electrical outlet nearby. Wireless cameras use your home’s Wi-Fi network to communicate video images and sound to DVR storage or a cloud-based system. Wireless cameras are powered by batteries that are either rechargeable or that you have to replace. You should take this into account if you place your camera in a location where you need an extension ladder to change the batteries. You can also charge some models with an attached solar pad.
Instructions
How Do I Mount a Wired Security Camera?
For security cameras, wired and wireless are referring to the way the video is transmitted rather than the power sources. Cables that carry this information will need to be installed and connected to both the camera and the DVR box. This may be a simple task like running along a door frame or a baseboard. Other camera placements may require running the cable through walls. If you are unsure about attempting this, professional installation should be considered for wired security cameras.
Instructions
Simulated Security Cameras
Simulated security cameras can be an alternative or addition to a home system. Needing no wiring or cables, they can be installed in minutes and can be a strong deterrent to would-be intruders. These dummy cameras can be installed inside or out, with some outside models having a solar panel to power realistic LED lights to give the appearance of a working camera.