Surveillance camera: How to choose an outdoor model?
Have you ever had a package stolen under your loved one or your car already suffered damage and / or theft when it was parked outside your home? If it is the case, when you realize it is already too late and fills with bad luck, there is very little chance that one day, the culprit of this villainous act will be found. If you ever feel concerned about the security of your home and bringing a touch of serenity to your daily life, investing in a surveillance camera is a very good idea and we strongly encourage you to do so.
An outdoor surveillance camera is designed to withstand bad weather, snow, extreme temperatures and all the hassles of weather. These devices generally connect via your home Wi-Fi network and they allow you to watch live via a smartphone or later consult the recording of the video stream whenever you want as soon as you have access to a device connected to the Internet. With a connected video surveillance camera, you will be aware of everything that is going on around or inside your house, and when a movement is detected, you will be informed in real time on your smartphone via an alert, or an SMS. The other advantage of an outdoor surveillance camera is to be able, without having to leave your home, to watch what is happening in all discretion.
To learn more about the various characteristics of surveillance cameras, and to have tips for choosing the best outdoor wireless surveillance camera, I invite you to continue reading this article. Also note that a large majority of the cameras that we will present to you in this article can be used both indoors and outdoors.
How do outdoor surveillance cameras work?
Large majorities of outdoor surveillance cameras are so-called, intelligent cameras with many functions as diverse as motion detection, face detection and also know how to distinguish between an animal and a human being. This type of camera uses a WiFi network to transmit their video stream across the internet to the manufacturer’s cloud. Most often of faith, if this service is offered free of charge but certain manufacturers like NEST request a monthly subscription to be able to benefit from it. This is certainly an additional disadvantage but you will be guaranteed to be able to benefit from a fast and much more responsive service than the free Clouds from Net gear for example. While the majority of cameras these days are wireless, others use a wired network, says Ethernet and must be connected to your internet box or to a hub. Other models more specific to home automation installations use Bluetooth, Z-wave or even proprietary technologies to connect to their control center or to the web.
Of all the models, Wifi cameras are among the easiest to install because they require neither specific wiring nor the installation of any additional devices to connect them to the network. The most advanced models now operate on battery while offering record autonomy. These models are incredibly simple to install because you just have to attach it to the desired location and then connect it like a smartphone to your internet box, child’s play! The great advantage of these cameras is that you will not have to make sure that a power wire does not reach him. The battery of this type of camera can be easily removed or recharged via a USB cable in just one to two hours. The Bluetooth models are meanwhile,
If possible, opt for a WiFi surveillance camera for the outdoors that can independently connect in 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz in order to reduce network occupancy and be able to use the least saturated frequency. Ideal for optimized performance. In case or if the distance to your router is too high and your Wifi signal is too weak to manage to connect your camera, you will just need to buy a simple signal amplifier. This type of device makes it possible to extend the range of your network very easily and above all at a very affordable price.
Is an outdoor surveillance camera made to withstand all types of weather and bad weather?
Good outdoor surveillance security camera systems in Chicago must be able to resist without flinching in bad weather and offer a sufficient IP protection index and in adequacy with the type of use and its location. An IP index includes the abbreviation itself as well as two other numbers which represent their level of resistance. The first digit can have a value ranging from 0 (no protection) to 6 (full protection against water and dust) and the second digit indicates the direct resistance of the camera to humidity. This figure can range from 0 to 9 (full protection against water and projections at short range and at high pressure).
As you will notice, most surveillance cameras offer an IP66 protection index, which means that they offer perfect protection against dust and that they are able to withstand projections equivalent to a jet of water. Water from all angles. However, these cameras should not be immersed directly in water. Ideally, to install this type of outdoor surveillance camera, the best location is the entrance porch or a place protected from the rain.
What resolution should I choose for my outdoor surveillance camera?
No need to have a surveillance camera if its resolution does not allow you to identify the person it is filming. For this it is imperative to opt at least for a model with a resolution of 720p. 1080p having become the current standard you will still be able to find more and more surveillance cameras capable of filming in 2K see in 4K if your internet connection is fast enough to endorse such a resolution.
No matter the resolution of your surveillance camera, still ensure that it has a wide field of vision and also, that it is able to film correctly at night using an infrared spot for night vision. Most cameras use IR (infrared) LEDs, but some of them are equipped with an outdoor spot, which can easily replace outdoor lighting. Make sure that the minimum door of your camera at night is at least 8 meters.
Is motion and sound detection mandatory and useful?
Nowadays, almost all outdoor surveillance cameras are equipped with these features. In addition to a motion sensor which can either be infrared or use the pixel movements detected by the CCD sensor of the device, the sound sensors can be useful but although its sensitivity can be adjusted according to your environment direct, watch out for nuisance trips!
These functions, in addition to being useful, can be automatically coupled to your alarm system or else send you an SMS alert on your mobile phone or an e-mail accompanied by a video capture of the scene. If possible, choose a surveillance camera equipped with a function that can warn you if a person has been detected or not during the alert that is sent.
