Home security camera buying guide

To protect our home, to feel more secure or simply to have a backup, a security camera system is a great investment for our home, as long as we know what we are buying.
There are numerous options in the video surveillance market, ranging from Wi-Fi IP cameras for an indoor environment to the famous kits of 4 or more analog cameras. But, which will be the one that suits us? If you have no idea how to buy a security camera for your home, check out this guide.

1. Vision of cameras in your home:
In principle, the camera lens, and more precisely the angle of view. Whether they are analog or digital IP, we should look for a security camera with a wide-angle of 2.8mm, as opposed to 3.6mm. A lens with this type of angle will allow us a greater “sweep” of the image, that is, we will have a more complete image of the panorama and will cover areas that a 3.6mm lens cannot reach.

2. Recordings from cameras at home:
Second, you should always keep in mind the method of recording. This is not a minor aspect of a home security camera, since one of the reasons for the existence of a security camera is the possibility that it serves as support to control any type of unexpected event.
For this reason, the “how” must always be taken into account when recording. If you are going to choose an IP camera, make sure it has a microSD memory slot. If you choose analog cameras with a DVR, check the drive, and make sure it’s an appropriate size for the number of cameras.

3. Connected and secure cameras:
Point number three: connectivity, how your computers are going to have a connection with each other and with your network. This is very important to keep in mind because if you can’t connect your camera or DVR to the internet, you won’t be able to see your system when you’re away from home.
Then consider the location of your modem or router, and see how the cables from the cameras will reach there, or if you use Wi-Fi equipment, make sure there are not many walls in between that reduce the strength of the signal (sometimes Wi-Fi can be very unstable).
And if you are going to install all IPs, you also have to provide network inputs. A basic modem usually brings between 4 and 5 ports, so check how many devices you have connected to the internet, it could be that you need an extra network switch for your security cameras.

Final thoughts:
Last, but just as important as the tips above, always consider buying equipment from a reputable brand. You may be paying a little more at a price although today they are quite balanced, you will also receive quality, support, and the guarantee that your surveillance system comes from a recognized manufacturer with a track record in the market.
Before finishing, and so that you can get an estimate, we are going to quickly talk about prices. This is a general way and you will surely find variants, but we can say that a good IP camera, with memory, Wi-Fi, memory slot and suitable for outdoors (it can be installed both indoors and outdoors) is around $ 100.
And a system of 4 cameras with DVR plus disk, is located in a price between $ 350 to $ 500. As we said at the beginning, it all depends. The cost will vary on the size of the disk, the amount of cable, the material with which the camera is built (PVC, metal, both), and many other qualities.