If you want to protect your family, a home security camera is a strong first line of defense. They can even act as visual deterrents, since thieves won't want to go where they're likely to get caught on camera. With some of the new technology that's out there, they won't even need to get up close and personal for a camera to catch them. There have been some powerful new advancements that have taken today's home security cameras leagues beyond the grainy, black and white footage of old.
Figuring out where to position a security camera can be tough. In the past, most of them had relatively narrow fields of view—you needed several to cover your home or yard and had to strategically place them so they'd give you a full picture without overlapping too much.
Now, modern cameras are capable of providing a full 360° field of view. Place them just about anywhere, and you'll get all of the coverage you need.
If you're trying to maintain the curb appeal of your home, then you probably don't want a lot of different gadgets and fixtures impacting its carefully cultivated look. Motion-sensing floodlights are another security feature that helps deter trespassers and make your yard more safe—if something moves, they illuminate the area.
Some new security cameras integrate floodlights right into their camera hardware. You effectively get two safety and theft deterrent devices in the same small footprint. This also allows the camera to capture more high-quality, well-lit footage at night.
No lighting? No problem. Integrated infrared tech means that today's security cameras can capture images even in low light. If it has a heat signature, these cameras can pick it up.
This means that they're able to detect people and animals even in shaded areas, or other situations where floodlights may not provide a perfect view. Some high-end models even come equipped with both floodlights and infrared, so you get the best of both worlds.
Do you need a robot buddy to patrol your home while you're away? Amazon's Ring Always Home Cam has you covered.
This is a Ring camera that's attached to its own drone. When it's not needed, it hangs out in its charging dock. When you want to see what's going on while you're away, you can direct it to fly a predetermined path through your house. It effectively lets you have a full view of your home's interior whenever you need to, while maintaining your privacy. If you're at home, the Ring Always Home Cam sits on its dock. If you need to check up on things, it takes flight and starts recording.
This camera can also connect to an existing Ring home security system. If someone tries to enter your home while the system is armed, the Ring Always Home Cam can fly right over and see what's what.
If you already have a doorbell cam, you might have gotten a few alerts from birds, bugs, cars, or other completely harmless, mundane things. Today's security cameras are learning to provide only relevant information and avoid false alarms.
This new tech allows modern cameras to differentiate between an actual intruder and, say, a squirrel. You can receive notifications for important things, like intruders or loiterers, and filter out all of the stuff that doesn't require your attention.
Some cameras also boast facial recognition tech. These are capable of recognizing when specific family members come home and send an update to let you know. They're also capable of differentiating between family members and strangers.
What if you could program your camera to perform small tasks for you, without ever having to learn to code? Deep learning technology can help you do exactly that.
Say you have a gated driveway and don't want to have to deal with waiting for your garage door to open once you've pulled up to your house. Using a simple “If-then” statement, you can tell your camera to signal your garage door opener when it detects a car pulling up to your house.
If cable management and access to electricity is an issue, then it's worth considering a camera with integrated solar panels and batteries. These can go in places where wiring can't. Pair them with wireless tech, and they're excellent for keeping an eye on the perimeter of a large yard, or the end of a long driveway.
If you've been putting off installing a home security camera, now's a good time to take the plunge. Today's cameras are durable, programmable, and capable of providing wide viewing angles and high-quality images in a variety of conditions. Whether you're looking for something to keep an eye on your home's exterior, or just something to let you know when your family gets home safe, there's a model that can give you peace of mind.
