Want To Buy A Wi-Fi Security Camera? Check out six useful tips
Wi-Fi security cameras are the most modern options for home monitoring. Easier to use than conventional surveillance cameras, so-called IP cameras record the surroundings of the house and send real-time images to your phone or tablet. Some models go beyond and allow to position the lens in furniture, capturing everything that happens in the interior without being exposed.
Due to the variety of products and functions available, you have to be careful when buying. The values of IP cameras may vary depending on the brand, but there are models for less than $ 200. Next, see everything you need to know to choose the ideal camera.
How to Choose a Safety Camera Suitable for Home or Work
Want To Buy A Wi-Fi Security Camera? Check out six useful tips
1. Sensors
More than shooting, advanced cameras rely on a series of sensors to activate recording only in case of suspected intrusion. Using motion and heat sensors, Wi-Fi cameras can identify unauthorized entries and enable real-time capture by sending a notification to the owner's cell phone.
Some cameras also have a sound box to send audio from your smartphone to the monitored location, as well as night vision with infrared. On models with visibility in the dark, it is important to check the range of the feature depending on the size of the room where it is located.
Some cameras, such as the Motorola Focus 86, come with built-in speaker
2. Lens
Open lenses favor capture of the environment using fewer cameras. Choose models that already offer a vertical angle of 120 to 180 degrees, enough to record video from a room without having to place the camera on top. Thus, the user gains in savings because they need fewer devices to cover the same area, and still hides the surveillance of intruders.
3. Recording and viewing
Wi-Fi cameras often offer compatibility with smartphones, tablets and computer browsers to view the images. Models that connect directly to the router are the best: they are easier to install, they send real-time monitoring to the user.
There are also options with local recording, which keep a certain amount of recorded days for future reference. In this case, it is important to check if the camera supports memory card to save the files. The higher the camera resolution (HD or Full HD), the higher the image quality and the space required to keep videos offline.
Wi-Fi cameras send real-time images to mobile
4. Installation
In general, simply follow the IP camera manual to install the product on its own. In step by step, one of the most important steps is the definition of the access password, which should be kept confidential. Just like the bank password, the sequence to open the view of your cameras should only be known by trusted people. Therefore, if you prefer to hire a technician to install the equipment, make sure that the password is set by you.
Another point that deserves attention is the compatibility with the Wi-Fi network. When configuring the camera, enter the password correctly to allow the device to access the Internet to send the captured images. Otherwise, the camera becomes useless.
5. Connection
A basic router with 11AC technology is often enough for Wi-Fi cameras to run smoothly. However, it is also important to note the receptivity of the network signal in the environment. Even with a high speed contracted with the operator, it is necessary that the Internet reaches the cameras in all places of the house.
In places with very thick walls, it may be necessary to use an Internet repeater. In some camera models, the repeater is already integrated. Another option to avoid signal drop is to use cable internet on cameras with Ethernet input.
TP-Link's NC200 security camera already comes with built-in Wi-Fi repeater
After ensuring Wi-Fi coverage or wired access at the residence, simply check that the connection offers at least 2 Mb / s upload speed to keep the stream of images minimally constant. For HD or Full HD cameras, the speed should be higher than 5 Mb / s.
6. Price
The costs of installing a Wi-Fi camera are dramatically lower than traditional surveillance (CCTV) systems. Because they are easy to use and require no specialized technicians, they generally do not have to pay for the service. As the price of the equipment itself is higher, it is necessary to analyze the cost-benefit depending on the values charged by companies in the industry.
The values of IP cameras can vary greatly depending on the model. One of the cheapest is the TP-Link NC200, which records in VGA, has built-in microphone and built-in Wi-Fi repeater. The model costs less than $ 200 in online stores. D-Link's top-of-the-box option is the DCS-936L, which costs $ 545 and offers 120-degree recordings. The Motorola Focus 86 is a bit more advanced, sold for almost $ 400 with speaker, temperature sensor, simpler installation and Full HD capture.
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