How to set up your own surveillance system
You want to make sure your family, friends, employees, and property are safe. A good surveillance system helps.
This article offers handy DIY tips and tricks from our experienced installers, and gives you an idea of how products like these work best:
The easiest way to get started is with an all-in-one security system like the Samsung SDH-C74083HFN. It includes eight cameras, a digital video recorder, and plenty of cable. A wireless option like the popular Nest Cam lets you keep an eye on your home without drilling holes and running cables.
If you need help choosing a camera, read the Security camera buying guide. Otherwise, let's get started!
Plan ahead
Installing a security system is something you want to do right the first time. You can make small adjustments in placement and monitoring, or add more cameras later. But you don't want to find out your camera has a bad viewing angle after you've already drilled holes in several walls.
Don’t skimp on the number of cameras, length of cable, or megabytes of storage – you will need more than you think.
“Sometimes you don’t notice something’s missing or damaged for a couple of days," says Crutchfield A/V designer Norm. "So you want to be able to go back and look.”
Having enough storage — via a digital video recorder or a cloud-based service — gives you that flexibility.
You want to make sure your family, friends, employees, and property are safe. A good surveillance system helps.
This article offers handy DIY tips and tricks from our experienced installers, and gives you an idea of how products like these work best:
The easiest way to get started is with an all-in-one security system like the Samsung SDH-C74083HFN. It includes eight cameras, a digital video recorder, and plenty of cable. A wireless option like the popular Nest Cam lets you keep an eye on your home without drilling holes and running cables.
If you need help choosing a camera, read the Security camera buying guide. Otherwise, let's get started!
Plan ahead
Installing a security system is something you want to do right the first time. You can make small adjustments in placement and monitoring, or add more cameras later. But you don't want to find out your camera has a bad viewing angle after you've already drilled holes in several walls.
Don’t skimp on the number of cameras, length of cable, or megabytes of storage – you will need more than you think.
“Sometimes you don’t notice something’s missing or damaged for a couple of days," says Crutchfield A/V designer Norm. "So you want to be able to go back and look.”
Having enough storage — via a digital video recorder or a cloud-based service — gives you that flexibility.
Get close-up views of all entry points on the ground floor
The ground floor of your residence is the most vulnerable, so you'll want to buy enough cameras to cover each entry point, at bare minimum. "Think of every entrance," says Norm. "The garage and basement doors count."
It can be tempting to try to cover a door and a couple of windows with one camera. But a distant view robs the image of detail, and detail is crucial when you're trying to figure out exactly who's at your door. Norm — an experienced security system installer — recommends that you double-cover the front door.
"I suggest two cameras – one above the door looking down so you can see faces, and one with a longer view so you can see what that person is doing.” Also, invest in night vision. Night-time is obviously when you’re most vulnerable. Make sure you know how far away your camera can see in the dark.
Power affects placement
Even wireless cameras require a power source. Battery-powered cameras, like those in the Arlo Pro Home Security System, can be placed away from wall sockets, but something like the Nest Cam will have to be plugged into an existing outlet. Cameras that draw power through an analog connection, Ethernet, or USB cable can be installed anywhere you are willing to run wires.
Read Full Article Here: Security Camera Installation Tips
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