Motion Detection – Cameras with motion detection capability can be programmed to record images only when motion is detected in the field of view. This can save on battery life (if battery-operated) and storage space, if the camera feed is stored to a DVR or PC-hard drive. Cameras with this feature can also allow for “time-stamping” of the recorded incident, allowing homeowners to determine exactly when an event occurred.

Audio – Built-in microphones bring audio-capture to some surveillance cameras.

Power-over-Ethernet – The PoE standard applied to video surveillance enables the PoE camera to be powered over the Ethernet cable that connects the camera to a PC or internet connection. Many fixed-IP network cameras use PoE, as it reduces wiring needs and brings greater flexibility to the installer, who won’t be limited by proximity to an outlet or power source.

Camera Lens– Consumers will have to choose from a few lens options. This will depend on the distance from the camera to the scene that will be viewed. A fixed focal length lens will come in millimeter designations (e.g., 4mm, 8mm, etc.). A 4mm lens gives about a 72 degree viewing angle, while a 16mm lens has a 20 degree angle but greater zoom capability. A varifocal lens can be adjusted, and will come in focal ranges (e.g., 8~15mm). An auto iris lens will automatically change the lens aperture according to lighting. Auto iris lenses are recommended for outdoor application, as the lighting changes throughout the day.

FPS (frames per second) – indicates the number of still images captured by the camera every second. 30 fps is considered “real-time.” Adjusting the fps of a camera can save space on a DVR or hard-drive, but a lower fps might not capture important actions occurring in the cameras view.

IP/Network Cam – The IP camera acts as a camera and a web server. By connecting the camera to the home’s internet, users can access the camera remotely simply by typing in the camera’s specific URL into a web browser. Security passwords prevent unauthorized access to the camera’s feed.

Wired vs. Wireless
When choosing to go with a wireless camera, consumers will have to choose between an analog and a digital solution. The analog solutions come in GHz designations, and use RF technology to broadcast the signal. Analog wireless cams operate on a very narrow spectrum that is used by numerous devices, and therefore can be prone to interference and a “snowy” signal. The other option is to go with the digital wireless solution. Also considered “IP” or “Network” cameras, these cameras use the 802.11 standard, and each camera acts as a two-way access point, or web server. They connect to the home’s wireless network, and can be accessed for live viewing from within the home or remotely by typing in the camera’s specific IP address into a web browser. Password security prevents unauthorized access to the video feed.

Consumers should know that a wireless camera will still require a power source. Although battery power is an option, these tend to run out quickly. Snaking a power cord to the nearest outlet is also an option, but Todd Morris, President of BrickHouse Security, recommends spending the extra money to have an electrician hardwire camera. “If you are spending $800 on a wireless IP camera, you might as well spend the extra $200 on an electrician,” says Morris, “rather than nailing extension cords to the side of the house.”

On the wired side of things, the video-over-powerline concept is fast gaining ground in security camera application. ADT is poised to roll-out their version of a camera that sends video feed over the home’s existing powerlines, and a few other options are available to consumers as well. “The PLC (powerline carrier) technology is fantastic,” says McKinney, referring to both the reduction of wires needed for such a technology and the tested reliability of the concept. BrickHouse Security’s “PowerVue” line of security cameras transmit real-time, high-res images over the home’s electrical wiring, using HomePlug 1.0 standards and a decoder that converts powerline data signals to standard Ethernet network connection. 

Custom Cameras
Homeowners who don’t want their homes looking like prisons have turned to the custom camera solution. These custom enclosures can integrate a surveillance camera into ordinary household objects, like lamps or doorknockers. Todd Morris sees a growing trend in these “stealth cams,” and finds that a one or two-camera solution is enough for many households. “Homeowners can point one at the front door and one at the back door, and have them record only when there’s motion,” says Morris. Some of the niftier models have the recording device built right in, storing recorded footage to an SD card that can hold up to 10 hours of video. The high resolution, covert housing, and all-in-one video and recording design might come with a $400 price tag, but the homeowner is saving on a lot of wiring and additional equipment, not to mention preserving exterior aesthetics.

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Ben Hardy - Contributing Writer

Between watching re-runs of the The Jetsons and convincing his Insteon and Z-Wave controls to get along, Ben Hardy is immersed in the world of home automation, home control, and home networking.