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Home > Tips to consider when purchasing and installing a wireless outdoor surveillance camera system
June 16, 2008
By: Lynn Bryant
Wireless surveillance cameras can be a convenient and
effective way to improve the security in and around your
home. When it comes to outdoor surveillance however, it
takes special cameras and equipment to withstand the varying
weather and lighting conditions that they will inevitably
face. The purpose of this article is to take a closer look
at some of the special camera requirements that are
necessary to implement an effective wireless outdoor
surveillance camera system.
When developing a security plan for the exterior of your
home or business, it is important to remember that indoor
and outdoor surveillance require vastly different
strategies. In some instances, your outdoor surveillance
needs might be quite simple. A weatherproof housing and
regular surveillance camera may be all you need to get
adequate coverage. However, in most instances, outdoor video
surveillance requires more careful planning and
consideration. Some important things to consider when
selecting outdoor wireless security cameras include:
- Lighting and power source availability due to
camera placement -- Exposure to the elements cannot
only damage the cameras themselves; it can also severely
affect image quality as well. If lighting conditions are
poor, or weather severe, your outdoor cameras may fail
to provide the clarity you are relying on. Depending on
your specific security needs, there are special outdoor
cameras you may want to consider. For example, if you
have particularly low lighting conditions outside your
home, you may want to consider purchasing a special
infrared camera that can function with little or no
light at all. Alternatively, perhaps you need to monitor
an outbuilding or location where there is no existing
power source nearby. You may need to consider purchasing
a special solar powered surveillance camera instead.
- Housings that match intended environmental
conditions -- Outdoor cameras do indeed require
special housings to ensure the camera is not damaged by
the elements. Terms like weatherproof, waterproof, and
weather resistant all refer to different types of
outdoor housing available. The type of housing you
require will depend on where the camera is going to be
located. For example, if you are placing a camera in a
covered entryway, or under an eave, a simple weather
resistant housing may be all you need. On the other
hand, if the camera is going to be fully exposed to all
elements, you may need to focus on more durable models
designed to withstand your particular climate
conditions. Still another outdoor housing option you
might want to consider is a vandal proof model if you
have reason to believe vandalism could be a problem.
- Cameras with features designed specifically for
outdoor use -- If you are serious about outdoor
surveillance, it is best not to skimp on certain camera
features. A quality outdoor camera is built to adjust
automatically to the varying lighting conditions. You
can purchase outdoor cameras with automatically
adjusting shutter speeds, which will help ensure a
higher image quality. You might also want to consider
purchasing a camera that will automatically switch back
and forth between day and night modes depending on how
much light is present. Night mode often consists of some
form of infrared surveillance and motion detection
functionality. Utilizing this technology is often the
only way you can be assured adequate protection at night
when traditional surveillance cameras often fall short.
Implementing a good outdoor surveillance system is often
your first line of defense against intruders or criminal
behavior. Spending a little extra time researching and
planning your outdoor security strategy will go a long way
toward ensuring your security needs are accurately met.
About the Author
Lynn Bryant is a successful freelance writer and contributor
to Video-Surveillance-Guide.com. Your definitive guide to
video surveillance equipment, CCTV cameras and wireless
security systems for home and business.
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