Let’s talk about security cameras.
You’re interested in adding security cameras to your property, but not sure which one you want, or which brand is the best. I’m here to answer all of those questions and also point you in the right direction.
Just Let Somerset Take Care of You … It’s okay, we don’t need to jump to the obvious yet. You still have questions, and I still have answers to give. Keep reading and you’ll learn all about wireless versus wired, and pro series cameras versus other big names.
Wired VS. Wireless. The Pros and the Cons.
Who doesn’t love a good ol’ Pro Con List? But let’s start with the basics, “Should I get Wireless cameras or Wired Cameras for my home or business, which is the best?”
Both Wireless and Wired Cameras have their perks and downfalls, depending on your situation. Wireless cameras need a strong Wi-Fi signal, while Wired Cameras have all of those pesky cords.
Wireless
Wireless cameras are typically great for indoor situations, keeping watch over your pets or kids who are on another level. Checking in on the cat while you’re out of town. These cameras are cloud based and need a strong Wi-Fi signal to capture, transfer, and store your clips. Uh-oh, the power went out, what now? Unfortunately with Wireless Cameras, all video clips are stored in a cloud that is accessed over your wireless network. If the power goes out, your wifi goes out, your camera goes out, and there won’t be any clips recorded or saved during that outage. That’s why I recommend Wireless cameras for indoor situations, because chances are, your cat is not going to set your house on fire in those 2 hours that you can’t check in on him. I would probably suggest you run home if you left your kids alone with just the camera to keep an eye on them though, kids can get into some crazy stuff when not being watched.
One of the great things about Wireless Cameras though, besides the obvious lack of wires, is the Cloud Backup. You have no need for extra hardware in your home or business, all recorded clips get sent right up to the cloud where you can access them from anywhere that you have wireless signal.
Regardless of which wireless camera system you choose, they have to get their power from somewhere. Professional series wireless cameras from Alarm.com have a single power cord that you still have to run, now this may sound like a con, but give me a second. Other, non professional camera series like Ring or Blink have the ability to only run on battery. You may think, hey that’s great, zero cords, no waste in electricity. However, these batteries only last about 6-8 months and then you have to get a brand new battery or a brand new device depending on the brand. No one wants to spend that kind of money every 6-8 months, when instead they can have a professional series with a single power cord that pulls limited amounts of electricity. Alarm.com cameras can be taken and moved anywhere, at any time, as long as there is an outlet nearby.
Wired
Wired cameras are best for outdoor situations versus their wireless counterparts that are best indoors. The quality of the recording clips and night vision that wired camera systems, like Alibi Security offer are far superior to track outdoor events. Check the license plate of the vehicle that smashed into your mailbox with no note, or see the person that came into your yard in the dead of night. Whatever the situation, your wired camera is always online and always watching.
One of the great things about wired camera systems is the functionality and usability they bring to the surveillance camera game. The settings with wired cameras are expansive and lend to tracking movement in certain areas. Wired cameras include alarm outputs and can easily sink with your security system. This means, when your camera spots unusual movement it can sink automatically with your security system and enable the alarm for you, this is great when you are not home. Don’t worry though, it won’t set off in case of an animal, the cameras are too smart for that.
Now, the obvious downside of a wired camera system, it has to be wired back to a centrally located device like a recorder or DVR. No cloud backup for these guys. No cloud backup allows for all of your clips and recordings to be stored locally and onsite, no big brother allowed. Unlike wireless cameras, wired cameras have very little maintenance. Unlike that battery you have to replace with those not so great DIY wireless camera systems, wired cameras, like alibi, can be left once that wire is installed you won’t ever need to go back to it. Leave it and let it shine.
Still unsure? Let Somerset make the decision for you, give us a call today! We take the guesswork out of security.