Why a Smart Home Camera is an Essential Part of Your Security System

A smart home camera is an important part of any security system. Linked to your smart hub and controlled via voice, mobile app or web interface, these cameras offer peace of mind.

Wired and battery powered models are available. Batteries give you more flexibility in positioning cameras, but require regular recharging.

Cloud Storage

Some models use cloud storage to store footage, making them accessible from any location as long as you have an internet connection. Some also offer local storage without an internet connection or monthly fees, so you can watch recordings even during a power outage.

Many smart home cameras use event recording to save short video clips based on motion detection. This conserves internet bandwidth and helps battery-powered cameras last longer between recharges. Some cameras, including the EufyCam 2C and Ring Stick Up Cam, also use Apple’s iCloud-integrated HomeKit security features to encrypt and protect your videos.

If you choose a camera with cloud storage, look for a password-protected account that requires two-factor authentication. It’s also a good idea to put your home security camera on its own network, separate from other devices on the home Wi-Fi. That way, if someone hacks into your home computer and gets access to your cameras, they won’t be able to access your other devices as well.

Two-Way Talk

When looking for a security camera, make sure it features two-way talk. Two-way talk allows you to communicate with someone within a camera’s view through a microphone and speaker. You can activate this feature by using the viewing device (usually an app on your phone).

When you notice a stranger in front of your home, you can communicate with them to ask who they are and what they’re doing. If you’re worried about intruders breaking into your home, you can tell them to leave and call the police if they don’t comply.

You can also use a two-way-talk security camera to interact with pets that are smart home camera in distress. You can speak comfortingly to your pet through the camera and it may be able to calm down. In addition to two-way audio, some cameras also have a 105-decibel siren that you can activate from the viewing device.

Motion Detection

Motion detection can help catch intruders before they cause any damage to the home. When paired with other security equipment like doorbell cameras and alarm systems, they can even alert local police to the situation in real time.

You can control how the camera responds to motion by establishing a zone for it to recognize movement in. Everything outside of this area won’t trigger the device, making it more effective at keeping track of what matters. This feature can also be useful for eliminating pointless notifications from your camera or video doorbell, which might detect cars driving on the road or people walking down the street outside of the property.

Many smart security cameras can also recognise different types of movements by determining whether they’re dogs, cats, vehicles or people approaching. Some models even go a step further, such as ecobee’s SmartCamera, which can automatically follow a person using its panning function and keep them in the centre of the frame smart home camera for easy viewing. Paid subscription required for geofencing, remote arming and disarming, voice command arming and disarming, and person recognition.

Night Vision

If your smart security camera has night vision, it can record video and pictures in total darkness. This is made possible by a photocathode (also known as an image intensifier) that collects light and converts it into electronic signals. The image intensifier then translates these signals back into usable light that can be seen by the lens.

This technology has seen significant technological advancements over the years, resulting in clearer images and improved light amplification. Night vision can also detect motion and alert you when something is detected on your property. Some models can even distinguish between different movements and recognise pets, vehicles or people.

Many smart cameras can be connected to your Wi-Fi and send footage to a cloud storage system. This is convenient if you want to be able to access your data from anywhere. Some models have built-in storage and battery, while others require a wired connection to an external network video storage device for recording and uploading. Wired smart cameras also provide reliable connectivity that can withstand power outages. However, you will need to hire a professional electrician to install them.

Alerts

Getting notifications when something happens keeps you informed without having to watch your camera all the time. Most smart home cameras let you get text alerts when they detect motion, sound, a face (recognised or not) and more. Some also support scheduling and geofencing to help you reduce the number of alerts and save energy.

Many security cameras have smarter video alerts that recognise friend from foe. That way you don’t receive as many false alerts (from a fox in your back garden or an unidentified person lurking on the front porch). Some have smart lighting that turns on and off automatically based on activity, preventing crime and helping you save money on electricity bills.

If your smart camera or monitor has integrations with other smart home devices, you can trigger actions that affect multiple areas of the property using voice commands. For example, some models can integrate with Amazon Alexa and Google Home for voice control. Others connect with Apple’s HomeKit, letting you view footage on compatible Apple products like TVs and smart speakers or share it with other members of your family.