Types of Home Video Surveillance Systems
If you're thinking of adding a video surveillance system to your home security system, it will allow you to monitor what's going on when you're not around, rather than just waiting for an alarm to go off. You might be able to catch a burglar on tape, or just keep track of your grounds and watch for suspicious activity that occurs when no one is home.
According to this article on "Home Security Cameras" there are two types of video surveillance systems: overt and covert. Basically this means systems that are hidden and systems that are openly visible to anyone who comes to the house.
Both types of systems have their merits. With covertly hidden cameras (sometimes called "nanny cams"), you can monitor people who are in your house for babysitting, pet-sitting, cleaning, maintenance, or what have you. This can be a good way to go if you're not 100% sure of the people who are in and out of your home for various reasons, or even if you just want to keep an eye on things from work, vacation, etc.
If you want to install a video surveillance system primarily for home security reasons (to stop burglars), an overt system may be better. Instead of using hidden security cameras, you make the cameras plainly visible. This can be a smart decision, especially with outdoor cameras that monitor the grounds and entrances, because if a potential burglar sees the camera, he or she may very well move on. Burglars don't want to get caught (duh!), so all other things being equal they'll strike a house without a home security system before tackling one with one, and nothing says I've got a security system like a camera mounted by the front door!
More articles on home video surveillance: security cameras
Now people are recognizing the power of hidden video cameras. I think it's highly necessary because with the rate crimes rise, this is our great salvation.
Posted by: Mike | June 25, 2007 at 06:57 AM