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Security Camera Features

Security Camera Features

Different Features that Security Cameras Can Provide

Many different features come with security cameras. From night vision to motion-activated recording, the possibilities are endless. Security cameras can be used for surveillance, protection, and safety. A wide variety of security cameras are on the market nowadays. Some have data storage capacity while others have a battery life which is quite limited.

If you’re a homeowner, a business owner it is important to have a security camera installed. Security cameras can be able to detect many different features of an incident and provide the necessary evidence for authorities to take action on what they’ve seen. In this article, we will explore the different features various security cameras provide as well as some examples of their use. 

Camera Feature:

Security Camera 911 (E911)

Security Camera E911 helps responders get a live look at the emergency situation before they arrive on the scene which helps them make informed decisions about how to approach the incident. For example, if a camera shows a fire in a building, police can be dispatched with ladders and other firefighting tools to ensure everyone in the building is safe and unharmed. 

Camera Feature:

Night Vision & Infrared Security Cameras

Security cameras can be equipped with infrared lenses which allow them to capture images and video clips in complete darkness and low-light conditions. Surveillance cameras that have an infrared lens can detect small amounts of light such as starlight or moonlight and then amplify that into a visible light image for the camera.

Infrared-equipped security cameras provide night vision and in low-light conditions, reduce visibility issues such as illumination interference which can result in an unclear image. 

An infrared lens is made up of several different layers designed to trap incoming infrared radiation and only allow it to reach the camera’s sensor. In a nutshell, more layers mean better night vision and of course, it will cost you more.

With today’s modern technology, infrared security cameras can be used even in pitch black conditions where there is no light whatsoever. The use of infrared light also means that when looking at an image captured by an infrared security camera, you will see everything in black and white. 

Camera Feature:

On-Board Video Storage

Conventional surveillance cameras are not capable of storing video on-board, but some IP security cameras have the features of onboard storage. An IP or network camera with an onboard video recorder means that footage is recorded directly to a removable SD card or hard drive that is housed within the camera itself. This means that you can take your onboard video storage security camera with you when exiting to help prevent theft or tampering with recorded footage. 

On-board video storage security cameras give users the option of removing the SD card or hard drive and plugging it directly into their computer for playback. This also makes it easy to transfer your footage over the network for backup storage. 

Camera Feature:

Network Video Recorders (NVR)

An NVR is essentially an internet-connected video recorder that allows you to save and access recorded video via the local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), or even the internet. An NVR provides an additional layer of security by making recorded video footage available to you remotely.

For example, let’s say that there has been a robbery at your house and the burglars ran off before the police arrived. Later on that day, you realize that they stole your surveillance camera as well. Thankfully, you had the NVR installed which is connected to the internet.

This means that you can access your NVR from anywhere in the world using mobile streaming or even watch on your computer by logging into your NVR’s dashboard via the internet.

Although some may think that this defeats the purpose of having a security camera installed, it is an advantage if you need to monitor something at home or even your business while you are away or busy, and it could even prevent theft by giving the appearance that someone is manning the camera and watching over what’s going on. 

Camera Feature:

Network Connectivity

Having a security camera with network connectivity essentially means that it has built-in WIFI to allow you to connect directly from your smartphone or mobile device. Network-connected security cameras have apps for your smartphone or tablet which allow you to view live video feeds from anywhere by simply logging in and using the app’s interface. Some will even go a step further and include features such as cloud storage, remote pan/tilt/zoom, PTZ controls, two-way audio, email alerts, digital zoom, and even analytics.

Today’s network-connected security camera models are designed for all levels of users. Although they are generally more expensive than their DVR counterparts, the features that these cameras provide can easily put them on par with mid-range surveillance products.  

For example, some have intelligent analytics which is capable of detecting whether an object has been removed from its preset position or if there is a fire by comparing it to the previously recorded footage. Others will also include intelligent video analysis features such as intrusion detection, abandoned package detection, and faces/people counting.

Not only does network connectivity allow you to access your security cameras remotely, but it also allows them to all work together with one another. This means that each camera can be assigned to a specific channel or area on your NVR so you can monitor multiple areas of your home or business at the same time. 

Camera Feature:

Solid-State Drive (SSD) Security Cameras

For some, convenience is key and SSD security cameras are no exception. These types of cameras are designed to make accessing your recorded footage as easy as possible, which means that there is no need for a PC or DVR. Instead, footage from a solid-state drive (SSD) security camera can be accessed through a built-in web server and viewed directly on the local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), or even the internet using a web-enabled device.

Some of these cameras also include video analytics, motion detection, cloud storage, and remote pan/zoom/tilt features to name a few. As their name implies, SSD security cameras are generally fitted with an onboard Solid State Drive (SSD) that records video directly onto the camera.

Even though this type of storage device is more expensive than other types, it has many advantages. First off, SSDs are designed to be fast and reliable which minimizes video loss by ensuring that it never buffers or stops recording like hard disk drives (HDDs) can do. Furthermore, because SSDs don’t use any moving parts, they are less likely to break down or fail as HDDs can do. Another advantage of SSD security cameras is that files aren’t recorded as video clips which makes accessing footage a lot more intuitive. Instead of having to fast-forward through hours of footage just to get to the event you want, it’s simply a matter of pointing and clicking. 

Camera Feature:

Dual Streaming

Dual streaming is a feature that essentially allows users of home and business security cameras to record the highest quality video possible while still being able to view real-time footage with no data loss. If you’re thinking that this is too good to be true, you are not alone. Dual streaming is essentially a method of sending multiple streams simultaneously over the same network so that users can view real-time footage while at the same time recording video onto an SD card or other type of storage device.

One benefit of this feature is that it makes finding a security camera with dual streaming capabilities much easier as more manufacturers are providing it in their products. 

Some manufacturers even offer dual streaming for free, which means you get to enjoy high-resolution recording without having to spend anything extra.

In the past, the only way to receive a second video stream from your security cameras was through an NVR or DVR system with multiple channels. What this meant is that to access the other video stream, you would need at least one channel dedicated to viewing live footage. This means that if you wanted to view your cameras, you would have to pay for an additional channel on your DVR. 

Camera Feature:

Security Camera Sun Shade

When it comes to the great outdoors, the last thing you want is for the sun to be in your eyes while you’re trying to keep an eye on your property. This is where a security camera sun shade comes in handy.

Sun shades are designed to protect your security camera from the sun’s rays and help keep it cool in extreme temperatures. Not only does this ensure that your camera will last longer, but it also reduces the amount of glare and distortion that can occur when filming in direct sunlight. 

Some security camera sun shades can also be rotated 360 degrees so that you can adjust them to the perfect angle, regardless of where the sun is shining. This is a great feature to have if you plan on installing your security camera in the front, back, or side of your home. 

Camera Feature:

Motion Detection

One of the most important features to have on any type of home or business security camera is some kind of motion detection feature. After all, the whole point of having a video surveillance system is to record movement so that you can see what happened after an incident occurred.

Some motion detection systems are designed for indoors, while others are meant for both indoors and outdoors. This means that they will be able to detect activity in the surrounding area regardless of whether it’s raining or bright and sunny outside. 

For motion detection to work effectively, you need to make sure that your video surveillance system is composed of devices with the right kind of motion-sensing abilities.

For example, some cameras are only able to detect a specific type of movements such as people or cars. Cameras with this type of capability will likely not be able to tell the difference between an animal and a person. Therefore, you’ll end up getting a lot less usable footage from those types of cameras compared to those that use advanced motion detection capabilities like heat and humidity sensors. 

Camera Feature:

Weather Resistant Security Cameras

Many traditional security cameras are not designed for outdoor usage. This is because they can easily break if exposed to rain or even a drizzle. Fortunately, there are new types of weather-resistant security cameras on the market that are perfect for outdoor usage. Nowadays, we use products and companies like Swann and Lorex to offer a wide range of weather-resistant security cameras that are built to withstand rain, snow, heat, and every other type of adverse weather condition.

Not only do they provide better protection from the elements, but they’re also more convenient to mount outdoors as you don’t have to worry about them breaking if they get exposed to rain or snow.

A great thing about these types of security cameras is that they are easier to install since the cords are more water-resistant. This means you don’t have to worry about running an extension cord for your outdoor security camera installation. Just make sure the weather-resistant power supply that you get is compatible with the camera you choose.  

Camera Feature:

Two-Way Audio

This feature is especially useful if you’re monitoring a business location such as an office, warehouse, or retail store. Two-way audio allows you to talk and listen in on what’s happening via your security cameras. It’s great for checking up on employees and making sure they aren’t slacking off or doing anything else they shouldn’t be doing.

In addition to being able to listen in on your employees, you can also use two-way audio to scare away trespassers from a remote location by talking through your security cameras’ speakers.

If you need a way to let people at home know that you’re watching over them, two-way audio is also able to work in this way.

Though most security cameras are now equipped with this type of feature, you may still run into some that don’t have it. Not having two-way audio capabilities on your home or business security cameras can make monitoring more difficult as you can only listen in but not talk back. 

Infrared Security Cameras

Many homes and business security cameras are equipped with night vision to better monitor what’s going on after dark. However, those that use infrared technology for their night vision work much better as they can see in complete darkness. The best part is there’s no need to turn on any lights as the infrared sensors automatically activate when it gets dark. This type of feature makes it easy to monitor your property at night since you can see what’s going on through your security cameras’ lenses without having to flip any switches. On top of that, infrared technology allows you to look through your security cameras 24 hours a day 7 days a week without worrying about the sun getting in the way.

P2P Enabled

The acronym P2P stands for ‘peer to peer’ and allows users to access their security camera feeds over the internet without having to go through a central server first. What this means is that as soon as you log into your account, you’ll be able to view all of your cameras’ footage through a web browser without having to go through third-party servers first. P2P technology works by directly connecting your security cameras to a network that you either set up yourself or hire a company to do it for you. After that, all users have to do is download an app on their phone or computer and they can view their feeds from anywhere in the world. On top of that, many P2P-enabled security cameras can even be set up to record footage directly to a hard drive without having to worry about using any cloud storage services at all. 

Surveillance Camera Floodlight

Security cameras in general are great, but what happens when you need to monitor a specific area in complete darkness? This is where surveillance camera floodlights come in handy. They provide 24/7 lighting so you can monitor an area for suspicious activity even when it’s dark. The best part about these types of security cameras is that they’re incredibly bright and can light up an area as big as a small room.

This type of security camera is very helpful in locations such as parking lots, loading docks, or any place that only gets dark once the sun goes down. Since most floodlight cameras use infrared technology for their night vision, they work just like regular surveillance cameras during the day too.

In addition to lighting up the area, you’re monitoring, surveillance camera floodlights are also equipped with other features such as two-way communication capabilities. This allows you to communicate through your security cameras’ speakers at night instead of having to rely on a separate system for this. On top of that, they are also often equipped with regular cameras themselves which usually makes for great footage at night. 

Outdoor Security Cameras with Siren

Have you ever wanted to scare away criminals or let your family members know when they have to be careful? When it comes to home security, many people choose outdoor security cameras with siren capabilities. These types of security cameras are often equipped with an extremely loud alarm that can immediately alert everyone in the area that something suspicious is going on. Not only do most outdoor security cameras with sirens turn on the alarm but they also start recording footage in high definition so you can identify anyone who might be under suspicion.

While these types of security cameras are extremely loud, some residential homes tend to have noise limitations that prevent them from being installed outside since they’ll disturb everyone else in the area. However, it’s worth keeping in mind that outdoor security cameras with sirens are not only great at making a lot of noise but they can also be extremely helpful if you have any emergencies. It’s important to note that some outdoor surveillance cameras with sirens are exclusively designed for commercial use or purchasing them new may require a permit depending on where you live. 

Night Vision Camera

Night vision security cameras work just like surveillance camera floodlights except they don’t need any additional lighting to provide good footage. Instead, these types of security cameras rely on infrared technology and a special type of sensor that allows them to record perfectly in the dark regardless of how little light there is.

Since night vision is something completely different when compared with traditional surveillance cameras, they have specific settings that need to be adjusted for them to provide the best footage possible. This means that if there’s any light or a person in front of it while it has night vision enabled, you won’t be able to see anything out of it.

In addition to being extremely useful when it comes to lighting up an area, night vision security cameras are also very helpful in locations where illumination is not available. However, it’s important to note that they’re often way more expensive than surveillance camera floodlights since they require a lot of technology to work properly. 

Security Camera with Mic

A security camera with a microphone is a type of surveillance camera that contains both an audio and video recording device at the same time. While this may sound similar to normal surveillance cameras, these types of security cameras provide much more than just visual footage.

In addition to having night vision recordings, many security cameras with mics also come equipped with two-way communication capabilities. This means that you’ll be able to see and hear everything that’s going on even if you’re hundreds of miles away from the camera itself. In this case, not only will you be able to monitor a certain area but you can also communicate with anyone in front of it without needing a separate device for this.

Because security cameras with mics are so advanced, not only are they extremely hard to hack but they can also provide you with real-time information about the situation at hand. Not only will you be able to see everything that’s going on in front of it but you’ll also have access to audio recordings that tend to be very useful when doing an investigation.

On the other hand, it’s important to note that some security cameras with mics tend to be very expensive and hard to install as well. In addition, some of these types of surveillance cameras only require the footage they record on a remote device without any recordings made on the actual device itself. 

Camera Feature:

Surveillance Camera with Facial Recognition

In the past, security cameras have been mostly limited to providing visual footage of a certain area. It wasn’t until recently when surveillance cameras with facial recognition were introduced that customers had access to multiple different types of recordings at once.

What’s great about these types of security cameras is that they’re able to identify and categorize people by their facial features. In addition to this, it’s important to note that these types of security cameras also provide access to a specific database with information about each person who goes through or nearby the camera since many security cameras with facial recognition tend to be connected to other systems as well. 

What makes security cameras with facial recognition so useful is that they can be used as a security measure to detect unauthorized individuals and alert the authorities. In addition, surveillance cameras are also able to determine whether or not an individual is allowed to enter a specific area as well.

However, it’s important to note that these devices tend to be very expensive and require constant updates for their databases to be as effective as possible. In addition, some people might feel uncomfortable knowing that they’re being monitored by a security camera with facial recognition which is why it’s recommended to inform them about its use beforehand. 

Camera Feature:

Motion-Activated Smoke Detector Camera

One of the worst moments you’ll face as a homeowner or business owner is when you find out that your home or business has been broken into. It’s estimated that burglary rates in the US are around $3.8 million each year which is enough to provide security cameras for every single household and business if things only ended there.

What’s great about motion-activated smoke detector cameras is that they’re able to detect and catch burglars before they’re able to cause any damage. 

In addition, this type of security camera only starts recording once it detects movement and then sends you a notification letting you know that something is wrong. 

However, it’s important to note that these types of surveillance cameras are also very effective in terms of providing evidence that can, later on, be used against possible burglars. In addition, some people might feel uncomfortable knowing that they’re being monitored while at home or work which is why security cameras with this feature are generally not used by homeowners and business owners. 

Camera Feature:

Heat Sensor Security Camera

While other surveillance cameras can detect the presence of people, heat sensor security cameras are only able to detect an object’s heat signature. In other words, these types of security cameras can be used in places you wouldn’t even imagine which is why they’ve become so popular over time.

What makes heat sensor security cameras so effective is that they can detect a person’s presence even if they don’t make any noise or move around. The only indication of their presence is an elevated heat signature which is why reports of burglars being caught on camera using these types of security cameras are very common as well. 

However, it’s important to note that some people might feel uncomfortable knowing that they’re being monitored especially if their home or business hasn’t been broken into before. In addition, it’s also very useful to know about the possible risks of poor performance which is why security cameras with this feature are generally used by homeowners and businesses but not by homeowners. 

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