It can get quite frustrating when it comes to choosing what kind of surveillance cameras one needs for their home. Previously, we wrote an article detailing the kinds of brands and product lines we offer and noted their traits individually. In this post, we thought it would be helpful to talk about what trait is best suited for what purposes.

Wedge, Bullet or Dome?Wedge and dome style cameras are more or less the same. These tend to be the best option as they install more easily and are less vulnerable to damage when compared to the bullet style cameras.

Moreover, wedge-style cameras are the better option as it becomes hard to determine which way the camera is facing and thus can easily deter an intruder from keeping themselves from being recorded. Bullet-styled cameras are more prone to getting damaged and since the cameras aren’t hidden, an intruder can easily determine which way the camera is facing and dodge their way out without being seen. With that said, bullet-styled cameras sometimes are a better fit depending on the location.

On-site Recording or Cloud Streaming?

The big question to ask when getting a surveillance camera system is whether you want the footage to be stored on-site or on cloud. On-site options usually come with a higher upfront cost, where as cloud options come with a monthly fee. Contrary to a popular belief, cloud streaming is a safe way to store your footage as they use the same encryption as many popular banking websites. Cloud storage has various benefits including, but not limited to:

Less up-front cost
Less appliances
Less likely to be tampered with in terms of recordings and footage
More secure

However, there are various reasons why one would want to have an NVR/DVR, on-site recording installed. One such reason is the number of surveillance cameras you would need. If you have less than 4 surveillance cameras, it may be wiser to go with cloud storage as your monthly cost would still not be as high as the up-front cost associated with on-site storage.

However, if you plan on installing more than 4 surveillance cameras, it would be better to go with on-site storage. Another thing to consider when deciding what option to go with is your Internet service. If you’re located in a rural area or somewhere that does not have great Internet connection, it would not be wise to employ cloud storage for your camera footage storage.

Motion or Continuous Recording?

Most surveillance cameras come with two options when it comes to recording: continuous or motion. Continuous recording is 24/7 and records constantly. With this option you never miss a beat and can be sure you have a recording of every second that passes. Motion recording only captures when there is a pixel change or some sort of motion detected.

Keep in mind that it captures prior to and after the occurrence of the pixel change so you can make more sense to what is occurring during the event. Now, the question remains which option is a better fit. If done right, motion recording can come in handy as it is easier to playback when compared to continuous recording.

With that said, there may be instances where you might want to have a recording of every second that passes, therefore, it is vital to ask yourself what your needs are and make a decision accordingly.

Don’t Fret

We understand that it may feel a little overwhelming when it comes to deciding what kind of surveillance cameras you need. This is why we always advice our customers and clients to contact us without any hesitations. We are more than happy to answer any questions or concerns and help you pick the right kind that cater to your needs.

We offer our services to a range of areas from Oakville, Burlington and throughout Halton.