Home Security Camera Installation Lake Cathie

Many security cameras do have audio recording functionality, however you will need to check specifically against each model as there are a wide range of solutions that both include and exclude microphones within the camera. Some models also include a speaker that can provide audible alarms and spoken messages upon human or vehicle detection.

This depends on the size, layout, desired coverage and types of cameras used for the project, however as a general rule it is critical to cover all entry and exit areas as a starting point. Additional coverage may be required to surveil specific critical areas like garages and even internally within the house but this will be different for every home. As an example, for a 3 bedroom, single story home aiming to achieve a general coverage of the home, generally 4 or 5 cameras provide an excellent overview of the property. For a larger 5 bedroom home, double story with a range of different angles to cover a 8 camera system would typically be best for overall coverage.

Typically a 6MP or 8MP hardwired, turret camera will be a good fit for most homes. They sit well under eaves and provide a good balance between showing that the home has security without looking too obtrusive. It is also a good idea to opt for cameras with integrated audio and visual alarms to deter potential undesirables from entering your property.

A typical CCTV system with 16 cameras will require less than 150 watts of power per hour. This is comparable to a basic desktop computer and less than most larger LCD TVs, however it is important to recognise that the security camera system is usually running 24/7 and will consume power continually. Most home systems will only have 4 to 8 cameras, so will consume a lot less power than a 16 channel solution.

Most commercial grade CCTV systems typically record directly to a dedicated set of surveillance hard drives that are installed into a network video recorder or server. WiFi is not normally required to record any CCTV footage, however some more basic consumer grade systems may use this method for recording. We recommend installing commercial grade security systems into homes also, ensuring excellent longevity and reliability. It is also often negligible in terms of difference in hardware costs for a like for like commercial and consumer grade system. 

CCTV systems can be configured to record 24/7 but can also be set to record only when activity is detected. We recommend, where possible to maintain 24/7 recording to avoid any potential footage being missed, this will however utilise the most amount of storage space and may not be possible in all instances. Setting a system to record on motion or human/vehicle detection can be a good way to conserve disk space and record over a longer period of time.