How to Easily Install Home Security Cameras | Updated

Installing security cameras may appear to be a difficult chore for those unfamiliar with DIY technology. 

Don’t be concerned! In fact, most smart home security cameras now allow for DIY installation, which means we can set it up ourselves rather than engaging a pro.

Installation varies in difficulty depending on where we want to put the camera and its power supply (plug-in or battery). 

Of course, the installation method varies by brand and model, but we’ve learned a thing or two about installation from examining dozens of home security cameras. 

While each camera comes with its own set of instructions, we’ve compiled a list of recommended practices for installing home security cameras. Continue reading to find out what they are!

According to a University of North Carolina at Charlotte study of convicted burglars, home security cameras function as a deterrent to burglars. If a burglary has been reported in your neighborhood, it may be time to install a home security camera. 

If a burglar succeeds in one property, they will move on to a neighborhood. They frequently attack the same residence. 

Be on the lookout for evidence that a burglar has been in the area, such as smashed windows. Burglars are interested in seeing how quickly people react to the sound of shattered glass and how soon the window is restored.

Where Should I Place My Home Security Cameras?

#1. Secure all entrance points: Install cameras at any place where a criminal could gain entrance to your home, which is usually all of the ground-level doors and windows. Yes, even the ones hiding behind the shrub on your house’s side!

#2. Monitor both the inside and outside of your home: Some people are so focused on installing inside cameras that they forget to keep an eye on what’s going on outside. Outdoor cameras, on the other hand, play an important role in stopping crime before it happens; think of them as the defensive players on a soccer team. You’ve probably heard that the best defense is a good offense.

#3. Cameras should be set eight to 10 feet above the ground: One, you’ll have the best view of the entire room, and two, cameras placed high up are more difficult to take. Make sure your cameras are high enough to keep most robbers out of them, especially if they only have local storage.

#4. Areas with adequate lighting: While infrared cameras can provide good nighttime coverage, employing external illumination can boost visibility; this is especially true if your camera has a spotlight, as the night vision will be in color. Check out Ring’s affordable outdoor lighting solutions, which are available on Amazon as well as the company’s website.

#5. For Indoor cameras, employ corners: Using corners is another simple way to enhance your camera’s range of vision. To get the most out of your camera, use the double whammy of setting it high up and in the corner.

#6. Instead of capturing direct sunlight, catch the indirect light that will not cause glare: When it comes to cameras, we’ve made this mistake before. Before you mount your camera, make sure it’s connecting with your mobile app properly. To check that everything is working properly and with minimal lag, we recommend doing a few motion tests.

#7. Avoid blind spots: Just like you have blind spots while driving, many homes have blind zones that make photography more difficult. So don’t overlook the awkwardly shaped nook in your living room!

There are specific cameras that will offer you the best view of every part of the action; check them out: 15 Best Wireless Home Security Cameras Of 2022

How To Install Home Security Cameras

#1. Selecting a Home Security Camera System

There are security cameras with tilt and zoom capabilities, wide-angle lenses, HD video cameras, simple motion detection cameras, outdoor cameras, outdoor cameras with night vision, and indoor cameras. 

There are also wireless home security cameras, wired security cameras, partially wireless cameras, and simpler gaming cameras. 

Before committing to a membership plan, make careful to research what each one has to offer, as monthly fees can rapidly mount up.

Check Out the Review of Ring Home Security System Review | 2022

#2. Determine ahead of time where you’ll put your home security camera

Examine your property to choose the best spot for a home security camera— one with a clear view of a high-risk area, like the front door, to deter prospective porch pirates. 

Find a place where a camera can be protected from the elements, or buy a weatherproof model. Plan out the path the cables will take through the walls if you use a wired security camera.

Also Read; The Best Smart Home Security Systems For 2022

#3. Install your home’s security camera mount

Most home security camera systems come with an installation kit as well as a template for drilling mounting holes. Drill pilot holes for the mounting screws and insert any mounting pins with a hammer. 

Finish by securing the camera mount to the specified spot. If you have a wired home security camera system, you’ll need to drill through your walls with a spade bit to feed the cable to where it will be attached to a recording device.

Don’t Fail to Read; Best DIY Home Security Systems For 2022

#4. Install the surveillance camera in your home

In some kits, you may need to add batteries to the camera. In any event, make sure the camera is connected to a power source and properly positioned on the mount.

#5. Complete the project’s technical aspects

When all of the software has been installed, connect it all together. A wireless home security camera should come with software and installation instructions. You must link a wired security camera system to a recording device, such as a DVR if you have one.

Repeat the steps above if you’ve opted between a wired and a wireless security camera for your home. 

However, you’ll have to put in the added effort of laying out a wire path, drilling holes in the walls to feed the wires through, and finding recording equipment near an outlet. Installing a linked home security camera can be difficult if you’re not used to drilling through walls.

Some Considerations While Installing A Home Security Camera

#1. Do you want it to be visible vs. concealed: In the home security market, there is some debate about whether it is best to keep cameras visible or hidden. In a study of 86 inmates serving time for burglary, the criminals themselves had differing opinions on whether seeing a security camera was a deterrent to robbing a home. Some said they would avoid homes with obvious security cameras, while others said they were a symbol of wealth. Because there isn’t a perfect answer, you’ll have to decide how conspicuous your cameras should be for yourself.

#2. Durability: When considering outdoor cameras, it’s important to consider the weather they’ll be subjected to, especially if they’re not covered at all. Make sure your outside cameras can withstand a wide variety of temperatures and have high IP ratings for solids and liquids protection.

#3. Reflection and glare: Keep reflection and glare in mind, especially in sunny areas, rooms with mirrors, or any outside location, as these can reduce the quality of your cameras’ footage dramatically. For outdoor use, we recommend getting a camera with HDR, or High Dynamic Range, because it reduces glare from the light. When utilizing an inside camera, point it at areas that get indirect light rather than direct light; more on this later.

#4. Total number of cameras: Think about how the number of cameras you have will affect your Internet speed, especially if they’re all connected by Wi-Fi. Investing in a second router dedicated to your security cameras could be beneficial. 

#5. Location: Because criminals are looking for the most valuable stuff, the location of your security cameras should be determined by the location of your most expensive items. What do you think is the most valuable? According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, 34% of thieves took home equipment or portable gadgets such as televisions, while 31% took more personal items such as keys, jewelry, watches, furs, purses, briefcases, and clothes. According to the inmates questioned, electronics, cash, jewelry, credit cards, guns, and mementos were the most enticing goods to steal.

#6. Clean outdoor cameras: Grit and pollen can accumulate on an outdoor camera’s lens, making it difficult to see. To keep your film as clear as the video resolution, clean it with a disinfectant wipe or spray on a regular basis.

Conclusion

Although installing a security camera in your home is simple, choosing the appropriate security camera can be difficult. There are a plethora of ways to install home security camera systems to choose from, but the trick is figuring out which one best suits your needs. 

One of the most usually disregarded components of home security cameras, for example, is the expense of video capturing. 

Some providers charge a monthly fee to upload the video to their cloud, while others just keep the most recent 24 hours of footage. 

If you want to go with a wired security camera for your home and don’t feel comfortable cutting through walls and fishing cable, you need to hire a professional. A professional installation of a home security camera system costs roughly $1,500 on average.

Frequently Asked Questions

CCTV installation is most successful when combined with guards, but if you have a choice, surveillance cameras are the more cost-efficient option. An unarmed security guard costs almost $33,000 per year on average. A CCTV system, on the other hand, costs 94 percent less per year than hiring a security officer and provides 24/7 observation.

CCTV surveillance costs roughly $150 per camera each month, or about $1,800 per year. Certain CCTV security systems are more expensive to install than others, depending on various factors: systems with more wires require extra trenching, cable running through walls, and post-installation repairs. CCTV systems with higher resolution, License Plate Readers, and cameras with additional unique features often cost $50 to $300 extra. The cost of a heavy-duty, weatherproofed camera is usually higher. Cloud-based systems include cloud storage expenses as well. It is critical for facility owners and managers to make an informed security investment decision.

Corrosion, water, heat, and other elements that can cause damage over time must be avoided when installing security camera cables. They should also be protected from intruders and vandals who may attempt to cut the wires. Covering cables in sheaths or raceways, painting wires to match in with their surroundings, and routing cables within walls, ceilings, and baseboards are all examples of protective methods. To guarantee that your cables are adequately protected, CCTV installation firms should have a strong understanding of all cabling kinds and uses.

Indoor security cameras are more durable than outside security cameras. Certain security cameras, such as huge bullet cameras, are simply too large to be comfortably positioned indoors. The majority of indoor security cameras, on the other hand, are neither weatherproof nor durable enough to endure the rain, wind, and snow of the outdoors.

If you’re installing an outdoor security camera system, be sure all of the cameras are waterproof and weatherproof, and that they can survive wetness, heat, and cold. Commercial outdoor security cameras are an excellent addition to any security system, but they must be properly equipped with the appropriate casings or they will be damaged. People won’t be able to tamper with or vandalize your company video system if you choose tough camera casings.

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