Closed-circuit TV (CCTV) camera, also known as video surveillance, has now become a part of many households. CCTV nowadays generally refers to any kind of video surveillance equipment placed in areas that may need monitoring.
In its early days, images captured by a CCTV were black-and-white and usually grainy. However, today’s CCTV technology has greatly improved that a CCTV system can now produce high resolution and colored video images. Despite the wide use of domestic CCTV system, however, a lot of homeowners are still at a loss when it comes to the proper installation and use of CCTVs.
More home surveillance camera tips from HarryHelmet.com
If you are a homeowner, there are three major factors that you need to consider before installing a CCTV camera outside your home: purpose, position, and property.
Purpose
Purpose is the first and most important factor that you need to consider before installing a CCTV camera outside your house. That’s why this factor should be clearly identified and firmly established.
The purpose of CCTV surveillance has now evolved from deterring criminals from breaking into homes to helping the police solve crimes and address antisocial activities. In fact, several crimes have been solved with the help of CCTVs that the police are now encouraging homeowners to install this equipment in their homes.
In one CCTV footage, a three-year-old girl was hit-and-run by a cyclist just outside her home. The toddler suffered from bad cuts and bruises after being dragged 12 feet along the pavement. The man, who was cycling on a pavement in a residential area, was able to be identified and put on trial. He was found guilty, for which he was fined for riding dangerously on a bicycle.
Position
Position your CCTV camera at eye level. Sometimes, a CCTV camera installed DIY is placed very high up to keep it from harm’s way. The problem with this position is that the top of the people’s heads are captured instead of their faces, making these people unrecognizable.
A properly positioned CCTV camera is installed at eye level, about 2.4-2.6 meters or 8 feet high. This way, people’s faces are clearly captured for facial recognition. Depending on the location or the type that you want to install, you can opt for a wired or a wireless CCTV camera.
Property
Make sure that what is captured in your CCTV camera is your property and your property alone. “But wouldn’t it be better if I can watch over my neighbor’s property and security also?” you may ask.
No matter how good your intentions are and even if you can see this practice being done in movies, you will surely face a legal offense such as invasion of privacy if you direct a CCTV camera towards your neighbor’s property. Moreover, videotaping a neighbor with your CCTV camera is considered stalking, which is related to harassment; thus, this practice is also against the law and should be prohibited.
The best way to address this issue is by going back to the first factor that you need to consider when installing a CCTV camera: Purpose. However, should you be the one catching your neighbors pointing their CCTV camera towards your property, make sure to report it to the police to be addressed properly.
Before installing a CCTV camera outside your house, remember the three major factors that you need to consider: purpose, position, and property. By following these guidelines, you will surely maximize the benefits of the CCTV technology.
HLC Wholesale offers high-quality and budget-friendly CCTV surveillance systems. We have always been at the forefront of the home security systems and we’d be happy to answer your questions. Contact us today!
(Source: Specs.co.nz | Both footages are taken at the same time using an old version (left) and a current version (right) of CCTV video camera. )
