Thinking about installing a few cameras for home security but feeling overwhelmed by the specs? This article helps you understand the core parameters of security cameras and build a practical home surveillance system.
1. Camera Type Selection
Indoor vs. Outdoor Cameras
| Type | Protection Rating | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Indoor Camera | No waterproofing | Living room, bedroom, entryway |
| Outdoor Camera (IP65) | Dust-tight, protected against low-pressure water jets | Front door, parking spot, garden |
| Outdoor Camera (IP67) | Dust-tight, protected against temporary immersion | Areas with heavy rain |
IP Rating Explanation:
- First digit (dust protection): 6 = fully dust-tight
- Second digit (water protection): 5 = protected against water jets, 6 = protected against powerful water jets, 7 = protected against temporary immersion
Wired vs. Wireless
| Type | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Wired (Ethernet + PoE) | Stable and reliable, not affected by power or network outages | Cabling is troublesome, complex installation |
| WiFi Camera | Simple and flexible installation | Relies on WiFi, may disconnect |
| 4G Camera | No network required, independent outdoor use | Requires data SIM, higher cost |
Recommendation:
- Simple indoor setup: WiFi camera
- Long-term reliability (front door, parking lot): Wired PoE camera
2. Resolution and Image Quality
Resolution Levels
| Resolution | Actual Pixels | Image Quality |
|---|---|---|
| 720P (1MP) | 1280×720 | Usable, barely enough for face recognition |
| 1080P (2MP) | 1920×1080 | Baseline recommendation, can clearly see faces |
| 2K (4MP) | 2560×1440 | Good, more detail clarity |
| 4K (8MP) | 3840×2160 | High-definition, can identify license plates and faces |
Practical Security Advice:
- Indoor monitoring: 1080P is usually sufficient
- Front door/parking lot (needs face/license plate recognition): 2K or 4K
- Limited storage space: 1080P saves the most space
Frame Rate
- 15fps: Basic, moving objects will have "motion blur"
- 25/30fps: Smooth, standard recommendation
- 60fps: Clear motion, large file size, generally not needed for security
3. Night Vision Technology
Infrared (IR) Night Vision
- Uses IR LEDs to illuminate the scene; the camera captures reflected light
- Night vision image is black and white
- Effective range: 10-30 meters (depending on IR LED power)
- Pros: Low cost, no ambient light required
- Cons: Faint red glow from IR LEDs, camera location can be detected
Full Color Night Vision (Starlight/Full Color)
- Camera is equipped with white fill lights
- Night vision image is color
- Suitable for scenes requiring color identification (clothing color, vehicle color)
- Fill lights will turn on, may affect concealment
Dual-Lens Camera (Color + Black & White Hybrid)
- Uses color camera under normal conditions
- Automatically switches to a more sensitive black & white camera in low light
- Best image quality, also the highest cost
4. Storage Options
Local Storage
SD Card Storage (Built-in Camera):
- Pros: Low cost, simple installation
- Cons: SD card damage or theft can result in evidence loss
- Capacity recommendation: 128GB (approximately 7 days of loop recording)
NVR (Network Video Recorder):
- Centralized management of multiple camera channels
- Uses hard drives for storage, larger capacity (1TB-16TB)
- Higher stability, supports simultaneous recording of 4-16 cameras
- Suitable for multi-camera households
Cloud Storage
- Video is uploaded to a cloud server
- Pros: Evidence is preserved even if local equipment is destroyed
- Cons: Requires a paid subscription, privacy concerns
- Recommendation: Enable cloud storage for critical cameras (front door, garage) as a dual backup
5. Smart Features
Motion Detection
- Detects changes in the scene to trigger recording/push notifications
- False Alarm Issue: Branch movement, light changes can all trigger false alarms
- Optimization: Set detection zones (monitor only specific areas), reduce sensitivity
AI Human Detection
- Distinguishes humans from other motion (pets, leaves, vehicles)
- Only sends notifications when a person is detected, significantly reducing false alarms
- Essential feature for mid-to-high-end cameras
Facial Recognition
- Recognizes pre-registered faces, distinguishes family from strangers
- High-end home/commercial camera feature
- Be mindful of privacy boundaries (facial data storage issues)
Two-Way Audio
- Built-in microphone and speaker
- Allows remote conversation with someone at the door
- Practical feature for entryway cameras
6. System Setup Recommendations
Home Security Camera Placement Planning
Key Locations (Must Install):
- Outside the front door: Records people entering and exiting
- Inside the door (entryway): Indoor security monitoring
- Parking spot/garage: Vehicle security
Optional Locations:
- Living room: Wide-area indoor monitoring
- Back door/side door: Multi-entry point management
- Yard
Note: Avoid pointing cameras at neighbors or public areas, as this involves privacy and legal issues.
Estimating Camera Quantity
- Small apartment (≤100 sqm / ~1076 sq ft): 2-4 cameras
- Medium to large home (100-300 sqm / ~1076-3229 sq ft): 4-8 cameras
- Villa/large estate: 8-16 cameras + professional NVR
Network Bandwidth Requirements
Each 1080P camera requires approximately 2-4Mbps of upload bandwidth (for cloud storage) or LAN bandwidth:
- 4 cameras: Requires approximately 8-16Mbps bandwidth
- Local NVR storage: Does not consume internet bandwidth, only requires a stable LAN
7. Installation and Maintenance
Installation Precautions
- Outdoor cameras: Route cables from inside the wall to prevent damage from pulling
- Apply sealant to waterproof connectors to prevent water ingress
- Recommended height: 2.5-3 meters (to prevent easy removal)
Regular Maintenance
- Clean the lens every 3-6 months (dust affects image quality)
- Periodically check SD card status (can become corrupted)
- Update firmware promptly (patches security vulnerabilities, prevents hacking)
Network Security
- Change the camera's default password (very important! Weak passwords make cameras extremely vulnerable to hacking)
- Close unnecessary remote access ports
- It is recommended to place cameras on a separate VLAN or guest network
- Regularly update device firmware
📌 Core Advice: For an entry-level setup, you can quickly deploy WiFi cameras with SD card storage. For an upgrade, use wired PoE cameras with an NVR hard drive, which significantly improves stability and storage capacity.
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