Camera on house: The best outdoor home security cameras of 2023, tested by editors

Best Home Security Camera of 2023

What is the best home security camera?

With so many home security camera options, it can be difficult to find the right one for your space. Based on our testing, we’ve named the Wyze Cam our best home security camera pick overall, with its many useful features for a reasonable price. The Wyze Cam is built for indoor and outdoor use, comes with the option of free 14-day cloud storage and is priced lower than many security cameras on the market.

After testing dozens of home security cameras, the Wyze Cam emerged as our best pick overall thanks to low-cost, indoor or outdoor use and free cloud storage options.

Wyze

While the Wyze Cam is CNET’s current favorite on the market, there may be other cameras better suited for your specific needs, which is why we’ve tested dozens of home security cameras and condensed everything we’ve learned into this best home security camera list. Below, you’ll find the best home security camera for your home in every major subcategory, from smart doorbells to the models that work well with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa and Siri voice commands. Some are fairly simple, with a motion sensor that sends a push notification to your smartphone when they detect movement, while others come with features such as professional monitoring and cloud storage that prevent you from having to sift through hours of footage. No matter your need, you can find a satisfactory home security camera from the options below. (We update this best home security camera list periodically.)

Best home security cameras of 2023

Home security cameras compared

Our picks	Wyze Cam (2020)	Wyze Cam Pan v2	Arlo Video Doorbell	Arlo Pro 4	Nest Cam
Price	$30	$50	$150	$200	$80
Resolution	1080p	1080p	1,536 x 1,536	2K	1080p
Field of View	130 degrees	120 degrees	180 degrees	160 degrees	135 degrees
Setup	Movable, indoor/outdoor	Movable, indoor only	Wired, outdoor	Wireless, indoor/outdoor	Wired, indoor only
Extra Features	Live streaming, motion detection, night vision, weather resistance, integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant	Live streaming, two-way talk, sound and motion alerts, color night vision, panning and tilting functions	Live streaming, arm/disarm modes, two-way talk, motion zones, night vision and an integrated siren.	Live streaming, two-way talk, night vision, weather resistance	Two-way talk, night vision, 4 colors, object identification, activity zones, and integration with Google Assistant
Review Score	8.5	9.2	8.5	8.5	8.4

How we test home security cameras

Hands-on testing is core to our evaluation of any home security products. When it comes to security cameras, we start by identifying new and test-worthy products from established manufacturers — cameras you’d be most likely to come across when shopping online or at your local hardware or electronics stores. When these products hit the market, or sometimes even earlier, we get our hands on them and thoroughly test them in a real-home environment over the course of a week.

We begin testing by setting the camera up according to the included and/or app instructions, making note of any difficulties encountered along the way. Once the camera is ready to roll, we evaluate all features, paying close attention to resolution, night vision, notification latency, local or cloud storage and compatibility with smart home ecosystems like Google, Alexa and Apple HomeKit.

Such evaluations can take less than a day, but we monitor the camera over the course of a week for a more complete look at the camera’s performance day and night. And if that general use doesn’t give us all the data we’d like to see, we’ll create a mock situation — like staging a porch pirate scenario — to see how quickly and accurately the camera and app send notifications and record the event.

If you want to read more about our review process, check out our in-depth article on how we test home security cameras and video doorbells.

How to choose a home security camera

CNET has tested tons of home security cameras over the years, and can help you find the right one for your needs.

Chris Monroe/CNET

There are hundreds of home security cameras on the market, ranging drastically in price, functionality and quality. With all the options, it can be hard to not become overwhelmed fast, especially when you’re considering something as important as your home’s safety. After CNET’s years of testing home security cameras, we have some tips if you’re on the hunt for a new one. Here are a few parameters to consider:

Privacy

This, of course, is a big one. You don’t want anyone peeping on your property or hacking into your camera. Wireless home security cameras can be more susceptible to hacking due to their connectivity to Wi-Fi networks and remote access. Wired home security cameras are more secure. (Read more about the pros and cons of wired vs. wireless systems here.)

Indoor vs. outdoor

One of the first things you’ll need to consider is where you want to place your home security cameras. If you want your camera to be located outside, recording your porch or yard, you’ll likely want an outdoor camera that’s also weather resistant or features night vision.

While many cameras can be used interchangeably for indoor or outdoor purposes, some cameras are solely made for indoor usage, like the Wyze Cam Pan v2, so make sure you’re buying cameras that can handle the outdoor elements.

David Anders/CNET

Video resolution

Video quality should be a major consideration when buying a home security camera. In simplest terms, your camera won’t be effective if the only footage being recorded is grainy and unreadable.

The higher the resolution, the better the video quality. Most home security cameras on the market now have 1080p resolution, but others even have 2K resolution (like the Arlo Pro 4) or 1,536×1,536 resolution (like the Arlo Video Doorbell). Just remember, the higher the video quality, the more bandwidth it takes up and the more likely your camera is to experience lag times or glitches.

Battery or wired power

Battery and wireless cameras versus wired options are a matter of taste, since both types have pros and cons.

Wireless options are usually easier to install and operate, and often use cloud storage, so you can access your footage from anywhere. Wireless security cameras have their own power supply, so even during an internet or power outage, they can still record and save footage. One of the biggest disadvantages, though, is you’ll need to manually change the batteries or charge them every so often, unless you get a solar-powered home security camera.

Wired cameras are hardwired to a steady connection, so they don’t need to be recharged and can often boost a high-quality video resolution. They tend to be more reliable, secure and consistent in video quality while not requiring monthly cloud storage fees. On the negative side, wired home security cameras often need to be professionally installed and don’t integrate with smart home systems like Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa.

Local vs. cloud storage

Not all video storage is equal. You have two main options and picking one is up to your personal preference. There’s cloud storage, which sends your video footage to a remote server to be saved, and local storage, which relies on a separate accessory or piece of hardware, usually a microSD card, to hold any footage you’d like to save. Usually, cloud storage requires a monthly fee.

A few more considerations

When you’re installing wireless home security cameras, keep in mind that the smart home camera you buy (and your security system as a whole) will only be as good as the quality of your Wi-Fi connection at the location where you plan to install it. So check your Wi-Fi speed before you drill holes in the walls or otherwise mess up your door frame, brick or siding for your home security camera. If the connection is spotty on your wireless security camera, you’ll notice significant lag times, pixelation in the live feed and other Wi-Fi delays that make the video quality poor and home security cameras a pain to use.

With a good Wi-Fi connection, you should be in good shape to use your indoor home security camera or outdoor home security camera without any major camera system issues and get clear footage every time. Still have questions? Take a look at my home security camera buying guide and the below FAQs.

Home security camera FAQs

What should you look for when buying a home security camera?

What’s the difference between home security cameras and surveillance cameras?

Can wireless home security cameras work without internet?

Can your home security camera be hacked?

How much should you spend on home security cameras?

More home security advice

Best Indoor Home Security Cameras
Best Outdoor Home Security Cameras
Best Video Doorbell Cameras
Best Facial Recognition Security Cameras
Best Wireless Security Cameras of 2023
Best Cheap Home Security Devices
Best Nanny Cams
Best Solar-Powered Home Security Cameras

Home Security Camera Comparison

Why Get Cameras
Features
Wireless vs. Wired
Cost
How to Save

Jump to sectionWhy Get CamerasFeaturesWireless vs. WiredCostHow to Save

Comparing one camera to another in the massive home security industry can feel like a monumental task, so we’ll simplify it for you. Today, we’re putting some of the biggest and best cameras head to head. We’ll also break down why cameras are important, how we compare and test them, and how much you’ll pay for home security cameras.

Arlo Pro 2

Home Security Camera Comparisons

We’ve completed detailed comparisons between these home security cameras:

Arlo Pro 2 vs. Blink XT
Arlo Pro 2 vs. Ring Spotlight Cam Battery
Arlo Pro 3 vs. Nest Cam IQ Outdoor vs. Blink XT2
Arlo Ultra vs. eufyCam E
Arlo vs. Blink
Blink vs. Ring
Lorex vs. Night Owl
Lorex vs. Reolink
Lorex vs. Ring
Lorex vs. Swann
Nest Cam Indoor vs. Amazon Cloud Cam
Nest Cam Indoor vs. Arlo Pro 2

Read our comparisons to put two cameras, or sometimes three, head to head. If you’re interested in home security systems with sensors and base stations, read our home security system comparison.

Which Security Cameras Stand Out?

Like we said, comparing security cameras can be a big undertaking. The security camera industry has thousands of different options available. To help you out, we suggest starting with these three brands: Lorex, Ring, and Arlo. They offer a wide selection of cameras, and they are the highest rated brands in our testing. Most likely, you’ll find a good fit for you from these brands.

Editor’s Rating:

9.5
/10

View on Amazon

Why Are Cameras Important?

We’ve all heard the stories and read the stats. Package theft and home burglaries are still real and recurring threats. In fact, package theft has impacted 4 in 10 Americans, according to our latest research.

Package Theft

And that’s just scratching the surface. We’ve followed crime trends closely to help you prepare for the unexpected, and that includes property crime. Check out these stats from our original package theft research:

40 percent of Americans have reported having a package stolen from their property at least once.
Of the package theft victims, 44 percent have had a package stolen at least twice.
Very few package theft victims (11 percent) reported getting their package back after the theft.

You can’t put a price on personal safety. There’s always the emotional toll of a burglary to consider; indeed, the aftermath of a home invasion can feel like your whole world has been turned upside down.

When all is said and done, most of us are looking for peace of mind. We want a camera that can be an effective deterrent against a home invasion,1 one of the most traumatic events to endure.

What to Look for in a Camera

To know what to look for in security cameras, it’s best to first determine where you’ll install your cameras. Think about how a burglar might enter your property. Consider which areas they might see as easy targets.

Indoors or Outdoors

A camera’s design is often tied to its function.

If you’re placing cameras outdoors, they should be weatherproof or weather-resistant, while that’s not necessary for indoor cameras. In cameras, weather resistance is measured by IP ratings. A rating of IP65 or above is the industry standard. Cameras with IP ratings of 65 are dust-tight and can withstand low-pressure water jets.

Most security companies claim their outdoor cameras are weatherproof, weather-resistant, or waterproof, but these terms don’t really mean much; to truly know how a camera will fare in different weather conditions, check its IP rating.

These ratings should help you determine the best place to display or install the camera. Many homeowners end up using indoor security cameras as pet or baby monitors too, so you can keep an eye on all the things that matter, even when you’re not home. (Visit our best pet cameras page for lots more.) If you want a camera for your front door, you should look at our list of the best video doorbells.

Blue by ADT Outdoor Camera Closeup

NVR/DVR Options

It’s not as common these days, but we still see a good number of security camera systems with network video recorders (NVR) or digital video recorders (DVR). In simple terms, DVRs work by processing video data within the recorder, while NVR systems process data within the camera, then stream it to the recorder.

Since they process video differently, not all cameras work with NVRs. DVR systems are typically tied to wired cameras, whereas NVR systems can process data from both wired and wireless cameras. In security systems that run on NVRs or DVRs, the biggest advantage is that you have a convenient way to store video history. You can also view your footage without signing up for a monthly cloud subscription or attaching a memory card.

Lorex 4K with NVR

Additionally, using cameras with NVR or DVR hard drives tends to work well for covering large spaces. NVR and DVR systems are also helpful in recording and storing video on 4K ultra-HD cameras, which are becoming more commonplace.

HOT TIP: If you’re setting up several Wi-Fi cameras, consider how they might affect your internet speed. It may be wise to get a second router to avoid straining the network.

Wireless vs. Wired Cameras

Wireless, battery-powered cameras are most often associated with DIY installation, although that’s not consistent across the board. Some wireless cameras involve more complex setups, but the general idea is that if you can operate a drill and follow in-app instructions, you can install wireless cameras. That’s the basic idea behind DIY cameras, although you can hire a professional to perform the installation if you’re not comfortable.

Wired cameras have many advantages too, though they tend to be a bit more difficult to install. With wired installations, you’ll want to do some planning before getting out the drill.

Here are some pros and cons of both wired and wireless cameras:

Pros of Wired Cameras

Wired camera systems can support a large number of cameras.
Wired systems offer more reliability and stability in your connection.
Wired cameras are best for long-term security setups.

Cons of Wired Cameras

Wired cameras can be difficult to install, as they often require drilling, running cables, and connecting to a power supply.
Wired cameras won’t work if there’s a power outage unless they have battery backup.
Wired cameras are not as portable as wireless cameras, and it’s not as easy to relocate them.

Pros of Wireless Security Cameras

Most wireless security cameras are quick and easy to install, since they don’t require hardwiring or complex installations.
You can relocate wireless cameras more easily than wired cameras.

Cons of Wireless Security Cameras

Many wireless cameras rely on Wi-Fi signals, so they are more susceptible to signal interference.
Wireless cameras that run on batteries require a bit more maintenance. You’ll need to replace or recharge them periodically.

Motion Activation

The best security cameras offer fast motion sensor activation. This means that as soon as the camera detects motion, it sends you an alert. Since most security cameras these days run on Wi-Fi, you might encounter some speed fluctuations. In most cases, a good camera will “wake up” the moment motion occurs to send you alerts.

Smartphone Alerts

Most modern security cameras have mobile apps that are easy to learn and use. If you’re out of the house, smartphone alerts are a great way to keep an eye on things from afar (such as when your puppy starts misbehaving). Beyond that, cameras offer plenty of customization. If you don’t want to receive motion alerts while you’re asleep, for example, you can open your camera’s mobile app and create a schedule to receive alerts only when you’re awake.

Nest Cam IQ Indoor Familiar Face Alerts

Video Resolution

In security cameras and smart TVs, video resolution refers to the number of pixels in each frame, otherwise known as the video quality. The most common video resolution in cameras is 1080p. The only exceptions are the SimpliCam from SimpliSafe and a few low-cost Zmodo cameras, which have 720p HD video. That being said, 4K is becoming a popular choice along with 1080p HD.

Cameras with 1080p resolution have 1920 pixels horizontally and 1080 pixels vertically, while 4K cameras have 3,840 pixels horizontally and 2,160 pixels vertically. Clearly, 4K video will give you a much sharper picture than 1080p, with four times as many pixels. If you’re looking for a flawless picture in your camera’s footage, consider one of our top-rated 4K cameras.

Night Vision

We’ve seen some spectacular night-vision images from our tests of security cameras, especially the best outdoor cameras. Most cameras have infrared night vision as a minimum, which is black and white but still records clear video at night. With the addition of long-range lighting like spotlights or floodlights, you’ll get sharp, colored night vision at night. Bright lights aren’t always ideal, though, especially if you want a hidden outdoor camera.

Argus 2 Night Vision

Two-Way Audio

Like 1080p HD and night vision, two-way audio has become a standard we expect in home security cameras. Cameras with two-way audio have built-in speakers and microphones for communication through the mobile app.

Just like making a phone call, you can use two-way audio to talk to people around the house, but since we’re talking about home security, you can also use it to spook intruders. Believe it or not, a homeowner’s voice is one of the most effective deterrents to home invasions. Even saying something as simple as “May I help you?” has a way of sending crooks fleeing.

Field of View

Your camera’s field of view is how much the human eye can see through its display. Some camera vendors calculate the field of view using the two horizontal edges of the screen; for others, the field of view refers to the diagonal edges, measured in degrees.

A 120-degree field of view is pretty standard across the board. For larger spaces like playrooms or open floor plans, a wider view might be more suitable. But be careful with cameras that boast wider fields of view (up to 180 degrees). A few cameras we’ve tested had a slight problem with distorted edges.

Emergency Connectivity

Once a mainstay of professional security systems, emergency connection is starting to pop up in stand-alone security cameras too. Brands like YI and Canary are partnering with Noonlight,2 a professional monitoring service that can dispatch appropriate emergency responders if you’re feeling unsafe.

FYI: Safety features like Noonlight usually require you to keep your smartphone’s location detection on at all times. Otherwise, the emergency response might not work properly.

If you want a camera that connects to emergency services, this will add to the cost. Like we said, though, few things are more important than feeling safe in your own home.

Artificial Intelligence

Person detection lets cameras differentiate between people, pets, and moving objects like cars. That leads to stronger and more specific notifications.

Moving a step forward, facial recognition technology means that the camera can map out facial features of someone in your home. The data is stored in a database to compare with other individuals’ data. The more robust the data set is, the more the camera can identify people you recognize.

Facial Recognition on the Nest App

Many camera brands are starting to embrace AI facial recognition technology, as it adds a lot of intel to the home security experience. If someone appears at your front porch, for example, the camera works to determine whether it’s someone suspicious, or just the kids coming in from a bike ride.

TIP: Read our complete guide to the best cameras for artificial intelligence for lots more insight on facial recognition.

Connectivity

Most cameras connect to smartphones through standard Wi-Fi. Some cameras also offer 4G or cellular connection if you’d rather not rely on wireless internet. Typically, you’ll download the mobile app, scan the QR code, and pair the camera with your home network. Often, the camera will require a firmware update before the syncing process is complete.

TIP: If your Wi-Fi is spotty or unreliable, don’t worry; check out all the ways to use cameras without Wi-Fi.

One quick tip for Wi-Fi setups: Find your Wi-Fi network credentials before beginning any camera setup, and keep them on hand. You’ll need to enter your login and password to link the device to your home network.

Keep in mind that each additional camera will add about two to three minutes of setup time. You might encounter more complex setups if you’re adding six or more cameras to your home. Learn more about the camera installation experience in our security camera installation guide.

Smart Platform Integrations

If you already have a smart home, get a camera that works with one of the two most popular voice assistants, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. There are also cameras that work with IoT devices like smart locks, smart lighting, and smart plugs, allowing devices to trigger one another.

Smart Lock

How Much Do Security Cameras Cost?

Individual security cameras start as low as $26 and go up to around $400. If you’re looking to store video footage through your camera’s mobile app, you might consider a cloud storage subscription. With wireless cameras, you might pay $3 to $10 per month for video storage, depending on the features you’re looking for and the amount of video footage you’re planning to store. A Nest Aware subscription, for example, costs $6 a month or $60 a year for 30 days’ worth of cloud storage. Learn more about Nest camera pricing.

Some cameras let you save your video history to a micro-SD card and avoid monthly cloud subscription fees. Micro-SD cards are fairly inexpensive, so if your camera has a micro-SD card slot, this is a great option to record video.

Here are a few more cost considerations to remember.

Self-Monitoring vs. Professional Monitoring

Self-monitoring is a convenient and free option for using your cameras. With cameras that offer micro-SD card storage, you can keep an eye on your home whenever you’d like just by opening your cameras’ mobile app. All you have to worry about is the storage space on your micro-SD card. Many cameras offer both micro-SD card storage and cloud storage.

Blink App – Activity Zones

Professional monitoring, on the other hand, means you’re paying for 24/7 coverage through a third-party security service. It’s up to you to decide whether you want to do your own monitoring or go the extra mile for professional monitoring. Self-monitoring is definitely the more budget-friendly option, though.

To help you demystify the buying process, check out our full guide to security camera costs.

How to Save Money on Security Cameras

How much you’ll save on a security camera depends on which camera or system you choose. Some brands offer deals on camera or system bundles, or you can try buying during sales holidays like Prime Day, Cyber Monday, and Black Friday.

Bundles and Packages

In home security, bundling means buying several cameras at once. Normally, buying cameras as a bundle is pretty cost-efficient. The bigger the bundle, the more you’ll save.

Prime Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Week Deals

Amazon Prime Day is an ideal time to save money on home security products like Ring and Blink cameras, as well as devices from companies that Amazon doesn’t own. There are also other savings events throughout the year, like Black Friday, the official kickoff to the weeklong holiday shopping season. Whether you’re looking at early-bird sales or waiting a few days to check out the Cyber Monday deals, discounts on cameras are plentiful.

For specific ways to save, check out the latest Prime Day home security camera deals, or head over to our security camera Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals guide.

Final Thoughts

You can learn a lot by comparing security cameras side by side. If you have more questions or are curious about security cameras in general, read our complete home security camera buying guide, as well as our guide to where to place your home security camera once you have it. We hope these resources, combined with our extensive research on property crime and home safety, give you a better picture of which cameras will work best for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Don’t worry; we’re not leaving without answering a few of your most burning questions about security cameras.

Which brand of security cameras is the best?

The best security camera brand is Lorex. The company has a large selection of home security products. Cameras record in high-quality 1080p HD resolution or above. Additionally, many Lorex cameras offer clear two-way audio and infrared night vision.
What are the best outdoor security cameras to buy?

Lorex cameras are among the best outdoor cameras to buy. They’re rated IP65 for water protection and built to withstand the elements. Lorex boasts sleek, wire-free devices in addition to durable, wired cameras.
How much do security cameras cost?

Security cameras cost anywhere from $25 to $400, depending on the brand, features, mobile app, design, weather protection, and monitoring options.
What is the most affordable home security camera system?

Wyze is one of the most affordable camera systems out there. The Wyze Cam v2 sold for only $19.99 originally and boasted 1080p HD video, infrared night vision, two-way audio, and free cloud and local storage. Currently, the Wyze Cam v3 is priced at $35. 98.

Own video surveillance camera on the floor – Legal advice

Vadim Ryzhkov (Petrozavodsk) 02/08/2023 Heading: Housing

There are 9 apartments on our floor. In one of them live “marginal” personalities. In this regard, I decided to install the camera on the floor, fixing it on the ceiling grid. The remaining 7 apartments are also in favor. Only this dysfunctional apartment is against. A house council member took their side and is now terrorizing us about it. Am I eligible to install a camera? Should I collect signatures from the entire house (144 apartments), if the rest of the apartments have nothing to do with our floor?

Property, Apartment building

Tatyana Sayapina

Consultations: 78

approved by Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of August 13, 2006 No. 491). By virtue of the provisions of Art. 36 of the Housing Code of the Russian Federation, installation of a camera on a wall or other surface of common property requires approval at a general meeting.

According to Part 1 of Art. 46 of the Housing Code of the Russian Federation, the decision to install CCTV cameras, as well as the issue regarding the ownership and use of common property in an apartment building, must be made by a majority of at least two-thirds of the total number of votes of the owners of premises in an apartment building.

At the same time, if the camera is installed under the door of a specific tenant and is aimed exclusively at his door, then it is not necessary to coordinate this with the neighbors, including during a general meeting, since the personal data of the neighbors are not included in the camera view. At the same time, even with respect to other persons who will come to this room, it is necessary to comply with the legislation on the protection of personal data in terms of the warning that a video is being filmed (clause 1, part 1, article 6 of the Federal Law of July 27, 2006 No. 152- Federal Law “On Personal Data”). For notification purposes, you can hang an appropriate sign at the entrance.

Installing a surveillance camera on the house

The fact is that the provisions of Part 1 of Art. 23 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, art. 36 LCD RF, art. 209, 247, 290 and 304 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation, Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of August 13, 2006 No. 491 “On approval of the Rules for the maintenance of common property in an apartment building and the rules for changing the amount of payment for the maintenance of residential premises in the event of the provision of services and performance of work on management, maintenance and repair of common property in an apartment building of inadequate quality and (or) with interruptions exceeding the established duration”, resolutions of the Gosstroy of Russia dated September 27.2003 No. 170 “On approval of the Rules and norms for the technical operation of the housing stock” are aimed at protecting the rights of residents, ensuring privacy, personal and family secrets, and preserving personal data. Thus, in the case of installing a video camera, it is additionally required to obtain the consent of the residents of the entrance – this is considered, rather, as a guarantee of protecting the rights of the owner who installed this camera from subsequent appeal to the court and other competent authorities on the issue of violation of legislation on the protection of personal data. In general, to allow the installation of the video camera itself on the floor in the entrance, it is necessary to hold a general meeting (if the camera angle does not concern only one (own) room).

Thank you:

Cameras for monitoring cars from a balcony or at home.

Video surveillance of the car in the yard from the apartment.

It’s better to know the whole truth about car surveillance before you buy specific cameras and dash cams. This material will help you understand the system’s capabilities before purchasing. We have selected specific kits to solve the problem of monitoring a car in a parking lot right from home: from a balcony or from a window. These sets are constantly updated by us when interesting new products appear in the assortment of the store.

Parking monitoring restrictions

You should be aware of the following restrictions.

When the camera is located above the first floor, people’s faces cannot be seen.
Even if an additional camera is installed on the first floor, no
turn out with sufficient detail and sharpness to cover everything
parking places. So with a high probability, the face of the attacker
still not recognizable.
Using the observation camera installed above the second floor, you will not be able to see the numbers of the cars.
With increasing distance between the shooting location and the installation point
camera, the weather factor begins to strongly influence. Any snowfall, rain or
fog will ruin the picture. Looks especially bad in this weather.
image on cameras with IR illumination.

But you will definitely be able to distinguish the cars of your neighbors. Almost
the make and color of the car are clearly defined. This will help determine
the culprit in case your car was scratched while parking. Especially
if the yard is quiet, and all the neighbors-motorists in it are familiar to you.

Sound, lens, IR: how to choose

Sound is not the most reliable assistant. If you place the microphone at the top,
camera installation point, it will not be able to record sound. Hardly
presenting an incomprehensible crack, it will turn out to prove that the neighbor touched your
car, and did not pass a millimeter from it, as he himself says. Although in
In some quiet backyards, the camera’s microphone records sound wonderfully. So
that the choice to write it or not to write is yours.

IR illumination for a long distance is not the cheapest pleasure.
So basically we rely on the lights. In most yards, everything
will be visible on a budget camera without IR illumination under normal street
lighting.

If you live above the 5th floor, you will need a camera with a powerful
zoom lens. The price of such a camera is several times more than the most
simple with wide angle lens. But get carried away by powerful IR
backlight for the reasons described above, at long distances shooting is not
costs.

Using analog cameras to monitor cars in the yard

To record and view analog cameras via the Internet, you can
use a DVR or capture card for a computer.
The latter is installed in a free PC slot. In this case, you do not
need a separate recorder, but the computer will work all night and
during the day, if the car is supposed to be monitored during daylight hours.
Therefore, many refuse to use capture cards because of the noise
and increased computer power consumption.

A separate DVR is a fairly reliable solution. Besides
even the cheapest device can cope with all tasks. Expensive
models provide more comfortable and understandable process control
recording video and sound from cameras, as well as navigating through the archive. They are like
usually have a higher write speed, which allows you to get
high-resolution picture from several channels at once. In expensive
DVR models have more storage space for the archive. It
It is usually built on standard computer HDDs with a SATA interface.
Sometimes such drives are combined into a RAID array for reliability or
speed.

Since the recorder has a minimum of 4 inputs, you can set
three more cameras. For example, connect a camera with a call
video intercom panels. One or two cameras can be installed on a ladder or in
another place in the hallway. You can also install a microphone in the entrance.

If desired, you can put the camera in the apartment. All analog cameras
It is recommended to connect with coaxial cable. Budget wireless
radio cameras transmit a very low quality image, anyone
can catch on a regular TV, the signal disappears over time and it
needs to be adjusted. And the cost and dimensions of professional
transmitters are not suitable for home use.

IP video surveillance for tracking cars in the yard

The recorder can be connected to a Wi-Fi router. This will make it comfortable
watch videos from mobile devices. And for many, an IP camera with
varifocal or fixed lens. She has a lot
benefits.

When installed outdoors, the viewing angle of this camera can be adjusted.
For a camera with a fixed focal length lens for this
you have to install the right lens. Usually 2.8, 4, 6, 12 mm. And for
varifocal, you can adjust the desired viewing angle without removing the lens,
but you have to do it by hand.
You can connect to the ip-camera from a computer or laptop using a UTP twisted-pair cable.
Recorded in high resolution Full HD on the built-in camera
Micro-SD memory card or immediately transferred to the DVR.