What home monitoring?

The ideal solution for home monitoring is the use of a comprehensive solution, i.e. a combination of an alarm system and CCTV monitoring. On the one hand, we have an alarm that informs us about the event, and on the other, cameras that record what is happening. However, when we are forced to choose, we strongly recommend the monitoring option. Its cost is relatively small, and in return we get a full picture of the event, unlike the alarm, which only signals that it has happened. Modern monitoring systems can also work similarly to an alarm. Thanks to image analysis, devices can send notifications to the phone when they detect a security breach. In addition, we can then immediately start remote viewing from the cameras and check what is happening. We call this possibility video verification, which is often used by property protection companies.

Having a monitoring system gives you a great sense of security. At any time, we are able to check what is happening in our home or in its surroundings, moreover, it does not require the use of additional devices. Thanks to the Internet connection, we have a continuous view via a computer or smartphone when we are at work, on vacation or simply in another part of the property. In addition to live observation, it is possible to reconstruct past events, which is extremely valuable evidence in the event of a crime. Simply put, home monitoring is a desirable tool in the event of burglary, theft or vandalism, and at the same time it helps to identify the perpetrators. The new cameras offer very high image quality – forget about the surveillance view where you can barely recognize any details.

Where to start?

Once we decide to buy a monitoring set, we should think about the issues related to its assembly.

Each system is an individual matter, which is why it is worth creating a working plan that includes answers to the following questions:

-How many cameras do we need?
-Do you want to monitor only the interior of the house or its surroundings?
-Which places are sensitive to us?
-How long is the archiving time needed?

Recorder selection

A suitable recorder is the basis of a well-constructed monitoring system. Depending on the expected number of cameras, there are -4, -8, -16 and more camera recorders on sale, which more and more often support the latest H.265+ compression as standard. The type of cameras (analog or IP; you can read a separate article about the choice of cameras) also determines the type of recording device. If we choose modern IP cameras, we should consistently use a network recorder, i.e. NVR. If we decide on an analog system, we have a wide range of TurboHD devices to choose from. Currently, it is also possible to create hybrid systems that support both possibilities. This is a good solution when, for example, we want to expand our system and continue to use older analog cameras. An important factor influencing the choice of recorder is the issue of the microphone. In the basic model there is one audio input to which we can connect a microphone, if we plan to install more devices of this type, we should look for a more advanced recorder.

Another very important issue is the time of archiving camera recordings. The simplest recorders have one disk connector to which you can connect a disk with a capacity of up to 6 TB. Depending on the number of cameras and their settings, this is enough for a longer or shorter time. Assuming, however, that the system consists of 4 FullHD cameras, an example 6 TB disk, depending on the encoding, will store data from a month, up to two. When we use more advanced motion detection modes and the scheduler, the recording time will automatically increase. Naturally, if we want the archived material to be even larger, while maintaining high quality, we should choose a recorder that supports a larger number of disks.
 

The recording device is the basis of our home monitoring system. Currently, thanks to the latest technology, its installation and operation are becoming easier and simpler. The manufacturer's built-in free DDNS server and UPNP technology make network configuration instant and does not require changing router settings. The recorder automatically connects to it and redirects ports. Thanks to the Internet connection, in addition to the possibility of viewing from any place via a computer or smartphone, the recording device sends e-mail notifications about motion detection, sabotage or information about disk errors. In addition, in the event of an alarm, we also receive photos or short videos of the event via e-mail.

There is also a dedicated phone application that offers remote viewing or pop-up notifications on the phone. Manufacturers also provide the option of connecting the recorder to an external device, thanks to which information about motion detection is received, for example, by a monitoring center. Referring to the basic tasks of home monitoring, the possibility of playing back recordings should be mentioned. We are easily able to check what was happening on our property at a given moment or when the device detected movement.

Disk - complement to the recorder

The hard disk is an integral part of the recording device. Its primary function is to store a collection of recordings. At the moment on the market you can find memory with a capacity of up to 10 TB. When looking for a hard drive for a surveillance system, remember to choose the model according to its purpose, e.g. Seagate SkyHawk or the purple series from WesternDigital. In order to calculate the appropriate capacity in relation to the number of cameras used and their resolution, it is worth using a data calculator that will help in choosing the right device - or take advantage of the advice of our customer advisors.

The next step is to choose the right surveillance cameras

The range of surveillance cameras is currently so wide that choosing the right equipment may not be an easy matter. The main issue is the answer to the question whether we want to monitor the interior of our house or rather its surroundings. Due to the fact that the camera is not a universal device, we have at our disposal: external cameras, in a more resistant housing, adapted to changing weather conditions, and internal cameras operating at a constant room temperature. Also when it comes to aesthetics, we can choose between a dome and tube camera. In principle, they do not differ in terms of image quality, the issue of assembly also depends on the user's preferences. Appearance and discretion matter here; the dome camera is undoubtedly less noticeable, unlike the tube camera, which can also have a preventive function. More about it you will learn which surveillance cameras to choose in this article (click).

The connection of the whole - wiring

After selecting the recorder, disk and cameras, it's time to connect all elements of our home monitoring. Proper cabling is very important if we want the whole system to work flawlessly. If we have decided to purchase IP monitoring, we can use the already existing local network infrastructure using free RJ45 sockets. For analog cameras, a coaxial cable must be used. The cables may differ in the material used and quality, and of course in length. Thanks to solutions such as PoE and PoC, we do not have to worry about power supply anymore – it is sent via the same cable as the image from the cameras. Systems based entirely on a wireless network are becoming more and more common. These cameras can work well in the basic protection of a summer house, but they are not a good solution if we want to properly secure our house.