11 Tips for an Effective Surveillance Camera System Installation

How to install and protect your security cameras

Homes and offices use security cameras to look out for intruders and to help dissuade burglars from breaking in. However, the security system you choose can only be effective at securing your property if you install it properly. Therefore, it's important to learn how to install security cameras if you choose to install them yourself. Besides increasing the risk of burglaries, an improper installation may allow intruders to hack into your surveillance system or steal the security cameras. To avoid these outcomes, consider the following tips when researching how and where to install security cameras.

1. Choose the right camera type

The best security camera system for your property is one that includes cameras rated highly for accurate monitoring. While pan, tilt and zoom (PTZ) security cameras may seem like better solutions, most surveillance systems only require fixed outdoor and indoor security cameras. A PTZ camera can cover more area than a fixed camera, but it may require a remote operator to pan, tilt and zoom the camera. Consider a fixed camera with a wide viewing angle if you don't have a dedicated team always monitoring your security cameras. However, PTZ cameras are better for active surveillance if you need to check views in certain areas constantly for suspicious activities and zoom in to watch people's actions closely.

Other types of security cameras to consider when looking for the best security camera system for your home or office include 360-degree and panoramic cameras, models with fisheye lenses and those capable of night vision and thermal imaging. Cameras with panoramic, 360-degree and fisheye lenses offer wider fields of view and allow you to use fewer cameras to monitor large spaces. Security cameras with night vision and thermal imaging can capture images in dim light and low-visibility environments, such as at night and on foggy days.

2. Choose between wired and wireless security cameras

Before you start shopping for home security solutions, decide whether to go with wired or wireless security cameras. Wired cameras are more secure and harder to hack. Since they don’t rely on wireless networks, they also offer more reliable performance. However, they may require professional help to set up. While earlier versions were not as good, most of the current generation of wireless security cameras offer comparable performance to wired models. These models are easier to set up and are the ones to get if you're asking, "Can I install my own security cameras?"

Choose battery- and solar-powered models if you're looking for truly cable-free wireless security cameras. Easy-to-install wireless outdoor security cameras don't require hard-wired power and data connections. Therefore, you can place them anywhere.

3. Don't use indoor cameras outdoors

Indoor cameras aren’t built to withstand long exposure to an outside environment. Therefore, only use outdoor security cameras for perimeter surveillance. Look for weather-resistant models capable of enduring prolonged and repeated exposure to dust, rain and wind. To make them last longer, learn how to install outdoor security cameras correctly. Plus, try installing them in shaded areas and consider using protective housings like rubberized shells.

4. Place security cameras high on the wall

For do-it-yourself (DIY) security system installations, it's important to know where to install security cameras. The ideal place to install your surveillance cameras is as high as you can. This ensures no one can easily reach devices to steal, hack or block them.

5. Consider lighting when positioning surveillance cameras

Ambient lighting is an important consideration when installing security cameras. Each camera needs adequate lighting to capture details needed to identify persons in the footage. Place your surveillance cameras where there's enough light to see movements and faces in the videos they capture. If ambient lighting is poor even in the best location for a camera, consider installing an outdoor lighting fixture to illuminate the coverage area or choose a camera with night vision functionality.

6. Adjust your security cameras to the best coverage position

Besides placing a security camera high on the wall, you should also consider where it's pointing. Adjust it to face the area you wish to keep under surveillance and check the coverage area from the camera's viewpoint. If a vehicle or large object blocks its view at certain times of the day, move the camera to a better location.

7. Position surveillance cameras to cover points of entry

If you choose to go with a DIY installation, make sure to cover the points of entry of your home or office. Position your security cameras to cover main entryways, such as front and back doors, as well as windows on the ground floor. Also, cover secluded points of entry like basement windows.

8. Hide your cameras' cables

Hiding your cameras' cables is an important consideration if you chose a wired surveillance system. Make it difficult to disable your surveillance cameras by hiding their power and data cables in conduits. Inclement weather, burglars and rodents can all damage or cut exposed wiring.

9. Consider video storage and retrieval when choosing a surveillance system

When looking for the best security camera system, consider the video storage options. A security camera may record footage to a local storage system or the cloud. Some cameras use memory cards for local storage, while others record to the hard drives of their base stations. However, cloud storage is a desirable option, whether offered as the only option or along with local storage. Besides video storage, the best security camera systems let you view livestreams or recorded clips on your phone and computer via companion apps.

Cloud storage is convenient, as it makes it easy to retrieve security footage even when intruders steal or destroy the cameras that capture them. Surveillance videos sent to the cloud are also much harder to erase, but burglars can easily destroy the memory cards and hard drives used for local storage. Keep in mind that cloud storage often requires additional subscription costs and relies on fast internet connections. These recurring costs are worth remembering when wondering how much it costs to install security cameras.

10. Secure your surveillance camera system

It's not enough to protect your security camera system from burglars. You also need to secure it from digital intruders. The best security camera systems have strong encryption and security protocols to prevent hackers from remotely accessing and hijacking clients' security cameras. It's also important to follow recommended security rules, such as changing the default passwords shipped with your cameras and other surveillance equipment. Set them up with unique, strong passwords and be sure to install security updates from the surveillance equipment vendor whenever they're available.

11. Hire professionals to install and set up your surveillance camera system

While you can install a simple home security system yourself, you'll need professional help to set up a security system with more than five cameras. A closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance system, with wired security cameras, requires expert help to correctly install, set up and troubleshoot. This is especially true when installing a video surveillance system for a business location. If you're wondering who can install security cameras, contact a licensed professional with lots of experience and excellent reviews from past clients.

In summary, learning how to install security cameras involves knowing which cameras to choose, how to position them, where to place them and protecting them from burglars and hackers. You can set up a simple surveillance camera system yourself but may want to consider hiring a professional for an extensive setup.