Many homeowners in Malaysia are investing in security systems such as wireless CCTV cameras and home alarm systems, hoping the sight of CCTV cameras will deter burglars. In the event that theft or burglary happens, CCTV cameras are helpful in providing video evidence for insurance purposes.
Although it is most certainly a good idea to invest in a CCTV system, there is such a huge range of home surveillance solutions in the market that it can easily put buyers off from putting an additional layer of security in their homes.
This guide will help you familiarise yourself with CCTV and eventually assist you in settling on the right system to get.
How does home CCTV work?
A home CCTV solution is a set of cameras placed all over the home to capture footage and record it, or send it to a recording device.
CCTV has been around for decades. Older CCTV cameras are analogue, meaning they don’t create digital video files like MP4. But analogue cameras are still cheaper to install and work well, as the video footage can be converted to digital using a digital video recorder (DVR).
CCTV stands for ‘closed-circuit television’ but many solutions these days are no longer closed-circuit since they connect to the internet. And with the internet, home CCTV solutions continue to get more advanced.
For example, wireless CCTV cameras just need a power cable to start working and internet-enabled cameras (also known as cloud cameras) to let someone view the camera feed in real-time using their mobile phone.
Recording can be triggered based on movement or zones in the house, and facial-recognition software can even be used to turn on the lights when the owner enters the room.
But, the most important reason to get a CCTV in Malaysia has always been for security.
A basic home CCTV setup without advanced features is relatively affordable. Even so, it is important to understand how different CCTV features impact the price.
What are the key factors when it comes to pricing?
Here are the key factors that influence the price and complexity:
- Where are the cameras placed?
- How will they be powered?
- Where will the recorded videos be stored?
- How will the surveillance footage be accessed?
Where will the cameras be placed?
The most common areas to monitor are the front door, sliding door, front porch and side garden (if there is one) – as these are the most common points of break-ins. It’s important to note that an outside camera must be weatherproof.
Inside the house, parents may want to monitor their children with the domestic helper or keep an eye on a sleeping baby. Rooms may include the living room, the dining room and the baby room.
The location of the camera will determine the resolution required. A camera in the baby’s room need not be very high-resolution (but night vision would be useful). For monitoring the front porch and to capture such details such as car number plates, a much higher-resolution camera is needed.
How will the cameras be powered?
All surveillance cameras need a power source, even if it is wireless. The options are to plug them into an AC power outlet or to buy battery-powered CCTV cameras.
The challenge with an AC-powered camera is finding an outlet to plug it in, especially if it is to be mounted high up near the ceiling. However, this can easily be fixed by an alarm specialist or electrician who can extend the wiring from the nearest outlet and hide it behind a plaster ceiling or lay trunking to conceal it.
Battery-powered surveillance cameras do not need to be plugged in so they can be mounted anywhere and repositioned if necessary. The limitation is that they need to be recharged (or have the batteries replaced) every few months.
Also, battery-powered cameras cannot record continuously for 24 hours. They only record when activated – manually or when they detect movement. That is why these are more useful as doorbell cameras or mounted in places with very little human traffic, such as the backyard or side garden.
Where will the footage be stored?
Modern surveillance cameras store all recorded footage digitally in one of three places:
- In a digital video recorder (DVR) or a digital IP camera. Owners can view footage from the former via a laptop, while the latter gives owners the freedom of viewing live footage from their phones whenever they are.
- On the camera’s SD card, which is recommended for those with fewer cameras as newer footage can easily wipe out older ones within a day.
- On the Internet, via One Drive or iCloud and accessed through the provider’s website.
This article originally appeared on Recommend.my – Malaysia’s No 1 Home Improvement Services Platform.
Recommend.my offers a safer and more convenient way to hire the best home improvement and home maintenance professionals. From flooring to interior design to air conditioner servicing, get access to thousands of the best local contractors and professionals at your fingertips.