Smart Home Camera Features
Smart home cameras can be battery-powered or wired and come in a range of sizes. They offer a range of features to help protect your home from criminals and provide peace of mind.
Many smart security cameras use motion sensors to detect whether an animal, vehicle or person is approaching. They can also include night vision, two-way audio and baby crying detection.
Cloud storage
When you use a cloud-based storage option for your home security camera, all video recordings are stored remotely on a server in the cloud. This is a great feature if you are concerned about your privacy. Moreover, it prevents burglars from stealing your footage. However, if the power goes out or a clever burglar cuts your Wi-Fi connection or a battery, you may lose all forensic evidence.
Some home security cameras use local storage for recording videos, but this smart home camera isn’t as secure as a cloud-based system. If someone hacks your home network, they will also gain access to the camera’s data. To ensure security, look for a camera that uses a strong password and two-factor authentication.
Many of the best home security cameras are wired and offer HD video quality, motion detection and night vision. Some are compatible with voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant. They can also connect to other smart devices, such as a video doorbell from Ring, which works with Amazon Echo and Nest Hub Max. Wired cameras can run on a steady power supply and don’t require a subscription to the cloud. They are also more reliable and secure than wireless systems.
Two-way audio
Two-way audio is a great feature that can be used with home security cameras. It enables users to communicate with visitors in real time via a microphone and speaker on the camera. This feature is useful in a variety of situations, such as answering the door when someone knocks or checking on children or elderly family members. It can also be used as a nanny cam, or to warn wandering guests with the camera’s 105-decibel siren.
Many smart cameras that connect to the Internet can be monitored from anywhere in the world with an Internet connection. This means you can check on the kids while at work or keep an eye on your pets even when you’re out of the house. Many smart cameras can be integrated with other devices such as smart speakers, smart locks and smart lights to provide extra security and convenience.
Depending on the type of smart home camera, some use an SD card to store video footage while others upload it to a cloud or router for storage. You should also consider the resolution of the camera and its frame rate, or how many frames it records per second. The higher the frame rate, the better the quality of the video.
Motion detection
Motion detection is a key feature for smart home cameras. This function sends notifications when a person moves in the camera’s view and can even distinguish between images of people, animals, or vehicles. It also prevents false alarms caused by loud noises or strong weather and saves battery life.
It can also alert you to an unexpected visitor, such as a delivery person or a stranger in the driveway. You can then use two-way talk to communicate with the intruder and scare them off before they cause any damage. This feature is especially useful for secluded properties where it is difficult to monitor the front porch or yard.
Wired cameras are hardwired to a stable network connection and can boost video resolution by up to three times. They are also more reliable and don’t require cloud storage fees. However, they can be expensive to install and don’t work with other smart home systems. In addition, they can be vulnerable to power outages. If you’re unsure about whether a wired camera is right for you, consider the following factors before making a purchase:
Night vision
A smart security camera uses a Wi-Fi connection to track what goes on around your home. It also sends the footage to your smartphone, where you can view it and change settings. Some models also come with cloud storage or local storage for longer-term recording.
Night vision is a useful feature for monitoring your property in the dark. It works by detecting infrared radiation, which is invisible to human eyes. The camera then illuminates the area with infrared LEDs to help you see in the dark. It is important to note that not all cameras have night vision capabilities. If yours does, consider a model with a higher resolution to get the best image quality.
The Zmodo EZCam Outdoor is a good example of a smart security camera that has night vision. This camera can capture a wide field of view and is available at a reasonable price. It is compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit (requires a $100 base station sold separately). The camera also includes a 105-decibel siren to scare away intruders.
Alerts
Some smart home security cameras have artificial intelligence that recognizes motion. This can be a great feature if you want to be alerted when someone is lingering outside, or to prevent false alarms from animals and cars. You can even find cameras that automatically turn on and send images to law enforcement if triggered.
Another good feature is the ability to receive alerts via your smartphone. These can be text notifications or push alerts. Some cameras also support two-factor authentication, smart home camera which helps guard your privacy and keep intruders from disabling the camera or accessing your data.
Some models offer additional features like temperature monitoring, which can help you save energy and keep your house safe from burglars. Others have backup batteries that can be used to run your cameras for a short period of time, especially in the event of a power outage. Some smart home cameras can also monitor and alert you when there’s a package delivered to your front porch. This can be helpful if you don’t have the time to check your doorstep regularly.
