How to Install Home Security Cameras

With so many advancements in technology, security systems are no longer only accessible to businesses. More security devices are being made for homeowners so they can monitor their home round the clock and help ensure the safety of their loved ones and property. 

If you’re thinking about adding a security camera system to your home, there are a few things to know ahead of installing them, including what tools to use, where to install them, and how to connect them correctly. Here’s how to install home security cameras to give you a more secure home and greater peace of mind. 

Which Security Camera Is Right for You?

From wired to wireless, indoor to outdoor, and floodlight to doorbell cameras, there is a wide range of home security cameras available to homeowners who want to fortify their home and enjoy enhanced protection. At The Home Security Superstore, we offer only the best in home security cameras from the most trusted brands, with features that range from disguised units, motion detecting—including one of many motion activated spy cameras—to office surveillance, portable cameras, and more. 

A Hidden Outlet Camera Is the Perfect Spy Cam to Catch Intruders

Whether you want to prevent a break-in from happening at your home, stop stealing or ID theft from your mailbox, or prevent burglars from escaping from your home with your most prized possessions, we have the right security camera for the job. 

When choosing the right home security camera for you, it’s essential to consider which areas of your home you want to monitor. For instance, if you want to observe the inside of your home and maintain an inconspicuous setup, you might consider a decoy smoke detector camera with audio. This clever device easily passes as a real smoke detector, but it actually contains a hidden spy camera and can continuously record for 20 hours and last up to 60 days on standby. 

Similarly, if you wish to set up spy cameras in multiple rooms or areas, consider a hidden outlet camera that can be a plug-in or hard-wired to existing electrical work for a real-looking outlet. 

If you want to equip your house with cameras outside to help detect motion on your property and be notified before an intruder enters your home, you can install outdoor security cameras using fake fuse boxes to easily disguise your security cam. No matter what area or room you want to observe in your home, we have a secure, high-quality option for you. 

Tools to Install Your Home Security Camera

While the exact tools you need to install your cameras depend on the specific type and model you are installing, there are some general resources you should have on hand to get the job done. All security cameras at The Home Security Superstore come with all the hardware you’ll need, plus a lifetime of technical support from our security experts. Besides the contents of your home security camera system, however, you may also need the following tools:

• A power drill
• Screwdrivers
• A ladder for hard-to-reach places

Where to Install Home Security Cameras

After you determine which areas of your home you want to monitor or where you need the most coverage to help you and your family feel more secure, it’s time to determine where to mount your security equipment. You can enhance your field of view by following these simple installation tips:

Keep Your Camera Up High

A general rule when installing your home security camera is to place it as high as possible. This not only protects your camera from potential vandalism but offers you a wider field of view so you can monitor a larger area. 

Shelter Your Camera

If your camera is not weatherproof, sheltering your camera under an overhang or some other type of structure helps ensure high-quality security footage. By sheltering it from the elements, you can reduce the chances of precipitation or moisture negatively affecting your footage or damaging intricate circuitry. 

Beyond the elements, other factors can impede your security footage, which may make it difficult to fully trust what you’re seeing in your captured video. However, security experts can improve your security camera’s trustworthiness by using visual challenges to verify the integrity of security cameras. 

Motion Activated Spy Cameras Allow You to Catch Intruders in the Act

Avoid Obstructions

The purpose of your security camera is to capture any suspicious activity happening in or around your home. To give you the best chance of capturing this activity, it’s crucial to place your camera in an area free of obstructions, such as trees, lamps or wall decor, that might block your camera’s view. If you install your camera in an area and later find something is obstructing your view, be sure to eliminate the obstruction or to relocate your camera to ensure optimal footage. 

Point Your Camera Away from Light

Just as it is the best practice with videography and photography, ensure your security cam is pointed away from any light sources. Any sources of light that shine directly into the camera make it near impossible to see anything below. While you should point your camera away from light, it may be helpful to use motion-activated lights placed above your camera to shine a light on the areas you are surveilling. 

Hide and Protect Cables

If you are installing a wired security camera instead of a wireless device, do your best to conceal the cables to eliminate any chances of detection or damage. You can help conceal the cables by installing the camera on the side of your home or in a more conspicuous area of the room, along soffits or ceilings, or by using tubing or tucking the cables into nearby drawers or behind other household items. 

Obvious Placement

Besides placing your security cam up high and hiding any exposed cables, it can sometimes help to place your camera in an obvious spot that is more easily detected. This is especially true of outdoor cameras, where simply the presence of a security camera can deter potential intruders. As soon as they see a camera, they’ll know their chances of getting caught are much higher, and it may make them back down from breaking and entering on your property or in your home.

If you’re looking to install a spy camera, however, you must make it very inconspicuous. No matter your reason for spying, it’s important to understand how to hide a spy camera so you can properly conceal your camera to get the footage you need without the device being discovered. 

How to Connect Home Security Cameras

Now that you’ve identified where you want to set up your security cameras in and around your home and how best to position them to get the best-quality security footage, it’s time to learn how to connect them. While each security camera installation varies depending on the type of camera and the installation’s complexity, most security camera products, like those at The Home Security Superstore, follow a similar process.  

When you install your home security camera yourself, you can save on the costs of having a professional do it for you. All our products come with the necessary installation hardware and instructions to guide you every step of the way. Here is some basic guidance on the main types of security camera systems you may need to install.  

Wire-Free Cameras

Wire-free security cameras are some of the easiest home security cameras to install on your own. These cameras do not require a physical connection to a power source or DVR and easily pair with a wireless transmitter that utilizes a USB cable to connect to the DVR. If you recently purchased a wire-free camera, consider trying to install it on your own before hiring out the job to a professional to save yourself money. 

Wi-Fi Cameras

Like wireless security cameras, Wi-Fi cameras are also relatively simple to set up. These camera systems can be easily connected by plugging the camera into a power source, downloading and signing up for your camera’s app, and following the instructions included with the camera. 

IP Camera Wiring

Security camera systems that use power-over-ethernet tech only need a single ethernet cable to connect the network video recorder and camera, which will provide power and video transmission. To extend the distance of your IP camera, you’ll likely need a security camera extension cable. 

Wireless Analog Camera

When you purchase a wireless analog camera, it generally comes pre-paired with a wireless transmitter. This transmitter needs to be plugged into an outlet near the camera, and the camera requires a continual source of power.

If you aren’t tech-savvy or handy with power tools, another option is to get your security camera professionally installed. Working with a professional installation tech comes with added fees, but they can help you place one or more cameras wherever you need them, including hard-to-reach or difficult places. Plus, they can offer technical support to ensure your cameras integrate with your home security system or address any other issues that may arise during the install, such as issues with electrical wires. 

If you opt for a security camera system with a higher number of cameras, such as one of our eight-camera systems, having a pro perform the installation can take the heavy labor out of the install for you and ensure every camera works together seamlessly to give you the quality surveillance footage you want and need. 

Other Ways to Enhance Your Home Security

Beyond home security cameras, there are several other innovative, technological solutions to safeguard your home, loved ones, and property. You can supplement your security camera systems with a wide range of security devices from The Home Security Superstore to ensure you’re always notified when something is amiss. 

Here are some other security ideas that can help fortify your home and offer you and your family greater protection. 

Security Alarms

From wireless alarm systems to motion, door, window, and personal alarms, we offer a wide range of security alarms that, when coupled with your home security camera system, can better protect you and your family from intruders. These alarms can not only help deter crime but protect your loved ones and valuables from intrusions or other disasters. 

Security Locks

In the event your obvious security cameras or alarms don’t deter an intruder, install security locks, such as door locks, deadbolts, padlocks, and keyless entry locks. Each of these locks can act as another important line of defense when keeping unwanted “company” from entering your home. 

Security Lights

Besides installing security cameras around your home, installing security lights, such as outdoor or LED lights, can illuminate areas you want to monitor and help you better spot and identify intruders in your video footage. Similarly, you may wish to keep security flashlights on hand, such as rechargeable flashlights, in the event someone tries to break in while you or your family members are home. 

Security Safes

If you are a gun owner, you understand the importance of keeping your firearms safely stored. Whether you need a gun safe or other types of safes, such as a fireproof safe, wall safe, and more, The Home Security Superstore has the gun storage unit you need. 

False Security Cameras

A low-maintenance and cost-effective alternative to a full surveillance system is a false security camera. While it does not offer the same peace of mind as an active unit, the presence of a camera may be enough to deter would-be criminals. 

It also doesn’t require any electrical installation know-how. Simply mount the unit in a visible location, and it is ready to use. 

The Final Word

Home security camera systems are a simple way to upgrade your home security and give you the video surveillance you need to feel protected. Whether you opt for wireless security cameras to place around the house to monitor your babysitter, a door-mount camera to take the guesswork out of who’s knocking on your front door or a spy camera to catch burglars in the act, all security cameras at The Home Security Superstore are easy to install. 

Explore our extensive collection of high-quality security and surveillance systems from a range of trusted brands on our online catalog. If you need any help installing your newly purchased security camera, you can call our customer service team at 1-800-616-5305 to get the assistance you need. 

FAQs:

Are security cameras more effective than locks?

Although security cameras allow you to watch over your home while you’re away and can help catch intruders after a crime, locks are paramount to protecting you, your family and your valuables. 

Are fake cameras enough security?

Fake security cameras work wonders on deterring criminals when installed in open areas. However, if a crime is committed, you won’t have them on tape, so it’s best to install hidden spy cameras as well. 

Do I need a professional to install security cameras?

Hiring a professional to install your security cameras takes the burden and labor off your hands, but our options are easy-to-install so you can do so yourself affordably. 

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