security camera

In the same way

people are giving up cable

for contract-free subscription services like

netflix

and video streaming viewers like the

Google Chromecast

Where

Amazon Fire TV Stick

, security companies like ADT are forced to share the market with a growing number of do-it-yourself devices – and standalone cameras are a significant part of this growing sub-category.

While the switch to DIY security gives consumers a lot more options, it also complicates the buying decision a bit. That's why we are here. We'll cover a bunch of topics and potential questions in this buying guide so you can understand exactly what's in today's DIY home security cameras. We will also look at innovative technologies that may define the future of the industry.

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Old fashioned security cameras

Internet Protocol, or IP cameras are the precursor to modern smart -home style security cameras. Technically, those little numbers were the DIY competition for the ADTs and

Lived

of the world long before today's smart home was a thing.

Here's the thing: Just as their clunky name suggests, IP cameras weren't designed with simplicity in mind. And some of these so-called DIY devices still work today, masquerading as smart home security camera competitors like

Nest Cam Indoor

,

Amazon Cloud Cam

,

Ring Spotlight Cam

and others.

Foscam Plug and Play Wireless IP Camera

(model number FI9826P) is an example. I reviewed this IP camera in 2014, and its web interface was ridiculously convoluted. Check for yourself:

Enlarge image

Foscam web interface. Ugh.

Screenshot by Megan Wollerton/CNET

Sure, a relatively tech-savvy person could probably figure this out, but today's DIY security cameras are, in most cases, driven by simple mobile apps.

This is pushing companies to create cameras that are really easy to set up, but it's good news for consumers - and the mass market as a whole - because there are more options to buy than ever before.

Take the things over control

Before getting lost in the details, think about what you hope to get out of a security camera. Here are some questions to consider:

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Want to watch over a mischievous animal while you're at work, or are you more interested in protecting your property 24/7?

Will your camera stay in one place or would you like to be able to move it around easily (including outdoors)?

What about the app? Do you want to have access to your camera on your computer as well as on your phone?

Is a high resolution video stream necessary or is it acceptable if the camera captures a simple clip or a standard definition photo of a security event?

If you want to save video footage, do you prefer to use cloud storage or access your video locally (via microSD card or USB drive)?

How much are you willing to spend on a security camera?

Do you want your camera to work with other devices?

DIY security gives you the freedom to choose from a bunch of different features, prices, and styles. But looking at a sea of ​​options can be really confusing if you haven't already sorted out what matters to you and what doesn't.

Webcam or security camera?

There are a lot of things to consider when it comes to security camera features, specifications, and general technology. The difference between a webcam and a real security camera is an important distinction. Webcams are often lumped into the category of security cameras because many of them offer security features, but I'd say they're pretty limited if your

main concern

is security.< /p>

Take as examples the

Nest Cam Outdoor

and the

Canary View

. Both allow you to view a live video feed on your phone anywhere you have an internet connection, but Nest Cam won't alert you every time a potential security issue occurs (for example, when the sensors detect motion, etc.), while the view gives you a ton of customization so you can get alerts every time something happens, if that's what you want.

It might seem like a small distinction, but if you're going for the road DIY standalone security camera, these notifications are the only way to approach real-time monitoring (unless you're watching the feed all day). DIY also often means that unlike ADT and other providers, there is no professional monitoring service behind your camera. This means that, for better or for worse, it will be up to you to contact the police if you see someone breaking into your home.

If you don't even have the ability to receive a notification every time a security event occurs, you could easily miss the one time a burglar gets hold of that expensive piece of jewelry.

That's not to say there's no place for webcams as security add-ons, but they're really best reserved for monitoring a pet throughout the day to make sure your favorite sweater doesn't. didn't turn into a chew toy.

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Features, specifications and other camera technologies

Here is an in-depth comparison of the types of security cameras currently in use on the market.

Connectivity and power source

The majority of DIY security cameras today work on your home Wi-Fi network. That means you need to place them within range of your home's wireless router or access point for them to work properly. It also means that an interruption in your Wi-Fi signal, whether due to erratic service or a power outage, will prevent your camera from working.

The

Netgear Arlo Go camera p>

works on a cellular network (today compatibility is limited to AT&T Enterprise customers) and

Canary's Flex

has optional Verizon 4G LTE support. p>

Link-Union's Link-U Hybrid SmartCam

also works on a cellular network with the help of an internal 3G/4G modem and a data SIM card (purchased separately).

Flir FX

into an action camera for recording in your car, but it can only save those recordings to a microSD card and doesn't have any sort of remote cellular connection capability.

Enlarge image

Buy a separate mount to use Flir FX as an action camera.

James Martin/ CNET

Most cameras are powered by a plug-in adapter. That doesn't mean you can't easily move the camera to another location, but you'll still need to consider the location of an outlet when selecting the installation area (or keep an extension cord handy). ).

A growing number, however, can function without attachment.

Homeboy

,

Netgear Arlo

,

Logi Circle

,

Netgear Arlo Pro

,

Flir FX

, Canary Flex and even the

Ring Video Doorbell 2

are all battery powered (or at least offered

optional

battery). Some have replaceable batteries, while others are rechargeable, but each gives you more control over where you install your camera (many devices come with hardware so you can mount your cameras on a wall, built-in brackets so you can put them on flat surfaces and some others have magnetic bases so you can easily hang them on fridges, filing cabinets, and other metal surfaces for quick, hassle-free setup).

Application

Most security cameras today are accessible on Android or iOS devices. Many also offer web apps so you can log in on your laptop to view the same video feed or change your settings. The app interface is quite important as it is your main access point to your camera.

Setting up the app varies by device, but typically requires creating an account (username and password), logging in, and entering your local Wi-Fi. - Wi-Fi connection details.

Enlarge image

Here's a look at the NestCam app on an iPhone.

Screenshot by Megan Wollerton/CNET

Video

Some cameras provide constant access to a live feed (as long as the camera and your app are connected to the internet). It's called live streaming and it allows you to check your house whenever you want.

Other cameras, like

Homeboy

, focus exclusively on recording a video clip

uniquely

when a motion or other sensor is triggered. This means that these cameras are meaningless if you want to monitor a pet throughout the day: they only function as security cameras.

Video quality is also an important factor. The clearer the quality of your video, the more bandwidth it uses, and the more likely it is to experience lag and other annoying issues. High definition or HD video focuses on 720 or 1080p streaming quality. Most now have 1080p, while others, like Homeboy, stick to low-bandwidth 640x480 VGA video quality to extend battery life.

If you end up choosing an HD option and experience delays or other bandwidth holdups, most cameras give you the option to adjust the quality to a lower resolution. Some cameras even automatically adjust the video quality based on your internet connection.

Storage and Subscriptions

Not all video storage is equal. There is cloud storage, which sends your video footage to a remote server, and local storage, which relies on a separate accessory (usually a microSD card with a dedicated slot on the camera) to store all the footage you want to save.< /p>

Remote and local storage is really a matter of preference, but some cameras, like the

Flir FX

give you both options.

It's also common to pay an optional (usually monthly) subscription fee for cloud storage. NestCam charges $5 per month for 5 days of streaming footage; other models like

Canary Flex

, Flir FX, Piper, and Homeboy give you free cloud storage options.

Field of view

How much do you want your security camera to see? Since it's likely protecting a single area, room, or entry point, a wider field of view is usually more desirable.

D-Link Omna

has a 180-degree lens, although Foscam's disappointing IP camera has manual pan and tilt functionality that significantly increases its field of view.

Price

Pricing varies a lot depending on the camera and its features, but most cost between $120 and $200 (not including additional cloud storage charges). the 60$

TendSecure Lynx

and the $230

Guardzilla 360

are outliers at either end of the price spectrum. p>

At $60, the Tend Secure Lynx is one of the cheapest cameras you can buy.

Chris Monroe/CNET

Advanced features

Beyond basic live streaming, alerts, night vision, and two-way talk, there's a whole other world of features and integration available. Tend Secure Lynx,

Netatmo Welcome

,

Nest Cam IQ Indoor

,

Nest Cam IQ Outdoor

and some others offer facial recognition. Not only can these patterns distinguish between people and everything else, they can also tell you

who

they see from a database of friends and family members that you add to your account. p>

The Lynx camera correctly distinguished the seven faces I added to the app.

Screenshots by CNET

Some models also allow you to define activity zones, meaning you can select a specific area within the camera's field of view that you want to either ignore or pay special attention to. That way it can focus on the places that really matter, like a doorway, and ignore the nearby counter that your cat is always jumping on.

If you want to take your home security very seriously, there are a handful. models, such as

Canary All-in-One

and even the free Android app

Salient Eye

(which can turn spare Android devices into security cameras for free), which come with built-in sirens and on/off modes for easier security setup.

Additionally, an increasing number of cameras respond to voice commands. The Nest IQ Indoor works with Google Assistant; Canary's cameras work with Amazon's Alexa and Google Assistant and the D-Link Omna works with Siri through Apple's HomeKit platform.

More recently, we're seeing integrations between cameras and the Apple TV or the

Amazon Echo Show

,

Echo Spot

or Fire TV so you can view your camera's live feed on a bigger screen.

There are also smart home hubs like

wink

and

SmartThings

, which are compatible with a variety of different protocol languages ​​and help bridge the gap between two products from two different brands that speak two different protocol languages. Wink, for example, works with Nest cameras, and SmartThings has its own IFTTT channel.

Enlarge image

Ask Siri to display the live video feed from the Omna camera.

Design

Security cameras are meant to blend in. For this reason, you will find many cameras with simple white and black finishes. But, when you look closer, the key details help distinguish a smartly designed camera from the rest of the pack.

Most security cameras come with built-in brackets, while others have solid cylindrical constructions. If you want to change the angle of your camera, you'll probably want to consider one with a mount that also lets you rotate the camera, like the Nest Cam Indoor. Others, like Homeboy and

Netgear Arlo Pro

have magnetic mounts, so positioning the camera angle is entirely up to you.

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On the horizon

There's a lot to think about when considering a DIY home security camera, but taking the time to look at the features that set one model apart from the next will help guide you to the right fit.

Even so, the security industry is in flux, and there are plenty of innovations to come that are sure to leave their mark on the home security market. Facial recognition is an intriguing new feature we've noticed before, but there's plenty more to come. We look forward to new and innovative ways to use voice control with security cameras, as well as other third-party integrations linking your camera to other smart home devices.

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Even traditional security companies are making changes. ADT and LG have partnered on

an all-in-one security device without a contract

. And

AT&T's Digital Life Security System

, as well as

Lived

are working with a growing number of third-party party brands.

Whatever the trends, start with what

you

you want to remove from a home security camera. Given the rapid growth of the market, there is bound to be an option that works.