What is the purpose of a dome camera in a security system?

We all want our homes to be protected. A home is meant to be a refuge, a place that provides safety, security, and stability. When home is where the heart is, you’ll want to keep that home protected. Home security systems are a vital part of this equation; burglary remains a problem for home owners, with a 2018 report showing that more and more expensive belongings are being stolen when burglaries do occur. While an alarm system is a great way to know exactly when an intruder is trying to enter your home, it sometimes isn’t enough; sometimes a visible deterrent is necessary to keep burglars away from your home. This is where cameras come into play.

The purpose of including dome cameras in your security system is being able to keep an eye on the home, even when you aren’t there. We can’t be home all day physically monitoring the property and its perimeters. While alarm systems can do a lot to help prevent entry, that isn’t enough for many people. This is why many users tend to include security cameras such as dome cameras in their security systems; so in addition to sensors all over the house keeping tabs of movement and entry, users can actually see what’s going on at home, helping them plan a course of action better before making any decisions. Cameras also act as a key deterrent against intruders. Burglars prefer easy targets, ones that won’t require much work or risk in order to get their prize. Just seeing a camera outside the home knowing that they can and will be seen, and potentially identified, by footage that camera is recording is enough a lot of the time to send that burglar running.

How does a dome camera work?

Dome cameras are not unlike other security cameras in how it works. A dome camera is a video recording device will record the area it is placed in, typically saving to some form of hard drive in your security system to be accessed at later time – if your dome camera records constantly, that is a continuous video recording, or CVR. Other models are motion activated, only recording when motion is detected in the area the camera is recording.

Dome cameras come with several pros and cons when compared to other security cameras. Dome cameras have a wide angle of sight, allowing them to capture more of a single area than standard bullet cameras. Dome cameras do a better job at seeing in darkness thanks to many possessing built in infrared illuminators. They’re also much more difficult for potential burglars to work around – they have vandal-proof design, making it difficult for them to be damaged. The dome design of this camera also makes it difficult for people to know which way it’s pointing at a glance, meaning it’s harder for criminals to try and locate blind spots when using the camera.

Services such as Alarm.com also allow users to access live camera feed from dome cameras while away from the home. Before, users would have to physically check the DVR (and before that, video tape) to watch the recordings from that day. Now, any time you want a peek at what’s going on at your home or on your property, it’s as easy as checking an internet enabled device, such as a smartphone, tablet, or computer. Being able to see what’s happening in real time comes with its own plethora of benefits.

How to properly place a dome camera during installation

In order to best utilize the wide angle lens of a dome camera, it’s important you place them correctly during install to maximize their effectiveness. Dome cameras should be mounted either high up on a wall, or on a ceiling. Keeping a high angle is crucial for security cameras to ensure you’re seeing the most of your property as possible when placing them. Place your dome cameras at high priority areas of your property to protect potential weaknesses. Cameras near entry doors, windows, porches, and driveways are suggested to keep an eye on areas that intruders may use to approach and enter a home. Make sure your outdoor dome cameras are rated for the outdoors; if they are, still take precaution when installing them to give them protection from the elements. Doing so will help keep your cameras good for longer. Consider installing dome cameras in some indoor spaces as well, such as entry rooms of the home, in order to continue capturing video if someone does enter the home. Equally important is placing cameras in unobstructed areas that are noticeable to passersby. A hidden camera does no good for deterrence. A camera needs to be front and center so any would-be intruders will know from a glance they shouldn’t bother with this property.

Why you should include dome cameras in your alarm system

As mentioned, having access to footage of your property, both live and recorded, has many benefits. Outdoor cameras allow you to keep an eye on the place, and those coming into the house – not only intruders, but people you know as well. These cameras can help you see when friends and relatives have arrived outside, to ensure your children or elderly loved ones have made it to the house safely without bothering them with a phone call. Additionally, the ubiquitous look that dome cameras have provides an excellent bit of deterrence. The sight alone of a security camera often gets criminals to turn back and not bother, not wanting to be identified. However, this isn’t foolproof, and many will still attempt a break-in even with security cameras present. This provides the next important reason to keep dome cameras in your security system – identification.

When a burglar breaks into your home, it’s almost always to steal valuable items. Jewelry and electronics are among the most commonly stolen items in home invasions. Keeping a camera will help you keep track of how much was stolen from you, what exactly was stolen from you, and what was damaged, if anything, in your home. This can make recovering or replacing these items much easier, and grants you further evidence to submit to the authorities and to your insurance company. In many cases, the footage of the criminal can help the police, as well as others in the community, knowing to keep a lookout for the person in the video around their properties.

Dome cameras are among the most durable cameras available on the market. With a wide angle view and high quality resolutions, dome cameras are a wonderful addition to your security system for keeping eyes on the home while you’re not there. Security experts agree that multiple cameras – bullet cameras and dome cameras – are key to keeping the home safe, not just one kind of camera. While dome cameras allow you the benefit of seeing your home while you’re away and deterring criminals, it’s also important to remember to respect local bylaws about security cameras to ensure you aren’t infringing on a neighbor’s privacy with a misplaced camera, and that those living in your home are comfortable with cameras placed inside the house, if any. As always, any questions regarding cameras in your security system can be easily answered by the service providers here at Cunningham Security.