For many people, having a smart camera in their home is more than just another novelty or addition to an expensive tech collection. Many already have one to monitor their children, pets, or important work areas while away. While this tech has certainly seen some improvements over the last few decades, there are still notable differences between various models that you should consider before making your purchase.
- Wi-Fi Capability
This is the most important factor for many people when choosing a smart camera. You will want to ensure that it can accept Wi-Fi through wireless internet with ease and preferably has at least one USB port for connection to the router. This is not required for everyone but can be beneficial if you plan to install more than one in your home or office.
- Power Source
While some cameras are rechargeable through battery power, others plug directly into an electrical outlet for continuous use. It’s unlikely that newer models will be charged by anything other than USB plugs anymore, considering how common these are around the world these days. If your suggestion of buying another type of camera involves changing outlets, don’t bother with a smart camera because it will be a headache in the long run.
- Privacy
This is another important factor to consider when choosing a camera for your home or business, especially if you plan on monitoring something like a child’s bedroom where they play and sleep. If you wish the footage to be (more) inaccessible by yourself, such as behind passwords and encryption, then look into cameras that only work through online apps and remote connections. There are cases where people were surprised that their kids’ room was being recorded by parents who thought the camera wasn’t capable of wireless internet. It’s certainly not recommended to try and catch someone in this manner intentionally, but it does happen, and there isn’t much we can do about it.
- Make Sure They’re Properly Certified
Most products like these are properly certified for safety by local law enforcement or government agencies, but it never hurts to double-check before committing to a purchase. This is especially the case if you’re planning on buying more than one since they will likely interfere with each others’ signals if not chosen carefully. Your overall plan (of using multiple cameras) must include making sure they don’t interfere with each other in the movement, as this can make your footage very confusing and difficult to watch later. For some models, there are ways of turning off certain signals so you can use them within proximity without any issues. Always remember that smart cameras aren’t just used for keeping an eye on other people but also for keeping your things safer and more secure.
In conclusion, the smartest way to choose a smart camera is to ensure that it has Wi-Fi capabilities (wireless internet), a power source, and proper certification. It would help if you also considered whether or not you need a camera with more than one signal source, which can be achieved through multiple cameras or turning off signals on certain ones. Finally, remember that smart cameras aren’t just for keeping an eye on other people but also for keeping your things safer and more secure from intruders.