DIY Video Surveillance vs. Professional CCTV Installation
Which Video Surveillance Route Should You Take? DIY Video Surveillance or Pro? The home security industry is growing rapidly. As a result, homeowners now have more property protection options than ever, including DIY video surveillance. However, many people debate whether to choose professional security system installation or a DIY alarm system. You’ve probably encountered this question before. Therefore, let’s take a closer look at video surveillance. It plays a crucial role in an alarm system because it lets you watch your property when you’re away. Plus, it can help identify anyone who commits burglary or other crimes. But the key question remains: is DIY video surveillance the right choice for you? The video surveillance cameras that you have installed can have a major impact on the likelihood a criminal will be caught. Here’s a good example: Because property crimes happen so often, more people are using social media to catch criminals. Every day, video surveillance images appear on Facebook. However, even when these videos are recorded in broad daylight, identifying criminals remains difficult. One major reason is picture quality. DIY systems bought at places like Sam’s Club, Walmart, or Amazon often produce lower-quality images. In contrast, professionally installed systems focus on delivering clear, high-quality footage. As a result, these systems increase the chances of catching a criminal. Unmonitored DIY Video Surveillance System vs. The Professionally Monitored System Another issue to look at is monitoring. Yes, there are many DIY CCTV systems that allow you to record and even monitor in real-time. There are also some that allow you to connect via your smart phone. The element missing is the 24/7 monitoring. You can’t look at your phone or sit in front of a television or computer screen every single minute of every single day. When you include video surveillance in your security system package, the 24/7 monitoring service receives alerts and can take action on your behalf. Even if your phone sends push notifications, you might miss them. For example, you could be in an area without signal, your phone battery might die, or you might not hear the alert. That’s why professional monitoring matters. It gives you another set of eyes watching everything important to you, so you stay protected at all times. The Lowdown on DIY Video Surveillance Installation Then, of course, there’s the installation. You can place a DIY camera exactly where you want, which makes buying one from the local hardware store very tempting. However, without a certified technician to evaluate your property and spot key areas, you might face a break-in that could have been prevented. Additionally, camera quality matters. A high-quality camera can help you identify a burglar, while a poor one might not. Right now, many criminals go unidentified—even when they look directly at cameras. Moreover, burglars are becoming very camera savvy. They can easily tell the difference between locally bought or internet-purchased cameras and professionally installed systems. Burglars almost ALWAYS do their research prior to breaking into a structure because they want to minimize their risk. According to Architectural Digest, burglars do their homework. Looking for Video Surveillance Options In Rochester, Syracuse, or Buffalo? If you’ve reached this point, you’re exploring your options. Therefore, it’s time to ask important questions. If you’re torn between a DIY system and a professionally installed one, compare the pros and cons of both carefully. To learn more, call SPS Fire & Security at 585-770-0348 today.
