Security camera mounted outdoors with a blurred view of a car and a house in the background.

These used to be seen only at the gates of luxury mansions, celebrity pads or in large corporate buildings. Now, CCTV cameras are becoming a common feature of many homes and offices as more and more people seek to increase the levels of security on their premises. That is completely understandable, so here's our guide to security cameras and how to choose the right one for your needs. Regular burglar alarm systems can protect your property, but what if an intruder is still able to get past these measures and enter your premises?

Wouldn't you like to know that you at least will have evidence of the break-in so you can do something about it afterwards? Internal security cameras are able to record the exact time of a break-in, capturing how the intruders have entered the premises and also giving you and the authorities a description to go on. External cameras can also capture any vehicles used by intruders - which can be extremely useful for the police to track them down and make arrests. Another advantage of a security camera is that you can check who is at your front door before you open it.

An outdoor hidden camera is advisable for people living independently, business owners with a lot of foot traffic to their premises, and vulnerable people such as the elderly. You don't have to position a camera just at the front entrance either, as you can also monitor other areas of the home. You can see where an unexplained noise is coming from without investigating the area in person. If you run a business, then security cameras can help deter potential shoplifters, monitor staff, and ensure staff and customers are safe within your premises.

The size and use of cameras vary greatly from visible cameras designed to put off potential intruders to smaller covert cameras designed to record people in secret. The type of camera you choose will depend on both your budget and the situation the camera is required for. It would help if you took some time moment to think about why you're investing in security cameras and find the camera that best suits your requirements.

The two main types of cameras to consider are wireless and wired. Wired cameras are harder to move, so they are a good choice for areas which will need long-term monitoring, such as outside buildings or business premises. They also tend to have stronger signals than wireless cameras, so they are better at picking out details in darker conditions. The wires can give the whereabouts of these cameras away, so even if you opt for a more discreet camera, you'll still need to ensure the wires are well hidden. Wireless security cameras can be moved from area to area as and when they're needed, and they are an excellent option for monitoring certain rooms at a time, such as a staff room at lunch and the main office at other times.

If you opt for wireless security cameras, most of them don't need any installation as they are placed in a room. Many wireless security cameras are disguised as household objects, which makes filming covertly much easier. Security cameras can give you real peace of mind that your home or business premises are protected even when you're not present and that if the worst happens, you can capture any break-ins or vandalism on film.

Contact us if you want to walk through your requirements, and we'll help you find the best solution for your needs.