Positioning Your Outdoor Security Camera

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Where you put your outdoor security cameras is absolutely fundamental to your surveillance, and your security against intruders.

It takes planning in great detail.
You need to realise that you don’t just stick an outdoor security camera up without knowing exactly what you want it to do.

Draw the outside of the house and the layout of the garden as you would do a floor plan.

This needs to be as close to scale as you can.
Distances need to be measured,  paths need to be drawn, as do driveways and exit and entry points. You then need to draw in where you intend to place your security cameras.

Take photographs from where you intend to install your security camera  

You need to be able to see what your security camera is going to film.
This is the surveillance zone of your security camera. If you have an ordinary camera with different lenses it is probably a good idea to use the lenses to see which one gives the best and the widest surveillance.
The photographs you take will help you to realise what obstructions will be affecting the effectiveness of the camera. What obstructions are there between where you want to position your outdoor security camera, and the DVR you intend to use.  
Are there trees in the line of vision in your surveillance zone that an intruder could hide behind, or outbuildings that are in the way.

Work out how far your security camera is going to be from the surveillance zone.

This is very important, because you need to know what strength of lens you will need if you are far away. You may need a wide angle lens for your security camera, or even a zoom lens.
You need to ask yourself how close you can get the camera to your surveillance zone, with the attendant risk of an intruder stealing or damaging the camera.

How to place your outdoor security cameras to be most effective 

Consider the potential security weakness in your entry and  exit points to the house, and perhaps sheds with gardening equipment. These are key places your intruder will try to gain entry.

Think about camera surveillance close to the gate which might include filming suspicious cars

Take note of the position of power points because although there are battery operated security cameras,

Take note of where you might need to hide obvious wires coming from your cameras, and the possibility of using wireless security cameras, realising that distance and obstruction to the line of vision can dramatically reduce their effectiveness.

What exactly do you want your security camera to do. 

This is important because you will require different resolutions according to the detail you need to capture.
For example do you want to be able to recognise a face, or differently a car registration number.
Dependent on what you need, will be a factor in the placement of your camera, and the quality of camera you will need to get the quality of image you want.

What are the chances your security camera will get damaged. 

A clever thief may notice a battery operated camera, and remove the battery, or cut the wires to a powered camera system.
Cameras have fields of vision, so a thief may work out how to avoid these, byt stopping the tracking device.
Should you consider a covert or hidden camera, or does the deterrence factor of a visible camera outweigh an invisible camera.
Can you place your cameras high enough to be out of reach.
Damage by weather conditions is another possibility which will determine what make of camera you choose.
Perhaps a couple of dummy cameras may have enough deterrent effect mixed with real recording cameras.

How well lit is the area I need to cover.

Is the area you wish to cover well lit or not>
Are lights in that area switched off at any time
Will you require a day and night camera with infrared capability.

How Much Will It Cost? 

The more you spend the better the technology.
However a cheap dummy system is better than no system at all.
Finally remember there is no substitute for decent locks on your doors and windows.

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 Recommended Outdoor Security Camera Products: Approved by Outdoor Security Cameras Info