If you want to install your own home security, paying out for a CCTV camera and all the parts that come with it can be very expensive. Using a webcam is a cheaper alternative that works just as well for homeowners trying to protect their home, family, and valuables. Here we look at how to use webcams in a home security installation.
Equipment
Firstly, you need to get all the equipment ready for installation. Luckily, when it comes to webcam security, all you will need is a webcam (or more than one if you want a few areas of the house covered) and some USB cables. You will need a USB cable that is long enough to reach from where you want the camera to be to wherever your computer is. If you have more than one computer in the house, consider using one for upstairs and one for downstairs. You’ll also need a good quality webcam, such as these Logitech webcams.
Setting Up
Setting up your installation is pretty simple. Put the webcam over the area you want to keep monitored, usually inside, by a window. You can use anything to keep it in place, such as a stand, a shelf, or command strips. This depends on whether or not you mind having a mark on the wall if you ever choose to take it down. You should also invest in some cable clips, so you can hide the wires tidily around your home. Plug the USB into the computer monitor and you are good to go.
Software
Once you have your webcams in a suitable place, you will have to find the right security software. There are plenty to choose from on the internet and finding one that you understand how to navigate will ensure you are up and running in no time. If you need some help finding a good home security software for your webcam, check out these 5. Once you have installed the software, you simply add your webcams to it. You then must name the webcams, so be sure to name them accordingly so you don’t get mixed up.
Other Considerations
Using a webcam for home security is a great idea if you are on a budget and you are worried about security around your home or garden. Bear in mind though that most webcams will not have night vision, so you will need some kind of external lighting to cover the areas you want to monitor. You can install outdoor motion detector lights that will turn on when it detects movement.
This is the best way to protect your property and ensure that any crime is captured on your webcam in full view. You will also have to leave the computer running whenever you want to use the webcams for security purposes, so bear this in mind when it comes to your energy bills.
With these easy steps, you can install a home security system with just a few webcams and cables.
