Home Security Cameras: Why You Want Them and What to Look For

With places like Washington, D.C. providing hefty rebates for each home security camera that residents purchase and install, there are plenty of incentives for consumers to dip their toes in the waters of smart home surveillance. But why do many officials recommend installing security cameras—and what other reasons might someone have for purchasing one?

In this article, we discuss why wireless security camera systems are an excellent investment, the features consumers should look for when purchasing them, and how wireless security cameras function as part of a monitored home security solution. We also look at the specifications of the security cameras that Frontpoint offers as part of a comprehensive system.

Residential burglary is a serious problem nationwide. According to FBI reports, over a million burglaries took place in the United States last year, with victims suffering total losses of approximately $3.4 billion and 10% of victims experiencing personal violence at the hands of the burglar. Unfortunately, less than 14% of all burglary cases are ever cleared.

The good news is that there are steps homeowners can take to help put criminals behind bars, and even to prevent some crimes from happening at all. CNN recently reported that “surveillance cameras and home security systems are becoming crucial tools for fighting crime.” In fact, police departments across the country are urging residents to install home security cameras.

As part of a complete home security system, security cameras not only provide live video of your property, they can also detect motion, record video footage of intruders, and alert homeowners and emergency services in cases of trespassing, vandalism, and theft.

Watch this video of a burglar caught on a Houston family’s home security camera:

One of the main reasons that so many burglaries go unsolved is that there are usually no witnesses to these crimes. Most burglars choose their timing, targets, and approach carefully, to avoid being caught. Home security cameras deter many thieves and they can provide the police with vital clues about a burglar's identity.

According to a statement from the O'Fallon, Illinois Police Department, "Video surveillance is one of the best methods for apprehending criminals and convicting suspects who are caught in the act of committing a crime. Installing video surveillance is a great example of community-police partnerships and is something we highly value as a police agency serving our community."

Residential security cameras can also help close cases that are even more serious than burglary. As of March 2019, Washington D.C.’s incentive program has helped solve at least eight murders, two assaults with the intent to kill, and a kidnapping.

Best of all, installing home security cameras can prevent crimes before they can occur. A study by the UNC Charlotte Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology found that well over half of all burglars look for security cameras before entering a house and most will not enter a home where cameras are present.

A video monitoring system not only gives you peace of mind and helps the police catch criminals; it also provides a great way to stay connected to your home, family, and even pets. With live video streams and recorded video footage, you’ll be able to monitor your home for storm damage when you’re away, make sure your kids get home from school safely, keep an eye on your dog while you’re at work, and make sure nannies, contractors, and dog-walkers are doing their jobs properly.

If your home security cameras have two-way audio capabilities, you can even use them to chat with your kids from work, connect with elderly parents, or give instructions to in-home service providers.

Wireless security cameras utilize your home’s internet connection to stream live video which you can view on any mobile or internet-connected device—such as your laptop, tablet, or smartphone. The best video surveillance cameras sense motion, create a video clip, send it to you in real-time, and also store it remotely for later viewing.

For example, when your kids arrive home from school, the event activates the motion sensor in your doorbell camera (smart door locks can also identify that their unique access code has been used). You receive a smartphone notification and take a quick look at the video clip. You're pleased to see that they arrived home safely but less than thrilled that they brought several friends with them. Thanks to your home’s security camera system, you can call home and deal with the situation right away, or use your indoor video camera to speak directly to them and keep an eye on things for as long as you would like.

If your wireless home security system includes intrusion and environmental sensors, your alarm system will notify you immediately anytime a sensor detects a sign of danger—whether it’s motion, breaking glass, open doors or windows, fire, water leaks, or the presence of carbon monoxide. Once you receive the alert, you can immediately check your video feed to assess the situation.  

The right security camera systems will also automatically record and store video clips when the alarm triggers. Best of all, if your home security system is professionally monitored, your monitoring company will alert emergency services immediately after they ascertain that you or your property are in danger or they can’t reach someone to confirm the threat.

Frontpoint offers four types of wireless security cameras for integration with your home security system: the doorbell camera, outdoor camera, indoor camera, and premium indoor camera. Each device comes pre-configured and ready to install for easy incorporation into any Frontpoint system. These cameras send video using your home’s Wi-Fi internet connection, so there’s no need to hardwire them into a phone line or wired internet connection.  

Frontpoint’s cameras are motion-activated, creating real-time notifications and recording video clips for only the moments that matter to you. Live video streams and recorded video clips are provided through cloud-based storage, allowing you to view your security camera system’s video anytime, anywhere, and from any device with an internet connection. No need to wait until you get home to see what activated your security sensors.

For clear images and video day or night, all four cameras provide HD video resolution and infrared-based night vision. LUX is a unit measuring the intensity of light; 0.00001 LUX, for example, is considered roughly equivalent to a fully overcast night with no moonlight. At 0.0 LUX, Frontpoint’s night vision cameras can capture video even in zero light conditions using infrared LED illuminators. So, no matter how dark the night is or how dark the rooms are in your home, Frontpoint’s security cameras still get the job done.

Mounted in place of your existing doorbell, Frontpoint’s wide-range Doorbell Camera has a viewing angle of 180 degrees, allowing you to see everything that happens outside your front door. And 720p HD video recording means that live streams and recorded clips will be sharp.

The Doorbell Camera’s passive infrared-based motion detection feature recognizes motion up to eight feet away, giving you notice if anyone approaches the front door—even if they don’t ring the doorbell. Two-way audio lets you speak to anyone from your living room, office, or just about anywhere. Say “hi” to your kids when they arrive home from school, give instructions to delivery personnel, or scare away would-be burglars.

With an industry-leading detection range (40 feet at night) combined with a wide-angle view (117°)—Frontpoint’s Outdoor Camera can capture a full view of your driveway and yard, or help you keep an eye on vulnerable spots like sliding glass patio doors or hidden side entrances. 1080p HD video resolution provides crystal clear video.

These weather-proof cameras can operate in temperatures ranging from below zero to 122° Fahrenheit and are designed to handle rain, hail, snow, and even high-pressure jets of water.

In the event of a break-in, Frontpoint's Indoor Camera can not only help identify the thieves but also which items were stolen. Install an indoor camera in your main living area to keep an eye on your kids while you’re out for the evening or elderly family members when you’re away. A camera in the nursery lets you check on the nanny and keep a watchful eye on your infant without entering the room and disturbing their sleep.

The Indoor Camera provides a wide-angle view of 113°, a night-vision range of 20 feet, and an HD video resolution of 1080p. The system also allows you to store up to 1,000 video clips. And the two-way audio feature lets you speak to anyone who’s in the room with the camera from wherever you happen to be.

Frontpoint’s attractive Premium Indoor Camera includes Bluetooth speakers and an echo-canceling microphone. Listen to your favorite music through your security camera and initiate two-way audio calls with other users right through the Frontpoint App.

With 1080p HD video resolution, digital pan and tilt, a wide-angle lens for a full 180° view, enhanced zoom capabilities, and a night vision range of up to 15 feet, it’s almost as though you’re in the room when you access the Premium Indoor Camera’s video feed. The device is remotely, motion, or alarm activated, and the system can store up to 1,000 video clips.

Some people have concerns about the privacy of their video camera footage, especially if they’re using the services of a professionally monitored home security system. There are no worries with a Frontpoint system: monitoring personnel do not access your video cameras. The devices allow you to spot problems early and check for false alarms, with no concern that anyone but yourself will ever view the footage.

With all of the benefits that home security camera systems provide, integrating them into a comprehensive home security system is an investment that will return dividends of security and convenience. And by choosing wireless security cameras with a high resolution, night vision, wide range, motion detectors, and other premium features, you can rest assured that your home security cameras will fully meet your needs.

Frontpoint keeps homes safe whether families are there or not. We've been revolutionizing the home security industry for over a decade. And we're just getting started. To shop DIY home security systems, check out our Security Packages. If you have questions or would like to discuss a quote, contact us at 1-877-602-5276.