Parts of a Basic Security System
There is no need for your home security system to consist of high-end equipment in order to be effective. Combine strategic installation with proper safety awareness and orientation for your loved ones and they’re as secure as they can be.

A basic security system usually includes motion sensors, a CCTV camera, security lights, and a multiplexer. The latter is needed if you are managing more than one security camera in your system. With a multiplexer, video input from all cameras are combined into a single channel for organized record-keeping and more effective surveillance.

A simplex multiplexer will produce one full-screen image to show you at a time while continuing to record footage from other cameras. Duplex multiplexers, on the other hand, offer split-screen options for two or more monitored areas.

If you have the budget, invest in decoy equipment not only for your cameras but for your DVR devices as well. Purchase any used VCR, wire it, and install them in plain sight.

Selecting a DVR Device
The price is understandably most people’s primary concern when it comes to DVR devices. But if you compare its performance to that of VCRs, you’ll know that DVR is truly the better choice. VCRs not only produce inferior video quality but they are also unable to produce stream-by-stream separation.

If you are shopping for DVR devices, you usually have three options.

The most costly option, but undeniably the most feature-rich as well, would be a dedicated DVR. It’s about the size of a desktop computer and comes with its own monitor. It is slightly more complicated to install compared to other DVD options but you can always contact customer service for help.

A second and more reasonably-priced option would be to install a DVR card in your CPU and turn your computer into a video recording system. If you know your way with computers, you won’t have to pay for professional installation. This is virtually the same with installing a new video or memory card.

Lastly, you can simply install a program or hardware system in your computer for a DVD interface. It’s a fraction of what a dedicated server would cost but its functions are vastly limited. With this option, you can only view and store footage. But if this is all you wish to do then it’s the best DVR device for your needs.

What Exactly to Monitor
Know exactly what it is about your nanny’s activities that you want to monitor. If you want to ensure that your child is not being mistreated, you might want to hide it in the child’s bedroom. If you want to monitor if the nanny is sticking to the required diet of the child, this gadget should be located in the kitchen. If you wish to know the type of recreation the nanny has with your child, a good place to hide a nanny cam is in the living room.

Selecting a Strategic Place Where to Hide Your Nanny Cam
Choose a place or an object that your nanny will have no reason to move or will find difficult to lift or adjust. An object or a location that is generally permanent will be a good choice, such as the TV or an entertainment center, a large plastic flower pot in the corner or a decorative item such as a sculpture, a pot or a painting. That way, in case someone in the house decides to re-arrange anything, the view from this product is not changed or obstructed.

Avoid hiding the nanny cam in an object that will normally get the attention not just of the nanny but also your child. The cookie jar, for example, is off limits because there’s a good chance someone will come and check its contents. The same is true of the diaper drawer or the remote control container. A live plant pot might be a good hiding place, although someone might just come and pour water into it just to keep the plant healthy. That can easily damage this gadget.

An nanny cam disguised as an ordinary object
A great way to hide a nanny cam is to keep it in plain sight. This product is built into common objects such as alarm clocks, wall clocks, books, small furniture, small sculptures and stuffed toys. This allows spy equipment to be integrated effortlessly with other everyday objects. As a result, something like a nanny cam is more likely to be ignored, allowing more ‘natural’ behavior on the part of the nanny.

Where Will You Use It?
As surveillance systems differ depending on whether you’re going to use them for indoor and outdoor use, it’s important to determine where you plan to have it operating. Surveillance systems for indoor use are usually a bit more affordable, but if you want complete protection then you should consider investing in an outdoor surveillance system. With an outdoor surveillance system, burglars, vandals, and criminals in general may be apprehended even before they can start scaling your walls or gates.

When shopping for outdoor surveillance systems, be sure that all equipment comes with weatherproof and shockproof casing.

Daytime or Nighttime?
Surveillance systems also differ according to time of use. The basic difference lies in its surveillance camera; day cameras can take pictures in color while night cameras can only take black and white photos with the use of infrared technology.

Today, homeowners can avail of using a single surveillance system for daytime and night use. Cameras will automatically switch to IR lighting when light levels in the monitored area, artificial or natural, have diminished. Light-sensing floodlights outdoors will also automatically switch on and off for the same reason.

Recording Options
Complete surveillance systems are also now available in a wide variety of recording options when it comes to the image or video format and storage locations. The best systems are those using files that are immediately playable in PCs and DVD players as well as having built-in and external memories for increased storage capacity.

Control Options
These surveillance systems must offer you at least three types of control. All equipment used should allow direct, physical operation or through a main control panel. Remote control and operation must also be provided with an IP-based system. With the latter, you will be given login details and a URL to visit in order to view past and real-time footages from your surveillance system.

What Components of a Surveillance System to Check
A complete surveillance system will have all of the equipment listed below.

Alarms
These should be attached to your doors, windows, and all other possible entry points to your home, whether located within or outside it. Motion sensing alarms must also be used as a deterrent.

Cameras
There must be an adequate number of them to capture every essential angle. Hidden and decoy cameras must also be used.

Lights
Motion-sensing floodlights must be used outdoors. They must also be used inside and configured to operate when any alarm inside the house has been triggered.

Getting Familiar
There are general features found in all home security cameras but certain functions differ depending on the brand and model.  Before attempting to install the device, take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the equipment.

If you’re using a wired type, for example, careful planning is important to ensure the optimal placement of the camera.  Wired systems will sometimes require you to drill holes on walls and if you make a mistake, it could mean time and effort wasted, not to mention extra expense on the repairs.

Wireless ones don’t always require a lot of work, so they pretty much rely only on correct placement and location.

Where to Place
Location will dictate how effective your home security camera will be.  Before installing the camera, try to survey your home or office and decide which locations require surveillance.  In general, you might want to consider installing the camera in areas such as the front door, back door, patio or hallway.  If you have a backyard or a pool and want to monitor your children’s activities in those areas, you might want to consider placing a security camera there.

Placement is also important.  Consider the height, direction and angle of the camera.  This is a particular concern if you’ll be using a stationary unit.  If the camera automatically pans or tilts, consider only the height and direction.  Decide whether or not the area you wish to monitor is sufficiently covered.

Power Source Info
If you’ll be using a home security camera that will rely mainly on an electrical power source, you will have to install it near a power outlet.  If that is impossible, you might have to consider using an extension, provided of course that it’s safe.

Caution, Caution, Caution
If your home security camera comes with a warranty, be careful about damaging the product.  Breaking open any seal or misplacing certain components during do-it-yourself installation could void the warranty, which means you will have to pay for replacements or repairs.