Outdoor security cameras provide essential protection, with options like wired vs. wireless, remote access, and motion detection to meet diverse security needs.
Outdoor cameras are a staple in security systems, and for good reason: these cameras serve as the first line of defense when it comes to protecting your business, property, and people.
At first glance, outdoor security cameras seem straightforward: they’re simply security cameras placed outside. Look a little closer, however, and you’ll find there’s a world of choices when it comes to this first line of defense: wired vs. wireless, remote access vs. CCTV, dome cameras vs. bullet cameras, and so much more.
To help you figure out exactly what you’re looking for in an outdoor security camera, we’ve compiled a list of key features to consider.
Wired-in security cameras inherently come with a sense of permanency. Once they’re in place, they’re there to stay, for better or for worse. Using wires to connect to the power grid, these cameras provide reliability and typically offer good quality. On the downside, however, wired cameras require extensive infrastructure, making installation and any later necessary adjustments a costly and time-consuming undertaking. And the connection to the power grid, while providing stability, also makes these cameras vulnerable to any power outages that may occur.
Wireless security cameras offer an unparalleled level of flexibility. Typically powered by solar panels or batteries, wireless security cameras require little-to-no existing infrastructure in order to operate. Mobile security units, such as the solar-powered LVT Unit, even have their own camera mounts, allowing you to place your camera anywhere the sun shines within minutes.
Reliance on solar power, while convenient and reliable, can come with some stormy weather (pun intended). That’s why some systems also use a backup battery or generator to keep the cameras rolling no matter the circumstances.
It wasn’t long ago that CCTV cameras that used analog signals were the standard for security. While there is something to be said for this traditional closed-circuit feed (as it does remove the threat of cyberattacks), a remote access connection opens a world of possibilities.
Remote video monitoring allows you to check in on your property at any time, from any place that has an internet or cellular connection. Paired with advanced detection capabilities, remote monitoring allows you to verify or dismiss alerts as they happen. These real-time reactions allow a better response time across the board, helping to curtail incidents before they escalate.
Don’t have time to continually check in on your camera’s alerts? Consider outsourcing to a professional video monitoring service. These professional services can monitor your feeds and alerts for you, filtering out any false alarms and following your designated protocol for any incidents that may occur.
Depending on your setup, remote access capabilities can also extend to camera adjustments and to light and loudspeaker activation on mobile security units.
Platform Connectivity
When talking about remote access, we’d be remiss not to cover the software that goes hand-in-hand with the remote capabilities. Video management software (VMS) allows you to manage those remote video feeds and—with the right software—can do much, much more.
LiveView Technologies’ VMS, the LVT Platform, is a cloud-based surveillance command center and a great example of what a capable VMS can do. This video monitoring app can handle anywhere from one LVT Unit to hundreds of them, allowing you to seamlessly jump from one unit to the next.
Using the LVT Platform, you can do any of the following:
While remote video monitoring allows you to watch your screens whenever and wherever, it wouldn’t be particularly productive to stay glued to your security feeds day and night. This is where motion detection capabilities come into play: advanced detection allows you to get back to doing what you do best while alerting you when something abnormal has occurred in your camera feeds.
Today’s motion detection capabilities range from simple motion detection to real-time AI-powered analysis. When deciding which motion detection capabilities are right for your outdoor camera system, be sure to watch out for a system that can distinguish swaying tree branches from intruding people and wandering animals from moving vehicles. Also consider the ability to set alert perimeters based on specific areas and times.
As anyone who has used video storage knows, video footage takes up a lot of space. The higher quality the image, the more space the footage takes. This footage can be stored locally or on the cloud.
Local storage is embedded directly in the camera or wired to storage devices elsewhere on the property. While local storage protects the footage from cyberattacks, it is vulnerable to direct tampering. Without a remote connection, local storage can only be accessed when the user is in direct contact with the storage device, drastically limiting accessibility.
When security cameras send footage directly to the cloud, the storage capacity is virtually limitless (typically with a monthly fee). Cloud storage can be accessed anywhere with an internet connection and simplifies the process of sending captured incidents to law enforcement personnel or investigating teams.
As the majority of outdoor security camera footage tends to be uneventful, you might also consider a hybrid approach that combines local and cloud storage. This hybrid approach allows for the inexpensive ease of short-term storage locally while keeping footage related to specific incidents in the cloud for longer periods of time as needed.
Security cameras tend to fall into two main categories: fixed cameras and PTZ cameras.
As their name implies, fixed cameras are mounted in a fixed position. Fixed cameras might have a narrow field of view with a stronger depth perception (such as a bullet camera) or have a much wider field of view (like a dome camera). Fixed cameras are ideal for monitoring specific points such as entrances or ATMs.
PTZ stands for pan, tilt, zoom. PTZ cameras can be remotely adjusted to follow suspects, improve angles, and zoom in on important details.
Since the main function of an outdoor security camera is to capture video evidence, it’s important to go with cameras that offer high resolution. High resolution images give you a clear picture of situations as they unfold and usable evidence in the case of a crime.
Look for cameras with resolutions of 1080p or higher to capture clear, detailed images.
Much like our eyes, security cameras use light to transmit images. During the day and in well-lit areas, this provides a clear image. But security concerns don’t go to bed with the sun, making night vision capabilities extremely important for outdoor security cameras.
Night vision can consist of infrared (IR), which uses an invisible-to-the-naked-eye beam of light to capture and convert images, or low light amplification tech, which can take any available light and intensify it. (Low light amplification does not work in complete darkness.)
Another night “vision” option doesn’t rely on light at all: thermal cameras measure and capture heat, enabling them to “see” in complete darkness and create images based on the varying heat signatures. Thermal technology can even see through camouflage, though its image quality isn’t as detailed as other options.
It’s natural to lean toward the tendency of hiding security cameras. A big part of the security camera’s job is to record evidence, which is easier to do if the wrongdoer isn’t aware the camera is there. After all, you can’t purposely avoid a camera if you don’t know its location.
Less considered, however, is the fact that another big part of the security camera’s job is to deter crime from happening in the first place. The Loss Prevention Research Council (LPRC) explains that the camera’s ability to do this is based on the See-Get-Fear model: the would-be wrongdoer has to see the camera, get that it’s there to catch crimes, and fear the consequences of being caught.
LVT Units decked out in law enforcement coloring are a perfect example of this model in action. With their flashing lights and large sizes, these units are almost impossible to miss. Their towering cameras make it obvious exactly what they’re there for. This sends a clear warning to wrongdoers to take their mischief elsewhere, while also reassuring customers and employees that this business takes security seriously.
While all wireless security cameras offer flexibility on placement, not all outdoor spaces have optimal spaces for cameras to be placed. This is why mobile security units offer an additional level of convenience and flexibility. Equipped with their own power source and towering camera mounts, mobile security units can be deployed within minutes and can be readjusted as needed.
Mobile security units are particularly ideal for places without existing infrastructure (like construction sites), places with flat surfaces and not many natural locations for camera mounts (like parking lots), and places that require constant flexibility (such as auto dealerships and shipping yards).
Since outdoor security cameras don’t have the natural weather shielding afforded to indoor cameras, it’s important to make sure your unit can withstand all kinds of weather. (Depending on where you live, your weather standards may have to be really high. Take this LVT Unit’s footage from Hurricane Ida as an example of some fantastic weather resistance.)
Weather conditions to consider include:
Outdoor cameras should be specifically designed to withstand these extreme or straining weather conditions. Invest in weatherproof cameras to keep your camera protected no matter the forecast.
Looking for an outdoor security camera that checks all the boxes? Contact LVT for a mobile security unit demonstration today.
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