How to properly place your surveillance camera?

You have decided to purchase one or more surveillance cameras. It is an excellent idea. But probably before you bought some, you thought about where they will be placed. This is because buying a surveillance camera can take a long time. Between technical performance, type of connection, form, type of recording, etc. This makes it a choice! And therefore a lot of time for reflection.

But something as long as the duration of the choice can also be the decision about the perfect location of the surveillance camera. Not all are created equal, so depending on the make, model, features and connectivity, placing your surveillance camera properly requires time for optimal performance.

Why is it so important to position your surveillance camera correctly?

Regardless of the motivation for your purchase. Installing one (or more) surveillance camera (s) is a great investment in security for your home and the people who live in it. With such a system, you know at all times what is happening in your home. However, when installing a video surveillance system, many mistakes or blunders can be made. But most of the time, these are only due to ignorance of these systems. In order to ensure the best views and the best quality of the video feed, some mistakes should be avoided when installing surveillance cameras.

How to position your surveillance camera correctly 

It will only be in a second in this article that we will see concretely the most relevant places where to place surveillance cameras. The errors which will be presented here are not very serious in themselves. They are the consequences of inattention, ignorance of the product, the discovery of the world of video surveillance, and connected network systems.

Install a surveillance camera on an unsuitable surface

CCTV cameras are light enough for the most basic. But this is not the case with PTZ cameras. In fact, it doesn’t matter what brand or design your surveillance camera has. But just because the product is small or light doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be careful about how you’re going to secure your home. What if you find the perfect location for a camera, climb up a ladder, and then realize that there is no suitable surface? Even if the outdoor cameras have a satisfactory Protection Index (IP), it is still preferable to install them in a sheltered location. For example, you can place an outdoor camera under the overflow of a roof or under a tile.

When placing the surveillance camera, make sure that the surface is clean, sturdy, with the required hardware that can access it (coaxial or Ethernet cables), etc. Finally, if you place your camera directly against a wall with plaster, consider removing the plaster with a chisel and hammer. The surface of the camera will thus be flat.

Install the camera and find that the image is upside down

Nothing is more frustrating than having your security camera installed, the silicone around it, the ladder tucked away and flipping over your computer to see that one of your cameras is showing an upside-down image. So what to do? Come back go put the camera where it is? Not necessarily! There are several ways around this problem.

First, the camera software can allow you to flip the image horizontally, vertically, mirror, etc. However, to prevent this from happening to multiple cameras, you can anticipate this problem by testing the camera before you even install it. You can more easily place a small dot or draw a line with a pencil on the upper side. This way, when installing the camera, you won’t have to think about how you should place the surveillance camera.

Installing the camera in the wrong location

The best location for a surveillance camera also means better protection for the surveillance camera. And therefore an extended lifespan. Of course, finding the best locations for your cameras takes time. It also requires a lot of thought. As you walk around your property, you can spot the best angles with great vantage points. However, beyond the point of view and identifying areas free of obstructions (such as trees, walls, etc.), how does sunlight change throughout the day? Is it going to rain on my camera? Aren’t tree branches likely to fall on it?

The best locations for security cameras are just under the roof at a downward angle. This protects the camera from the elements and direct sunlight. If you tilt the camera so that no visible sky is visible, you will avoid too much contrast. But nowadays, with HDR or WDR functions, the problem of backlighting of surveillance cameras is no longer really relevant.

Still confused? You better contact a professional security camera installation service.