STACK #217 November 2022

LIFE TECH FEATURE

visit stack.com.au

Bring CCTV surveillance home for a fraction of the cost with a security camera system or video doorbell, and lock and unlock your premises remotely. Now that’s smart! Words Adam Colby T oday’s home security systems are not only smart, they’re also easy to install and integrate into a home ecosystem for easy control and management in an app. basic DIY skills are needed for brackets and locks. SMARTEN UP YOUR HOME SECURITY

BionicMind The eufycam 3C takes recognition technology to a mind-blowing – and Bionic – new level. This super-smart system’s Homebase 3 hub has an inbuilt AI that can differentiate between family members and strangers, thus minimising irrelevant alerts. Following each facial and body shape scan, self-learning algorithms improve recognition accuracy up to 99.9 per cent over time. BionicMind can also auto sort videos according to facial recognition, and locally store up to 50 faces. The future is now!

Wired camera systems mean lots of cables and may require professional installation, whereas wireless battery-powered systems are a simpler option and portable for when it’s time to vacate. Good Wi-Fi coverage throughout the home is essential to get the best results from your security devices, and always ensure they’re compatible with your smart home ecosystem. It’s also important to engage the necessary security protocols to prevent any unauthorised access, and never access your smart home network through open or public Wi-Fi.

A cost-effective, off the shelf solution, there’s a device to suit all budgets and security requirements, providing peace of mind and potentially lowering home insurance premiums. Before we explore the key smart devices that effectively protect your home, there are several points to consider prior to shopping. What do I need? That depends on the type of property you want to protect. If you live in an apartment block, internal cameras, a video doorbell and motion sensors will effectively guard your place. For houses and standalone property, add external cameras to cover all potential entry points. Begin with a single camera or starter kit and expand from there. And if you’re prone to misplacing your keys, or need to admit the cleaner when you’re out, smart locks are a great solution. Is it easy to set up? Today’s consumer tech is designed to be user-friendly for both control and installation. Everything is managed in an app, so you can access video feeds and arm/disarm devices remotely. You won’t need a tradie, but some

a distance, and is also recommended for monitoring large areas. Is there a monthly fee? A monthly subscription fee is generally required for continuous recording, cloud storage, and access to more advanced camera features like object recognition. But if you want to avoid monthly fees, there are cameras available that offer local storage via internal memory that can be expanded with a microSD card.

What’s the best image resolution for a security camera? It all depends upon your desired level of surveillance. Full HD is good for general observation, while 2K offers clearer detail and better clarity when zooming in. But if you need the footage to be crystal clear in order to identify a licence plate number or the face of an intruder, a camera with 4K resolution will capture fine detail at

48 NOVEMBER 2022

jbhifi.com.au