STACK #229 November 2023

SMART HOME

TECH FEATURE

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Smart security cameras have become essential devices to protect your home. Wherever you are, you can keep an eye on your place in real time using a smartphone app, check up on pets, children, or the baby, and talk to visitors and delivery drivers via two-way audio, day and night. Words Bec Summer THE CAMERA CATCHES IT ALL

A cost-effective, off-the-shelf solution for monitoring your home, there are smart security cameras to suit all budgets and security requirements. They not only provide valuable peace of mind but also can potentially lower your insurance premium. Security cams come in wired and wireless models for both indoor and outdoor use. Wireless models are popular thanks to ease of installation and positioning. Plus, wireless cameras use rechargeable batteries, so you’re still protected in the event of a power outage. Indoor cameras are best positioned in hallways and high traffic areas (although not in

the bathroom, of course), while external ones can guard front and rear entrances. Good quality outdoor cams are weatherproof and can include night vision and spotlights triggered by motion, while premium models feature object recognition (such as pets and cars) and AI-powered facial recognition tech to remember household members and frequent visitors. Security cams with sensitive motion detection will instantly send an alert to your phone (which can be filtered to avoid a ping whenever your pets are on the move), and live feed video can also be viewed from anywhere

using the companion app. The mere presence of a camera is often enough to deter intruders, however some models can include an inbuilt siren as a further incentive for any undesirable types to scram. When choosing a home security camera system, look for a good field of view for maximum coverage (in-app pan and zoom functions are a plus), high-resolution video for capturing fine details such as facial features and number plates, and the option to add additional cameras where needed. Also, local and expandable storage is a plus to avoid monthly subscription fees.

From simple to elaborate, there are a variety of security camera solutions available. Here are some top choices for securing your smart home.

Arlo Essential Indoor 2K Camera (2nd Gen)

TP-Link Tapo 2K Outdoor Pan/ Tilt Security Wi-Fi

eufy Security E340 Floodlight Camera

Swann AllSecure650 4 Camera Wireless 2K 1TB Security System If you’re after one with lot, try this complete system from the security experts at Swann. The four wireless cameras provide vast coverage of your home and boast features such as motion activated spotlights and sirens, two-way audio, and powerful night vision up to 30m, plus up to 10m in colour. Everything you need to set it up is included, and the central Power Hub includes a huge 1TB hard drive for local storage, plus a battery-charging slot. There’s even a spare battery, so no downtime!

Crystal clear 2K video resolution and colour night vision are just the beginning with this Wi-Fi connected indoor cam. There’s an app-controlled privacy shield for when you’re at home, an

Taking all the advanced features of the SoloCam S340 – 3K vision, 8x zoom, dual cameras, no subs, and more – this little beauty ups the ante in very useful ways. Right

Camera Get top features including 2K vision, two-way talk, spotlight, sound alarms, IP66 weatherproofing, and 360° coverage. It also

integrated siren that can go off automatically or be triggered via app, motion detection alerts sent to your smartphone, noise-cancelling two-way audio, and simple DIY setup. Arlo Essentials Outdoor 2K Camera (2nd Gen) Start your smart security upgrade with this

there in its name there’s “floodlight”, and this one emits 2,000 lumens when activated, which is a great deterrent for those up to no good. Add IP65 weather resistance, secure Wi-Fi 6 connectivity and AI recognition, and you’ve got a security powerhouse.

boasts Starlight Colour Night Vision for clear nighttime capture, and Smart AI to distinguish between people, pets, and vehicles, notifying users as required. Save locally or to the Cloud and enjoy multiple installation options. eufy SoloCam S340 If set-and-forget is your go, then

Black hole sub?

wireless wonder that captures a sharp 2K image and colour night vision, and features a 12x zoom function for zeroing in on faces and number plates. It also detects motion – and alerts you about it via app – as

this camera is for you! As it’s solar powered, you just install it and leave it to do what it does, forever! Boasting super sharp 3K (1620p) resolution, it offers enhanced clarity at 15

While most cameras will allow you to live stream from the device, often footage recorded to the cloud is locked behind a monthly subscription fee. These aren’t exorbitant costs, but if you don’t want to sign up for a locked-in fee, look for a brand with internal storage in a hub.

well as offering two-way comms with noise cancelling for added clarity. Plus, it features a spotlight and siren as added deterrents.

metres, 8x zoom dual-camera functionality, and surveillance coverage is a full 360°. It also has local storage via MicroSD card, so there are no subscription charges.

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