Top 20 Security Camera & CCTV Systems in Hobart, Tasmania (2024)

Choose Your Camera Type

The type of camera you'll need depends on where you want to place it. If you want one inside your home, there are many home security camera options. If you want one outside your home, you'll need to decide whether you want a wireless security camera or a video doorbell.

For monitoring a front or back door, consider using a video doorbell because it can be powered through your doorbell wiring. If you want to monitor another area of your property, you're better off with a wireless security camera. Keep in mind that while all video doorbells are designed to survive the elements, not all wireless security cameras are weatherproof. So be sure to check the specs of a camera you're considering if you want to put it outside.

Pick Your Power Source

Battery-powered wireless security cameras and video doorbells offer the most flexibility in terms of placement in and around your home. However, depending on the camera and how heavily it's used, you'll need to recharge it anywhere from weekly to once every few months to once or twice a year. Hardwired cameras and doorbells neatly sidestep the recharging problem but may limit your placement options unless you're willing to run an extension cord or hire an electrician.

Remember that the power source you use could limit the number of models you can choose from. This is especially true of video doorbells because there aren't many battery-powered models on the market.

Compare Cloud Storage Plans

Before you pick the camera or doorbell you want, be sure to find out how much free cloud storage it comes with and how much additional storage costs. Most manufacturers opt for cloud storage—where the footage is remotely stored on a server—instead of memory cards because the video files are large. Without cloud storage, if you miss an alert for a potential intruder, you'll have no idea whether someone tried to break in. Unfortunately, many of these cameras won't let you download clips to send to authorities unless you pay up.

Consider Your Privacy

While these cameras provide peace of mind, it's worth remembering that they provide a view into your home and connect to the Internet. If you can watch your home from your phone, it may be possible for someone else to take a peek, too. The manufacturer also may have access to the video.

No. Despite the name "Internet Protocol," IP security cameras do not require an external connection to the Internet. All that's required is a connection to your local area network.

In its most basic form, this LAN could look like your IP camera plugged directly into the Ethernet port on your PC. In this instance, you'd only have two devices connected in a LAN: your PC and your IP security camera. You would be able to access your IP security camera from your PC as long as it remains connected to your camera. (This setup isn't ideal for most IP security camera setups, but it can be a handy way to bench test your equipment.)

This could also look like your IP camera connected to an Ethernet switch connected to a couple of different computers. These computers do not need the Internet to access your security camera since they are all located on the same local area network.

This could also look like your security cameras plugged directly into the PoE switch on the back of an NVR. If your NVR is connected to a monitor and power, it doesn't need to be connected to the Internet to access the recorder's camera feeds. The recorder doesn't even need to be connected to a LAN outside of itself. This is because the PoE switch in the back of most NVRs acts as its integrated network.

Think of this as its little gated community inside of a neighbourhood. That means your NVR has full access to anything plugged directly into its PoE switch. Just keep in mind that if your NVR is not connected to your local area network, you won't be able to access your NVR or your IP camera from your PC or your mobile device. The only way you'll be able to access your surveillance feeds is from the NVR itself.

In short, no. It isn't weird to have security cameras in your house. However, there are a lot of things to consider when placing security cameras around your home. The main concern you're going to need to think about is privacy. That means your privacy, your family's privacy, and the privacy of guests in your home. Your initial thought might be, "It's my house. I can put cameras wherever."

While this is true, there are still things you need to think about to be considerate. A key thing to remember when deciding where to put cameras and what their function will be is that you want safety, but not at the expense of privacy. There are also varying privacy laws around recording audio and video, even when it comes to cameras in your own home. Make sure you're aware of the laws in your area before you begin setting up your cameras.

Front door

This is the most obvious route for criminals to access your home, and the biggest proportion of break-ins occur via this entrance. To prevent any items from being launched at the delicate CCTV cameras, consider mounting the equipment at the second-floor level or fitting a wire cage around it.

Back and side doors.

Any entrance into your property is viewed as a potential channel for a criminal to access your private space. Have some cameras trained on all doors, as these are your most vulnerable spots. Take the same protective precautions as described in the previous point to prevent any tampering.

Patio and French doors are defenceless against break-ins, supporting their stability with thick glass and a well-placed CCTV camera.

Off-street windows

Windows that are not facing onto a busy street or road may be attractive to crooks as there are no prying eyes from the public. In addition to cameras, as extra safety enforcement, never neglect your windows and keep them closed and locked whenever you go out.

Garage

Some people may not monitor their garage, but this is often a common access route for burglars. Therefore, whether your garage contains valuable equipment or not, it's important to keep it safeguarded.

A camera facing the driveway or garage area is great for picking up signs of suspicious activity. Alternatively, you may wish to place the camera inside the garage, pointing it at an angle where the light from the opening door can light up the dark interior.

Backyard

Whether it's a shed bursting with expensive gardening machinery, or a garden full of play equipment for the kids, often our gardens house many expensive items that make them inviting to crooks. To keep this area safe and secure, have a few smartly placed cameras dotted around, along with some security lights.

All these elements can act as great deterrents to lawbreakers, making them think twice about accessing your garden.

Indoors

It is a common misconception that CCTV cameras are exclusively suited to the outdoors. Installing a camera inside your house, lens trained on the doors or windows can record a criminal entering your home, offering a full view of their face for easier identification.

The only disadvantage with the indoor placement of cameras is that they are not as visually deterring, and a criminal has first to enter your home to notice them.

For more advice on the best locations for home security cameras, simply ask a security specialist who will be able to offer some insight.