Smart Cameras vs. Traditional CCTV: What’s the Difference?

It wasn’t so long ago that wealthy estate holders (or anyone with heightened concerns about home security) would install massive swiveling cameras to keep an eye on entrances and other key area of a property. Obviously, CCTV has been around for a long time. Businesses and public places have been using it for decades to enhance security and solve crimes after the fact.

Today, the average smartphone is many times more powerful than those old CCTV setups. Many of the businesses and public places who previously had large cameras now make use of compact “bubble” cameras that provide better functionality and are barely noticeable.

Now we have smart cameras; and they’re more accessible than ever. The average homeowner can have one installed for a modest investment, and the functionality is far greater than traditional CCTV.

Specifically, how do smart intercoms improve on the functionality of CCTV? What benefits can homeowners expect?

First of all, you won’t have to sort through hours of footage to find what you’re looking for. With traditional CCTV, there’s no way to automatically search footage that’s been recorded (aside from fast forward and rewind). Smart cameras eliminate this problem — and the integration of motion-detection is the key. Motion detectors allow the smart camera to record only when something is moving. If nothing in particular is going on, nothing will be recorded. Of course, this functionality is optional — but it’s a useful option that solves a major problem with traditional CCTV.

Secondly, smart cameras offer more convenient ways to package and manage your recorded footage. They can be programmed to send it directly to a computer drive of your choice, or even a DVR set. The system can even send out SMS alerts when motion has been detected and footage has been generated.

Thirdly, smart cameras allow homeowners to look at footage — both live and recorded — simply by using an app on their favorite device, whether it’s a smartphone or a laptop computer. This signals an entirely new level of home monitoring and security.

Finally, smart cameras can (of course) be integrated with smart home security and lighting systems. The cameras can be programmed to trigger and alarm or turn on spotlights when motion is detected in certain areas of the home or exterior, at certain times of day or night. This allows a more customizable and efficient home security setup.

CCTV, while it does offer some of the same basic benefits, is comparatively expensive and cumbersome to set up. Smart cameras represent a leap forward in terms of accessibility and functionality alike.

How to install a smart camera

If you’re simply looking for a basic smart camera, or what to “test it out” before you decide on a more professional solution, there are many DIY kits that give you basic functionality. There are even more robust camera systems that you can buy and install yourself — but it’s worth mentioning that installation is half the battle when it comes to getting a smart camera up and running. Homeowners who enlist a home automation pro to help them install their smart camera system are statistically more likely to be satisfied with their system over the long term.