This is a classic ‘chicken and egg; new egg’ tale!
Wait a minute! Let me explain.
Burglar alarms date back to 1853 when Reverend Augustus Russell Pope patented the first electro-magnetic burglar alarm. And Edwin Holmes made it in his factory in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1857.
CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) is a relatively new technology that was first used in 1942 to observe the launch of V-2 rockets in Germany. Initially, they were created to live monitor and did not allow footage recordings.
Both technologies have evolved significantly since then.
On the other hand, video doorbells are a new entrant that debuted in 2013 with the famous Ring video doorbell by entrepreneur Jamie Siminoff.
So, back to the original question. It all depends on where, why, and how you intend to use these systems.
To simplify,
- An alarm deters burglars and prevents burglaries.
- CCTV collects evidence and is more valuable in verifying and providing proof to the police.
- With a video doorbell, you can see who is ringing your doorbell. You can communicate with them in real-time thanks to the video feature.
To summarise, it relies entirely on your security requirements.
Where should I use these security systems?
I. Business Premises
CCTV systems
A fully functional CCTV system complements retail or commercial properties by effectively stopping distraction burglars and shoplifters in real-time. It enables you to monitor the property remotely as well as onsite using the cameras.
Installing cameras and a CCTV monitor in a strategic location always deters opportunist thieves. However, it may not be highly beneficial if the premises are closed at night. A burglar with his or her face hidden can break in quickly and escape unnoticed. Such cases have remained unsolved.
A remote and live monitored CCTV can still be helpful; however, the high cost of third party video monitoring often prevents most small businesses and residential custodians from implementing it.
Burglar Alarms
On the other hand, an intruder alarm is not as effective as a CCTV system during the day but can be very effective at night. There is one exception for day use, though.
When an alarm system enables chime on doors, the control panel can notify you every time someone walks through the door.
FHA intruder alarms can be set-up to notify users or monitoring stations via various communication channels whenever the alarm is triggered.
A smart alarm will send you an alert along with images and videos on your app to verify in real-time.
Video Doorbell
On a commercial property, a video doorbell has limited utility. Given the traffic volume, professional-grade access control would be a better solution for a commercial entry system.
On such systems, you can still receive video and remote notifications.
II. Residential Premises
Burglar Alarms
For starters, we would recommend installing a wireless burglar alarm. It is still the single most beneficial security solution, providing greater protection against intruders on its own.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to selecting the best burglar alarm for your needs.
As a starting point, most insurance providers will still recommend an NSI or SSAIB certified alarm installed and maintained annually.
A high-quality wireless alarm system that is professionally installed and maintained is your first line of defence against intruders targeting your home.
When is it appropriate to use an alarm system?
- Always arm your alarm system before leaving the house.
- When you go to bed at night, you can partially arm your system to activate floor protection.
Some of our systems even allow you to design a complete perimeter defence that protects doors, windows, and other entry points. It will enable you to move freely throughout the house, even during the day, while providing complete security.
You can also customise your alarm system by selecting from a wide range of communication options, smart alerts, camera sensors, external protection, and home automation options.
Arrange a free call-back with one of our security experts to determine the best solution for your home.
CCTV
There is a wide range of camera solutions for internal and external use available for residential homes.
Some important considerations to bear in mind.
- Where will the camera be placed?
- What level of recording and access are you looking for?
- Do you want the camera to pan and tilt?
Choose a plug-and-play camera with a smart app for indoors and, if possible, two-way audio with pan and tilt capabilities.
We would recommend a professionally installed and fully customised CCTV solution for the outdoors, such as FHA ones.
Remember that CCTV that does not provide local recording and relies on your broadband connection is not as reliable as CCTV with local hard-drive recording.
A professionally installed CCTV system is a one-time cost solution that will rarely require additional maintenance and will provide complete protection.
When possible, choose products that are secure by design and secure by default. To avoid scary stories like this one about Ring’s home security camera being hacked, always change the default login details on all remote access for your CCTV system.
Video Doorbell
A smart doorbell is a relatively new product on the market that is a useful smart device. The following are some of the key features of a smart doorbell.
- Motion-triggered notification
- Push notification through a smartphone app
- Optional built-in cameras can send live video notifications and support 2-way video communications.
There are numerous smart doorbell devices on the market, some of which are from unknown brands and costs from as little as £20. But, among all of them, the Ring doorbell stands out as one of the best. If you want to watch historical videos, these devices have a variety of subscription options.
Tip: All smart doorbells make use of your home broadband as well as your smartphone. You should only connect trusted smart devices to your broadband, and you should only install secure apps on your phone. The reason for this is that there are security risks associated with hacking. In fact, there have been reports of security breaches in which ring products were hacked.
If you need help installing your wireless ring doorbell, please call us, and we will gladly assist you.
Our Comprehensive All-in-one Home Security Solution
Most of our customers frequently ask us about an integrated solution that can manage alarms, cameras, and doorbells.
Our new home automation kit, “Visonic Qolsys home automation security system,” combines Visonic’s most advanced wireless alarm technology PowerG with alarm.com’s most efficient home automation platform in a stylish iPad-like control panel by Qolsys.
You can integrate a wireless doorbell, smart door lock, various internal and external cameras, and a variety of existing and new smart home automation devices.
Check out the exclusive product with an introductory pricing offer here.
Summary
Home Security is critical, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution for each unique requirement. Each security system has its significance, and no other product can be a better substitute. All security solutions should be customised, installed, and maintained in accordance with your needs. When possible, it is always best to seek professional advice.
If you have any security concerns and require professional assistance, please contact us on 0800 193 8727 or 020 3137 8727. We’d be happy to talk about your security requirements. All of our specialists have been trained to design and build customised home security systems to meet your specific needs.
We are a multi-award-winning professional security installation company that is SSAIB approved and FCA regulated with excellent 5-star ratings.
Safeguarding your employees is as important as protecting your asset. CCTV encourages good behavior and helps avoid any complication due to employee violence or outside intruders.