6 mistakes to avoid when installing security cameras

6 mistakes to avoid when installing security cameras

Protecting a home from theft involves measures like putting up fences, using secure locks, and a neighborhood watch system. However, more than 1 million burglaries are reported in the country each year. This is where installing a security camera can come in handy. A good surveillance system can assist the police in investigating all kinds of theft and robbery. However, people can miss crucial steps or make mistakes while installing security cameras. 

Picking the wrong spot
People may place cameras in hidden spaces to prevent others from noticing them. However, this affects the camera’s line of sight. Ensure the camera is mounted strategically for the best results when capturing events.

Outdated software
If you buy a good home security camera with poor or outdated software, the system may not be able to record or capture anybody when required. So, you should ensure that hardware and software are reliable while buying the product.

Incorrect placement
You may mount the security cameras too low, which allows burglars to spray paint or damage the camera. Ensure you place the camera at an appropriate height to prevent such complications.

Not testing the camera
If you start using a security camera without testing it first and the device turns out to be defective or damaged, it may not provide adequate surveillance. It can also fail to report unusual activity. So always conduct a trial run to see if the device picks up such activities before allowing it to run without supervision.

No backup power
A camera will function as long as there is a power source. If there is no backup power source, the device will shut off when the main power is cut. A backup generator could work wonders in situations like this.

Buying inferior technology
Certain cheaper cameras can offer poor image and video quality. So even if it captures a burglary, the details might be too blurry to identify the invader. So, you should invest in good-quality cameras for reliable home security. It is also important to consider wireless security cameras as they are easier to install. 

Top options
Lorex 4K Spotlight Indoor/Outdoor Wi-Fi Security Camera: The Lorex wireless security camera comes with smart security lighting, letting users customize the camera’s LED band. Other key features are its Smart Motion Detection Plus system and the latest Wi-Fi 6 technology. This wireless surveillance system is priced at about $230.

Wyze Cam v3: If you need a cost-effective yet reliable camera, then the Wyze Cam v3 is worth checking out. For about $30, the camera features color night vision, clear HD images, and a two-way talk function. The product also has an IP65 weatherproof rating, making it ideal for indoor and outdoor use.

Arlo Pro 4: At an affordable price of about $160, the Arlo Pro 4 comes with 2K HRD video recording capabilities. An integrated spotlight, wireless Wi-Fi connectivity, and Arlo Secure trial are other features you can find. Additionally, the camera has a rechargeable battery, so you don’t have to worry about power cuts.

Previous Read

Top 20 Cyber Monday tech sales to look out for

Cyber Monday this year falls on November 28. It is one of the largest online shopping hauls that happen in the year, with a discount on almost all gadgets. There have been huge deals on all products this year, especially electronics. We have listed below some of the best appliance deals online for you. The Cyber Monday sale lasts for a short while, and so do these offers. So, grab yours before it's too late. HP 17-cn0273st 17.3" Laptop Grab this laptop at $409.99 with a discount of 31% (Original price $599.99), operating on an i3 processor and Windows 11. MSI Modern 14" Laptop This Cyber Monday, buy an MSI Modern 14" laptop for $359 with a discount of 44% (from $649.99). A sleek and standard design is combined with 11th gen processors to operate more effectively and professionally. Asus VivoBook S14 S435EA-SB51 14 This shopping season, retailers are expected to offer amazing deals on the Asus VivoBook S14. Grab the deals as soon as they are announced. The keyboard is backlit with visible keyboard options on the mouse pad. Lenovo 14w 14" FHD Notebook This shopping season, the Lenovo 14w" FHD Notebook is expected to be on sale at an amazing price. This laptop comes with a considerable amount of storage space (64 GB ROM) and battery life (6 hours runtime) that is enough to accommodate both personal and professional needs. Microsoft Surface Laptop This professional gaming laptop is now available at a steal at Staples. It has the most elegant outlook. The graphics card and processor (Intel Iris Xe Graphics) are integrated to suit the heavy gaming load. Samsung Galaxy A03s Buy this smartphone at a discounted price of $59.88 at Walmart. This is a prepaid smartphone so that users can choose from Straight Talk's unlimited plans from $45-$65. It holds good storage of 32GB and runs on moderate usage. iTech Smartwatch Like the iWatches, this smartwatch has a premium, sleek and elegant design, with all the same features (heart rate monitor, Bluetooth, and an in-built battery). Grab it at a steal price this shopping season. Apple iPhone 11 This Cyber Monday, grab the Apple iPhone 11 at $399 from $499 with a $100 off. Since this is a cricket prepaid smartphone, the customer is offered an in-store activation discount of about $29. Motorola Moto G Grab this smartphone at just $49 this shopping season. This smartphone, too, is a prepaid one. The phone is a 2021 model and is up to date with features (storage- 32GB, 4G supported). Verizon TCL Signa Verizon TCL Signa is expected to be on sale this Cyber Monday. Grab this phone at steal prices this shopping season. The phone has a face unlock feature to provide enhanced security. HP - 11" Tablet This tablet is expected to be available at a $300 discount this shopping season. The price is now $199.99 per tablet from $499.99. The tablet has inbuilt windows 11 to support both heavy and moderate usage. Lenovo - Chromebook Duet 5 Buy the Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 at $379 with a 24% discount (initially $499). This tablet comes with a keyboard, similar to a laptop but is slightly smaller (13-inch display) and has lesser specifications. Samsung - Galaxy Tab A8 The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 is now available at $179 (21% off) and has WiFi connectivity and two RAM options (3 GB and 4GB). Apple - iPad mini This iPad is sold for $100 off ($399.99) this shopping season! Best Buy offers a 20% extra discount if the tablet is bought with accessories*. LINSAY - 10.1" - Tablet Grab the LINSAY 10.1 tablet at just $109.99 this Cyber Monday. With a small display, the tablet is private and has less usage. It boasts 2GB RAM and 32GB storage space, supporting Android 11 OS (Operating System). Dell Optiplex 990 Desktop Computer Grab the Dell Optiplex 990 Desktop Computer(renewed and verified by Amazon) with an 11% discount ($163). The package comes with a mouse, monitor, and keyboard. Featuring one of the best CPUs, this PC will provide you with blazing-fast speeds, solid reliability, and smooth operation. Gaming PC Desktop Computer by Alarco This gaming computer is available on Amazon with a 9% discount ($499). This PC features an 8GB Ram,1TB Hard Drive, Windows 10 Pro, Video Card Nvidia GTX 650 1GB, and 3 RGB Fans with Remotes, a high-end gaming experience. The PC also arrives with a remote to control the RGB lights. Skytech Archangel Gaming Computer PC This Cyber Monday sale will offer this PC at a heavy discount, with a free gaming keyboard and mouse. 8th Generation Intel 4 Cores 8 Thread i5-8279U Processor With its twin monitors and 4K ultra-high-definition graphics, this computer offers twice as much productivity. It is expected to be on sale this Cyber Monday. Grab the amazing deals before they run out. CUK Continuum Micro Gaming PC CUK Continuum Micro Gaming PC will be offered at $599 with a 14% discount. The mini gaming pc comes with a free backlit keyboard with RGB remote control.

Next Read

20 Black Friday Tech Deals to Expect in 2023

Today, people look for opportunities to get new gadgets. Inevitably, smartphones, smartwatches, home appliances, TV sets, gaming consoles, and smart home devices are some of the top-selling products throughout the year. Now, imagine making it even more affordable to buy electronics; this is what happens every year on Black Friday when one can expect great offers on tech products. So, here are 20 popular product categories likely to carry discounts on Black Friday 2023:  Bluetooth speakers Portable Bluetooth speakers offer an incredible listening experience and convenience for those who love listening to music wherever they are. These compact devices can make every road trip or pool party memorable. Previously, during shopping season sales, retailers offered deals of up to $150 off on Bluetooth speakers. So, this Black Friday, too, one can keep an eye out for such discounts. Gaming consoles High-end gaming consoles are generally expensive, which is why gamers wait eagerly for November every year to get them at extremely low prices. Top gaming consoles are expected to carry discounts of about $100 if previous Black Friday sales are any indication. Smartwatches Smartwatches combine the features of smartphones, health trackers, and wristwatches. This makes them compelling gadgets to consider buying during the festive seasons. Smartwatches come with an incredible array of features, including swim-proof bodies, real-time compasses, calling and messaging capabilities, sleep tracking, heart rate monitoring, and GPS. As per previous Black Friday trends, buyers are likely to get discounts of up to $80 on smartwatches. Laptops Shoppers can get powerful, premium laptops this Black Friday at discounted prices. The discounts can go up to $500 as per last year’s deals. The popular laptops on sale usually offer great features, such as LED displays, a RAM of about 16 GB (or more), and powerful graphics cards. Tablets Tablets today typically come with top-notch features such as powerful processors for optimal performance, large RAM, ultra-thin designs, and excellent video streaming capabilities. Discounts on tablets have previously gone up to $150 or more, making it worthwhile to check out deals on tablets this year. Smartphones Many tend to upgrade from their current smartphone to a new one on Black Friday. New smartphones can often mean bigger, better processors for smoother performance, a newer version of the operating system, and exciting new features. Smartphones have earlier carried discounts of as much as $250, so one can keep an eye out for deals on phones this year as well. Smart speakers These are not just wireless audio players but also incredible personal assistants. This festive season, one can expect discounts of up to $30 on smart speakers. These feature-rich devices can do a bit of everything, play music, control other smart home devices, read the latest news, create personalized schedules, and answer the user's questions by finding information online. The devices can perform these tasks through voice commands. Projectors Full HD HDR projectors tend to be expensive; however, they have often carried massive discounts worth about $200 on Black Friday. So this year, too, they might be worth considering. Video doorbells Home security is often a key concern. Here, video doorbells offer a greater sense of control and vigilance against intruders, strengthening safety at home. These devices often carry a $15 discount during the holiday season. Virtual reality headsets VR headsets aid gamers by creating an immersive gaming experience. While VR equipment can be pretty expensive, last Black Friday, the discounts on these devices were around $120. Printers Like laptops and smartphones, printers also see huge discounts of up to $90 during Black Friday every year. At such reasonable prices, one can make the most of a printer to help with all photocopying and scanning needs at home or the workplace. Cameras Professional-grade cameras are designed to offer key features that make them easy to set up to capture beautiful and cinematic images. Camera prices tend to drop by about $100 during shopping events such as Black Friday. Robotic vacuum cleaners These appliances offer efficiency and hands-free convenience, helping users maintain a clean home or workspace. Based on previous shopping season sales, top brands may offer $180 on vacuum cleaners. Wi-Fi essentials Black Friday also acts as a good opportunity to get discounts on Wi-Fi routers and other broadband-related components. Deals worth $70 can be expected on all Wi-Fi essentials on Black Friday. Scanners Wireless scanners are known for their wide range of capabilities. One is likely to get discounts of up to 7% on such devices. Health tracking wearables These fitness tracking devices help users keep an eye on their calories, daily steps, and workout routines. They can expect discounts of about $50 this Black Friday on these trackers. Massage guns Massage guns can be perfect gifts for loved ones or a great relaxation device for one. Based on past trends, one can get popular massage guns at a $100 discount. 4K TVs With larger-than-life picture and sound quality, 4K TVs truly revolutionize the way one consumes visual entertainment. The prices for these devices are likely to drop by $100 this Black Friday. Desktop computers Desktop computers may not be as popular as laptops at the moment, but many still prefer them for the high power and efficiency they offer. Desktops have previously carried discounts of $120 or more, depending on the type and brand of computer. Earbuds These tiny wireless earphones are extremely portable and convenient devices, especially for audiophiles. Like last year, Earbuds are likely to fetch discounts worth $10–$50 this Black Friday.  

Our Blogs

4 tips that can help you pick the right investment advisor

4 tips that can help you pick the right investment advisor

An investment advisor can be a game-changer. A capable advisor can help solve most of your financial issues and give you the best investment advice so that you can turn market situations to your favor. But, finding the right investment advisor is not easy. Here are a few things you need to keep in mind while looking for the best investment advisor. Know what type of service you need First, you need to decide what kind of financial assistance you need. Do you need help picking investments? Or are you seeking advice on real estate, retirement, or insurance needs? Asking yourself these questions will help determine the type of investment advisor you are looking for. Nowadays, many people use a robo-advisor, which is as competent as a human investment advisor. A robo-advisor is great for investment management and other basic investments. But if you want substantial transformation in your money-situation, a human advisor is the viable option. Choose a fee-only advisor If you’ve decided to pick a human advisor, the next step is to choose the type of advisor: commission-based, fee-based, or fee-only. If you’re planning something big financially, you must pick a fee-only advisor. Such advisors work for and get paid by other clients like you, so they always act in their clients’ best interest.
Read More
Handy tips for retirement-focused investments

Handy tips for retirement-focused investments

With pension plans becoming more and more obsolete, retirement-focused investments have come to the fore in the past few years. Besides helping you fund your future, these valuable assets also provide incredible gains, and in some cases, constant income till the end of life. Since investing for retirement—and planning it—can prove to be challenging, we have put together a list of tips that may be helpful in the process. Assess your options Multiple investment vehicles are ideal for long-term gains and can return a sizable amount by the time you retire. Mutual funds, stocks, bonds, exchange-traded funds, cash investments, annuities, and dividend reinvestment plans (DRIPs) are also good sources of high returns, although they depend on investor characteristics and risk aptitude. Saving money in certain tax-advantaged accounts such as 401(k), individual retirement accounts (IRA), and brokerage accounts is also an option. Start early and young No one is ever too young to invest. It’s a healthy habit that can earn serious money in the long term, with even the smallest of investments capable of making a difference a few years down the line. Starting early gives your money time to grow and lets you accumulate more compound interest over a period of time.
Read More
4 popular credit cards for college students

4 popular credit cards for college students

A good credit score is essential as it can be a criterion for lucrative job prospects or renting an apartment. Moreover, a good credit score is an uncompromisable necessity while applying for a loan that has terms and conditions that favor you. To ensure that you have a good credit score, it is better to start building it young and early. One of the easiest ways to do so is by applying for a student credit card from prominent credit cards companies. Now, there are several credit cards companies that offer lucrative credit cards, making choosing the right one confusing. To help you narrow down your choices, here are some of the best credit cards companies that offer student credit cards. Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students: One of the biggest credit card companies in the country Bank of America offers a slew of benefits with its student credit card. With each dollar spent using this card, students can earn 1.5 points. This applies to purchases without any caps. The points can be redeemed as discounts on hotels, flights, rental cars, and vacation packages. There are no restrictions or blackout dates applicable for availing these discounts. With no foreign transaction fee or annual fee, the card allows one to earn nearly 25,000 points on spending about $1000 in the first 90 days.
Read More
What you must know about guaranteed business loans

What you must know about guaranteed business loans

If you’re looking for funding your small business with a loan, you’ll most likely come across the term “guaranteed business loans.” People often misunderstand this term as business loans that are guaranteed to be approved. But, this is not what guaranteed business loans means. To clarify the confusion, let’s understand what the term actually means, and discuss the most popular types of guaranteed business loans. What are guaranteed business loans? In simple terms, guaranteed business loans in the world of small business loans refer to loans that are secured or backed by a guarantee. The guarantee can be in the form of collateral, deposit, or an agreement. This essentially means that the lender is guaranteed to receive their money back even if the borrower fails to pay. When we talk about guaranteed business loans, we refer to loans with a personal guarantee or, more commonly, loans guaranteed by the small business administration (SBA). Let’s take a look at both these types. Personally guaranteed business loans As you understand from the term “personal,” when you make a personal guarantee on a business loan, you essentially agree to sell your assets to pay off the loan, if your business is unable to do so.
Read More
5 mistakes to avoid when investing in a high dividend ETF

5 mistakes to avoid when investing in a high dividend ETF

Exchange-traded funds (ETF) have been gaining popularity in the investment sector for some time now. Along with mutual funds, they have been one of the most preferred investment options among investors. With investors having pumped in billions of dollars in ETFs by now, these funds sure seem like a lucrative investment avenue. However, financial experts suggest treading this path carefully so as to avoid unforeseeable losses. Here are a few mistakes that you can avoid while investing in high dividend ETFs: Overlooking long-term investment Looking at long-term goals is the golden rule when it comes to any type of investment. However, seasoned investors invest in ETFs on a short-term basis through a type of trading called intraday trade. This type of trading allows the investors to buy and sell stocks and other investments on the same day. However, if not thought out carefully, investing in high dividend ETFs through intraday trading can result in lower returns and higher trading costs. Buying an ETF simply based on its name This is one of the most common mistakes people make when investing in high dividend ETFs. Investors may think that an ETF’s name provides an insight into its investment reach, i.e., whether the ETF has local or/and global investors.
Read More
How to qualify for a reverse mortgage

How to qualify for a reverse mortgage

A reverse mortgage provides the elderly access to equity in their homes and supplements their income. With its flexible repayment option, it gives homeowners more control over their money. However, the government has laid out strict rules and guidelines concerning reverse mortgage eligibility criteria. So, if you’re considering a reverse mortgage, read on to know the reverse mortgage eligibility criteria and the types of reverse mortgages. Reverse mortgage eligibility criteria The first criterion for a reverse mortgage is that the primary homeowner must be at least 62 years of age. If your spouse is under the age of 62, you might still be eligible if you meet other reverse mortgage eligibility criteria. If you’re not 62 or older than 62, then you won’t qualify for a reverse mortgage even if you satisfy the criteria mentioned below. You must be the primary resident of the home you’re seeking a reverse mortgage for. Note that vacation homes or rental properties do not qualify. You must either entirely own the house or have at least 50% equity in it. If you have any mortgage balance remaining while applying for a reverse mortgage, you must be in a financial position to pay off that balance.
Read More