Whether you're looking to improve your current CCTV system or purchase a very high-quality rig from the get-go, it can be overwhelming to look through all the many options available to you as a consumer.  There are many different types of cameras to choose from with a range of different features.  Oftentimes, trying to research those features can lead you to pages full of technical jargon that wouldn't help you inform your purchasing decisions even if you read them with a dictionary to hand.  In truth, though, there are only a few things you need to look out for.  The rest of the specs can be safely ignored.  Here's what you need to know:

Scope

If you want a really good system, you need to select a camera that has great coverage of the areas you're looking to camera up.  Fixed cameras, while cheap, will only cover one specific and limited area.  That's a recipe for frustration.  Imagine checking the footage only to discover that what you need to see is just out of shot.  To avoid this problem, opt for either a motion-tracking camera or, preferably, a 360-degree camera.  These are the kind of cameras you see in businesses; they look like bubbles on walls and ceilings.

Resolution

One of the most important factors of your camera is its resolution.  If you're going to pay for high specs in any area, choose this one.  This means that your footage will be clear as day instead of the grainy, black-and-white mess you sometimes see on TV.  Frankly, when a camera has low resolution, it can sometimes be as useless as having no footage at all.  Purchasing the highest resolution camera you can afford will help to ensure that the details you catch are sharp, should you or the police ever be unfortunate enough to need them.

System Integration

The best cameras will come with the option to connect to your smartphone, allowing you to control the camera and view its footage from wherever you are.  This is ideal for giving yourself a little peace of mind while away from home, whether just for a day's work or for a two-week holiday.  Whatever you need to check and whenever you need to check it, picking a system with an app has you covered.  However, the benefits don't stop there.  If you have other elements in your security system, such as a house alarm or home entry system, you may be able to connect those to the app too, combining all your security together in one place.

You don't need to spend a fortune to upgrade your CCTV if you don't want to; it's still possible to shop around and choose a system that works for both you and your budget.  Just bearing the above features in mind will help you to choose the best camera for your home.  However, if you do want to splash out and cover all these bases, you won't be disappointed with the results.

Contact a CCTV installation service for more information and assistance.