With the crime rate index rising yearly, the USA is among the top 50 countries in the world in this category. Now, that might not seem all that bad, but the States are also the top 15 country on this list according to the HDI (Human Development Index), and the only country from those 15 that manages to have such a high crime rate.
Moreover, the burglary rate (as of 2018) per 100.000 inhabitants sits at 376, but in some states it’s almost double that. Given this worrying trend, citizens are right to feel disquieted when it comes to the safety and security of their homes. But, there’s a simple way to tackle this issue.
There’s no better solution for maintaining the security of your home than keeping an eye on it. But, given the fast-paced dynamic of our daily lives, in certain cases that can prove to be a challenging task.
That’s where motion-activated cameras come in; equipped with motion sensors or motion-detecting software, among other features, they’ll provide you with the ability to see any movement in the monitored area. However, that doesn’t mean you’ll have to get out of bed or interrupt your work each time the neighbor’s dog decides to take a shortcut through your yard.
So, how do they actually work?
Different Types of Security Cameras
The cameras that record only when motion is happening (which they detect via sensors or motion-detecting software) are motion-activated cameras.
But, before we go into detail about how motion-activated cameras work, we have to provide some context on security cameras in general. Though, should you find yourself interested only in the intrinsic mechanics of motion-activated cameras and not the whole picture, jump to that particular section.
Security cameras are usually divided into two categories: indoor and outdoor; both types have numerous specifics and functionalities, such as real-time monitoring or wi-fi connectivity, varying video quality or resolution, real-time alerts, an assorted field of view levels, power source (battery or plugged-in) and last but not least: motion activation.
Indoor Security Cameras
Having an overview of your yard doesn’t always guarantee the safety of your household, per se. Outdoor cameras are indeed very useful, but as we mentioned, with the rise of burglary rates you can never be too careful. Furthermore, if for example, you have a babysitter, then you need to keep an eye on what’s happening inside as well. Indoor cameras are divided into the following sub-categories:
- Nanny cameras
- Baby monitors
- General indoor cameras
Nanny cameras are security cameras that are mainly concealed. They’re also known as spy cameras, but more on that later, as that term encompasses a whole category of hidden cameras. They’re important for keeping watch on the housekeeper or the babysitter, since after all, these service providers are just another stranger in your house, especially if you choose to leave your little ones in their care. They also serve as another layer of protection against burglary. But, you mustn’t put one of these in an area where privacy is expected, as that is against the law. We’ll divulge some general information on these legalities later on as well.
Baby monitors are no longer limited to audio-only. These specialized cameras provide an overview of your baby. Infants are known to be overly sensitive to loud noises, so they’re easy to startle. With a baby monitor, you can be sure that the child is safe and sound at all times.
General indoor cameras are security cameras that can be either hardwired or wireless. They’re a staple when it comes to the aforementioned indoor home security. They usually have a plethora of various functionalities like night vision, motion-activated alerts, or home automation integration.; though, these functionalities can nowadays be found in more specialized camera types as well, such as spy cameras.
Outdoor Security Cameras
On the other hand, we have the fairly straightforward outdoor security cameras. When we mention security cameras, this is the type of camera we generally tend to think of, and they’re often motion-activated. They are used to monitor the outdoor part of your home and dissuade burglary and/or vandalism. Since this is the most common type and their purpose is somewhat linear, there aren’t many subcategories to be aware of. While these cameras don’t differ in purpose as much as the indoor ones, they do vary in terms of the specifics that we outlined above.
How Does a Motion Activated Camera Work?
Understanding the underlying mechanics of motion activation can help you utilize your security camera in a much more effective manner and avoid the general miscues which might lead to false alarms or unnecessary footage.
Motion-activated cameras mainly work via two technologies: passive infrared (PIR) or computer vision. There are other forms of motion detection as well, such as radio waves or light pulses, but consumer units mainly utilize the former two.
Passive Infrared or PIR
Passive infrared, also known as “heat vision”, detects motion by scanning the monitored area for emitted ambient heat. When the PIR sensor ascertains movement of an object that gives out adequate ambient heat in comparison to its surroundings, the camera starts recording (and, in some devices, sends an alert to the user).
Since this motion detection technology is based on heat signatures, the PIR-based motion-activated cameras are reliable when it comes to not recording unimportant movement. For example, it won’t start recording in the event of wind blowing inanimate objects through the yard or fluttering curtains.
The cameras that use this technology are also very power-efficient and as such mainly operate on batteries. That’s due to them being in standby mode until motion is detected, a feature that helps them save power. In most cases, they also store the footage locally, i.e. on a memory card, though there are real-time wi-fi connected options as well, in which case they usually store footage on a cloud server.
Computer Vision
Computer vision is a broad term used to describe the field of AI that computers use to interpret visual cues. The way that motion-activated cameras use this technology is that they analyze the monitored area for sufficient motion.
They do this by looking for significant change in pixels over short periods of time in comparison to the overall “average” movement in an area, so if something unusual is happening, they start recording. They also track patterns of movement by keeping track of pixel-groups.
Most CV software in cameras is familiarized with certain presets of these patterns, i.e. they detect if the monitored object is a human, an animal, or an inanimate object such as a vehicle. Then they assign priority in the importance of these objects and their movement and they start recording (or alert) as necessary.
Cameras that are based on computer vision are largely dependent on the quality of the software therein. Therefore, they are more vulnerable to false alarms (or recording unnecessarily) if the software is sub-par. Though, that’s rarely the case with more expensive motion-activated cameras.
Which of These Technologies Is Better?
Suffice it to say that both camera technologies are good at detecting motion and recording. The differentiating factor is that cameras that use computer vision tend to identify movement through more advanced methods and can prove to be more costly. Passive infrared cameras, on the other hand, lack advanced technology, but they are much more efficient.
Avoiding Miscues
There’s nothing worse than false alerts and unwanted footage when it comes to motion-activated cameras and in some cases, they can prove rather tricky to adjust to. That’s why you should always follow the positioning instructions and take into account the angle at which the camera can record. At SpyGuy, we always list these specifications on our product page under the FAQ section.
Hidden Motion Activated Cameras
Although the regular security camera can serve as a target hardening factor, they’re mostly placed at visible locations and are easily disarmed or destroyed by the determined home invader. That’s where hidden motion-activated cameras come in. Furthermore, they can prove very effective when it comes to detecting the misconduct of babysitters or elder abuse at retirement homes, among other illegal behavior.
Motion-Activated Camera Recommendations
Luckily, here at SpyGuy, we have all the hidden motion-activated monitoring gear you’ll ever need, with various sizes, recording resolutions, connectivity (battery-operated or plugged-in), as well as wi-fi connected real-time DVR.
Take a look at some of SpyGuy's top picks for motion-activated cameras.
Yard Rock Hidden Camera
The Yard Rock Hidden Camera does not only provide you with a slick option to detect trespassers without them knowing it, but also allows you to catch vandals or misdoers in the act, upon which you can simply alert the local law enforcement, just like our previous customers.
The camera records clear video in 4K resolution that you can view on your computer and it has a standby battery life of 90 days (16 hours of continuous recording). It’s completely weatherproof and perfectly suited for your yard, serving as decor as well as a motion-activated camera.
iPhone or Android Charging Dock Hidden Camera
If you’re looking for an inconspicuous, yet very useful device for motion-activated recording, the iPhone and Android Charging Dock Hidden Camera is as good as it gets. The best way to conceal a camera is by putting it in a device that you would regularly use for other purposes - no-one will ever come to think that there’s a camera in there.
This product comes in both Android and iPhone versions, suitable for any phone. It records video in 1080p at 30 FPS and it can record up to 32 days using a 32GB memory card. What’s more, it supports wi-fi connectivity, so you can access the camera in real-time wherever you are.
Mini Travel Alarm Camera
If you frequently find yourself on the road and you want to keep your virtual eyes with you, the Mini Travel Alarm is the most suitable device on the market. This motion-activated camera, packed in a compact and useful alarm clock, records video at 1280x960 resolution and uses a 12-hour rechargeable battery, adding to its convenience.
Wall Clock Hidden Camera
The Wall Clock is a staple among our products, as cameras hidden in plain sight are the most effective ones. We all look at the time, but no-one would fathom that time can look back at you.
The motion-activated camera records crisp video at 1280x720 resolution and its battery can last up to 90 days in standby mode while offering 16 hours of continuous recording. Due to its wi-fi connectivity, you can access it in real-time from your PC, Android, iPhone, or Mac.
Legal Issues You Should Be Aware Of
When using hidden cameras at your home, it’s important to note that it’s generally legal to record in all areas except in rooms where a reasonable expectation of privacy is presumed, such as a bathroom.
If the purpose of recording via hidden cameras is malicious intent, it is also illegal to do so.
The federal and state government has no clear laws in regards to recording via hidden cameras at a workplace, but employers generally are expected to ask for consent before recording employees therein.
If you have more questions regarding the detailed legal nuances about hidden motion-activated cameras, head over to our legal guide.
Before You Go
Now that you’re equipped with the knowledge about all the bits and pieces of motion-activated camera operation, we hope that you’ll be able to decide on a purchase.
Should you have any more questions, don’t hesitate to contact us directly, or check out our whole hidden camera collection, where you will find all the details about each product.