Ever had the thought of being a secret agent on a mission of installing those nifty surveillance cams just like in movies? What if I tell you that it's possible in real life? Well, it ain't no secret mission, but I guarantee you, at the end of the day, you'll feel like James Bond patting his own back.
Step One: Be the Sherlock Holmes of Your House
Before anything else, you must undertake an investigative journey into your own home. Not exactly FBI style, but just enough to identify the perfect spots for surveillance. As Sherlock, your mission includes understanding the field of view of each spot, making sure possible intruders are not left unseen.
Pro Tip:
High traffic points, including entrances, exits, and main living areas, always top the surveillance priority. If you're aiming for outdoors surveillance, garage, backyard, and sides of the building should definitely be on your spy list.Step Two: Select Your Spy Tools
After knowing your strategic spots, it's time to choose the hardware. It's like training day at the secret service, picking up your weapons. You have to choose between wired and wireless cameras. Each one has its own merits and secrets to success. Wired cameras generally offer superior quality and are more reliable while wireless models provide more flexibility regarding placement.
Pro Tip:
Always go for cameras with night vision, and don't forget to purchase a digital video recorder (DVR) or network video recorder (NVR) to store all that secret agent footage.Step Three: Dance with The Drills
No, we're not learning a new dance move but here's where the real handyman work begins. Mounting that surveillance camera on the wall requires the precision and hands-on skills of a master craftsman, so make sure to practice your drilling techniques beforehand.
Pro Tip:
To protect your cameras from weather and sneaky tampering attempts, place them under eaves or other protective home parts. But remember to keep them at least nine feet high off the ground. That's a lot of drilling (and dancing).Step Four: A Long Walk with The Wires
This part of the mission is like walking into an intricate web of wires, literally. Drill an access hole for cables, fish the camera wires through it, and connect them to your recorder. It's fun; expect some Tom Cruise Mission Impossible scenes in your living room!
Pro Tip:
Make sure to seal any holes you drill to prevent water or unwelcomed pests from entering.Step Five: Firing Up Your System
The action sequence is over; it's time to hit the power button and get those surveillance cameras rolling. Connect your recorder to a monitor, complete the system setup, and voila, you've got your real life spy movie, streaming live 24/7.
Pro Tip:
Frequently check your system to ensure optimal crime-fighting capabilities - and to ensure it's recording. You don't want to miss the opportunity of catching the bad guy in action!Mission Completed: How does it feel to be a DIY Super Spy?
Congratulations agent! Your mission of installing a home surveillance system is successfully completed, with no professional help needed.
There, you've just skydived into the thrilling world of DIY home improvement, pulled off a mission every suburban super spy dreamt of completing. If you had fun, well, that's just because you've barely scratched the surface of the DIY universe. So, are you ready for the next mission? Because the world of DIY saving awaits its next superhero.