Security cameras that can actually identify someone
A lot of home camera footage shows that someone was there, but not who. We design camera systems so the footage is useful when you need it, then make sure the installer puts every camera exactly where it belongs.
Why most home cameras disappoint
When a camera fails, it's rarely the camera's fault. It's where it was put. The usual problems:
- Mounted too high. A camera 12 feet up under the eaves sees the top of a hat, not a face.
- Trying to see everything. One wide view of the whole yard makes every person a few pixels tall.
- Never checked at night. Infrared bouncing off a soffit or window glass, or a streetlight in the frame, can wash out the picture after dark.
- Placed for the wire, not the job. Cameras end up wherever cable was easiest to run.
How we design a camera system
Every camera gets one job
We start with what each camera must accomplish: identify a face at the front door, read a license plate at the end of the driveway, watch the back door, or give an overview of the yard. Then we choose the camera, lens and spot that can do that job.
Enough detail for the job
Security professionals measure detail in pixels across each foot of the scene. The international camera standard, IEC 62676-4, was revised in 2025 and raised the bar for identification:
| What you need to know | Detail needed (approximate) |
|---|---|
| That a person or car is there | under 10 pixels per foot |
| Who it is, or what the plate says | about 150 pixels per foot (500 pixels per meter, the 2025 “Validate” level) |
The 2014 edition put identification at about 76 pixels per foot. The 2025 revision doubled it, because real-world footage, especially at night and after video compression, often wasn't clear enough at the old level. A wide overview camera usually shows that someone was there. Faces and plates need a camera chosen and placed specifically for that job.
The right height and angle
For faces, a camera needs to look at people from a shallow angle, usually mounted around 7 to 9 feet up rather than at the roofline. License plates need a narrow view, a fast shutter, and a camera aimed where cars slow down.
Designed for night first
Night is when cameras struggle most, so we design for it first. We plan lighting and infrared range, keep cameras away from glare, and never put a camera behind window glass. Plates are especially tricky at night because they reflect infrared light, so they need special settings or a dedicated plate camera.
Recorded at home, viewable anywhere
We recommend systems that record to a device inside your home, so you don't need a monthly cloud plan, with secure viewing from your phone and alerts for people and vehicles rather than every swaying branch. Add battery backup and the cameras keep recording through a power outage.
Good for you, fair to the neighbors
Cameras are aimed at your property, and we use privacy masking to blank out a neighbor's windows or yard where a view would otherwise include them.
What you get
- A written plan with a map of every camera location and what each one must see
- An exact parts list, with options at a few price points
- Installation by trusted local pros, or the installer you already use
- Our review of every camera view, in daylight and at night, before we call it done
We often recommend Ubiquiti UniFi Protect cameras because they share one app with your Wi-Fi and doorbell, but we'll recommend what fits your home and budget. Already have Ring, Nest or another system? We'll tell you honestly what's worth keeping.
For more detail, read our guide: where to put home security cameras so they can identify someone.
Get cameras that do their job.
Tell us about your home and we'll call you to set up a time, usually within one business day.