I would be the first to say that the home security version of bloat burdens some modern security cameras. They offer features that might be fun to have but are not really useful. On the other hand, there are some very valuable features I would not want to do without. One of them is onboard audio.
A main point of competition among camera manufacturers is video resolution. Consumers tend to obsess over it as well. But it is my opinion that on-board audio is a more useful tool for proactive home defense. On-board audio transforms a silent observer (the camera) into an active participant in stopping crime as it begins to unfold.
The Power of Two-Way Talk
The most obvious benefit of on-board audio is the ability to communicate directly with anyone within view of the camera. You never have to open the door. No one needs to know whether you are home. This provides a critical safety layer that extends to everything from package delivery to unexpected visitors you neither know nor recognize.
Vivint Home Security is an example of a brand that sells video cameras equipped with on-board audio. Using the built-in speaker, microphone, and a smartphone app, Vivint customers and interact with visitors in a number of ways. They can give instructions to a delivery driver. They can tell an unrecognized visitor that they are busy and cannot come to the door.
Even if a homeowner is hundreds of miles away, the power of two-way talk creates the illusion of occupancy. Here is the most important thing to know: occupancy is one of the best deterrents to burglary and other property crimes.
A Second Layer of Security
In addition to two-way talk, on-board audio can act as a second layer of security. More specifically, it adds another layer of detection to make home surveillance better.
Video surveillance cameras are not perfect. And even though the latest cameras are equipped with artificial intelligence capable of telling the difference between humans, animals, and even passing cars, cameras can still be fooled. Shadows are a problem for them. So is direct sunlight.
The audio sensor in a camera’s on-board system can be leveraged as a secondary verification layer in a couple of ways:
- Recording – Sound detection can trigger a camera to start recording. Even if a camera is fooled by shadows, the sound of a slamming car door could trigger recording at the earliest possible moment. This could mean an otherwise missed porch pirate is recorded approaching the front door.
- Context – Hearing exterior sounds, particularly human conversations, gives context to what a home or sees on his video feeds. Context makes visitor intent more clear. It gives homeowners an edge in trying to determine whether or not a visitor poses a reasonable threat.
Detection is the main task for any video camera, with or without on-board audio. But equipping a camera with audio capabilities transforms it into an active deterrent device.
Warning Criminals Before They Act
Vivint is once again an example of a brand worth paying attention to. Some of their cameras are equipped with active deterrence capabilities linked to on-board audio. For example, imagine a camera that emits a loud, blaring alarm if triggered in the middle of the night. That alarm is enough to scare off any burglar. It warns criminals before they act.
It is clear that equipping video cameras with on-board audio enhances their capabilities as both detection and deterrence devices. Given that audio capabilities are now available, why would anyone buy a camera without them?