Cloud Video Systems

2007 was the first year I started looking for options to record video streams in a remote data center. Cloud was not a term used as widely as it is used today. The pain points of the existing standalone video solutions were:

1. The recordings were not accessible when needed because the cameras and the Network Video Recorder (NVR) units were unplugged, and no one noticed.
2. The cameras and the recording devices were broken or stolen during a break-in, making access to the recordings impossible.

These concerns persist – but today, even the basic standalone systems have more built-in notifications logic, thanks to the increased mobile devices adoption that partly mitigates the problem. The #2 issue above can be partially addressed with specific cloud backup options in a freemium model.

Today, cloud video recording is less expensive and easier to manage than ever. This makes choosing a product from a manufacturer like Wyze, Nest, or Arlo simple, but there are several benefits to each that you should consider before buying.

The first benefit of using a cloud-connected video camera system is the ease of installation. Since these cameras are designed to plug directly into a power source, all you need is your included mounting hardware and either a drill or screwdriver.

The next benefit is worry-free video storage. Today, there are so many options for storing your footage that is it makes it challenging to choose one. Several cloud providers offer secure offsite recording, but the most popular are Dropbox, Google Drive, iCloud and Skydrive. These providers promise up to 1 TB of storage per account, with additional storage available for a monthly fee. The caveat with these services is that they are developed with file storage applications in mind. Their user interface (UI) is less user-friendly, and further integrations are required to view the live feeds and recordings. One interesting vertical integration in this field is coming from Apple with the Homekit, but the adoption is yet to be seen. Apple is known to take its time with these applications, and being late to a market is never a concern for Apple.

The final benefit of using a cloud-connected video camera system is the ability to set your preferences. If you only care about recording when your camera detects motion, this is an option that can be enabled within seconds! However, if you want to keep a constant watch on your things and see every time someone walks by, you can do so as well by simply adjusting your settings. Be on the lookout for my next week’s piece about video analytics and its evolution over the years.

Once you have decided to go with a cloud-connected video camera system, the choices are endless! They start as low as $20 and come from manufacturers like Wyze, Blink, Nest, and Arlo, but if the need is to have a professional-grade, end-to-end encrypted, secure solution, Alarm.com (ADC) cameras present a great option. Alarm.com's video monitoring solution works fully integrated with the ADC interactive security and automation suite.

In the end, the choice is up to you and what your specific needs are. Just remember that with great features comes great responsibility (to protect your home).

To wrap up, benefits of using a cloud video camera system: 

• Ease of installation 
• Worry-free storage for recorded videos
• Customizable settings
• Less expensive than traditional video systems 
• Can be used for security, monitoring, or automation of everyday tasks 
• Not just limited to outdoor use anymore, systems are being released for indoor and baby monitoring.