It shouldn’t be stressful to find out which security products are right for you and what features matter most. But no matter what your security system needs are, the quality of your camera images should be a priority. Security camera resolution directly impacts the detail of the images it captures, the size at which images can be viewed clearly, and, most importantly of all, its usefulness in identifying people in the recordings it generates.
Defining high definition
High definition (HD) refers to the level of detail captured by the camera. Camera resolution is typically measured in the number of vertical lines that the camera records. The standard for high-quality video streaming and broadcast is “720p,” which provides good motion display, a clear picture with a high level of detail suitable to viewing on fairly large screens, and it doesn’t take up much storage space. Here’s a breakdown what 720p means in a high-resolution security camera.
- The number 720 refers to vertical lines the screen can display. While older, standard definition televisions were able to display 480 vertical lines, modern televisions display from 720 (720p resolution) up to 2160 (4k resolution) vertical lines.
- The letter “p” stands for “progressive scan” and refers to the way in images are changed on the screen. This type of scan produces a sharper, smoother transition and produces the clearest image when displaying fast motion. (The letter “i,” which stands for “interlaced” is an older technology and typically produces more blurring and flickering when displaying fast motion.)
High definition in your home
Security camera image quality determines the effectiveness of that system in the unfortunate event that a crime occurs. When it comes time to generate a suspect description or match your images to a suspect apprehended by the police, the clearer your picture (and the larger it can be blown up to see details), the more likely the police will be able to identify the suspect. Plus, because a criminal may move quickly to make an escape, having a camera that can record fast motion without blurring is critical.
Of course, when integrating your cameras with a smart home security system, it’s important to balance the quality of the image against your ability to stream and store the recorded images effectively. That’s why cameras that shoot in 720p (like those from Xfinity) are optimal for a home security camera. These cameras offer clear images that you can stream on mobile devices without overburdening your connection.
In addition, the high clarity of 720p allows cameras to be outfitted with a wide-angle lens (rather than a zoom lens) to capture the largest viewable area, since the images can be zoomed in digitally. Xfinity Home cameras offer a 109-degree field of vision.
Integration with a smart system
Xfinity Home’s high-definition cameras integrate seamlessly with the Xfinity app, but the benefits go beyond simple integration. A camera recording at 720p makes it easy and convenient to check in on your home from anywhere. The resolution of these cameras is optimized to give you a clear look through the camera from your mobile device when you’re not home. And because the file size is manageable, the chances of the video skipping or lagging are minimal.
With Xfinity Home’s 24/7 Video Recording service, you can access the video the camera records for up to 7 days. The smaller file size of 720p also ensures ease of storage, allowing you to keep a backup without the need for a dedicated hard drive.
We recommend you choose a camera that has the right balance of zoom capability with smaller file size for ease of streaming and storage. Learn how Xfinity Home cameras can help.
