Home security used to mean a loud siren and a yard sign from an alarm company. It worked, sort of, but it was reactive. Something bad happened, the alarm screamed, and you hoped a neighbor called the police. Modern smart security is a fundamentally different approach. It is proactive, intelligent, and integrated into the way you already live.
As an AV and automation company, we sit at the intersection of security and smart home technology. Our approach is to build security into the fabric of your home automation, not bolt it on as an afterthought. Here is how the major pieces work together.
Security Cameras: What to Look For
Not all cameras are created equal. The $40 cameras at the big box store will technically record video, but the image quality, reliability, and features leave a lot to be desired. For a home security system you actually want to depend on, here is what matters.
- 4K resolution for clear identification of faces and license plates
- Wide dynamic range (WDR) to handle bright and dark areas in the same frame
- IR or starlight night vision for clear footage after dark
- Local storage (NVR) so recordings are not dependent on a cloud subscription
- Smart motion detection that distinguishes people from animals and cars
- Weather-rated housings for Colorado's temperature extremes
We typically recommend a Luma View surveillance system for residential installations. The cameras deliver excellent image quality, the network video recorder stores everything locally, and the app gives you instant access to live and recorded footage from anywhere. Most importantly, there are no monthly cloud fees eating into your budget.
Camera Placement: Where It Actually Matters
More cameras does not automatically mean better security. Strategic placement of four to six cameras often provides better coverage than a dozen poorly positioned ones. The locations that matter most are the front door and porch (where most package thefts and break-in attempts occur), the driveway, the back and side yards, and the garage.
We always position cameras to capture faces, not just the tops of heads. That means mounting them at a height and angle where someone approaching your door is looking roughly toward the lens. A camera mounted too high on a two-story eave might cover a wide area, but it will capture the brim of every hat and hood instead of the face beneath it.
Pro tip: Mount cameras at 8 to 10 feet and angle them slightly downward. This height is hard to tamper with but still captures faces clearly, not just the top of someone's head.
Sensors and Smart Locks
Cameras are only one layer. Door and window sensors tell you when an entry point is opened, whether you are home or not. Motion sensors detect movement in specific zones. Glass-break sensors listen for the distinct sound of a window being smashed. Together, they create a perimeter that is aware of activity at all times.
Smart locks add another powerful layer. You can issue unique codes for family members, housekeepers, dog walkers, or contractors, and the system logs who entered and when. When an unfamiliar code is used (or the wrong code is entered too many times), the system can alert you instantly and pull up the nearest camera feed.
Integration with Your Smart Home
This is where security gets genuinely smart. In a standalone system, your cameras record and your alarm beeps. In an integrated system, your entire home responds. Someone triggers a motion sensor in the backyard at 2 AM. The floodlights snap on. The camera starts recording. You get a phone notification with a live video feed. If you are watching a movie in the theater, the system pauses playback and shows the camera on screen.
When you leave for work, one command arms the security system, locks the doors, closes the garage, sets the thermostat back, and turns off every light. When you arrive home, the system recognizes your phone on the network, disarms itself, unlocks the front door, and brings the house to life. Security becomes invisible. It just works, in the background, every day.
Pro tip: Integrate your cameras with your automation system so you can view any camera on any TV in the house. When the doorbell rings, the camera feed can pop up on whatever screen you are nearest.
Professional Monitoring vs. Self-Monitoring
Professional monitoring means a central station watches for alarms and dispatches emergency services on your behalf. It costs $20 to $50 a month. Self-monitoring means you get the alerts on your phone and you decide what to do. Both approaches have their place.
For most of our clients in the Denver metro area, we recommend a hybrid approach. Smart notifications with video clips go straight to your phone for everyday awareness: package deliveries, kids arriving home from school, that sort of thing. Professional monitoring handles the critical scenarios: fire, CO detection, and panic situations where you want a guaranteed response even if your phone is out of reach.
Let Us Design Your System
Every home is different, and security is not something you want to guess on. If you are in the Denver, Parker, or Highlands Ranch area, we will come to your home, walk the property, and design a camera and sensor layout tailored to your specific needs. The consultation is free and there is no obligation.