China home security products are growing increasingly intelligent, features- and smartphone-integrated, and remotely controlled, staying on top of the latest global industry trends.

Product development efforts in coming months will continue along the same vein as suppliers follow through on 2014 initiatives led major homegrown consumer electronics brand such as Changhong, Haier, Hisense, TCL, Konka and Skyworth. 2014 saw these major players launch smart home solutions, spurred in part by Google's $3.2 billion acquisition of smart home equipment manufacturer Nest Labs.

Not to be outdone by their consumer electronics counterparts, China security products specialists are incorporating home automation capability in their varied selections, which include access control systems, door phones and intercoms.

The combination of features enables home owners to control lighting, curtains, appliances, and heating via the security system. Certain modules have a door or IR sensor that not only disarms the surveillance module, but also switches on the hallway lights and even play a prerecorded welcome greeting.

The table below shows the typical composition of a smart home security system.

Such security systems are Wi-Fi-based and are an integral part of the "connected home," which BI Intelligence expects to grow increasingly prevalent in the next two years. In a recent report, the research body estimated at 67 percent the CAGR of connected-home device shipments over the next five years, reaching 1.8 billion units by 2019.

Shenzhen Eray Electronic Co. Ltd's GS-NC model is a 1.3MP Wi-Fi security camera that delivers HD videos and images. It supports as many as 64 wireless sensors, and works with iOS and Android devices. The mobile gadget controls the camera's PTZ function. Pan and tilt angles are 355 and 120 degrees, respectively.

The table below indicates the four types of wireless technologies popular in home automation.

Meanwhile, other releases take the smartphone/tablet PC pairing a step further by allowing users to "prep" homes remotely for their arrival by switching on the air-conditioning or heating system.

The Android 4.2-based BC-SN10HD model from Shenzhen Hi-Champ Technology Co. Ltd (Bochuag Hi-Tech) controls the lights, curtains, air conditioner and other appliances through a mobile device. Its video doorphone feature transmits images of visitors at the door to a smartphone or tablet.

Such units are often bundled with smart wireless terminals that receive real-time information, including videos and images, from the various cameras and monitoring systems installed in the house. This allows users to play an active role in home protection even while they are away.

Demand for heightened user control over home security products has also given rise to cloud-based surveillance systems such as Shenzhen Patrol Hawk Technology Co. Ltd's WG1 model. The unit sends alarm notifications to a cloud server, which are then pushed to the user's mobile device through an app. The Wi-Fi/GSM-based model also connects to an IP camera or a remote intercom system via the cloud.

Product basics
Generally, home security systems refer to various alarm detectors, hosts and centers, card readers, access controls and other surveillance equipment providing an integrated service to prevent residential intrusions. They can be categorized under three subsytems, which are CCTV camera monitoring, access control and intrusion or burglar alarm systems.

CCTV camera monitoring systems are designed to cover the entire home. Analog cameras are usually bundled into the system although IP cameras are an option if remote monitoring is needed.

Access control products, meanwhile, control the entry and exit of people in certain restricted areas. Passage is gained by card, password, biometrics, photo ID or a combination of these methods.

Intrusion alarm systems secure various entry points and have three key parts, namely the detector, transmission channel and alarm controller.

Installed in various areas of the house, detectors use a sensor to catch and observe force, movement, speed, sound and light, and trigger the alarm when unauthorized entry is detected. Examples include IR, window, door and breaking glass, smoke and gas leak detectors.

The transmission channel is the media for signal transfer, including the cables between the detector and alarm controller, and conversion equipment. Wired and wireless channels are available.

Alarm controllers activate light or sound alerts after receiving the "intruder" signal from the transmission channel.

The tables below describe three major types of home security products and groups models pricewise based on key specifications.

See a comparison table of home security system suppliers on GlobalSources.com