Considering A Wireless Security Camera? Read This First
First Generation Wireless Surveillance Cameras
The early “analog” wireless security cameras broadcast the video signal to a receiver, which is then hooked up to either a television monitor or else a recording system, such as a video tape recorder, or digital video recording system (DVR). Note that most of them operate over the 2.4 GHz band, the same band that a lot of other household wireless appliances, such as cordless phones and video game controllers, operate on. Additionally, microwave ovens operate at 2.45 GHz, and radio controlled toys also use the 2.4 GHz band. Thus, interference may result if you use these older cameras where other wireless household equipment are in use. Not only can the camera interfere with the other devices, it works both ways – the other equipment may interfere with the camera’s signal, causing low quality video.
Analog Wireless Security Cameras Have These Advantages:
* They are lower cost than their digital brethren;
* you can use multiple receivers;
* There are variations that allow use of up to 12 cameras with one receiver;
* They are simple to install and set up. You can have a wireless video security system operational very quickly, and at low cost.
Analog Wireless Disadvantages:
* Interference with and from other devices;
* No security of the signal;
* Baseband signal has low quality.
For installations where there are a lot of physical obstructions, look into installing a system using 900MHz transmission. Only two cameras can be used at 900 MHz in the same system.
For as many as 12 cameras in your system you will have to use the 2.4 GHz variety. Beware that there is a higher chance of interference with common home and office equipment that shares the same frequency.
There is less interference when using wireless cameras based on the 5.8 GHz spectrum. With 8 channels, you can use up to 8 cameras in this scheme. The biggest challenge is the signal cannot go through many walls without lots of degradation.
Want More Distance? Increase The Power
Signal power is limited by FCC regulations. It’s important that you take into consideration the power of the camera transmitter, along with the distance to the receiver, and what type of physical obstructions are between the camera and receiver.
Most claims of distance are for line-of-sight transmission, where there are no obstacles between the camera’s antenna and the receiver’s antenna. Review your application carefully. Factors such as distance, weather, trees, buildings, walls all have an affect. The shorter wavelength of 5.8 GHz signals make it more difficult to pass through obstacles.
Digital Transmission Wireless Security Cameras
The latest generation of wireless security cameras are digital. These cameras first digitize the video signal, and then send it over the airwaves to the receiver. Some models compress the video signal, others do not. Interference is less of a problem with these cameras, even though they generally use the 2.4 GHz band.
The transmitter is usually around the same power level as a wireless router, around 16 dBm.
A digital wireless security camera offers some real advantages over analog ones:
* Longer range transmission;
* Image quality better. May include audio as well;
* Allows for audio communication to remote site;
* Digital video can be encrypted, to maintain security of the images.
Connecting a Wireless Security Camera To a Local Area Network
Connecting a wireless surveillance camera to the network is simple with an IP camera.. Essentially, these cameras become a “web page” with their own unique IP address.
Some of the features of these are aiming control, night-vision illumination, encryption, motion detection and more. Because of the popularity of wireless networks, you will find more and more of these cameras being used in security camera systems.
