Wireless Security Surveillance

Wireless security surveillance has become much more popular in the last few years as new products become better priced, more reliable, and easier to install. Many people use wireless cameras to protect their home and business, or monitor elderly family members and children. Adding wireless surveillance cameras to protect your home or business makes more sense than ever, considering the continual increase in crime reported every day. In fact, estimates from the FBI indicate that a burglary occurs every 8 seconds in the US, and that three out of four homes will be burglarized within the next 20 years.

Waterproof Color Day/Night Bullet Camera w/IR LEDs

Ultra Miniature CMOS Color Camera with Audio

Wireless cameras are uniquely designed to send video signals over the air in the 2.4Ghz, or 5.8Ghz frequency range (most commonly). Wireless cameras have a video transmitter and antenna that transmit a video signal to a receiver. You can connect the receiver to a computer, TV, DVR, or to a security monitor for viewing. There is no need for wires between the camera and receiver, but in most cases, the camera still needs to be plugged into a power source (like an AC outlet) that is located close to the camera. The receiver is able to penetrate through objects such as: walls, glass, wood, plastic, fiberglass and even some metals.

Four Channel DVR Card

Swann LCD Security Monitor 8.4

There are many reasons for choosing either a wired or a wireless system. Some of the things you may want to consider are cost, your property size, and the placement of the cameras. Even though wireless camera costs are declining they are generally more expensive than a wired system, especially when distances greater than 150ft are required. But, wireless systems are easier to install, and the cameras can be put in many more hard-to-reach locations (just don’t place a wireless camera close to a microwave oven!).

Four Channel DVR Kit with 4 Color Dome Cameras

Wireless 2.4Ghz Outdoor Color Day/Night Camera Kit

Give careful consideration to the distance between the camera and receiver, and any obstacles the video signal must travel through to reach the receiver when positioning a wireless camera. Giving your wireless cameras a unobstructed line-of-site (open air) orientation to the receiver will always yield the best signal quality the camera can offer. You have to choose your system carefully as some wireless systems only have about a hundred foot signal limit, while others can go all the way up to one thousand feet. If you are looking to place your cameras in long-distance locations, then it is best to go with a system that is designed for long distance signal transmission, or to install a signal boosting antenna. Another recommendation is to conduct a site survey with a portable field testing monitor, and a portable power pack. With these tools, different wireless camera locations can easily be tested to determine reliable camera positions around the premises.

The reasons for adding surveillance to your home or business security systems are still unchanged; we want our homes and businesses to remain safe for our families, our pets, our friends and our patrons. Luckily, technology is making wireless products affordable to those of us who would like that extra level of protection.