Security Camera Mysteries: What Is A Wireless Security Camera?

For anybody considering adding a security camera system to a home or business – or supplementing an existing traditional intrusion detection and alarm system with cameras and the like – understanding the differences between different kinds of systems can be important.

One aspect that should be considered is the difference between a wired camera system and a wireless camera system.

This is because each system has advantages and disadvantages and applications which each meet better than the other.

After all, the aim is to provide security surveillance and monitoring and both can do this in spades. Of course, cost can be important – especially if a defined budget needs to be adhered to – as can the capabilities of each system.

For one, wired and wireless cameras operate differently in how they get their images (what they "see") from the camera to the monitoring and recording equipment, where those images are received and processed and then put up as a display.

With a wireless camera, all images are captured and then transmitted over the air to monitoring and recording equipment that's equipped with receivers. From there, the images are converted and displayed for viewing.

In effect, a wireless system operates much as TV cameras out recording 'the scene of the action," and which then send those signals back to the TV studio do.

In this case, the "studio" is the receiver/monitor/recorder equipment.

There are advantages to this sort of set-up when it comes to having a robust surveillance system as part of a complete security package.

For one, the cameras can be placed anywhere they're needed as long as the signal can be received by the monitoring equipment and the cameras can receive signals from the monitors and recorders (telling them which way to turn, upon command, for example).

Another is that there are no cables or wires needed, meaning they don't have to be hidden or fastened or secured in place (and they can't be cut, either, if they're within reach of a person).

The "downside" to wireless cameras is that some have a transmission range of about one-hundred feet.

There are more expensive models that are good for about a thousand feet, but some can indeed be more costly.

Also, signal interference or blockage can crop up, degrading or eliminating entirely the picture being sent by the cameras to the monitors.

Given all the above, it might be that a wireless system is more suitable to a compact surveillance area rather than a very large or widespread zone.

With a wired system, there's usually not an issue with signal reception because the signal is come through via a hard-wired camera that sends that signal along a TV cable to the monitors and recorders, where the signal is decoded and then presented as a picture or image.

Costs are somewhat lower because the cameras don't have to operate as broadcast mechanisms, though costs for wireless cameras have been coming down gradually.

Keep upsides and downsides for both in mind.

Always check on the budget available and the area to be covered before deciding on any one system.

A wireless security system is very versatile and can make a lot of sense in many circumstances.

Make sure to go over both systems thoroughly before deciding on any single one.