Wireless Security camera System — A new addition to security camera

Posted On: September 14, 2020

Initially, when security cameras just hit the market, they used to require an electrical power supply to work and a data wire connected to the recorder and monitor to transmit and view the recorded footage. With the development in technology, the need to connect cameras to the recorder was solved by IP cameras and network video recorders (NVR). It allowed users to connect cameras with the recorder by providing a network cable to the camera enabling them to send data over the internet. With further advancements, IP cameras evolved and wireless camera took shape. These doesn’t rely on video or network cable and uses a wireless network to transfer audio and video signals to the receiver connected to recording and viewing device. To make things more sophisticated, wireless security camera systems can be paired to the cloud for direct transmission without even involving a recording device.

The working mechanism behind wireless security camera system

Simplified installation and operations is the main reason for people installing wireless camera systems. With the increasing adoption of wireless cameras, there is a decrease in the mess created by wires running through walls and electrical boards. The wireless camera when connected with a power supply works like a normal IP camera in recording HD videos. But transmitting footage to the recorder is where the difference lies. The captured footage is then converted into digital data by the camera system and sent to the receiver using short-distance wireless connection like Wi-Fi or radio transmission. And ultimately reaches the recorder which stores it. After the communication, the audio and video can be easily accessed using video management system built-in computer, phone, tablet, etc… If the user has opted for cloud storage then data can be directly uploaded to the cloud servers and can be remotely accessed.

Common Misconception about wireless camera system

There’s a common misconception among people that wireless cameras need no wire to work. This is not true. Even wireless cameras need a power supply cable to function. The wireless aspect of it takes place between the camera and the video recording device (NVR, DVR, or CMVR). People generally get confused between wireless cameras and wire-free cameras. Wire-free cameras are ‘zero’ wire cameras as they are powered by a battery. This battery needs to be charged time to time for continuous working which is not feasible in large organizations. They are also not active all the time. These have a motion sensor built in it. Upon sensing motion in the area it wakes up and starts recording. For 24/7 surveillance, wireless cameras need to be plugged in.

Pros and Cons of wireless camera system

Pro: Easy to install

One doesn’t need to be tech-savvy to install a wireless security camera system. There is no need for tricky wiring and drilling holes. It can be mounted anywhere because it doesn’t require any network cables to run and only needs a Wi-Fi connection and a power source. No sort of complex connection is required before using the cameras, just configuring the Wi-Fi enabled cameras to the receiver will do all the work and saves from much of the hassle. That is why self-installation is common in wireless camera systems. This saves a lot of time as well as effort.

Pro: Budget-friendly

With less hardware needed to run the system, automatically makes it easier on the pockets of the users, especially the residential users because they have squeezed budgets. No need for unnecessary wires and cables and easy fitting makes it a viable option. Moreover, less technical knowhow is required to configure these systems. So it saves one from the extravagant charges of technical personnel required from setting the system to make it running.

Pro: Portable

Wireless security cameras are just mounted onto the wall and not hardwired. Some devices are even placed on tables or other surfaces which makes moving them a hassle-free job. Removing those components and shifting it to a new place can be done in minutes. Moreover, the number of components involved in the system is also less compared to the traditional system. This makes it an ideal choice for renters, or businesses with temporary locations and people who need to shift frequently.

Pro: Battery backup

Wireless cameras are still vulnerable to power outages as they receive power supply from hardwire. New age wireless cameras solve this problem as they come equipped with a battery backup out-of-the-box. This battery is not large to power the camera whole time but has enough power to keep it going in case of emergencies. This makes them useable even when there are power-cuts when wired systems fail. This way you and your valuable resources stay protected even when the whole house or business premises loses power.

Con: Limited range

Wireless cameras have great capabilities when working remotely but since they are connected to the local wireless network, they can’t be very far from the receiver/hub. With an increase in the area, the connection loses its strength and faces issues in transferring the data to the recording device. This range is generally more if the place is clear with not much walls and hurdles in between for the signal to cross freely. The range also depends on factors like building material used and other wireless devices in the area. It could work fine in large warehouses with not many obstacles in between and could even fail in a house with walls, glasses, and doors installed. Due to this signal is likely to weaken.

Con: Network interference

One of the major downsides of wireless security cameras is that they are prone to interference from other network devices which can make them unreliable at times. In this smart and connected world, there are a lot of devices on a network and their signals competing is a menace for security cameras. This problem further increases when there are many routers on a single bandwidth. This is a common situation in apartments and flats where most routers use the same bandwidth.

Con: Dependent on a wireless network

The working of the wireless security system is heavily tied to a wireless broadband network. All cameras must be located in the range of Wi-Fi to work properly. Any failure or shut down in wireless network will directly impact the cameras and they won’t be able to transmit the data files. In large areas, Wi-Fi extenders are of great help. They help in strengthening the signal by connecting on the same network and repeating it so that its range increases. And as a result, distant wireless cameras could also be connected.

Con: Limited size of the project

There is no wired connection between the wireless cameras and the receiver. Connecting all the cameras puts pressure on the network. So there’s always a limit to the number of cameras that can work on a single network depending on its speed and bandwidth. One can connect more cameras to the same network, but it will cause latency issues with camera transmitting the data. That’s why, this seems to be an attractive choice for houses, residential places, and offices.

Con: Risk from hackers

Being connected to the network all the time poses a threat to security. Old and low-quality wireless cameras become vulnerable to hackers. That’s why it is very important to keep wireless security cameras updated with the latest firmware.

To learn more about wireless security camera system, get in touch with our specialist.

Originally published at https://igzy.com on September 14, 2020.