Houston Wireless Cameras

Thanks to modern technology, security systems are made possible. The market now has wide array of options for improving the security of homes and even businesses. With regards to security cameras, there are 2 options – wired camera systems or wireless camera systems. The latter has some distinct advantages over the traditional counterpart.

Wireless security cameras are closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras that transmit a video and audio signal to a wireless receiver through a radio band. Many wireless security cameras require at least one cable or wire for power; "wireless" refers to the transmission of video/audio. However, some wireless security cameras are battery-powered, making the cameras truly wireless from top to bottom.

Wireless cameras are proving very popular among consumers because of their low installation costs (there is no need to run expensive video extension cables) and flexible mounting options; wireless cameras can be mounted/installed in locations previously unavailable to standard wired cameras. In addition to the ease of use and convenience of access, wireless security camera allows users to leverage broadband wireless internet to provide seamless video streaming over-internet.

2 Types of Wireless Camera
There are 2 types of wireless camera – Analog and Digital.

1. Analog Wireless Camera

Analog wireless is the transmission of audio and video signals using radio frequencies. Typically, analog wireless has a transmission range of around 300 feet (91 meters) in open space; walls, doors, and furniture will reduce this range. It is found in three frequencies: 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, and 5.8 GHz. Currently, the majority of wireless security cameras operate on the 2.4 GHz frequency. Most household routers, cordless phones, video game controllers, and microwaves operate on the 2.4 GHz frequency and may cause interference with your wireless security camera. 900 MHz is known as Wi-Fi Friendly because it will not interfere with the Internet signal of your wireless network.

Advantages:
• Analog wireless cameras are cost-effective. You can save money because the cost of individual camera is not expensive.
• Analog wireless cameras have multiple receivers per camera. The signal from one camera can be picked up by any receiver; thus you can have multiple receivers in different locations to create a network.

Disadvantages:
• Analog wireless cameras are susceptible to interference from other household devices, including cordless phones, microwaves, routers, and video game controllers.
• They don’t have signal strength indicator. There’s no visual alert (like the bars on a cellular phone) to show the strength of your signal.
• They are susceptible to interception. Since analog wireless cameras use a consistent frequency, it’s possible for other receivers to pick up the signals.
• They offer one-way communication only. It’s impossible for the receiver to send signals back to the camera.

Digital wireless cameras
Digital wireless is the transmission of audio and video analog signals encoded as digital packets over high-bandwidth radio frequencies.

Advantages:
• Digital wireless cameras have wide transmission range which is usually close to 450 feet (open space, clear line of sight between camera and receiver)
• You can enjoy high quality video and audio.
• There’s a two-way communication between the receiver and the camera.
• Digital signal means you can transmit commands and functions, like turning the lights on and off.
• Multiple receivers can be connected to one recording device, like security DVR.

Uses and applications
At Home
Wireless security cameras are becoming more and more popular in the consumer market, being a cost-effective way to have a comprehensive surveillance system installed in a for an often less expensive price. Wireless cameras are also ideal for people renting homes or apartments. Since there is no need to run video extension cables through walls or ceilings (from the camera to the receiver or recording device) one does not need approval of a landlord to install one. Additionally, the lack of wiring allows for less "clutter," avoiding damage to the look of a building.

In business
A wireless security camera is a great option for business monitoring and surveillance, as well as crime prevention. Its sheer presence may be enough to deter crime, from large theft to small mischief.

Barn Cameras
Wireless cameras are also very useful for monitoring outbuildings as wireless signals can be sent from one building to another where it is not possible to run wires due to roads or other obstructions. One common use of these is for watching animals in a barn from a house located on the same property. One such example of this can be seen in this story of one of the first BarnCam in the New York Times.

Law enforcement
Wireless security cameras are also used by law enforcement agencies to deter crimes. The cameras can be installed in many remote locations and the video data is transmitted through government-only wireless network. An example of this application is the deployment of hundreds of wireless security cameras by New York City Police Department on lamp posts at many streets throughout the city.

Wireless security cameras function best when there is a clear line of sight between the camera(s) and the receiver. Outdoors, and with clear line of sight, digital wireless cameras typically have a range between 250 and 450 feet. Indoors, the range can be limited to 100 to 150 feet. Cubical walls, drywall, glass, and windows generally do not degrade wireless signal strength. Brick, concrete floors, and walls degrade signal strength. Trees that are in the line of sight of the wireless camera and receiver may impact signal strength.

The signal range also depends on whether there are competing signals using the same frequency as the camera. For example, signals from cordless phones or routers may affect signal strength. When this happens, the camera image may freeze, or appear "choppy". Typical solution involves locking the channel that wireless router operates on.

When you are buying wireless security systems, go for those that are built with your unique needs in mind and can last for years.