Wireless Security Camera System FAQ

Due to reduction in costs, setting up a wireless security system is now more affordable for a lot of folks. This surge in interest is due to many reasons. Some people use wireless security cameras for their ease of installation. Other people use them because running wires is impossible or not cost effective. It does not matter why but the fact remains that a wireless system is very much preferred by a lot of homeowners.

For the same reason that people love cordless phones nowadays, homeowners now love the idea of putting cameras anywhere -- and you do not have to worry about snaking wires inside the walls. Because it's wireless, you have tremendous flexibility in terms of placement, you just need to know what you are doing. Remember that wireless systems tend to fail if you do not follow basic precautions during the install.

What sort of failure? Say you install the camera and give it power, but there is no signal picking up on the receiver side. Fortunately, this type of problem can be easily solved. If you are thinking of doing the install on your own or with help from a friend, there are three frequencies that are on the market for the general public.

How to Choose the Frequency: 900MHz, 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz
The lower the frequency number, the more walls/objects your security system can pass through (except for concrete and metal).

* For devices that are rated 900MHz, they are the best option if you need to get past dry walls to reach the receiver. This bandwidth doesn't have that much interference from other devices, and as a result, the signal can be relatively strong. The drawback is that right now there are only two channels available on this frequency, making its use very limited.
* The 2.4GHz wireless security cameras are the most used nowadays. Unfortunately, there are tons of other devices out there (i.e. phones, computer routers, wireless keyboards) that use the same frequency. Basically, if you see something wireless on the market, there is a good chance it is on a 2.4GHz frequency. As a result, a lot of the wireless 2.4GHz security cameras fail. There are up to 12 channels available on 2.4GHz frequency that you can select for transmission, but unfortunately, it's hard to find one channel that is not already being used, especially if you live in a big city.

This is where the 5.8GHz transmitters and receivers come in. The signal is clean and the probability of success in installing a wireless camera system is much higher. You can have up to eight analog wireless security cameras on 5.8GHz frequency. The main disadvantage is that it cannot go through walls with the same efficiency as the 900MHz or 2.4GHz systems.

So right now, we have 900MHz, where you can only have two cameras on it (not very practical), and 2.4GHz, which has almost every device known to man on it, and 5.8GHz, which is relatively clean, but fails when you try to send the signal through walls. To get around these problems, the 5.8GHz systems are now being improved with better antennas and more powerful transmitters. As a result of this addition, 5.8GHz wireless security cameras can now send a camera signal through a wall.

If you find a 5.8GHz camera and receiver on the market for under $200, chances are it has a 10 milliwatt transmitter in it, which is the lowest power transmitter on the market. In ideal conditions with line of sight, you can stretch it to 300 feet (in theory). In reality though, that is never the case. The signal strength is reduced by interference and walls. So if your objective is around 500 feet or so, look for a transmitter that is rated 100mw. For a distance greater than that, let's say 1,000 feet to 2,000 feet, you need a system with a one watt transmitter.

These are very general numbers and can change based on the distance, weather, and availability of a clear line of sight. One way to increase your odds for success is to put both the receivers and transmitters as high as you can to get that clear line of sight. Before making any purchases however, make certain that you identify your own specific needs for a security system so that you receive the proper protection for your home or business. And if you still are not comfortable choosing the right system for your needs, just consult a professional!

Article Source: http://gamblingarticlessite.com

Daxx is a a retiree who used to work in public schools as a teacher. In an effort to relieve his boredom, while at the same time make some money on the side, he has gotten into IM, setting up a varied collection of sites that provide assistance on how to set up a wireless security camera system to those that provide info on how to prevent identity theft.

Please Rate this Article

5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5 

Not yet Rated