Wireless Outdoor Security Camera Systems

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A wireless outdoor security camera system can be used for many different applications. The system is easy to install, easy to operate, and incredibly versatile in application. Since the wireless outdoor security camera does not require a video transmission cable to be run from each camera to the Digital Video Recorder or DVR, you may want to consider this system if cabling the system is impractical, undesirable, or simply can’t be done.

Standard standalone digital video security systems have three major components: 1) One to several digital video cameras; 2) A Digital Video Recorder or DVR; and, 3) one or more color monitors. The digital video cameras capture light images and turn them into electronic data that is sent to the DVR. The DVR creates a digital video file that can be viewed that instant (live) on the monitor and/or stored on the DVR for later viewing, archiving, etc.

These systems are connected by the use of various wires and cables. For instance, each digital video camera must have a coaxial cable run from the camera to the DVR unit. This video transmission cable is usually RG-59 type ...
... coaxial video transmission cable. It carries the video data from the camera to the DVR unit to be processed. Each camera also must have a smaller low-voltage DC wire run to it from either a power distribution supply box or a nearby plug-in transformer.

Wireless outdoor security camera systems eliminate the need to install the digital video transmission cable. Instead of using RG-59 coaxial cable the camera sends its video data to the DVR by radio wave signals. This is normally done in one of two ways. Either the camera sends its radio signal to a corresponding receiver which is located near the DVR unit and connected to it by cables, or the DVR unit itself has on-board receivers that the camera broadcasts its signal to.

The camera of a wireless outdoor security system may not be entirely wireless. Although there is no need to run the RG-59 coaxial cable in these systems, the cameras still require a power supply which is normally provided by the power distribution center box or a nearby plug-in transformer. However, there are cameras that are battery operated, using either one-time-use or rechargeable batteries. These cameras are truly wireless in that they have no video transmission cable or power supply wires run to them.

Since outdoor security camera systems do not require video transmission cabling, they can be much quicker and easier to install. Mount the camera, plug it in, and it’s ready. Even easier to install are the battery operated cameras; just mount the camera (no need to run a power supply wire) and it’s ready to go.

Wireless outdoor security camera system cameras use various technologies to send their radio signals to the designated receiver or DVR. One of the most popular methods that is used is the 2.4 or 5.8 MHz technology; this is the same technology used to send land-line based cordless telephone signals. It’s useful for this purpose because the signal is strong and virtually interference free.

It is important to note that the camera-receiver (or DCR with built-in receiver) relationship on wireless outdoor security camera systems have different specified ranges. Not all cameras have the same range. In fact wireless cameras may have a manufacturer’s specified range of from 30 feet to 2 miles Line Of Sight or LOS. LOS means a direct path in a straight line from camera to receiver that has no objects blocking the path. In other words, if you are standing at the point where the camera is mounted, you should be able to see the receiver (i.e. LOS).

Although the range is specified as LOS, it doesn’t necessarily mean that an impeding object along the path will prevent reception. In fact, seldom is the reception actually blocked by impeding objects; normally the range is just reduced. The reduction of the range is variable based on the transmission signal technology used and the material make up of the object(s) that fall within the LOS. Windows have less effect that walls or trees for example. This is not unusual as cordless telephones share this same sort of LOS range. Therefore, be certain the specified range of the camera satisfies your requirements before purchasing the camera or system.

Other than the need for replacing or recharging batteries, the cameras in a wireless outdoor security camera system or relatively maintenance free.