Unit 3.1 Radio Transmitted Cameras

Radio Transmitted Cameras

  • Radio Transmitted Cameras are designed for when it is not possible to connect a camera to your video recorder, instead the video footage is sent using radio waves to a receiver which in turn is connected to a Digital Video Recorder. There are many available

Radio frequencies used in the UK are either 1.394GHz or 2.4GHz which do not require a Licence

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 modern security consumers due to 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.

Types

Analog wireless

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.

Analog wireless 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 include:

  • Cost effective: the cost of individual cameras is low.
  • Multiple receivers per camera: the signal from one camera can be picked up by any receiver; you can have multiple receivers in various locations to create your wireless surveillance network

Disadvantages:

  • Susceptible to interference from other household devices, such as microwaves, cordless phones, video game controllers, and routers.
  • No signal strength indicator: there is no visual alert (like the bars on a cellular phone) indicating the strength of your signal.
  • Susceptible to interception: because analog wireless uses a consistent frequency, it is possible for the signals to be picked up by other receivers.
  • One-way communication only: it is not possible 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 include:

  • Wide transmission range—usually close to 450 feet (open space, clear line of sight between camera and receiver)
  • High quality video and audio
  • Two-way communication between the camera and the receiver
  • Digital signal means you can transmit commands and functions, such as turning lights on and off
  • You can connect multiple receivers to one recording device, such as security DVR

Wireless range

  • 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 to 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 the wireless router operates on.