Wireless Home Security Cameras: Simplifying Surveillance

Recently the improvements in wireless technology have allowed its incorporation into the security industry and home security system technology. Not so long ago, connecting up a home security system was generally a messy, time consuming and often difficult task. Now, through the use of security system equipment like wireless home security cameras and a variety of wireless alarms and detectors, it has become a much simpler process which can actually be completed in a few minutes. In some circumstances, setting up four to six wireless home security cameras can be done with the video available in as little is 30 minutes.

While some cameras are completely wireless using batteries in the camera to both power the camera and a transmitter which sends the images to a receiver, another type plugs into a household outlet and sends its images over the existing household wiring to a receiver which is also connected to the household circuits and then to either a dedicated monitor/recording device or a computer via a USB port. An advantage of using wireless home security cameras that transmit through the household power lines is the reduction in interference from other wireless devices. Devices such as wireless phones and wireless home computer network connections can sometimes interfere with a transmitted signal from wireless cameras.

Depending on the particular receiver, up to 6 of these wireless home security cameras can be used with a single receiver. Additional cameras would require one or more additional receivers and available USB ports. There are two main approaches to camera installation. The 'in-your-face' approach where the cameras are overt and obvious which is based on the believe that this will stop, or deter, most criminal activity. The 'secret agent' approach hides the cameras, even building them into items like wall clocks, radios, etc. This approach is looking for proof that can be used for finding a criminal or in court or it may be used for active monitoring. Some people combine the approaches, using a mix of overt and hidden cameras.

One handy method used for storage is to save the videos from wireless home security cameras to a computer’s hard drive. Depending on the number of cameras and the whether they are motion activated, your drive size will limit the storage capacity. A large dedicated drive or a large dedicated partition should be used for the stored images. Any that need to be saved can then be transferred to a different storage media such as a compact disk, DVD or a memory stick. The images could be used in court as evidence should the need arise.

While privacy laws may limit the use of surveillance cameras, monitoring a baby's crib with wireless home security cameras will break no laws. However, you do need to be aware of potential privacy violations in other room of your home or business. Areas where household visitors, business customers, or employees have a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as restrooms and dressing rooms, can generally not be put under camera surveillance.

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