Usually when business owners are setting up a first wireless security camera system they have a few basic questions which usually are asked:

One frequent question is, Should I use sound with a surveillance camera system?

It depends, audio recording is not allowed as evidence in court or legal proceedings therefore it cannot be used. According to the United States legal code sound recording should not be done example, surreptitious orsecret use is audio that is recorded from a hidden device. So, if the CCTV system is in open or the subjects sight then sound recordings are viable. But, if any of your security devices are hidden or obscured, such as a hidden camera, then sound cannot be used.

Hidden cameras would cover pin hole and tiny cameras and virtually all spy cameras, such as, a clock with a hidden camera within. Sound recording in a hidden camera or micro camera is only available to law officers and law enforcement agencies. An exception is the use of body worn cameras, like, a hidden camera in your wrist watch or a hidden camera in a tie clip and so forth. Refer to Title 18, Section 2512.

Often new users also want to know what the difference is concerning a wired and a wireless camera system?

A wired security camera system includes a video cable that runs from the security cameras to the recording unit such as a DVR/ VCR unit, or live monitor like a TV screen. A wireless security camera includes a built-in or affixed signal transmitter which sends a video data from your camera to the receiver unit. The wireless receiver unit is then connected to the recording device or the viewing monitor.

If you are using a wireless security camera system you should think about the distance your wireless cameras are located from the wireless receiver device. Most wireless surveillance cameras can send signals up to 1000ft. and high powered wireless security cameras often transmit up to 2500ft.. These optimal ranges are based on unobstructed line of sight transmission. Signals cover significantly shorter distances when there are multiple walls, barriers, or competing wireless tranmissions present between the wireless cameras and your wireless receiver device.

The most frequent source of wireless transmission interference is from cordless and cell phones. Cell and cordless phones transmit on the 2.4 GHz frequency and will create interference with 2.4 GHz wireless security camera systems. Fortunately interference is usually minimal and usually only when your phone is directly between your transmitting camera and the receiver device. Other causes of interference are wireless Internet, networks and WiFi.

The interference you get from walls and other barriers should be minimal. Generally 2.4 GHz wireless security cameras can send and receive through walls as much as 2ft. thick, as long as the wall is not built with an excessive proportion of metal.

What about having multiple wireless surveillance cameras at a single location?

The average wireless security camera systems have more than just a single camera. You usually see that retail systems provide a max of 4 wireless security cameras in per area. This is because each device is transmitting its signal using a minor variation of the 2.4 GHz transmitting frequency which is called the channel. If you have in excess of four then your transmitting surveillance cameras will start to cause interference for one another.

If you want to see all of the video feeds from the four security cameras simultaneously you will need 4 unique sets of wireless transmitters and receivers. You wil be able to use a single wireless receiver with 4 transmitters but then you will have to toggle back and forth to each channel. You can only view a single camera at a time if you decide to utilize only a single receiver. If you are using multiplenumerous wireless cameras in a single area you will need to toggle the DIP switches on each camera to a different channel.

About the Author

Barry Grimes Barry Grimes - Home & Business Security Consultant: writes articles on related products and services such as... home security USB system and Fake Security Cameras

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