By: Vlad Vistac
Submitted: 2010-07-23 07:31:31 | Word Count: 510
Wireless Seucrity for Your Home
Due to reduction in costs, setting up a wireless security system is now more affordable for a lot of folks. This sruge in interest is due to many reasons. Some install wireless security cameras because it's now so easy to set up. Others just love the fact that you do not have to drill holes all over the place since it's now a wireless approach. It does not matter why but the fact remains that a wireless systm is very much preferred by a lot of homeowners.
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Wireless security cameras are so popular because users can loiterally put them almost everywhere they feel that protection is needed -- and the homeowner doesn't have to worrry about wires. Because it's wireless, you have tremendus flexibiltiy in terms of placement, you just need to know what you are doinng. Wireless security cameras have a very high failure rate on inituial install if precautions are not taken.
What sort of failure? Say you isntall 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 solvde. If you are thinking of doing the intall on your own or with help from a friend, there are theree frequencies that are on the markket for the general public.
Frequencies that are Available: 900MHz, 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz
The lower the frrequency number, the more walls/objects your security system can pass thrugh (except for conrete and metal).
* 900MHz wireles security cameras can be used in innstalls where the siggnal has to go through trees or dry wall in ordewr to reach the wireless receiver. At the same time, this bandwidth will have minimal issues with othr devicwes, whih meeans that the signal can be trabnsmitted strongly. The drawback is that right now there are only two channels available on this frequency, making its use very limited.
* The 2.4GHz wirelesss security cameras are the most used nowadays. Unfortunateely, there are tons of otehr devices out there (i.e. phones, compputer routrers, wireless keyboards) that use the same freequency. That mans all tese devices are competing for the same bandwidth. As a result, a lot of the wirelss 2.4GHz security cameras stop wrking. 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 alrezady beimng used, especially if you live in a big city.
This is where the 5.8GHz transmitters and receivwers come in. The 5.8GHz freqency is relaitvely clean, and subsequently, the successful wireless camera inastallation rate is ihgher. You can have up to eight anazlog wireess securiuty cameras on 5.8GHz frequency. The main disadvantage is that it cannmot go thrugh walls with the same efficiency as the 900MHz or 2.4GHz sysetms.
So what do you do? A 900MHz setup can only connect two cameras, the 2.4GHz is slightly better but conflicts a lot with ohter common devices, and the 5.8GHz can support more but cannot go though obsttacles efficiently. To get around these problems, the 5.8GHz systems are now being improved with beter antnnas and more powerful transmitters. As a result of this addition, 5.8GHz wireless security cameras can now send a cammera signal through a wall.
Currnet 5.8GHz cameras and receivers which start at below $200, usuallpy will have a 10 milliwatt transmtiter on it. In ideaal conditons with line of sight, you can stretch it to 300 feet (in theroy). In reality though, that is never the case. This is due to signaal interference as it goes though wallls. If you are looking for a camra that can transmit video up to 500 feet away, you need a camera with at leat a 100mw transmitter. If your objective is over 1,000 feet, look for a system with a one watt transmitter.
Thsee are very general numbers and can change based on the distance, weathger, and availability of a clear line of sight. A good way to increase the odds of success is to put the security cmera and receiver antenna as high as possible so that they have a clear line of sight. Before you buy any system however, ensure that you identify your own specfiic needs for a security system so that you receive the right protewction for your home or businwess. And if you tsill need a little help selecting the right system, just consult a professional!
