Usually when business owners set up their new wireless security camera systems they have a few simple questions which usually come up:
A common question is, Can I use audio with a security camera system?
It depends, sound recording is not allowed in judicial or legal proceedings therefore it has no purpose. According to the U.S. legal code sound recording should not be As an example, surreptitious or covert use is sound that comes from a hidden unit. So, if the surveillance system is in open and in plain sight then audio recordings may be ok. But, if any of your security devices are covert or obscured, like a hidden camera, then sound cannot be utilized.
Hidden cameras would cover pin hole and micro cameras plus almost all concealed cameras, like a radio with a hidden camera within. Audio recording with a hidden device or miniature camera is only available to law officers and law enforcement agencies. The exception is using body worn cameras, such as, a hidden camera in a wrist watch or a hidden camera in a tie clip and so on. Refer to Title 18, Section 2512.
Many new installers also wish to find out the distinction is between a wired and a wireless camera system?
The wired security camera system includes a coaxial cable connecting the actual cameras to the recording unit like a DVR/ VCR unit, or live monitor like a TV monitor. The wireless security camera includes a built-in or attached signal transmitter which sends a video data from the camera to the receiver unit. The wireless receiver unit then connects to the DVR or the TV.
If you are using a wireless security camera system it is important to think about the distance the wireless cameras are located from the receiver unit. Most wireless security cameras can send signals up to 1000ft. while high powered wireless security cameras often send asfar as 2500ft.. These optimal ranges are for unobstructed line of sight transmission. Transmissions go significantly shorter lengths when they must pass through multiple walls, barriers, or interfering wireless signals present between the wireless cameras and the wireless receiver unit.
The most common source of wireless transmission interference is from phone handsets and cell phones. Cell and cordless phones operate using the 2.4 GHz frequency which will create interference with 2.4 GHz wireless security camera systems. The good news is that interference is usually minimal and usually only when the phone is directly between the wireless camera and the receiver unit. Other causes of interference are wireless Internet, networks and WiFi.
The interference coming from walls and other barriers is usually minimal. You will find 2.4 GHz wireless security systems will send and receive through walls up to 2ft. in thickness, as long as the wall does not contain an excessive proportion of metal.
Can I have multiple wireless security cameras at a single location?
Most wireless security camera setup has more than simply a single camera. You will find that most systems provide up to 4 wireless security cameras in one area. This is because every camera is transmitting its signal on a minor variation of the 2.4 GHz transmitting frequency which is called the channel. If you have in excess of 4 then the transmitting security cameras will begin to interfere with each other.
If you want to view all four wireless feeds from the four security cameras at once that will require 4 separate pairs of wireless transmitters and receivers. You wil be able to use a single wireless receiver with 4 transmitters only if you are willing to toggle back and forth to each channel. You can only view a single video feed at a time when you choose to utilize only a single receiver. When using multiple wireless cameras in a single area you will need to toggle the DIP switches on each camera to a different channel.
