In a future long and far from now lives a very special device that runs on air forever until all eternity ends. This device needs absolutely no wires, it can always be on, and broadcasting the absolute best picture in the entire universe. All you literally have to do is look at the packaging the device comes in and it will go to the exact perfect location for the most amazing shot you have ever seen.
If this sounds too good to be true, that is because it is! I am really not trying to be cynical here, but I have to. That is because if I had a nickel for every time I was asked for a device that is close to the description above, I would honestly never have to work another day in my life. People listen, at this point in time there are several reasons why there is no such thing as a perfect wireless security camera. One of the biggest reasons that there are no wireless security cameras that are worth anything, is that unfortunately a device that is constantly streaming video wirelessly is putting an enormous amount of data over a network.
In order to do this you are going to need a lot of power. Well if you need consistent large amounts of power, a battery won’t do. At this point in time, there is not a battery currently available to the general public that can produce enough power. So as you can see, a wireless camera that produces an image that is always up and running, (the definition of a security camera is a camera that is running 24 hours a day, seven days a week, three hundred sixty five days a year with reasonable images produced) is not a feasible option. The reason I can say this is because, just ask yourself, “does my wireless network or even cell phone connection always work?” I am pretty confident that there are less than a handful of you that can honestly say yes!
Do you want a device that might work when you need it, because I sure don’t. I don’t want to take a chance of having something similar to the poor family in the state of washington whose security system failed. I know this is kind of an extreme example, but it is given to drive home a point. I was always taught a long time ago, that if you are going to do something to do it right, not half way. This same philosophy goes when you are installing a security system. Yes, there are companies out there that have “Wireless” cameras, but they still require a power outlet and they produce a substandard picture. With these cameras you are going to more than likely need to get a power source installed closer to the camera’s location. If you are going to pay or even do it yourself, dragging a Siamese Cable or even Cat 5/6 cable to the same location is way easier than dragging Romex power cable. It is safer too!
Lets just say you do decide to go with the wonderful wireless camera solution, now you need to be concerned with the fact that the signal has to be of good enough quality so your DVR can record the image. Now if you are like me and live in an area that the houses are made primarily of concrete block and metal studs, I will have to say good luck getting the signal at the corners of your house even if you centrally locate the DVR. Now lets say you are one of the blessed ones that has a structure where the signal isn’t degraded too much to reach the corners, do you want a device that someone can simply walk up to and unscrew the antenna… effectively stopping communication?
Now if I have just crushed all your hopes and dreams of having a camera system in your house, please don’t worry, there are options that actually work. Generally speaking there is always a way to get a camera to a location. Now it may entail a little work, like you may need to cut a hole in the drywall to help fish the wire down the wall. This is nothing that can’t be repaired to look like nothing ever occurred. I have wired many security systems in my life and know that “where there is a will there is a way”. Some people only want to do the easy route, but the easy route is not the best route. I have been able to wire an already-constructed, four-story house and have all the wire concealed. Now mind you that there was a lot of repair work to be done on the drywall, but the system was secure and virtually tamper proof with the wiring. Yes, I know this is not something that every consumer will want to undertake, but in cases like that you should hire a professional to get you the best solution for your project.
If you absolutely can not find a way to get a wire from one point to another there are options, but you are going to be in a more advanced camera system. Such as an IP (Internet Protocol) camera system. This is due to the fact that you do not necessarily need to get a wire all the way back to the recording device with these types of cameras. All you need to do is attach the cameras to a network and have the recording device on a network. This can be accomplished with even using powerline ethernet adapters and using your structures power grid as a network jumper. These generally aren’t the best way to achieve the end result, but it will provide you with a solution to help you to accomplish your goal.
Please don’t be discouraged that there is currently no camera on the market that can just be put up into a location and need nothing else ran to it to give you the sense of security you are looking for. There are always solutions for every situation, you just may need to be a little more creative to accomplish the goal. Remember this is for your protection and security and the only one you are short changing is yourself and your family!
