WIRED OR WIRELESS CAMERA. WHAT IS THE SOLUTION FOR YOU?
When you find yourself having to choose between a wired and a wireless system you should know all the pros and cons that come with these two options.
There’s a lot of confusion around these two types of cameras and we’re willing to help you understand the differences so you can decide what will work best for you, whether you’re just looking for a few cameras or an entire security system.
WIRED SECURITY CCTV SYSTEM
A wired security CCTV system includes a recording device combined with a certain number of cameras (going from 4 devices up to XXX).
These devices record 24/7, can be connected to the internet to view remotely, and are wired to the internet and to power. There are two types of wired security camera systems:
- HD SECURITY SYSTEMS: CCTV systems based on DVRs that use a coaxial cable to power the cameras and record the footage.
IP SECURITY SYSTEMS: CCTV systems based on NVRs which use ethernet cables to both power the cameras and record video.
The cameras that come with a wired home security system don’t need to be plugged into an outlet because they draw their power from the recording machine (DVR or NVR)
Most wired systems can be managed from your smartphone by a dedicated APP, but you can also connect a computer monitor to the recording device to view real-time feeds or playback videos.
PROS AND CONS OF WIRED SECURITY CAMERAS
| PROS | CONS |
| They tend to be more reliable | Professional installation is usually required |
| They tend to be more secure and less likely to be hacked | Mobile apps and software can be less user-friendly compared to the ones managing wireless cameras |
| Their video quality is usually better and they don’t suffer from any interference from nearby devices. | They are less “portable” compared to a wireless solution. |
WIRELESS SECURITY CAMERAS
A wireless security camera, also known as a Wi-Fi camera, transmits its footage over Wi-Fi and is powered by AC power.
The device must be plugged into an outlet using a power cable so we can’t really talk wire-free camera.
So why it’s called wireless camera? Just because it uses wireless internet (Wi-Fi)!
Wireless security cameras generally store their footage on a cloud server or on local media, such as a micro SD card in the camera. They generally record when they detect motion or sound, but some can be set to record 24/7.
They capture high-resolution video and can record at night if equipped with night vision. They also typically have two-way audio capabilities so you can talk to the person seen by the camera.
Wireless security cameras are becoming very popular as home security solutions because they’re easy to install and it’s simple to view their footage using a smartphone or computer.
WIRE-FREE CAMERAS
When a wireless camera is powered by a battery, it becomes a wire-free camera.
PROS AND CONS OF WIRELESS SECURITY CAMERAS
| PROS | CONS |
| They’re easier to install and adjust | Can have spotty video quality due to reliance on Wi-Fi: if the network goes down, so do the cameras |
| They’re often easier to operate | In case of WIRE-FREE cameras you must have batteries changed regularly |
| They often use cloud storage, which allows you to view your footage from anywhere | Have a monthly fee for cloud storage |
LET’S SUMMARIZE!
- Wired camera: connected to a power source and the internet by a cable
- Wireless: connected to the internet over Wi-Fi, connected to a power source by a cable
- Wire-free: wireless cameras connected to the internet over Wi-Fi and powered by batteries