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Wireless Home Security Cameras
Expensive, wireless color camera security
systems are now available at a modest cost
for those homeowners wishing to monitor their
property. Specialty manufacturers make a
variety of systems that will allow you to
install a number of cameras so that your
can view images of your house on a conventional
television screen or computer monitor. These
systems consist of the color cameras with
a power supply for each, a receiver, and
the cables necessary to hook up the receiver
to a monitor. The cameras are only about
3 to 4 inches big, so they can be discretely
mounted in a number of locations. You can
wirelessly transmit an image to your monitoring
screen by simply pushing a button on a receiver
or remote control.
If you are thinking of installing
a wireless
video security system, consider
the following:
- The cameras are powered either by a 9 volt
battery or by plugging them
into a near by
electrical outlet. Battery
power only works
for a few hours, so if you
want to do intermittent
monitoring over longer periods,
make sure
that they have a remote on/off
switch. If
you need more than temporary
monitoring,
you will need a power outlet
near each camera
or use a low voltage extension
cord.
- You may want to capture sounds and voices
as well. See if the camera you select will
capture and transmit audio along with the
video.
- Wireless cameras require a compatible base
station to receive the signal
and, if so
equipped, to remotely operate
it.
- The number of cameras you can install differs
with each system but is usually around four.
Make sure the number is sufficient for your
needs.
- Most systems advertise that they can work
up to 100 feet away from the camera, but
this is a line of sight distance. Signals
degrade if they pass through walls, floors,
ceilings, fencing, or dense landscaping.
If you need excellent reception more than
50 feet from the camera, you may need to
invest in a more expensive model.
Special software packages will allow you
to monitor your property from the internet
when you are not on the premises and most
systems will provide you with tape surveillance
that you can view on a home VCR (although
recording time will be limited). If you need
many more hours of taped monitoring, you
will probably need a more expensive recorder.
Additional equipment can be added to your
system that will tape only when motion is
detected or for predetermined intervals |
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