Wireless Security Cameras = Future Company Growth

Some companies take on change while others resist it.  Does anyone remember Eckerd’s drug stores?  If not, I don’t blame you.  Resistance to change is what ended Eckerd’s run as a strong force in the drug store market.  Meanwhile, taking on change helped keep Walgreens alive, with the addition of the drive through pharmacy, among many other things.  The point is, change is inevitable.  Simply put:

You can either change and progress, or resist change and fade away.

source: www.activerain.com

One area that is often discussed in the security camera market is wired vs. wireless security cameras.  Customers want wireless.  Installers want wireless.  Dealers want wireless. 

Question: What are RELIABLE and COST-EFFECTIVE wireless solutions?

Short answer: Hard to find.

They are becoming more readily available with time, but this is a change that WILL happen.  It’s not a matter of IF, but WHEN.

Being in the security camera industry for almost 6 years, I have not been too pleased with the variety of QUALITY wireless solutions available, analog or IP, until the past year.  This area promises significant growth in the coming years, since we are continually moving towards a wireless world.  Could you imagine your iPhone, Android device, Blackberry, or iPad being wired to another device?  Basically, NOT wireless?  Absolutely not!  This is the mindset that most end users are thinking with, as we are becoming a more wireless society.  On the dealer and installer side, there are some significant profit advantages to wireless security camera solutions, as well, such as ease of installation, increased range and reduced human resources.

Ease of Installation: Wireless solutions offer an ease of installation, when compared to wired solutions.  This can reduce the amount of time that installers are on the premises, making for less interruptions and a happier customer.

Increased Range: Wireless camera solutions offer an increased range, when compared to wired solutions. This can allow you to cover larger premises that previous wired solutions may not have been able to handle.  The increased range of wireless will allow installers to handle 30-40 foot ceilings, cement walls and multi-tenant installs, among many others.

Reduced Human Resources: Wireless solutions require a reduced amount of human resources, when compared to wired solutions.  Since there is no cable pulling, line testing, etc., this will allow installation companies to have more installers at more sites.

Here’s to wishing you a Happy New Year and continued success in 2012!

Stop Getting Tangled in Network Camera Cables

When most people take make the move from analog cameras to Network Cameras (IP Cameras), what they need in the ways of video recording, archiving, and cables is the biggest challenge for them to learn.  Unless you are a network engineer or seasoned IT vet, you’ve probably never had to deal with switches, PoE ports, or port forwarding.  After gaining a strong grasp on these things, Network Surveillance systems are breeze.

How Does a Network Camera Send Video Signal?

Unlike standard analog cameras which connect to a DVR via BNC cable, IP cameras use standard CAT5 cables to connect to an NVR (Network Video Recorder).  They are the same network cables used for connecting computers to routers, modems, and each other.  In fact, many houses and businesses are already outfitted with a CAT5 network throughout.

How Does a Network Camera Receive Power?

The majority of network cameras are Power over Ethernet (PoE) compatible.  Essentially, the same CAT 5 network cables can be injected with power using a PoE injector or a PoE switch.  This helps reduce the amount of wires required to make a camera operational and often saves time since, again, many sites are already outfitted with CAT5.

The fear of new and different technology often keeps people from implementing the best possible solutions.  Armed with the understanding of Network Camera connections, there is no reason not to make the upgrade.

Wireless Security Cameras – Pros and Cons

With the market making a transition right now into the world of IP we are seeing the rising demand for wireless solutions. Wireless can be such a great tool if implemented correctly. In this section I would like to review some Positives and Negatives of using this technology.

Cons:
I like to begin things by looking at the setbacks in order to see if the positives will outweigh. A major problem that may occur from using wireless is that the signal can be easily disrupted. Some things that can disrupt a wireless camera is a microwave or other wireless networks. Another common misconception is that wireless means zero cable. False! You will still have to power the camera. Typical powering is achieved through CAT5E cable over a POE switch. With the market flooded with IP cameras containing the ability to run off of this power source hardwired seems to be more reliable.  We wont even get into the fact that the signal is hack able.

Pros:
There is only really one stragety where I would implement regarding wireless. Spy cameras typically need to remain wireless to hide their true purpose and what they really are. Could you imagine a coax cable coming from a nanny camera? It would look obvious. Other than spy cameras I would say the market really hasn’t caught up yet. Now I will revisit this subject once they develop a camera that can provide round the clock surveillance off a battery source.

Wireless solutions due have their place in the market. And the goal of this article was to point out that wireless is not always the best route. The best way to transfer data is still through a hardwired solution.