Usually when business owners set up their new wireless security camera system they have some simple questions that almost always are asked:

A frequent question is, Can I use sound with my security camera system?

It depends, sound recording is not permitted as evidence in judicial or legal proceedings therefore it cannot be used. According to the U.S. legal code sound recording is not to be in a surreptitious or secret As an example, surreptitious or covert use is sound that is recorded from a hidden unit. Therefore, if the CCTV cameras are in open and in plain sight then sound recordings may be ok. However, if the security devices are hidden or obscured, such as a hidden camera, then sound should not be utilized.

Hidden devices would cover pin hole and micro cameras and almost all concealed cameras, such as, a radio containing a hidden camera inside. Sound recording in a hidden camera or micro camera is restricted to legal officers or law enforcement bureaus. The exception is the use of body worn cameras, such as, a hidden camera in your wrist watch or a hidden camera in a tie clip and so forth. Refer to Title 18, Section 2512.

Many new installers also wish to find out the difference is concerning a wired and a wireless camera system?

A wired security camera system uses a coaxial cable that runs from the actual cameras to the recording unit such as a DVR/VCR recorder, or live monitor such as a TV screen. A wireless security camera has a built-in or attached wireless transmitter that sends a video signal from your camera to your receiver unit. The wireless receiver unit then connects to the recording device or the viewing monitor.

If you are using a wireless security camera system you should consider the distance the wireless cameras are placed from the receiver unit. Standard wireless security cameras are able to send signals as far as 1000ft. and high powered wireless security cameras often send as far as 2500ft.. These high distances are for unobstructed line of sight transmission. Transmissions cover significantly shorter lengths when they must pass through multiple walls, obstructions, or competing wireless transmissions standing between your wireless cameras and the wireless receiver unit.

The most frequent source of wireless transmission interference comes from cordless or cell phones. Cell and handset phones transmit using the 2.4 GHz frequency which will cause interference with 2.4 GHz wireless security camera systems. Fortunately interference is usually minor and typically only if the phone is directly between the transmitting camera and the receiver unit. Other causes of interference include wireless Internet, networks and WiFi.

The interference you get from walls and other structures is usually minimal. Generally 2.4 GHz wireless security systems will transmit and receive through walls up to 2ft. thick, as long as the wall does not contain an excessive proportion of metal.

What about having several wireless security cameras in one location?

The average wireless security camera setup has more than just a single camera. You usually find that most systems allow a max of 4 wireless security cameras in one area. This is because each device is transmitting its signal on a slight variation of the 2.4 GHz transmitting frequency which is called the channel. Any more than 4 then the wireless security cameras will start to interfere with eachother.

To see all of the wireless feeds from your four security cameras at once that will require 4 separate sets of wireless transmitters and receivers. You can use a single wireless receiver with 4 transmitters but then you will have to switch back and forth to each channel. You will only be able to view one camera at a time when you choose to use only one receiver. When using multiple wireless cameras in a single location you will have to set the DIP switches on each transmitter to a unique channel.