If you are on the market for a surveillance system, your timing is impeccable because right now we are at the crossroads of this migration to a new, more efficient, and more cost-effective solution for home and business security requirements. In a world with increasing crime and criminals, wireless surveillance equipment has turned into an icon for security.
Like many people, I have been afraid of electronic products in the past. As soon as I started thinking of setting up my own surveillance system for business or home I realized that the Camera, is but one element of a multi part System.
Let's explore the make-up of today's complete wireless surveillance systems.
The 5 basic components of wireless video surveillance equipment are:
1. cameras
2. transmitters
3. receivers
4. Recorders (DVR/VCR) DVR=Digital Video Recorder. VCR=VideoCassette Recorder.
5. video displays(Monitors or Television)
All 5 of these components are fitted in some combination to create a complete video surveillance system.
How does a wireless Surveillance System Work?
The wireless camera transmits a signal to a receiver that is connected to the DVR or VCR.
Wireless cameras usually have a built-in transmitter that sends the video signal to a receiver. The receiver connects to your recording and/or viewing device. There the signal is either recorded or thereby saved or simply viewed.
Different Types of Wireless Cameras
 Dome Cameras are simply board cameras built into dome housing.
Day-night domes equipped with high-power INFRARED Leeds for use indoors, outdoors
and low-light conditions. The day/night feature makes the camera color in the day light and then automatically switch to black and white in low light conditions.
 Professional cameras can be mounted on walls, ceiling brackets, buildings,
indoors and outdoors. Professional security cameras can be weatherproof,
waterproof, day/night, low-light and even a snake camera that can access almost
any space. Professional security cameras are usually high resolution
resulting in a very sharp image with great detail. They come in color or black & white.
 Hidden Cameras are so small they are virtually invisible to the naked eye.
Hidden cameras are in disguise as common household items such as Baby Wipes,
dolls, clocks, teddy bears, smoke detectors and radios.
Transmitters
Wireless Cameras usually use 2.4GHz transmitter---Video and Audio whose standard range varies from 200' to 700' depending on environmental conditions. There are however more powerful transmitters on the market. You will find that most wireless cameras come equipped with transmitters.
Receivers
The receiver intercepts a signal transmitted by the wireless camera then feeds that signal into the DVR or VCR that it is connected to.
Recorders
VCRs - VCRs record to a video cassette tape which creates the need to change tapes. Recently released VCRs with time-lapse and video motion detection features allow the VCR to begin recording only while motion is detected. Time-lapse is a series of images taken in a set number of time intervals. This means that not every frame is recorded as it is with Real Time. Time-lapse and motion detection help space on your 9 hour videotapes.
Depending on how much activity is detected one 9 hour tape could last you weeks. Because it only records when motion is detected...cuts off after 30 seconds, resets itself and waits for the next movement.
Digital Video Recorder (DVR)
Unlike VCRs, DVRs record video to a computer hard drive or other media such as a CD or DVD. This makes a DVR easy to maintain because there are no bulky tapes to change or the risk of losing video quality when recording over previous footage. Many DVRs can be operated and monitored remotely from anywhere in the world using the Internet.
By selecting to implement this fairly simple solution for your business and home surveillance, you fulfill a clear need while gaining security and comfort.
Shopping malls, schools, hospitals, parking garages, office buildings, airports, casinos, government services, warehouses, estates and financial institutions all now commonly use video based surveillance equipment in order to protect their wares and limit costly losses.
In conclusion, for a business or home surveillance system it would be advisable to select a complete system. Being a simple system does not deduct from its importance, or its surveillance function. The expenses incurred from buying wireless video surveillance equipment is worth the effort and cost, because this equipment not only reduces the costs of security, but also helps in curbing crime and vandalism.
