How To Minimize Interference On Your Wireless Security Camera System |
Posted: May 13, 2016 |
Wireless security camera systems are nifty tools for boosting home and office safety, but they're also vulnerable to interference from other wireless signals. The last thing you want to do is pull up scrambled footage from your wireless CCTV camera when it is needed the most. So without further ado, here are a few quick tips to help reduce the interference that your wireless surveillance systems may encounter:
Turn Off Nearby Appliances To Identify The Culprit The first thing you need to do is identify the culprits responsible for interfering with your wireless security camera system. You can do this by turning on your system and then turning off all nearby gadgets, appliances, and electronics one by one. Start with other wireless devices – phones, baby monitors, and other smart devices for office or home security. Once you've turned them all off, move on to regular appliances like TVs and refrigerators. These may emit signals that could interfere with the electronics of your wireless security system. If you've turned off all appliances and still get interference, you may be dealing with sources outside your home and office. You may want to check on your neighbor's wireless devices like their own security cameras, Wi-Fi routers, or intercom systems.
Change The Channel Number Of Your Wi-Fi Router Wireless security camera systems use specific channels, and will encounter interference problems if said channels are already being used by other devices. This is especially problematic for analog wireless cameras, though IP security cameras can also encounter this trouble. Actually changing the channel will depend on the device you have on hand. Some cameras have rear panels with switches that let you move between channels. Other cameras will require you to log into their DVR to change the channel. Consult the manual to learn which one applies to your camera.
Use Magnetically Shielded Cables and/or Wires The thing is that wireless security camera systems still use wires – especially when connecting receivers and transmitters to their respective devices. Poorly shielded wires or cables are much more susceptible to interference when compared to their shielded counterparts, which are protected by metals like copper or aluminum. These shielded wires and cables create miniature Faraday cages that make it much harder for outside signals to mess with the signals that your system transmits and receives. Leave this as a last resort though, as removing and replacing wires requires some technical skill and runs the risk of damaging your whole setup.
Go for 5.8 GHz digital wireless systems If you are in the market for a new Wi-Fi security camera, pick digital ones that utilize the 5.8 GHZ band. This is because the vast majority of wireless devices use the 2.4 GHz band, meaning that the signal from your security camera is much more likely to encounter interference from other devices on the same band. By contrast, few devices currently use the 5.8 GHz band. Digital systems also get more range when compared to analog systems; allowing you to space out your cameras further from the DVR without getting out of range.
Keep these tips in mind, and your wireless security camera systems will be much less likely to encounter interference while they're monitoring your home or office for threats!
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