Security cameras: wired, Wi-Fi, PTZ and doorbell

From All Wireless Security

What All Wireless Security offers

All Wireless Security installs wired cameras, cloud cameras and complete surveillance systems for homes and businesses. It describes this work as video security and CCTV systems for monitoring a home or business, viewable from any computer or wireless device. The company helps you work out which camera technology suits your location and your budget, so treat the guide below as background for that conversation, not a product list.

General guidance

Wired IP cameras (PoE)

A wired IP camera uses one network cable for both power and video. This is called Power over Ethernet (PoE). The cable runs back to a PoE switch, and a network video recorder (NVR) on the same network stores the footage.

• Good for: fixed views you want recorded all the time, such as entrances, driveways, registers and lots.
• Why people choose it: there are no batteries to charge, the cable connection is stable, and the recording stays on site.
• Trade-off: cable has to be run to every camera. That is low-voltage wiring work, which Tom Cooney does.

Wi-Fi and cloud cameras

A Wi-Fi camera sends video over your wireless network. Cloud cameras usually store clips online and you view them in the maker's app. Many still need a power outlet nearby, even though the video travels over the air.

• Good for: covering a room or porch quickly, and places where running cable is hard.
• Check first: that your Wi-Fi reaches the spot well, and whether the online storage needs a subscription.

PTZ cameras

PTZ stands for pan, tilt and zoom. A PTZ camera can turn and zoom in on a distant area, either by hand from the app or on a preset tour. It suits large lots, yards and open areas where one fixed view can't show enough detail.

• Trade-off: while it's pointed one way, it isn't watching the other. Pair it with fixed cameras on the entrances.

Video doorbells

A video doorbell is a camera, a doorbell button and an intercom in one. All Wireless Security offers the First Alert Pro VX1 HD video doorbell by Resideo. Details are on the home surveillance page.

Features worth asking about

• Night vision. Infrared (IR) gives a black-and-white picture in the dark. Some cameras show colour at night when there's a little light.
• Wide dynamic range (WDR). Keeps faces visible when bright daylight is behind them, such as in a doorway.
• Motion areas. Draw the part of the picture that should trigger a recording or an alert, so passing traffic doesn't.
• Person and vehicle detection. Cuts down alerts from trees, shadows and animals.
• Two-way audio. Talk through the camera, which is common on doorbells.