Outdoor Wireless Camera – Buying & Installation Tips

There’s an outdoor wireless camera for almost every budget and purpose you can think of. But before you get excited and start splurging on equipment you don’t need, take note of the following tips regarding how to choose and set up an outdoor wireless camera.

1. Consider if you really need it. The common mistake of many homeowners and proprietors is they use high-tech solutions to solve low-tech problems, which ends up wasting money. If your problem is vandalism of a dark perimeter wall, simply installing lights is the wiser and cheaper option to setting up an outdoor wireless camera.

2. Check for line of vision. Most entryway plans are probably simple enough to make do with a single outdoor wireless camera. But some are more complex and may require two cameras or more. Alternatively, mounting an outdoor wireless camera on a special base may save you the extra purchase.
Hint: Line of vision also affects wireless video signal quality.

3. Check for distance. An affordable outdoor wireless camera can usually capture images up to 20 feet. You may want to go for an even more affordable unit if your yard or store entryway isn’t that big.

4. Check visibility. Your outdoor wireless camera should be capable of capturing night scenes. If you find that night vision capabilities put the purchase outside your budget and the surveillance area isn’t large, then simply light the area. But if you intend the camera to capture a wide area, make sure that lighting it won’t make your monthly energy bill cost more than the price of a night-capable outdoor wireless camera!
Hint: Switching to black & white mode in low-light situations can increase visibility.

5. Prepare to record. Whether you have a night watchman or not, you should be able to record images on your equipment. Beware of buying a cheap camera that requires you to buy additional stuff just to record surveillance video. Your outdoor wireless camera should be able to send wireless video signals that can be readily recorded on your PC or VCR.

6. Don’t record audio outside your property. Did you know that it’s illegal in the US to record the voices of people in public places? So if you intend to purchase an outdoor wireless camera with voice capturing/recording capabilities, make sure to use it only inside your home, store, or office.

7. Don’t use a dummy. Another thing that can make you legally liable is setting up a dummy camera, even as a supplement to a genuine outdoor wireless camera. Creating security expectations where none exist can give you legal problems in the future.

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