Video surveillance and Wi-Fi have both been around for decades. Home security companies have been offering video surveillance since the earliest days of CCTV technology. As for Wi-Fi, it made its debut in late 1997. But today, we combine wireless cameras and Wi-Fi networks to provide even better video surveillance.
The global wireless camera market generated revenues of $12.7 billion in 2023. That number is expected to jump to $42.7 billion by 2033. Here in the U.S. alone, there are millions of wireless cameras now in service. You may own one or two of them yourself.
It is clear that consumers love their wireless cameras. They are cost effective, comparatively easy to set up, and can be utilized either independently or as part of a comprehensive security system. And it is all made possible by Wi-Fi.
A Revolutionary Change for the Internet
Setting wireless video cameras aside for just one minute, Wi-Fi could very well be the most important technology introduced since the dawn of the public internet. Wi-Fi changed the way average consumers get online. It offered mobility as long as a consumer’s device could still log onto the network.
I actually remember getting my first Wi-Fi card. It was given to me by a friend who would come to my house, along with a group of others, for weekly meetings. He also gave me a Wi-Fi router to go with it. When I asked why, he explained that he wanted to help make our meetings better by giving me the freedom to roam around.
Today, Wi-Fi is not just for desktop and laptop computers. Cell phones also connect to Wi-Fi networks pretty effortlessly. So do tablets and a whole host of home automation and security devices. That leads us back to the wireless camera.
Components and Sensors Working Together
If you have ever wondered how a wireless camera actually works, I invite you to check out a post on the Vivint Smart Home website. Vivint Smart Home is a nationwide provider of monitored home automation and security questions. Their post goes into the nuts and bolts of cameras pretty deeply.
In a nutshell, a wireless camera is a selection of components and sensors that all work together. A typical camera is built with:
- A camera lens and sensor
- A Wi-Fi module
- Storage space
- Motion sensors
- A power source
In terms of power, wireless cameras can be either battery powered or connected with a power cable. Battery operated cameras are more convenient in the sense that there are fewer placement issues. The downside is having to remember to replace batteries.
The Basic Premise
The basic premise of wireless video surveillance is pretty simple. Wireless cameras are ready to stream and/or record video data around the clock. Most are motion sensitive in order to minimize power consumption and storage issues.
Setting up a wireless camera is pretty simple. It connects to your home Wi-Fi network much the same way smartphones and game consoles connect. If you know how to add a device to your home network, you should not have any trouble setting up a wireless camera.
After connecting, you determine placement. The camera needs to be close enough to the router to maintain a constant connection. Placing cameras further away could require adding access points or a mesh network.
Once installed, you have access to around-the-clock video surveillance. You can set up your cameras to send alerts whenever they are triggered. Thanks to a selection of components and sensors, you can keep an eye on your property 24 hours a day.