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Jude in Windsor, Ontario Canada listens on AM 800 CKLW and asked: "I find it necessary to put up security cameras on my property. While researching security cameras, I'm inundated with wireless vs. hardwired, and copious amounts of brand names. So I'm lost as to what would be best and the reasons that I might prefer wi-fi versus hard wired. I'd love some input from you."

 

Jude, what’s best depends on your needs, obviously, but the main difference between wired and wireless is the ease of installation.

Wireless cameras need power, but you probably have other devices that need power too, near where you want the cameras.

When it comes to wired cameras you have to run data cables of some sort, sometimes they’re ethernet, sometimes they’re old coax, but whatever they are, they have to cover the distance between the camera and the recorder or monitor. You may need an additional drop for power or you may be able to draw power from the same cable, but even if it’s all on one cable, it will be one to each camera you want to install. That means that you’ll end up with a virtual spiderweb of cables all around your house.

On the “pro” side of the list, wired cameras are very unlikely to suffer from any meaningful interference unless your drops are very, very long, so they are very reliable.

Wireless is probably more than enough for most people these days. Our WiFi networks are solid and we use them for everything, and having the cameras on that network makes it easy if you want to able to reach your cameras when you’re not home. With some wired camera systems, reaching your router may be yet another drop to think about.

 

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