You are thinking about purchasing a wireless surveillance camera system but, like many people, are afraid of electronic products. You keep reading about words like “lux” and “camera resolution” and “line of sight”. Do I really have to know what these mean? And, isn’t the wireless hidden camera hard to install?

The answer is NO and I’m going to tell you how easy it is to install and use your wireless hidden camera. I will also explain some of the “difficult” terms in plain, understandable English so you won’t be intimidated anymore.

The best thing about a wireless hidden camera is just that — it’s WIRELESS! You won’t have to run any wires through your walls or under your rug.

These wireless cameras are called “hidden” because they are built into an existing everyday object that you see in your home or office. Most of these objects are functioning electrical appliances, e.g. clock radios, air purifiers, and even computer speakers.

Each object contains a wireless camera. The camera will function as long as the object is plugged into the wall outlet. For example, even when you turn your radio off the camera is still working! These objects look natural when plugged into the wall, so your camera remains hidden and unsuspected.

Don’t forget — the object in which your camera is hidden is usually portable, e.g. a clock radio. So even if you disconnect the plug from the wall — perhaps to move the object — you can still use your wireless camera with batteries. The batteries work for about 4-8 hours, so it’s best that you have another set handy or use a battery charger for a fresh supply.

You want to purchase a wireless surveillance camera system that is “Plug and Play”. This means just what it says — plug it in and begin using it! Your wireless hidden camera comes with two main components: 1) a camera and a transmitter connected inside an everyday object and 2) a receiver which is attached to your VCR or TV. That’s all there is to it — you’re now ready to record.

Record what? There are unlimited uses for your wireless hidden camera. Here’s a few examples:

Hidden Nanny Camera — you can watch your children while they are being cared for by their nanny or baby sitter Be able to watch your mother or father who is getting up in years and needs special care Wouldn’t it be great to know who’s on your property all the time or even at the door? How about your children — you can keep an eye on your tots with your hidden nanny camera to make sure they don’t leave the house or property. And, now with your small security camera, you will know the REAL time your teens return home at night

By using surveillance cameras in the workplace you will always be aware of what’s going on in your store, office and warehouse. Just set up a wireless surveillance camera system to view your cash register, entrance and exit doors, loading dock, or just about anywhere. All this and much more can be viewed from your VCR tape or live on your TV. And with special software, you can watch what’s going on in your home or business on your computer screen, even when you’re away. Should you choose a Black and White (B/W) or Color camera? That is a personal choice that you should make. A Black and White camera does better as a low light wireless camera than a color camera because it has a lower lux. Color cameras, however, would be more helpful to the police in identifying the burglar, shoplifter, assailant, etc. by giving a better description, i.e. the man with the red hair in the green and yellow shirt.

Finally, I promised to explain some technical camera terms. Here are some of the general questions you might ask about your wireless hidden camera:

What is a Wireless Camera? A wireless camera consists of a camera with a transmitter attached to it and a receiver which connects to a VCR or a TV. What is”Plug and Play”? Plug and Play is the easy way to install your wireless surveillance camera system. Just connect the power supply (either AC for wall power or the battery pack) to your camera. Place the object containing the camera to show what you want to view. Connect the receiver to your TV or VCR using the red and yellow RCA cable from the receiver. You are now set up. What is a Transmitter? A transmitter is a device that converts video signals into radio frequency signals and transmits them as radio waves. What is a Receiver? A receiver is an electronic device that receives radio signals from a transmitter and decodes the signal for use as pictures on your VCR or TV. What is “Lux”? Lux is a method of measuring a camera’s sensitivity to light, i.e. it is the amount of light the camera needs to provide an image. The lower the number the less light the camera needs to reproduce a clear image. A Black and White camera usually has a lower lux than a color camera. It will hold an image longer than a color camera. For example, a B/W camera with a .05 lux will be better in low light than a color camera with a .5 lux. What is the meaning of “Camera Resolution” for security cameras? Camera resolution is a measure of the clearness of a security camera. It’s determined by the number of horizontal video lines that the camera must have to reproduce the correct image. The higher the resolution number the sharper the image. What is a Monitor? A monitor is what you use to view your camera image. The monitor could be a TV, CCTV (closed circuit TV) or even your computer screen. What is “line of Sight”? Line of Sight means that the video signal travels from the transmitter in your camera to a dedicated receiver (e.g. VCR or TV) placed a certain distance away with no obstructions or interference between the two. The signal can go through walls and floors. Low Power Cameras usually have a line of sight of 700 feet. However, you can upgrade to a High Power Camera which has a line of sight of up to 3500 feet.

So there you have it — you don’t have to be a camera buff to install or operate your wireless hidden camera. Just plug and play!

By: Larry Zolna

About the Author: