A Wireless CCTV system is a smart, efficient technology, which boasts many advantages over its wired counterpart.
In addition to lowering home insurance costs and deterring would-be intruders (as any Wireless CCTV system can do), These 5 we have chosen can easily connect with your smartphone, tablet or laptop, offering superior coverage and response times should your home security be breached whilst you are away. Additionally, there are fewer cables or wires to worry about, which makes the initial installation that much easier.
Wireless CCTV offers peace of mind, increased security and affordability, all in the same package.
In this guide, we’ll be looking at the benefits of any Wireless CCTV systems setup, as well as potential drawbacks, methods of installation, technical information and everything in between.
We sincerely hope you find it helpful.
Contents
How Does Wireless CCTV Work?
What are the Benefits of Wireless CCTV?
Top tips for Installing a Wireless CCTV System
DVR Vs. NVR
IP Cameras, Why are they better?
How Important is Footage Resolution?
Why is Video Compression Important?
How Do Motion Sensors Work?
Camera Waterproofing: What is an ‘IP’ Rating?
How Much Do Floodlights Help?
The Reviews
YESKAMO Wireless Outdoor Home CCTV
SANNCE Wireless Security System
TOGUARD Wireless CCTV Home Security
Arlo Smart Home Security CCTV Camera
ANRAN Wireless CCTV Camera System
How Does Wireless CCTV Work?
Wireless CCTV cameras operate by transmitting any footage they take directly to a receiver. The transmission is achieved via a radio (RF) transmitter and therefore does not require cables. In simplest terms, this is why the technology is referred to as ‘wireless’.
The receiver itself is connected to either a built-in storage device or a cloud storage system. The footage may then be viewed from the receiver or a monitor set up, depending on the technology used.
A wireless CCTV systems setup requires a lot of power if it is running constantly. It may be run from the mains or via battery power. The camera is still considered to be ‘wireless’ even if it is plugged into the mains via a cable; this is because the term ‘wireless’ refers to the method of transmission, not the method of charging.
Of course, a battery-operated camera setup may truly be considered ‘wireless’, but this approach will gluttonously guzzle your batteries if used constantly.
Battery power is a potentially useful option if you’re setting your camera up in an area where there is no easy access to mains electricity. However, this approach will require a lot of batteries (which will need manually changing/charging regularly) in order to achieve the desired result.
As a general rule of thumb, keep in mind that battery life estimates (at least as far as video camera batteries are concerned) tend to be very optimistic.
So, if your battery claims to operate for 6 hours’ continual usage, you can reasonably expect to see it running out between around the 3 – 4 hour mark. If your 6-hour battery makes it to 5 hours, you’ve done exceptionally well.
What are the Benefits of Wireless CCTV?
A wireless CCTV system setup boasts many benefits. Here are just a few. Wireless CCTV is…
- Less vulnerable to sabotage. A wired CCTV system may be effectively disabled as soon as the cable that connects the camera to the rest of the system is cut. A wireless system, on the other hand, does not suffer from this limitation. Additionally, physical evidence such as videotapes cannot be lost or stolen, as they never existed in the first place!
- Easier to Install. We’ll go over the actual installation methods in the next section, but for now it is definitely worth pointing out that wireless CCTV is significantly easier to install than its wired counterpart.
- Less intrusive. Wireless CCTV is generally far less intrusive than wired options. There’s no need to safely find room for camera cables, as wireless CCTV doesn’t require any.
- Highly Accessible. In many cases, wireless models can be easily viewed from your smartphone, tablet or other device. This increased accessibility can really boost your peace of mind as, even if you are not present in the home, you can still access the cameras remotely to check that everything is OK.
- An effective deterrent. The biggest and most oft-cited benefit of CCTV system, of any kind, is that it deters many would-be criminals simply by existing. CCTV systems effectively discourages burglars and intruders because they are more likely to be identified and prosecuted if caught on camera. In most cases, burglars are looking for an easy time. They want to get in, grab something valuable and get out again without being noticed. They DO NOT want to be filmed while doing this. Hence, the presence of CCTV cameras can make your home or workspace safer without even needing to be used.
- A great way to lower home insurance costs. Since CCTV-equipped homes are considered by insurance companies to be less at risk than homes without CCTV systems, the price of insurance is generally lower for homes with a CCTV system installed.
- Great for collecting evidence. If you do find yourself the victim of vandalism or home invasion, a CCTV system, of any kind, is a great way to gather evidence that may then be submitted to the proper authorities. Such evidence has, in many cases, led directly to convictions.
Top tips for Installing a Wireless CCTV System
DVR Vs NVR
When you buy a CCTV system, you will likely have to choose between a DVR recorder and an NVR recorder. A DVR is always a wired system, while an NVR can be both wired or wireless.
Both DVR and NVR recorders have the same function (to record video). DVR stands for Digital Video Recorder, while NVR stands for Network Video Recorder. The difference between the two boils down to the way they process video data.
A DVR system will process the data at the recorder, whilst NVR systems process their data within the camera before streaming it to the NVR recorder for viewing or storage.
NVR systems usually feature more robust cameras, the majority of which can easily record audio in addition to visual data (something that analogue cameras in wired systems can’t usually do). The better cameras can also offer useful extras such as facial recognition software.
A few considerations for those looking to purchase an NVR system might include the size of the hard drive (as this will directly impact how much data can be stored by the device) and the amount of separate channels (read: cameras) that it can operate simultaneously. The number of channels will, of course, help to determine how much storage space will be needed and vice versa.
It is also important to ensure that your WiFi signal can (and does) reach the individual areas in which you plan on installing cameras. If a signal can’t be reached in, say, the attic, is there any point placing a camera there?
Those with bigger properties will need to pay particular attention to the maximum distance from the recorder that the cameras can effectively operate.
NVR systems are usually used with IP cameras, whereas DVRs tend to work with analogue cameras. This will be explained in greater detail in the next section.
IP Cameras, Why are they better?
If you’ve selected a wireless NVR CCTV system, you will get an IP camera instead of an analogue one.
Analogue cameras are the traditional ‘security camera’ that we tend to picture when thinking about CCTV cameras. These cameras work by sending video footage (via cable) to DVRs or VCRs for storage.
IP cameras are digital cameras that send signals (also via cable) to be stored in a network. Many security systems today are hybrid systems that incorporate both technologies.
Indeed, IP camera systems may be installed to work with existing cabling infrastructure, although this will require a decent level of technical ‘know how’ on your part.
IP cameras do have the advantage over their analogue cousins in a number of key areas. These include their image resolution being considerably better, as well as the FOV (field of view) being much larger and therefore enabling the camera to ‘see’ more of the action below.
In fact, IP camera resolution can be as much as 20 times better than its analogue counterpart. This, of course, allows for much cleaner footage and a far better chance of identifying the people caught in that footage.
IP cameras, in most cases, can also be set up and used in the same manner as an analogue camera would be, so their versatility is another plus point.
Probably the biggest single advantage IP cameras have over analogue is the fact that analogue transmissions lose clarity over an increased distance, whereas digital transmissions lose none of their initial clarity regardless of distance, even when the resultant footage is converted from one format to another.
How Important is Footage Resolution?
When it comes to CCTV systems, decent footage resolution is vital. After all, there’s no point capturing footage of someone committing a crime if that footage cannot be clearly seen.
This is where footage resolution comes in.
Digital video files have set dimensions, which are named according to the number of pixels that make up the image (more pixels = higher resolution).
The lowest resolution available to you will likely be 1280 x 720 pixels, commonly referred to as ‘720p’ (and usually captured via a 0.9 megapixel camera).
High Definition, or ‘HD’ is defined as consisting of 1920 x 1080 pixels (and will likely be captured by a 2.1 megapixel camera), this is often referred to as ‘1080p’.
Some systems will be listed as ‘4K’, ‘Ultra HD’ or ‘UHD’. This means that the frame is 4000 pixels wide (or greater). Ultra High Definition footage contains nearly 4 times the total number of pixels as regular HD.
4K resolution is a very good option, but even it has its drawbacks. For starters, such high quality footage can be very expensive to store (requiring as much as 8 times more hard drive space). To put this into perspective, 21 days of stored footage in HD would be little more than 2 days in 4K.
In general, HD resolution will do the job well enough, provided the cameras are set up properly, zoomed in to the correct area and have been tested to ensure that any footage captured will be useable.
Broadly speaking, 4K is still better, but that should not presuppose that there’s anything at all wrong with HD, which is, in many ways, still the more practical option.
It is also worth issuing a note of caution at this point. Some of the less scrupulous manufacturers may market CCTV cameras as being “better than HD” or similar. The cameras may be listed as being 3 or even 4 megapixel cameras. While this description is factually accurate, it is also misleading, as in many cases, the system that the camera connects to will only record in HD, meaning that even if the camera is capable of capturing higher quality images, the system it’s connected to is not capable of processing/recording them.
In many cases, increasing a camera’s capacity from 2.1 megapixels to 4 megapixels isn’t as likely to improve the overall image as it is to simply require a lot more data storage and therefore cost you more money.
It definitely pays to do some research and/or seek advice if you’re unsure on any of this, as it will definitely save you money over the long term.
Why is Video Compression Important?
Essentially, the process of video compression makes your IP camera’s files smaller and easier for the recorder to manage and store. In most cases, the files will be recorded onto either an NVR system or the camera’s MicroSD card. Almost every IP surveillance camera will come equipped with a video compression codec.
There are two main types of compression. These types are known as H.264 and MJPEG, which is short for ‘Motion JPEG’. MPEG-4, which is still sometimes used, is an older technology.
- H.264, a new standard, is the first compression format to be created via collaboration between the IT and telecommunications industries.
- H.264 offers a lower bitrate, which reduces bandwidth usage overall.
The term ‘bitrate’ describes the total number of bits-per-second (a ‘bit’ or ‘binary digit’ being the smallest quantification of computer data) that travel between two devices at any given point.
Bitrate is measured as kilobits per second (Kbps), megabits per second (Mbps) or Gigabits per second (Gbps). This is also called ‘transmission speed’, for fairly obvious reasons. Other terms for the same concept include ‘data rate’ and ‘transmission rate’.
For reference, 1 kilobit is equal to 1000 bits, 1 megabit equals 1000 kilobits and 1 gigabit equals 1000 megabits.
The term ‘bandwidth’ describes the maximum amount of data that can be transferred over the network at any given time. If, for example, your camera usage exceeds your system’s bandwidth, you will experience technical hiccups such as breakage in live feeds and recordings. Additionally, any devices that are connected to the network will also become sluggish and possibly even unusable in this scenario.
MJPEG and MPEG-4, while both being decent options, are not nearly as efficient as H.264, with a bitrate that is 80% lower than MJPEG and between 30 and 50% lower than MPEG-4. This is why H.264 is probably the best option when it comes to video compression technology.
How Do Motion Sensors Work?
Without motion sensors, operating home CCTV systems would be an endless (and endlessly boring!) task. You would, in effect, be forced to monitor your CCTV feed constantly and in real time, in order to have any chance of catching criminals in the act.
Thankfully, motion sensor technology exists. This means that the camera is only activated once the sensors detect movement. Here’s how it works.
Motion detection generally falls into two categories. These categories are PIR (see above) and CV (Computer Vision). As described elsewhere, PIR devices monitor the ambient heat given off by all living things, activating themselves whenever they sense a change in overall temperature. CV, on the other hand, uses the camera’s own internal software to analyse the video footage frame-by-frame and activate only when a big enough change is detected.
PIR sensors are generally better at filtering out movements made by non-living objects (such as curtains or wind chimes fluttering in the breeze). However, due to spending long periods in ‘standby’ mode, PIR systems can take slightly longer to activate than CV systems do. Accordingly. it is entirely possible for a PIR camera to miss the action that triggered its activation in the first place.
Additionally, a PIR sensor placed inside a residence will be unable to detect an intruder approaching the residence from outside, even if the camera can see them, it will not activate because, although the person is moving, the sensor cannot detect any body heat coming from them.
CV detection can be better in some ways, but is generally more expensive to run, requiring expert computer analysis beyond the capabilities of the system itself. CV is also something of a blanket term that covers many, many different algorithms, some of which are better than others. This makes choosing the right CV system a daunting prospect for the less computer literate consumer.
False alerts can be a problem with both types of sensor, as motion sensors are easily triggered by a multitude of non-threatening movements, including pets, postal carriers and inclement weather.
This is where CV has a major advantage, as it can be programmed to ignore certain geometric properties, such as those of family pets, and focus specifically upon human forms. Additionally, CV can include facial recognition software, which is another major plus point in its favour.
Camera Waterproofing: What is an ‘IP’ Rating?
Not to be confused with an IP camera, an IP rating is a score given to most forms of technology designed for use outdoors.
Essentially, an IP rating explains how weatherproof your device is. This rating always takes the form of two combined scores from 1 – 6 (‘0’ or ‘X’ meaning that it has no score – and therefore offers no protection – at all).
Your camera’s IP rating will always be a two-digit number. The first digit in this number describes the device’s vulnerability to intrusion from dust, dirt or small objects.
An intrusion rating of 1, for example, simply means that the camera is safe from penetration by objects greater than 50mm in diameter. A rating of 6 tells you that your device is totally dust proof.
An IP rating’s second digit describes the device’s resistance to moisture, such as might be caused by rain or condensation. A rating of 1 denotes a device that can be safely used in the rain, while an 8 rating means that the device may be fully submerged in water, even at significant depths.
How Much Do Floodlights Help?
Regular security lights, when placed in strategic locations around a property, can be assets to a home security system. However, their main use is as a deterrent.
While security lighting will make it harder for a would-be intruder to hide anywhere on the property, it is also entirely reliant upon residents of the area or local security services to not only see an intruder, but also be very clear about who they saw in order to make a statement that’s detailed enough to generate an arrest and/or conviction.
Of course, by casting a wide, bright light on an open area, security lights can help CCTV cameras to capture an image of a potential intruder. Beyond this, however, the usefulness of security lights is actually rather limited.
Infrared lights are considerably better, however. The advantage of IR is simple; infrared floodlights cannot be seen with the naked eye.
When exposed under a regular security light, a would-be home invader will instinctively turn his/her head and flee. When exposed under an IR security light, the invader remains blissfully unaware of the fact. This allows the security camera to capture clear and detailed images of him/her.
If your residence is properly alarmed, the would-be burglar will trigger the alarm and flee, but can still be brought to justice via the footage captured through your IR floodlight.
IR floodlights can even ‘see’ through thick fog, heavy snowfall and hard rain. The better models can have an illumination range of up to 370 metres.
PIR (or Passive Infrared Receiver) floodlights are some of the best security equipment around, and easily the most sensitive on the market right now. These floodlights work by detecting the tiny amounts of heat that are emitted under the sensor’s watchful gaze and then activating the light accordingly.
CCTV does not require floodlights to work properly, of course, but a CCTV cameras that includes IR or PIR floodlights is definitely the better option to take if it is available to you.
YESKAMO Wireless Outdoor Home CCTV
SANNCE Wireless Security System
TOGUARD Wireless CCTV Home Security
Arlo Smart Home Security CCTV Camera
ANRAN Wireless CCTV Camera System
YESKAMO Wireless Outdoor Home CCTV System
With 4 gleaming, smartly designed cameras and a very respectable set of specs, it looks as if YESKAMO have developed an affordable home CCTV setup that deserves further examination.
The 3-megapixel cameras use PIR (Passive InfraRed) sensors to activate video recording, as well as floodlights and siren alarms. This all works very well, so we’re off to a solid start.
The aim of the siren, apparently, is to scare off any would-be intruder while at the same time capturing him or her on video. According to the manufacturer, dual sensor detection allows this system to avoid up to 90% of false alarms. This is definitely necessary, as a constantly wailing siren alarm will likely not be very popular with your neighbours.
When the alarm and cameras are activated, instant email and phone notifications are sent to the user, and the camera begins to record colour footage on the system’s massive 2TB hard drive.
The size of the hard drive is an extremely welcome feature, as this makes the user less likely to need to pay for additional data storage. As if this wasn’t enough, you can even upgrade the 2TB hard drive to a whopping 6TBs.
The YESKAMO home CCTV system also allows for two-way audio communications between the user and anybody who might have triggered the system. This function allows the user to give instructions to delivery personnel or to verbally ward off intruders while watching the live video stream.
The cameras themselves are generally weatherproof, featuring an IP rating of 66. The LED floodlights can throw up light over a distance of 100ft and really help the cameras to capture good quality images. It is also very easy to set up a ‘daisy chain’ of additional cameras, even if they are somewhat remote from one another.
On the negative side, the manual, like the product descriptions available online, can be difficult to decipher. The manual is perfunctory at best and really doesn’t offer much help with anything besides the basic setup. Accordingly, it will require at least an hour of the user’s time to really get used to the interface and its nested menus. This can be very off-putting for the less tech savvy consumer.
Elsewhere, the design of the power adapters greatly limits the amount of extension lead sockets that can be used with this product – only in-line extension sockets can be used because much of the power adapter body overhangs the top of the plug.
This system also requires a very long Ethernet cable (which must be supplied by the user) in order to work properly. It will also only work with a wired mouse (although in this case, one is provided by the manufacturer).
In summary, the YESKAMO Wireless home CCTV system can perform ably in the right set up, but it is also somewhat awkward and asks a lot of the user. From the garbled item information online (which, quite honestly, borders on gibberish at times), to the various restrictions placed on the user by some unnecessarily rigid design elements, it just seems that this one represents something of a missed opportunity on the part of the manufacturer. It’s good, but it could be better.
✅ Easy to ‘Daisy Chain’ cameras if the connection isn’t strong
✅ PIR triggered alarm is great
✅ You can upgrade the hardrive from 2TB HDD to 6TB HDD
❌ The unit has to be plugged into an internet router via Ethernet cable
❌ design of the power adapters greatly reduces the type of extension lead sockets that can be used
SANNCE Wireless Security System
The SANNCE wireless security system has a lot going for it. From a high video encryption level and HD image capture (in both regular and night vision modes) to a free extension antenna (with extras available from the manufacturer), this one would appear to have it all – and then some. But is it as good as it looks?
This system features durable cameras with hard metal casings and a ‘weatherproof’ rating of IP66. Each camera will be paired to the NVR recorder prior to being shipped, which makes the process of setting up just that little bit easier. The system can support up to 8 individual cameras.
The NVR can also be connected to a TV or monitor via the use of an HDMI cable (which must be purchased separately by the user). The system also works with or without Internet access (though only Internet access can connect it to the app). This is a common enough feature, but it bears mentioning anyway, we feel.
The app allows you to view the camera’s live feed from anywhere that has Internet access. Sadly, however, said app isn’t nearly as user friendly as you might expect.
The system itself also suffers from an unwieldy user interface and menu setup that might be best described as ‘unnecessarily clunky’.
This SANNCE wireless CCTV setup lacks any audio capacity, so cannot be used to interact with postal carriers or potential intruders. Though you can see people approaching the property, you will be unable to interact with them via the security system.
Nevertheless, this system does have a number of positive points. For starters, the video quality (which is full HD) is great in night or day. The images are sharp enough to capture facial details, as well as other information such as vehicle number plates. It can also record for up to 25 days, which is a very welcome feature indeed and could save a lot of money on data storage.
The setup also comes bundled with its own ‘mini mouse’, a wired model that is smart and functional, even if it may be a bit small for some people’s tastes.
On the whole, this is an OK system. It isn’t quite as good as it first appears, but it isn’t bad, either. The picture quality is excellent and the notifications are fast and efficient, but the system is not user friendly enough, the router must be connected to the DVR at all times and your ability to place the cameras in key positions is sorely hampered by the lack of rotating brackets. In fact, the cameras can’t even be placed at 90 Degree angles because the aerials get in the way. These are the sorts of design mistakes that you just don’t want to see on a product that otherwise performs as well as this one.
✅ Great quality in both daylight and with the night vision
✅ Comes with a tiny mouse, if you don’t have one
✅ The smart alerts on mobile is brilliant
❌ Mobile app is a very hit and miss
❌ cameras can’t look 90 degrees to the left because of aerial
TOGUARD Wireless CCTV Home Security System
Neatly futuristic in design and high functioning in performance, the TOGUARD 1 wireless CCTV system at once does the job and looks the part while doing it. It is, however, hampered by unfortunate issues in a couple of key areas, as we’ll soon see.
First of all, the bright side: TOGUARD will have paired the wireless cameras with the NVR before shipping occurs. This definitely saves the user a job when it comes to installation.
The cameras themselves are ideally suited to outdoor use, with an IP rating of 66, as well as the ability to function well in all conditions, even in excessively hot or cold weather. The tough outer casing will also make damaging the camera (whether intentionally or accidentally) rather difficult.
The images captured by the cameras (in crisp 1080p no less) are generally good quality and show a lot of detail. The night vision is good too, working well even at distances of 15 – 20 metres.
Elsewhere, the motion detection technology also works well, sending snapshot notifications directly to the user’s email account and phone the second the camera is activated.
Intelligent algorithms minimize the amount of false alarms, while the system itself is user friendly and allows users to view the live camera feed remotely at any time. This is especially useful if you just want to check in on family pets or expected deliveries while at work or otherwise occupied. You can even share video clips and still images with friends and family should you wish to.
So far, so good – the cameras work very well, the system is easy to use with an interface that’s logically laid out, installation is relatively simple and the NVR itself is nice and compact, which makes it easier to store.
The TOGUARD 1 CCTV system fails, however, on a number of little things. The Devil, as they say, is in the details.
For starters, this system does not offer any audio recording or two-way audio functions. As a result, there will be no interacting with what you see.
Secondly, and perhaps most damningly of all, there is NO HARD DRIVE attached to this system. Users will literally have to buy this system, then purchase a hard drive separately, or else pay out immediately for cloud storage space. To call this an inconvenience is an understatement. Surely one of the chief selling points of an all-inclusive system is that it is all-inclusive. To send customers out for a necessary component after the fact is considerably less than an ideal situation.
Sadly, those aren’t the only problems with this system. The cameras, though otherwise excellent, can only be adjusted to face up or down, not left or right. This limits the user’s placement options (as well as the cameras’ potential for capturing incriminating footage) considerably. Speaking of footage, the options to customize the camera’s image sensitivity (and thus, better avoid false alarms specific to your home environment) are sorely limited.
But it doesn’t end there. Parts of the system (such as the power supplies) appear to be very weak and vulnerable to tampering, despite the camera casings being solid and durable.
The TOGUARD 1 Wireless CCTV system could be useful in the right circumstances and, to be fair, it isn’t the worst system we’ve ever seen. The trouble is, it’s also quite far from the best.
Really good even in night mode or low light condition
NVR device is small and does not take up much space
Solid well made cameras
Cameras can only adjust the angle of view up and down not left to right
Hard Drive is NOT included
Arlo Smart Home Security CCTV Camera System
The Arlo Smart Home Security CCTV System is a 3-camera system boasting an integrated spotlight, enhanced colour night vision, a 180Degree field of view, automatic zoom and two-way audio with built-in noise cancellation technology. It’s even compatible with Alexa and Fire TV. Frankly, it sounds great. Let’s delve deeper and see what we can find.
The image quality is very nice indeed, not only offering full HD, but also wide-angle enabled panoramas. The cameras even automatically boost the colours when in night vision mode. Installation is easy, partly because the camera mounts are magnetic.
The cameras, however, suffer from quite a few limitations. There is, for example, no range extender available for this model. Instead, if the camera is placed out of range, the user will have to purchase a second base unit to remedy this.
The motion detection will only work from a distance of about 10 metres and the built-in infrared night-vision is entirely useless at any more than 6 metres.
Additionally, minor obstacles such as walls, scaffolding, glass windows or doors (and yes, even trees) can interfere with the camera’s signal. The signal itself will only stretch to a distance of about 25 metres – and that’s only if there isn’t anything in the way.
Purchasing this system unlocks 1 full year or Arlo’s Smart Premier Service, which includes 30 day rolling cloud storage for up to 10 cameras. However, to get the most out of this system, a SMART subscription (purchased separately) is needed. Quite a few of the system’s better functions require this subscription in order to become fully accessible.
On the plus side, the two-way audio technology works exceedingly well, cancelling out a lot of background noise. Interestingly, the microphone is sensitive enough that it can activate purely from sound. Though this might lead to a few false alarms, it is nonetheless a welcome feature.
The system is also highly customizable, allowing the user to configure how the individual cameras react after detecting movement or audio.
In the end, this is a good system. It undeniably has problems, but when it works, it works well.
Really good picture and sound quality, and the detection system works well.
App allows you to create your own “modes” and allows you configure what happens when each camera detects motion and/or audio.
Magnetic camera mounts, very little to install
Some of the “smart” features require a subscription
If the cameras are out of range, there is no range extender, you have to buy a second base unit.
ANRAN Wireless CCTV Camera System
Produced by a well-established CCTV provider rich in both experience and technology patents, the ANRAN wireless CCTV system combines high performance with affordability to produce a great quality home security system. But is it all it’s cracked up to be? Let’s find out.
Encased in tough, IP66-rated cases, the cameras produce clear, unfettered 1080p images that are great for discerning both major and minor details. The night vision uses a 36 array IR-LED system that produces nice images for distances of 100 metres or more.
The motion detection works well, instantly sending email and app alerts to the user’s devices as soon as any movement is detected. All footage recorded is stored on a pre-installed 1TB hard drive and compressed using H.264+, which saves both money and storage space in practically equal measure.
A 13-inch monitor (with the DVR built-in) is included as part of the overall package. The cameras are instantly recognised by the unit and therefore no programming is involved in the setup, which makes installation a lot easier.
On the downside, the cameras neither record, nor transmit audio, leaving the user with no way to interact with people they see on camera. It’s really a shame, as this feature would be a huge boost to an already fine product.
Additionally, the 7ft power lead for the camera isn’t nearly long enough and the monitor itself is lacking an extra USB port, which would be useful for transferring data to external sources such as memory sticks or portable hard drives.
All in all, however, this is a very good home CCTV system, mired by only a couple of minor issues. It performs exceptionally well, isn’t too difficult to set up and looks really futuristic and cool to boot. It’s a good all-rounder that’s only a few minor gripes away from greatness.
13” monitor is included
DVR is built into the monitor
Records 30 days rotation
Power lead for the camera a bit too short (approximately 7ft )
YESKAMO Wireless Outdoor Home CCTV
SANNCE Wireless Security System
TOGUARD Wireless CCTV Home Security
Arlo Smart Home Security CCTV Camera