Using Remote Security Cameras with Your Wireless Computer Network

Have worries about crime in your neighborhood? You can buy inexpensive security cameras that remotely transmit images to your computer network. There, you can record live video, take pictures in time, or monitor the outside or inside of your home in real time.

The cost? If you already have a decent network, less than $500 for your whole home.

How It Works

Remote security camera units are mounted around your home in strategic locations: over the garage, over the front door, on trees, whatever. An expert can help you plan this with complex homes, but for most people a camera at the front and back of the house can capture most of what you need.

The image captured on the camera does not go to a tape inside the unit. Instead it is broadcast via your home wireless system to the computer set up to receive it. Here, a program decodes it and allows you to view it - either one camera at a time or a split screen allowing you to watch multiple feeds at once.

You have a choice at this point: you can either record the video feed to your hard drive, to a tape backup system, or let it play live. Because the video feed can be quite large, make sure you have plenty of room, or a second hard drive, to record it on. It's a good idea to keep at least a week's worth of video on your computer before recording over anything; things may go missing that you don't realize for a couple of days!Problems and Issues

The biggest problem you're likely to run into is signal blockage. Try not to have heavy plumbing or electrical infrastructure between your camera and your computer. If you can't avoid this, it might be a good idea to get a home wireless jumper unit, which will capture the signal from your camera and send it on to the computer; this allows you to route signals around problem spots.

You'll need to ensure your cameras are well protected from weather, and that you can reach them fairly easily to clean the lens and perform maintenance.

You also need to be sensitive to your neighbors' privacy. Don't be surprised if someone gets irate when you install these, particularly if they can view areas over privacy fences. It's best if you talk to your neighbor before installing them so they understand what you're doing.

You will need to have a good, reliable power supply to each camera. If you have to do a little rewiring to accomplish this, that will probably cost you more than the cameras. Try to plan so you don't have to do much of this.

Alternative Security: Dummy Cameras

Many people are going to a different kind of security system, though it's related: dummy cameras. With this system, they install fake cameras around their home, hoping that a thief mistakes them for the real thing. This can be pretty effective in the right circumstances.