wireless CCTV

Oct 14, 2005 1 Replies

Hi



It is my first visit here, forgive me if I am in the wrong place.



I have a 4 channel DVR which I want to use to link up 4 wireless security cameras. My question is: if they all operate on the same frequency, will they conflict and cause interference? As the DVR will be hidden and locked away, I want to access the hard disk via my office computer ie a network; how do I do this? I now realise the machine does not have a USB port fitted in the back, just input sockets and loop throughs.



I live in a grade two house and therefore reluctant to run too many wires. I am afraid I rushed into this rather too quick after seeing the DVR deal at Maplins last weekend, I thought I could sort the camera work out afterwards, but all is not as it seems........



thanks



Charlie


Yes. Make sure that you get wireless links with channel select switches and put each link on a different channel. Get 6 channel units, if you can (see below). There is also potential conflict with other wireless devices - cordless phones, computer links, etc.

Two solutions: You don't. There is no easy way of putting your DVR on a network. What you needed was a 4 channel card for your computer (or a computer) and use the computer as the DVR. Having got the data in the computer, it is easy enough to move it around a computer network to where you need it.

You work around it. You use another "wireless link with remote extender", taking the video/audio from the DVR and "broadcasting" it to near to the computer. You take the video/audio from the other end of the link into the computer (you will need a suitable video input (say a TV card, or equivalent). Now you can sit at the computer, remotely controlling the DVR (using its own remote via the extender) and watching/re-recording the output on the computer or sending it onward through a computer network (or putting it on a web page, for instance.

If you wanted to be really cool, you could use the computer to generate and send the remote control signals to the DVR, via a small IR-out dongle pointed at the extender. But it needs to be the right dongle (don't just buy one and hope..)

However, if you can only get 4 channel wireless links, you will only be able to use 3 cameras, plus the "wireless link with remote extender".

Well, there is a work round, this time. Sounds a nice place..

HTH Sue

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