Security or surveillance cameras have been integral to surveillance for private and industrial properties since their introduction. Wireless cameras are now very popular in this surveillance sector. These cameras often come with Wi-Fi and a built-in internet facility that allows you to check real-time footage even if you are away.
But what happens when the areas where you live do not have a stable internet connection? People often enquire about security cameras that do not need a functional connection to work in such areas.
Is There a Security Camera That Works Without Wi-Fi?
Well, many models of security cameras do not require a functional Wi-Fi connection to work. In his case, you need to install a hard drive or micro sd card inside the camera. The footage will be recorded inside those storage options, and you can retrieve the recording later.
Such cameras are known as IP or internet protocol cameras. But fortunately, these cameras work without the internet as well.
Cameras That Don’t Need Wi-Fi
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Arlo Go
Arlo Go, from Arlo camera, is the only IP surveillance camera that works without internet or Wi-Fi connection..its best feature is the mobile compatibility. The camera also has an addicted micro sd slot where you can store the footage. It also uppers cloud storage. Just ensure that your camera is connected with the Arlo app.
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Reolink Go
Reolink Go is another surveillance camera that works without a Wi-Fi connection. It can work fine with just a 3g or LTE plan. The camera accesses an internet connection through a micro sim card. Additionally, you can store the footage in a micro sd card or even the Reolink cloud storage. It also offers you a live update of the location through the Reolink mobile app.
Types of Cameras That Don’t Need Wi-Fi
A surveillance camera is a term that defines a wide range of products. Many types of cameras may require a functional internet.
The following cameras are the only ones that don’t require any internet connection to work.
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CCTV
CCTV or closed-circuit television cameras are often used for industrial and police surveillance. These cameras are not popular for home security. The CCTV cameras are connected to a monitor or several monitors where a person can view the real-time surveillance footage. The footage is often stored in a DVR or an NVR for future use. Interestingly, IP cameras and analog cameras are also different types of CCTV cameras.
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Analog
These security cameras come with coaxial cables. The cables are connected to the DVR where the footage is stored.
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HD-over-coax
HD over coax cameras are also types of cameras that come with cables. The camera records HD footage and the footage is stored in a DVR through the cable.
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IP
These are the latest surveillance camera models. But they are expensive due to their advanced features.
Are Security Cams Without Wi-Fi Connection Harder To Install?
No. These are just regular cameras. The installation is like regular home security cams that use the internet. The technician mounts the camera in the desired location. But, a few manual setups are required, including installing an sd card, micro sim card, etc. Since most cameras do not require wires, the installation procedure is simple.
After installation of the cameras, the technician will guide you to connect the camera with the respective app on your phone.
Wi-Fi vs. Non-Wi-Fi Cameras
But, is there any difference between Wi-Fi and no Wi-Fi surveillance cameras? Well, for this, you need to understand the pros and cons of each type.
Wi-Fi Cams Pros & Cons
Pros
- Live streaming of footage through the app
One of the benefits of using a Wi-Fi camera is the live streaming of footage through the app. The cameras are connected to the mobile app, and you can easily view what is happening on the site.
- No need to have functional internet
The Wi-Fi cameras do not require a separate internet connection. These cameras often are connected to your home Wi-Fi and use the same network as your other smart devices.
- Remote control
Using the remote control, you can remotely control the surveillance camera and perform functions like arming & disarming, zooming in, or zooming out. Some cameras even allow you to control their positions or angles through the app.
- Live notification
The modern Wi-Fi camera comes with AI. Hence, you get automated notifications if anything happens on your property. For example, it will notify you through the app if there is any trespassing human, animal, or another type of abnormality in the compound.
Cons
- Internet connection may be required
Even though some of the Wi-Fi cameras do not need a Wi-Fi connection, they require a special data plan and may need a sim card to be connected to the internet to function. Hence you may have to shell out a portion of money for the internet.
- The camera may malfunction if the Wi-Fi is not stable
As these cameras work on Wi-Fi, they may not work all the time properly. Sometimes the Wi-Fi can become faulty and slow. That also affects the efficiency of the camera as well. It may lose connection for some time or may not capture everything properly.
- Bandwidth problem
These cameras work by using the Wi-Fi connection of your home. But, the more devices you attach to your Wi-Fi connection, the more bandwidth the Wi-Fi network uses. This, in turn, may lead to slow internet and bad functioning of the cameras.
- More prone to hacking
Wi-Fi cameras are more prone to hacking. If someone breaches your Wi-Fi network, they can also easily hack the camera. Hence always protect the Wi-Fi network with a strong password to prevent such issues.
No-Wi-Fi Cameras Pros and Cons
Pros
- Are not-hackable
One of the main benefits of using no Wi-Fi cameras is their safety against hacking. These cameras often use cellular networks or coaxial cables, so they’re not easy to hack and are more secure.
- Offers remote features
Modern Wi-Fi cameras also offer remote controlling, smart notifications.
Cons
- Needs data plan
Even though these cameras do not work with Wi-Fi, these cameras still need a functional internet connection. That means you must buy a separate data or life plan.
- No facility for real-time footage check
In case of no Wi-Fi security cameras, real-time footage checking may not always be available. You will have to check the footage inside the DVR or micro d card. Since there is no facility for checking real-time footage, you may not get notifications if there is some security breach like trespassing events.
- Maintenance of storage is necessary
Most cameras without any Wi-Fi connection require a micro sd card to store the footage. You need to maintain the footage and check out the condition of the sd card regularly because these storage spaces have limited capacity and require regular replacement.
- No facility of two-way communication
With no Wi-Fi cameras, two-way communication is not possible. It will not allow you to use the camera to communicate with anyone on the site. This can be a small issue with business owners who require constant surveillance.
Conclusion
The modern Mart home security camera has allowed better surveillance with the functional Wi-Fi channel. But, sometimes, using such a camera may not be possible. In this case, you can find some good cameras that don’t require functional Wi-Fi to work.
If you do not require live streaming of footage, two-way communication, and remote controlling of cameras, a surveillance camera without Wi-Fi may be enough.
Such a camera I’ll work with the connection of a micro Sim card and may store the footage in a micro sd card.
But, these cameras work just fine for remote areas and places that need constant surveillance. In the end, it depends on your personal preference and requirements.
