With the rising adoption of IP video surveillance networks in recent years, commercial organizations are obviously able to leverage existing data network infrastructure to rely on video and image transmission and storage instead of traditional proprietary cabling network systems. Unsurprisingly, some are also looking to adopt high-performance wireless networks to expand video surveillance for larger installations, such as for entire municipalities or expansive enterprises, which can offer a more cost-effective way to link hundreds of cameras and other data-intensive applications.
While wireless video surveillance networks may not be the best solution for every commercial organization, they do have a variety of enticing benefits for those looking to save on maintenance. One example is that wireless networks can be deployed as a “mesh” that contains multiple nodes, or links, of access; if one fails, the network is able to find the next best path of data transmission so video information will not be lost. Other specific benefits include:
- Eliminates the need of spending more money on additional cabling, either Ethernet or the more costly fiberoptic option, which can sometimes require leasing from a separate provider, resulting in paying recurring fees.
- Wireless networks are able to be installed much more quickly than a fixed infrastructure, making them a perfect solution for temporary deployments, such as during public events.
- For organizations that need to upgrade their video surveillance system but cannot afford to fully replace the network hardware, integrating wireless nodes can provide a more budget-conscious solution.
- Remote troubleshooting can reduce the need for a technician to physically inspect and repair transmission lines and/or equipment.
In continuance of our last blog post about network management for IP video surveillance, it is equally as important for wireless video installations to be fully optimized by using quality radio links for efficient traffic routing. Maintaining high quality video surveillance footage from megapixel and/or IP cameras requires multiple wireless technologies to converge in order to reduce the risk of impairments to video quality due to RF interference or performance degradation.