What You Should Know Before Buying a Wired Camera Security System

Wired security cameras are great and much more reliable than Wi-Fi cameras, but there are a few things you should be aware of before you go out and buy a wired camera system.

RELATED: Wired Security Cameras or Wi-Fi Cameras: Which Should You Buy?

In the past, we’ve discussed the differences between a wired security camera system and a simple Wi-Fi camera (for those who could choose between the two), but if you’ve already decided to go the wired route, it’s good to know exactly what you’re getting into.

You will need a monitor, mouse and keyboard

Surveillance camera systems come with a DVR and a few cameras (and sometimes the necessary cables), but they probably won’t come with a monitor, mouse, and keyboard — all you need to control the system and view feeds. from cameras.

Some security camera systems come with a mouse, but most systems don’t come with a monitor, and this is perhaps the most important part of the entire setup.

If you don’t already have these three items, be sure to account for their cost when purchasing your camera system. The only exception is if you are connecting cameras to a NAS that is already managed from your computer. Then you will be good to go.

Come up with a plan for running all the cables

Since the cameras must be directly connected to the DVR, you need to determine exactly how you intend to run the cables through your home.

You will most likely have to get creative depending on where you want to mount your cameras and where you will be installing the DVR. It’s entirely possible that you’ll have to run cables up to two floors inside the walls and through places you might not even have known about.

Because of this, make a plan and find out the exact layout of your home. Find out if there is anything between your walls (such as insulation or fire blocks) that could interfere with cable routing, and find out which route you will be running the cables before you begin the process.

RELATED: How to Install a Wired Camera Security System

With that said, you will also need the right tools, such as an electric drill and steel fishing tape. Be sure to check out our camera system installation guide to learn how to do something like this yourself.

Get ready to get dirty hands

Unless you’re paying someone to do the work for you, installing a wired CCTV camera will likely require you to crawl through attics or fields to bypass cables. This is not an easy job.

If you’re lucky it’s maybe be as simple as just running the cables through the floor, through the basement, and up through the floor on the other side of the house, but this is the best option.

You will most likely have to go through a crawlspace or loft space that will not be pleasant. So be prepared not only to get your hands dirty, but everything else. Oh, and do your knees a favor with some nice knee pads.

Plug it in or not?

One of the huge benefits of having a wired video surveillance system is that you don’t need to be connected to the Internet to use it — unlike most Wi-Fi cameras, which require an Internet connection to do anything.

However, the downside of a standalone camera system is that you won’t be able to access it remotely from your phone if you’re away from home. Instead, you can only view and control your camera system from the DVR, connected monitor, and peripherals.

It’s probably not that big of a deal for most people, and there’s an argument that it’s safer to keep it off the internet anyway. However, if you want to be able to watch channels remotely, you need to connect it to your network.