U-Spy offers several options with our special “Siamese Cable” that contains both Video and Power all in one. Siamese allows for a clean installation with less clutter than the former coaxial video cable plus a separate power wire. Another option is CAT5 wire used in conjunction with Baluns. Baluns are special connectors that allows video to be sent over any regular phone wire, CAT5 or any other thin gauged wire that typically is not recommended for video transmission. A Baluns converts the signal so that the RF (Radio Frequency) waves that saturate the air, do not effect the camera signal quality. Running video on a wire such as this without a Baluns would cause ghosts and other visible interference on the video screen. A typical Baluns pair (A pair is required for each camera) will allow video transmission for about 1000 feet. Longer distance Baluns are available at a higher cost.

Wireless: Wireless cameras are popular for a variety of reasons, mostly because of the ease of installation and setup. Plugging in your camera and receiver into an electrical supply is usually all that is needed. But there are many things to know before you choose wireless as your camera choice.

First and foremost, Wireless technology and implementation needs to be understood. You cannot simply hang a camera anywhere and expect that the camera will send a wireless signal that will work anywhere. The following are some very critical things to know before you make a decision. Once educated, you will see the many drawbacks of wireless and may wish to reconsider. I usually only recommend Wireless when it is absolutely necessary. Here is why!

• Wireless cameras require power. A 9 Volt Battery will only power a camera and transmitter for a few hours. This is good if your mission is to spot monitor a location for a short time. But if this is a permanent installation, then changing batteries every few hours is impractical and simply not an option.
• Wiring Power to your camera is the way to use a wireless camera that is mounted permanently or for an extended period of time. But realize that in many cases, you can wire the power to the camera with the same level of difficulty that you would if you wired the camera right to the DVR. So think about that fact when choosing.
• Wireless cameras transmit on 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz or 5.8 GHz. An typical ordinary wireless camera that we carry (not the discount store variety that has a weak and unclear signal) will transmit as advertised for 300 feet. However, the 300 feet is in field in Idaho. Not in an urban area where your camera signal is competing with other wireless signals such as cell and cordless phones, wireless routers, baby monitors, etc. Plus, there are brick walls, electrical conduit, and other obstructions that may effect your signal.