Wi-Fi vs. Antenna for Wireless Camera Security Systems?

Wireless Camera Systems

Wireless cameras send video data through the air as radio frequency signals to either point-to-point antennas or Wi-Fi routers. From there, the footage is transmitted—again, through the air—to on-site video servers or the cloud for streaming, storage, and management.

While both Wi-Fi routers and point-to-point antennas transmit data wirelessly, there are some pretty major differences between the two. And given that commercial properties are four times more likely to be targeted by burglars than homes, it’s important to use cabling or a wireless option that meets your needs.

Keep on reading to understand how Wi-Fi routers and point-to-point antennas send and receive data, why you would select one method over the other, and why most commercial-grade camera systems are best served by physical cabling.

Point-to-Point Antenna Transmission

Let's cut to the chase: for commercial-grade wireless transmission, point-to-point antennas are usually the right choice. They offer several advantages over Wi-Fi routers, especially when it comes to range, real-time streaming, and maintenance of video quality.

Wi-Fi vs. Antenna for Wireless Data: Benefits of Point-to-Point Antennas

Here are the key benefits of using point-to-point antennas instead of Wi-Fi routers for wireless transmission:

Wi-Fi Bandwidth Limitations

Wi-Fi routers operate over a shared public frequency band. A frequency band is a range of radio wave frequencies designated for specific data transmission purposes. Wi-Fi can operate on two frequency bands, 2.4GHz and 5GHz.

Point-to-point antennas, on the other hand, operate on a reserved 24GHz band.

The 24GHz frequency band in point-to-point communications offers less interference, improved data transmission rates, and higher bandwidths than the Wi-Fi bands.

Bandwidth, in simple terms, refers to the maximum rate at which data can be transmitted over a network's band at any given time. It's like the width of a highway: the wider (or larger) the bandwidth, the more vehicles (or data) can travel simultaneously without congestion.

Wi-Fi's band can be traveled by an unlimited number of wireless devices—each acting like a vehicle, taking up space and causing slowdowns that would be unacceptable for commercial-grade applications.

Dedicated Point-to-Point Links

Point-to-point antennas provide dedicated wireless links on their own band, separate from Wi-Fi traffic. These dedicated links often operate within a narrow 15° path so that video data can reach receivers without competing with other signals.

As a result of dedicated links, essential security data doesn't have to jostle for space, be compressed, or wait its turn behind other wireless data packets.

Just as a private road wouldn't be affected by congestion on a main highway, a dedicated wireless link wouldn't be affected by Wi-Fi bandwidth congestion.

Greater Range

Point-to-point antennas can cover up to two miles without signal deterioration. This range is particularly advantageous for security camera systems spread over large areas.

Wi-Fi, on the other hand, has an indoor range limit of around 125 feet and an outdoor range limit of around 300 feet.

Lower Latency

By transmitting data over reserved paths, point-to-point systems experience significantly less latency than Wi-Fi networks.

Latency refers to delays in data transmission that result in choppy footage and lost data. Because undelayed video feeds are crucial for real-time monitoring and data integrity, the less latency, the better.

Environmental Adaptability

Antenna signals withstand environmental factors—like rain, snow, and fog—that can interfere with Wi-Fi signals.

Scalability

Wi-Fi networks become congested as devices are added, but point-to-point antenna connections can be scaled to accommodate new cameras without trouble.

Wired Cameras for Commercial-Grade Security

We've spent a lot of time talking about wireless transmission, but physical cabling is hands down the most secure, reliable, and scalable transmission route for video data. Wireless options should be considered only when cabling isn't feasible.

Use Cases for Wireless Security Cameras

While cabling is the go-to option for stable data transmission, there are situations where wireless transmission is necessary.

Immediate Surveillance (Wi-Fi)

When you have a pop-up event or temporary location that requires immediate monitoring, you may not have time to install cabling or antenna infrastructure. In such circumstances, Wi-Fi footage is a whole lot better than no footage at all.

Architectural Preservation (Wi-Fi or Point-to-Point Antennas)

In historic buildings and homes where maintaining architectural integrity is paramount, Wi-Fi routers and antennas can be noninvasive alternatives to cabling.

Connecting Buildings (Point-to-Point Antennas)

Point-to-point antennas are common on business campuses, apartment complexes, and other sites where surveillance data from two or more buildings must be centrally connected.

Let's say you've got Building A with 50 cameras and Building B with 30 cameras. You want all 80 cameras to be managed on the same video server in Building A, but the buildings are ten thousand feet apart.

Cabling is out because trenching ten thousand feet isn't sensible.

So, how about we connect Building A and Building B with a standard Wi-Fi router? Ha!

Even in the best conditions, a Wi-Fi router can't send or receive data farther than three hundred feet.

We're left with point-to-point antennas, which can receive and transmit multiple data-heavy video signals for up to two miles without latency, signal interference, or data compression.

Connecting Large Outdoor Spaces (Point-to-Point Antennas)

Cabling in outdoor or remote locations—like national parks, wildlife preserves, and farmlands—isn't always possible, especially when there's no built infrastructure along which cables can be routed.

Cameras in large outdoor spaces usually require point-to-point antennas to connect with central servers or video management systems.

Mammoth Security Knows Wireless Surveillance

We want you to know that the team here at Mammoth Security builds exclusive, unobstructed pathways for high-quality data transmission every day. We know the ins and outs of security system infrastructure for video surveillance, access control, threat detection, and telecommunications.

So, if you're ready to take the next step toward securing your commercial property, take us up on a free, zero-obligation site survey and consultation. Just click to contact us and fill out the form.

We'll set you up with a friendly expert who'll walk through your property, recognize your site's vulnerabilities, and help you develop a world-class security system you can trust.