How CCTV works · 4 min read
Wired vs wireless CCTV.
The honest answer.
'Wireless' sounds simpler. For a camera that matters, it usually isn't. Here's the real trade-off, and the places where wireless is the right call.
| Wired (PoE) | Wireless (Wi-Fi) | |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | One cable, power and video, rock solid | Depends on Wi-Fi signal at the camera; drops when the router's busy |
| Recording | Local recorder, continuous | Often cloud or SD card; event clips |
| Night / resolution | Full 4K, colour night vision | Compressed to suit Wi-Fi; often 1080p–2K |
| Power | From the recorder | Mains socket nearby, or batteries that go flat |
| Installation | Cable run per camera; concealed by us | Quick, but the Wi-Fi problem is yours |
| Best for | Every camera that matters | Outbuildings, listed buildings, temporary sites |
Our rule
PoE for the cameras you'd rely on for evidence. Wireless — properly done, with a point-to-point link rather than the house Wi-Fi — for the shed, the stable block, the far corner of the yard. 'Wireless' kits that promise a whole house with no cabling are the systems we replace most often.
For outbuildings we use dedicated wireless bridges, not the home Wi-Fi. Reliable to hundreds of metres, line of sight. Our team does the network design in-house.
Your property decides. Not the logo.
Questions
Good to know.
Is wired CCTV a lot more to install?
Somewhat — the cabling is the labour. It's also the reason it still works in five years.
Do wireless cameras need a subscription?
Many consumer ones do for cloud storage. PoE systems don't.
Can you mix them?
Yes — PoE on the house, a wireless bridge to the garage, all on one recorder.