Nanny cameras are digital devices you can use to take surveillance videos and monitor the interactions between your children and their caregiver or nanny when you are away or at work.
Most people ask if they need a Wifi connection to operate their nanny cameras. The answer is yes and no. It all depends on the type of nanny camera you are using.
Types of Nanny Cameras
Nanny cameras are known to come with a range of features. You can also find them in various shapes, sizes, and colours. There are different types available, wired, wireless, or self-recording nanny cameras.
Let’s dig further into this.
Wired Nanny Camera
A wired nanny camera is one that works when connected to electric cables. They are usually connected to a viewing device through a wire for easy video transmission. This kind of nanny camera works via an Ethernet network that uses a cable wire. The ethernet network used for this camera is secure and cannot be hacked easily.
But there is a downside to it. Although the network is generally faster than WiFi, you are only allowed to use it within a certain distance from your house. Wired nanny cameras are on the big side and cannot be easily hidden or disguised. Another issue with this type of nanny cam is that the installation process can be quite tedious. You may need the assistance of a handyman to install it in your home.
Wireless Nanny Camera
Wireless nanny cameras appear to be the top choice for parents who wish to keep tabs on their kids while they’re away. With a steady WiFi connection and a compatible device, these cameras can allow you to monitor your kids from any location when you’re away from home.
These cameras are not completely wireless. You will still need to connect them to a power supply through a cable wire. It’s usually designed with a power cord that uses an electric plug because it requires a regular power supply for continuous recording. But you can watch your recorded video without connecting a wire to your viewing device.
For a wireless nanny camera to work effectively, it must be connected to a WiFi network. This enables the wireless camera to display a live view on your computer, smartphone, TV, or any other compatible device. This way you get to watch your camera feed whether you are at work or at any other place where internet access is available. You also get to enjoy local and remote live streaming with your wireless nanny cam.
Wireless nanny cams are usually built to include an app for your smartphone or any compatible device of your choice. The camera feed is password protected which means that only those who know your login details can access your recordings. Arlo Q Spy Cam and Wyze Cam are good examples of wireless nanny cameras.
Self-recording Nanny Cameras
This type of nanny camera is also called the non-WiFi camera. It uses a memory card or hard drive to store data and all recorded videos. You cannot watch direct live streaming with this camera, but you can always have access to the recorded video footage.
Like a wireless nanny cam, video transmission with this camera does not require a wire connection. You won’t have to bother about running endless coils of wire to get it to work. Setting up the self-recording nanny camera is usually easier than installing other nanny cams. You just have to turn it on, place it in a secure area, and let it do what it was built to do.
As soon as you’re ready to watch your recorded video, connect the camera to your TV with a short wire. This is best done with a high-end nanny camera which has more features and usually costs a lot. You can also remove the memory card and slip it into your PC. People tend to go with this option because memory cards can easily be read by any operating system. If you have a laptop or MacBook, then you’re good to go. You can save the video on your computer and view it anytime you want.
Issues With WiFi Network
1. Unstable Connection: Slow WiFi can be very frustrating especially when you’re streaming a live or pre-recorded video. The video begins to glitch at intervals causing poor image resolution. Sometimes, you might find that you only get to enjoy a stable wifi connection when the nanny camera is close to the router.
2. Privacy Concerns: Unlike Ethernet cable, your WiFi network can easily get hacked. This could lead to privacy violations or even worse, your kids might be exposed to danger. To protect your wireless nanny cameras from hackers, ensure that your WiFi network is encrypted with a security code. You can try the WPA2-PSK, encryption method as it is quite secure.
3. Data Usage: Wireless nanny cameras rely on constant internet access to record videos. They feed off your bandwidth which means it needs hundreds of gigabytes to function. If you can’t afford the expenses incurred from the high internet data consumption, then the wireless nanny camera should be crossed off your shopping list.
4. High Maintenance and Battery Troubles: A wireless nanny camera requires high maintenance and is generally associated with battery problems. It has a small battery capacity which results in low battery and other issues in the long run.
One of the biggest problems with using a non-wifi nanny cam is that you can’t have access to the live video streamings of your house. In case there is an impending danger to your kids, you won’t receive a real-time notification. This is why most parents and guardians are quick to choose wireless nanny cameras despite the challenges with WiFi connection.
Remember that you would need to install a WiFi network in your home to make use of wireless nanny cameras. You can look out for wireless nanny cameras built with auto-recording features. This way, you get to monitor your home while you’re away and still get a recap of the video footage you missed. If you can’t afford it, a self-recording or wired nanny camera will serve you just fine.