Wired vs Wireless CCTV: Why Hard‑Wired Cameras Still Win for Serious Security
Every week we’re asked whether wired or wireless cameras are “better”. Wireless units look convenient—no drilling, no cables—but when safety, reliability and long‑term value matter, a professionally installed wired system is still the gold standard. Here’s why.
1 | Uninterrupted Reliability
Wireless cameras depend on Wi‑Fi strength and battery charge. Any drop‑out, network issues, WiFi dead spot or flat battery means lost footage. A hard‑wired camera uses a dedicated cable (usually Cat6) for both data and power, so the stream is rock‑solid 24 / 7—exactly why banks, shopping centres and public‑space operators insist on wired infrastructure.
2 | Consistent, Maintenance‑Free Power
Even the best lithium batteries degrade quickly. Six months after installation most wireless models need charging every three to four weeks—often right when they’re needed most. With a wired system, power is delivered continuously via the same cable that carries the video signal, eliminating battery swaps, ladders and forgotten charge cycles. Additionally, batteries in consumer surveillance products are typically not user replaceable, that means a new system every 2-5years.
3 | Superior Image Quality & Instant Capture
Wired links provide higher bandwidth than Wi‑Fi and are Full Duplex, so you get full‑resolution video with minimal compression and zero latency, without impacting your WiFi’s performance. Because footage is captured continuously—rather than only when motion is detected—you won’t miss the vital first or last seconds of an incident.
4 | Stronger Cyber Security
A cable can’t be jammed or spoofed. By taking your cameras off the wireless spectrum you remove a common attack surface and prevent local Wi‑Fi congestion from degrading performance. For businesses that must meet stringent security standards, this is non‑negotiable.
5 | Scalable Coverage Across Distance
Need to secure a large property or add extra cameras later? Wired networks can run hundreds of metres without signal loss and accommodate more channels without overloading your router. Expansions are as simple as pulling another cable to the nearest switch.
What About Remote Sites—Don’t They Run on Batteries?
Remote deployments such as rural farms, construction compounds or isolated car parks still rely on wired camera infrastructure. When mains power isn’t available, we energise that wired network with a dedicated solar‑battery system:
Still wired: Cameras and recorders remain hard‑wired for guaranteed throughput and uptime.
Solar is Plan B, not Plan A: In most cases it is more cost‑effective to trench or reticulate grid power than to build a solar array sized for 24 / 7 surveillance.
True cost: Quality solar power systems—panels, batteries, charge controllers, pole hardware and remote monitoring—typically add AUD $5 k – $10 k per pole, depending on battery capacity, desired uptime and redundancy.
Aesthetic impact: Solar arrays are large and can spoil sight‑lines or heritage aesthetics—often a deal‑breaker for residential developments and commercial façades.
For those rare locations where grid power is impossible, solar keeps your wired cameras running day and night. Everywhere else, delivering permanent power first saves money, complexity, maintenance and visual clutter.
6 | True Cost of Ownership
Entry‑level wireless kits appear cheaper until you factor in battery replacements, extra chargers and the inevitable upgrade when performance drops. In many cases the price gap is negligible: a popular two‑camera solar wireless kit retails for AUD $1,599 + Install and setup, while a two-camera Ajax wired package from ProCCTV starts at AUD $2,195 fully installed — with none of the compromises.
When Might Wireless Make Sense?
• Short‑term deployments (e.g. building sites, events) where cabling isn’t practical.
• Renters who cannot run permanent wiring.
• Low‑risk areas where occasional footage gaps are acceptable.
For everyone else—especially homeowners protecting family, retailers safeguarding stock and organisations with compliance obligations—wired CCTV delivers the uptime, clarity and peace of mind that wireless simply can’t match.
Ready for a System That Works When It Matters?
Talk to the security specialists at ProCCTV for a no‑obligation assessment. We design, install and support hard‑wired surveillance solutions that perform day in, day out.