Security cameras allow us to monitor remote locations 24/7 and ensure the safety of our households and property. However, it’s possible that you don’t have access to an internet connection where you want to use the camera. In such situations, you need security cameras that can work without an internet connection.
With so many types of cameras available at the market, you will never find yourself short of options. Although many security cameras need an internet connection to transmit footage, not every security camera has that requirement. In this article, we will discuss wireless and Wi-Fi security cameras, and if they work without the internet.
Wireless IP vs. Wi-Fi Security Cameras – What’s the Difference?
Since both wireless IP and Wi-Fi security cameras are both security cameras, their main features are almost similar. However, the way they transfer recorded footage or images is different from one another.
To understand what wireless IP security cameras are, you must first understand what IP is. IP stands for Internet Protocol, which is a digital media transport system that uses IP networks. In a broader sense, every Wi-Fi camera is a wireless IP camera, but not all wireless IP cameras are Wi-Fi cameras.
Can Wi-Fi Cameras Work without Internet?
Wi-Fi cameras are one of the most convenient security cameras out there. You can place them anywhere as long as you can connect it to an outlet. However, one of the major downsides of Wi-Fi security cameras is that they are rendered useless when you don’t have an internet connection.
Nevertheless, you can still use Wi-Fi cameras for capturing images and footage and store it locally in an SD card. Even when you are using these cameras with an internet connection and they suddenly lose that connection, then the camera will send you a notification. The notification will be accompanied by the last image captured by the camera before losing connection.
Can Wireless Cameras Work without Internet?
We often hear people question, “Can IP cameras work without internet?” To keep it short, yes, they can work without having an internet connection. Although IP specifically means Internet Protocol, an IP security camera can still function without being plugged into the World Wide Web.
However, you need to make a few adjustments before you can record and send footage without using an internet connection. First off, you will need a hard-drive to store the data, as well as an NVR (Network Video Recorder). Aside from these two things, you also need a monitor and mouse to access the stored footage.
With that said, this form of transmission using an IP camera system is known as CCTV (Closed-circuit Television). The monitoring system will involve one or more cameras, but these cameras will display footage to only a handful of private monitors.
Similarly, if you don’t want to use Wi-Fi connections for internet access, you can always use other wireless options for an internet connection. For instance, using a SIM card-enabled wireless camera or LTE security cameras is also useful for recording footage remotely.
Examples of Security Cameras that Don’t Need Internet
While you don’t always need an internet connection to capture images and footage, buying a wireless SIM-enabled wireless IP security can allow you to monitor your property remotely. Here is a security camera that doesn’t require a Wi-Fi connection to transmit media.
Smonet 4CH 720P HD NVR Wireless Security
The Smonet 4CH 720P HD NVR wireless security camera is an excellent security camera that requires a nearby power outlet function to work.
Pros
- 720P HD footage
- The camera system transmits videos by a 2.4GHz Wireless Signal
- Record video and playback video without an internet connection
- Only requires the internet when you want to view video remotely on your phone, tablet or the laptop or computer
- It includes a pre-installed 1TB of hard drive
- It supports a 2.3520D processor
- Has an embedded Linux operating system
Cons
- It does not support audio but only supports video
How Much Data Does a Wi-Fi Security Camera Use?
Wi-Fi security cameras can be extremely useful in places where you have access to an internet connection. However, some of these cameras require a lot of data while others only need a modest data package to record the necessary footage.
Four key factors can determine how much data a Wi-Fi security system will use. These are:
- Camera Resolution
- FPS (Frame-rate-per-second)
- Number of cameras
- Network Video Recorders (NVR)
Wireless cameras that continue to record and transmit media nonstop might need a data plan of 60GB of data to send you the recorded media. To limit data usage, you can consider using a security camera that only records when it detects movement.
Conclusion
Both wireless IP cameras and Wi-Fi cameras are useful at capturing security footage effectively. However, Wi-Fi cameras cannot transmit recorded footage without an internet connection. With that said, you always need an internet to view the recorded footage remotely.
To learn more about wireless cameras and other types of useful camera equipment, see our detailed buying guides.
