# Home security cameras and wifi **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 1, 2023, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-security-cameras-and-wifi/983427 "2023-05-01T19:03:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2023, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-security-cameras-and-wifi/983427/1 "2023-05-01T19:03:15Z")
A neighbor’s car was broken into, and I’m now considering a security camera setup. We’re near the end of a dead-end street, and all I think I need is one camera facing the street to pick up comings and goings. I’d like a wireless outdoor camera (i.e. powered by an included solar panel or batteries) that can record to the cloud through wifi. That’s not hard to find, but just about all of them I can find, at least the ones that get decent reviews, only connect to 2.4 ghz wifi, while my home wifi network is 5 ghz. I’ve looked for a wifi repeater, or something like that, that would effectively set up a 2nd wifi network of 2.4 ghz while not affecting my existing 5 ghz network (i.e. it would connect to my home network and then convert and broadcast to 2.4 ghz) but I can’t figure out what to get. The various Amazon listings for wifi repeaters don’t make it clear to me whether I can do that. Does my plan make sense, and if so, what product would accomplish it? If it doesn’t make sense, what else can I do? Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2023, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-security-cameras-and-wifi/983427/2 "2023-05-01T19:10:48Z")
What kind of router do you have? I think that most routers that support 5 GHz allow you to set up a parallel 2.4 GHz network. 2.4 GHz has better range than 5 GHz; perhaps that’s why most cameras use it. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2023, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-security-cameras-and-wifi/983427/3 "2023-05-01T19:19:21Z")
According to Comcast, my router model is cgm4331com. If it does allow me to setup a 2nd network, I don’t know how to do that, but I’m reasonably tech savvy so I might be able to figure it out. ---
**Author:** ![NinthAcolyte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ninthacolyte/32/13676_2.png) [@NinthAcolyte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinthAcolyte)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2023, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-security-cameras-and-wifi/983427/4 "2023-05-01T19:28:46Z")
Is there a reason not to just switch to a dual-band router, one which broadcasts in both the 2.4 and 5 ghz ranges? They’re readily available, and would only be slightly more expensive than a wifi repeater. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2023, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-security-cameras-and-wifi/983427/5 "2023-05-01T19:29:57Z")
Just the hassle. If my current router can do that, that’d be easy, but I’m not sure. ---
**Author:** ![NinthAcolyte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ninthacolyte/32/13676_2.png) [@NinthAcolyte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinthAcolyte)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2023, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-security-cameras-and-wifi/983427/6 "2023-05-01T19:31:30Z")
According to [this,](https://www.xfinity.com/support/articles/broadband-gateways-userguides) your router oughtta be able to. If you don’t wanna mess with it yourself, Comcast might be willing to send a tech to set it up? You’re paying them the rental fee for it, they oughtta do it! ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2023, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-security-cameras-and-wifi/983427/7 "2023-05-01T19:31:43Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > According to Comcast, my router model is cgm4331com. [This spec page](http://en.techinfodepot.shoutwiki.com/wiki/Technicolor_CGM4331COM) I found shows both 2.4 and 5 GHz frequencies (see the brightly colored tables on the right). ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2023, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-security-cameras-and-wifi/983427/8 "2023-05-01T19:34:28Z")
Thanks. I’ll call Comcast to see if they can help me set up the 2.4. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2023, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-security-cameras-and-wifi/983427/9 "2023-05-01T19:45:13Z")
I’d be mildly surprised if 2.4 wasn’t already enabled and ready to go. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2023, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-security-cameras-and-wifi/983427/10 "2023-05-01T19:45:51Z")
If you know how to log in to the admin screen on your router, it’s probably really easy. I have a different Technicolor router, and my wireless setup looks like this. I click on the 2.4 and 5 GHz buttons on the left, and enable as desired. As @jnglmassiv says, I’ll bet 2.4 is already enabled. [![](https://i.imgur.com/cY8usKC.png) ](https://i.imgur.com/cY8usKC.png) Unrelated to the frequency question, two things to consider: an outdoor camera is an even more attractive target for thieves than a car. Think carefully about where you can mount it where it’s either unseen or unreachable. And “unseen” is extra tricky if it has solar panels. Second, so you have it hooked up and get video of some people in hoodies/hats breaking into your car. What then? It’s pretty hard to get an arrest based on a dark video. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2023, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-security-cameras-and-wifi/983427/11 "2023-05-01T19:48:49Z")
Thanks for the info. I’m just going to get a $50 or so camera, so I’m not too worried if it’s stolen. It will be recording to the cloud so even if it’s stolen I should get a good luck at the thieves. I recognize that determined thieves could avoid getting caught by my camera, but I’d just like to have it so I can record comings and goings down the street, just in case something happens. From what I can tell, it’s not expensive or difficult to do, so why not do it since we had a car break-in next door. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2023, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-security-cameras-and-wifi/983427/12 "2023-05-01T19:53:26Z")
The chance of getting video of a something exciting (lightning strike, wild animal, some person doing something dumb) is probably worth it, even if you never catch a thief. I expect some good videos to be posted. ---
**Author:** ![bobsmom101](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobsmom101/32/2867_2.png) [@bobsmom101](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobsmom101)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2023, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-security-cameras-and-wifi/983427/13 "2023-05-01T20:04:44Z")
I got one of these and am very impressed with it: Solar Security Cameras Wireless Outdoor, Uniwatch 2.4G WiFi 2k Outdoor Camera Wireless for Home Security with 800 Lumen LED lights, PIR Motion Detection, Siren, Two-Way Audio, Color Night Vision, IP65 [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BFDZN7JC?ref\_=cm\_sw\_r\_apann\_dp\_XQTCWVGMC9J1W6B1GZAG](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BFDZN7JC?ref_=cm_sw_r_apann_dp_XQTCWVGMC9J1W6B1GZAG) I was worried about the 2.4 GHz thing too, but my router was already set up to do both frequencies. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2023, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-security-cameras-and-wifi/983427/14 "2023-05-01T20:21:40Z")
Do you save video to the cloud, and if so, how much does that cost? ---
**Author:** ![bobsmom101](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobsmom101/32/2867_2.png) [@bobsmom101](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobsmom101)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2023, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-security-cameras-and-wifi/983427/15 "2023-05-01T20:29:02Z")
No, I bought a 128 gig SD card. I don’t want to save the images forever, so I’ll just erase it when it gets full. Or buy another one and rotate them. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2023, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-security-cameras-and-wifi/983427/16 "2023-05-01T20:54:56Z")
I plan to use the cloud just in case the camera gets taken or damaged. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2023, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-security-cameras-and-wifi/983427/17 "2023-05-01T21:21:26Z")
I called Comcast and got my router to broadcast both 2.4 and 5 – thanks to @TroutMan! I’ve ordered this camera and will be setting it up when it comes: > **[Amazon.com : Security Cameras Wireless Outdoor, 1080P Battery Powered AI Motion...](https://www.amazon.com/Security-Detection-Spotlight-Surveillance-Waterproof/dp/B0B5GRGB58)** > > Amazon.com : Security Cameras Wireless Outdoor, 1080P Battery Powered AI Motion Detection Spotlight Siren Alarm WiFi Surveillance Indoor Home Camera, Color Night Vision, 2-Way Talk, Waterproof, Cloud/SD Storage : Electronics ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2023, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-security-cameras-and-wifi/983427/18 "2023-05-01T21:35:55Z")
Batteries wear out & depending upon where you mount the camera might be hard to change. Mounting it up high is great but might require a ladder. Do you feel comfortable on a ladder? Can you carry the ladder/set it up yourself or is it too large/heavy? Is it your ladder or are you borrowing your neighbors…repeatedly? ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2023, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-security-cameras-and-wifi/983427/19 "2023-05-01T23:02:36Z")
I plan to mount it about as high as I can reach unaided (I’m 6’ tall). According to the product specs, it’s easy to charge and lasts weeks or months per charge. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2023, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-security-cameras-and-wifi/983427/20 "2023-05-01T23:28:33Z")
Check out SimplySafe. I’m not in any way connected to them. The outdoor cameras are good, can record and you can view them on your phone from anywhere live. Totally wireless. Battery is rechargeable. I’ve had this for 6 months, and have yet needed to recharge. I suspect it depends on the activity it sees. I’m a programmer, but don’t know jack about networks/wifi. But I have this set up at a house that I need to keep an eye on (my mother passed away and I live 100 miles away. I keep an eye on the house). I, right now, (since I’m at my mothers house this weekend) can use the indoor cameras look at my self on my phone if I choose to. Can be kinda creepy. I’m taking care of my mothers estate, while we get things squared away. I can look at any of 2 outdoor or 2 indoor cameras at my moms house. It will send you alerts if it sees movement. I think It’s like $10 a month. I did NOT NO way have it dialed into 911 (you can do that). Not going to send the cops out for the random neighborhood dog. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-security-cameras-and-wifi/983427.md?page=2)