In the rapidly evolving landscape of surveillance technology, Lorex cameras have emerged as a reliable choice for individuals and businesses seeking advanced security solutions. A key question that often arises is whether a camera can operate independently of an internet connection. I spoke with a Lorex representative to resolve this concern.
Wired Lorex cameras will work just fine without an internet connection. WiFi units are intended to stay connected to the internet and require a connection for set-up and remote access. However, all other camera capabilities are maintained even if the internet disconnects for a time.
Let’s look into the details of how non-WiFi Lorex cameras and WiFi cameras differ. Understand exactly how the internet will affect your camera choice before you make a big purchase.
Wired (Non-WiFi) Lorex Cameras
The question of whether Lorex cameras work without the internet is nuanced and depends on the specific model in question. Non-WiFi Lorex cameras stand out for their independence, offering uninterrupted surveillance even in the absence of internet connectivity.
Wired Lorex cameras exemplify autonomy in the realm of surveillance. Unlike their WiFi counterparts, these cameras don’t rely on an internet connection for their core functions. They are designed to operate as standalone units, making them ideal for scenarios where consistent internet access may be a challenge.
If you need cameras for safety in a remote location or live somewhere prone to outages from natural disasters, a wired unit may be ideal.
One of the standout features of Non-WiFi Lorex cameras is their capacity for local storage. Whether through SD cards or Network Video Recorders (NVRs), these cameras empower users to maintain a record of surveillance footage without depending on cloud services. This means that your recording will not experience any interruptions.
However, these local storage options can be limited, and you will need to make sure you are purchasing a large enough SD card and replacing it as needed. [For more details, check our another post “Do Lorex Cameras Record All the Time“]
This local storage capability ensures uninterrupted recording, even in the absence of an internet connection. Local recordings may need an internet connection to access and review, but the recordings are safely stored until you want to access them.
Wired Lorex cameras prove their worth in scenarios where internet connectivity is compromised. The ability to continue monitoring designated areas without interruption during network outages is a testament to the robust design of these cameras. Users can rely on them for uninterrupted vigilance, no matter your location and connection reliability.
Wired systems may be the better option for covering large areas such as mansions, or extensive business buildings. You will not have to worry about WiFi extension support systems with multiple routers or repeaters.
Non-WiFi Lorex cameras provide great peace of mind because they will be able to motion detect, send alerts, record precious memories, and deter unwanted visitors 24/7/365, no matter what.
WiFi Lorex Cameras
On the other hand, WiFi Lorex cameras, designed for constant connectivity, exhibit resilience by retaining core functionalities during temporary internet disconnects. Ultimately, Lorex cameras provide users with the flexibility to choose a surveillance solution that aligns with their specific needs, ensuring a reliable and adaptive security experience.
The distinctive characteristic of WiFi Lorex cameras lies in their inherent reliance on the internet, particularly during the initial setup. Configuring these cameras and synchronizing them with Lorex cloud services necessitates a stable internet connection. Some people may prefer WiFi cameras because you don’t have to deal with the hassle of wires strung around your home and business. Another great feature is remote access.
WiFi Lorex cameras are crafted to provide users with the convenience of remote access. Users can access live feeds, review recorded footage, and adjust settings remotely, turning their devices into surveillance hubs tethered to the internet. This feature, while enhancing user accessibility, also introduces a dependence on a consistent internet connection.
Contrary to the perception of WiFi cameras being rendered useless without internet access, Lorex WiFi units retain core functionalities even during temporary disconnections.
Features such as motion detection, night vision, and local recording persist independently of internet status.
While it is best to set your cameras up with a stable internet connection, minor disconnections do not pose an issue. You can reset your router, or weather a bad storm without issue.
During these brief disconnections, you will no longer be able to access the video feed remotely or adjust settings until the connection has been resumed.
WiFi cameras are designed to handle small gaps in connection seamlessly, but long periods of time without connection will begin to pose issues.
If your router is dead for multiple days before you can fix or replace it, you will lose some recordings.
When connection is lost and the camera cannot upload video to the cloud, the camera will store recording locally on an SD card instead.
SD cards have a range of storage sizes, but SD cards in WiFi cameras are designed as a short-term backup measure so they typically have limited storage. Eventually, the local storage will run out.
After a short lapse in connection, the locally stored footage can typically be uploaded to the cloud. Only rare circumstances will test the limits of local storage.
If you have a reliable internet connection at your home or business, WiFi units will work great for most purposes.
Fusion Lorex Camera Systems
If you are torn between the pros and cons of wired versus WiFi cameras, you might consider setting up a fusion system.
A fusion system allows you to connect wired and WiFi products together into one security system. You can customize which cameras and recorders are WiFi dependent or not depending on your unique needs.
This approach ensures comprehensive security by combining the autonomy of Non-WiFi units with the remote accessibility offered by WiFi counterparts. Such a hybrid solution also mitigates the risks associated with relying solely on internet-dependent systems.
With a fusion system, you can connect everything back to one recorder with local storage allowing you access to complete recordings of every moment.
You will also still have remote access and receive alerts for whatever type of motion you are concerned about.
In case your camera is going offline continuously, you should check our troubleshooting article “Lorex Camera Offline: The Troubleshooting Guide You Need“