I am looking to add 4x Alarm.com Outdoor AI cameras. I have an Xfinity gateway with max throughput of 2.5GBs.
Since I need to run new wires anyhow, I am wondering what the pros and cons are between the A/C, DC and PoE options. From what I can gather the bandwidth wireless adds of the 4x cameras would not be huge (i.e. 10MB/s). So the advantage of PoE is probably more for the reliability of the wiring (i.e. not as easy to jam signal). Are there other points of consideration? In terms of future proofing which of these options is likely to be best?
Your suggestions are correct. The PoE model will typically be more reliable if you can run the wires. Especially considering these cameras are outdoors, Wi-Fi signal can sometimes be an issue.
I think they’re all the same in terms of future proofing.
I would go with PoE if you can. The main advantage of the Wi-Fi models is easier installation since you don’t have to run wires.
An advantage of poe that wasn’t mentioned is the simplicity of implementing back up power. If you put a ups on your poe switch your cameras stay up when power is out. It’s a lot easier and cheaper to power a switch than multiple potentially shared ac circuits used to power the cameras.
Fwiw I did end up going the POE route and was already planning to have them plugged into a UPS.