Smart Home & Security Glossary Terms
2 terms related to smart home & security, explained in plain English.
What is Zigbee or Z-Wave for Smart Home Devices?
Zigbee and Z-Wave are low-power wireless protocols many smart plugs, sensors and locks use to talk to a hub instead of relying directly on home Wi-Fi. Devices on the same protocol form a mesh network that extends range and reduces strain on a router, but they need a compatible hub — check a device's protocol matches your existing smart home system before buying.
What Does Night Vision (IR) Range Mean for Security Cameras?
Most home security cameras use infrared (IR) LEDs to produce a monochrome (black-and-white) image in the dark, with the manufacturer's stated range in metres indicating roughly how far this illumination reaches before detail fades. Some newer cameras offer colour night vision instead, using a built-in spotlight or highly sensitive sensor, which behaves differently to standard IR.