VideoSenders - The Negatives

Video sending devices (creating a wireless method of transmitting a television picture to another TV set) are becoming more and more common, and are all virtually the same.  They all perform the same function of transmitting a picture.  However , there is one major & growing problem.

The bandwidth (radio spectrum space) used is 2.4GHz.  You may be familiar with that range through the growing range of Bluetooth or IEEE 802.11 devices (Wi-fi, Wireless routers etc.).  That is the problem.  More and more devices are coming onto the market using the same "spare" bandwidth.

The history of 2.4GHz was originally reserved for non-commercial industrial, scientifically & medical use.  The first device that came close to this frequency was the microwave oven, first sold in 1947 transmitting "microwaves" at 2.45 GHz.  As the spectrum for the use of microwave could not be moved as it is ideal for its task, the 2.4 GHz became unused due to growing interference from the influx of Microwaves in the 1970's.  The opportunity was then exploited by the companies behind Bluetooth.

Videosenders came around the same time as the introduction of Bluetooth, but used a more "analogue" means of transmitting the picture.  As analogue is the basis for all radio communication, anything on a "digital" layer (Bluetooth, Wi-fi) which use frequency hopping within the 2.4GHz range will always interfere with the base analogue range.

Therefore, videosenders will not work as intended when you use Bluetooth, an analogue cordless phone, a microwave, a baby monitor, a PDA, or a wireless internet router within at least a 15 meters range.  That would also include your next door neighbour. 

In conclusion, if you live in the middle of nowhere, and you don't use any of the items above, then by all means use the VideoSender opportunity.  If not, stick around until frequency hopping devices come-around (probably using the Bluetooth standard by then!)