CCTV Systems

[BigJon]

Hi, Ive been asked if I can install a domestic CCTV system.
The chap would like 5 cameras with a monitor inside which he can view.
He was also wanting to connect it up to his PC for when he went away on holiday to keep an eye on things.
Unfortunately in my time as being a spark I have had little chance to be involved in CCTV installs so my questions are

1. Are these systems "Plug and Play"/ do they come in a kit form or do they need specialised knowlege, what kind of cable are they wired with?
2. Can anyone recommend a system that would do the above, not looking for a top of the range system, just something that will be able to keep an eye on things.

Many Thanks for any help.

 

[breezer]

google for it.

commercial cctv uses specialist co ax (i am sorry i cant recall which one) and a suplly to operate the camera, be it mains or 12v, bnc plugs (never use the push on ones)

then you need camera housings, kopex, lenses and jucnction boxes etc

this works out very expensive.

How ever with the advent of cheapo fixed focus lens cctv weatherproof cameras it really has become plug and play.

as for the pc you can also get a cctv input card that will allow a variety of things such as

Number of cameras

motion detection starts recording

date / time stamp

But this is the part i would suggest you dont touch, since it will involve you taking his pc apart to install the card and if anything goes wrong with his pc, its not me who will get the blame

You can also get cheapo cctv dedicated recorders, i think this would be a better option (for you)

Also be aware that a colour cctv camera can not see too well in the dark, and you cant use infra red lights as colour cameras cant see them too well.

That said you can get cctv cameras that change from colour to b/w at night.

good luck

 

[Adam_151]

You'll want a DVR with the features you require, something like this: http://www.y3kvision.com/acatalog/3k46.html#aTDVR8 maybe?

I beleive the inputs are BNC connectors for composite video, most proper camaras have the same and the system is wired using RG59 coax I beleive

The camaras the sheds carry I beleive still output composite video, but usually have a long lead of 6 core phone/alarm cable on, which has an RJ11 on usually which goes into an adapter to a scart and a wallwart, etc. Of course if you are handy with a soldering Iron... (mate of mine has showhorned a DVR into an install of wickes camaras)

 

[Chri5]

PC based systems have a number of advantages:-

* No power cable required / single cable feed
* Central storage and with Broadband, remote access
* Motion detection sends warning mail / sms

You need:-

Cat5 for cable runs
PoE hub (which powers the camera and receives the camera signal)
IP CCTV cameras
Software (see camera supplier)
Lead between PoE hub and home router

This is the way forward, but does require PC software engineering.

If you plan to go down this route, I'll post up more details

 

[BigJon]

Thanks for your input guys, Gives me something to think about, Cheers

 

[Steve]

The camaras the sheds carry I beleive still output composite video, but usually have a long lead of 6 core phone/alarm cable on, which has an RJ11 on usually which goes into an adapter to a scart and a wallwart, etc. Of course if you are handy with a soldering Iron... (mate of mine has showhorned a DVR into an install of wickes camaras)

Soldering iron . . heh, who needs one of those? We had an 8 inch LCD screen installed at work yesterday. It had a composite phono/power input (one wire). The guy took the wires apart form the monitor, and put the yellow wires to a choc block with the CCTV co-ax into the other side. This is all exposed, bare. The power wires go to another flying splice to a Tx. And this is how the professionals do it.

 

[devonspark]

[If you plan to go down this route, I'll post up more details]

Can you ? I have a similar job going on and dont know much about this stuff [/quote]

 

[rmh]

If you plan to do this on a budget you are best using conventional annalogue cameras, good quality IP cameras will cost around 40% more than its annalogue brother. If its a house system then buy decent day/night cameras, fit at high level and run the cables in the loft and connect to a DVR with an ethernet port, leave this in the loft in a suitable box/cabinet. Power the cameras from the loft as well. Then run a single xover CAT5 cable to your PC from the DVR and connect up. You can program the DVR, view pictures and download recordings to the PC via the DVR's viewing software or IE. To remotely view from another location you will need to set up a static IP address from your BB supplier. Easy.