Spec me a CCTV System

[jonneymendoza]

Nope. Not me. And if you do a search on my handle and Eufy you only get 5 or 6 posts and I consistently recommend Ajax and Hikvision/Dahua for most home users with Bosch, Axis and Hanwha being my go-to for the next tier up. I did register for Verkada but it didn’t take long to realise we didn’t have similar moral values

8 now if you count the ones from here

 

[Siliconslave]

I currently have a hikvision DS-7604NI-K1 NVR connected to one 2CD2385FWD and two 2CD2335FWD cameras. Hikvision don't seem to be releasing updates to the NVR anymore and i'm getting a little fed up of the woful line crossing detection etc.

Are there any decent NVRs i can look at that aren't massive, will support the Hikvision cameras and offer better alerting?

 

[WJA96]

how do (can?) I do some of the searching stuff you're talking about there on my Dahua 4208? It seems to be just as simple as human or car, and despite it having an ANPR option in the NVR i can't enable it!

You can’t - you need a 7-series NVR for true AI or a copy of DSS running on a decent PC. You need DSS Pro for ethnicity and clothing choices eg. a Caucasian wearing a skirt (it gets fooled by kilts!).

You would need an ANPR camera for the ANPR to work.

 

[mattyg]

After being burgled and wanting a solution quickly. I took a punt on Ring. Already had a doorbell but wanted an alarm system for the "garage"
Really please with it so far. The Alarm was simple to set up. The indoor cams work a treat. They dont work so well facing out through a window at night though. But I have a 6 cam Hikvision system so will be swapping out the outward facing ring stick up cams with some better Hikvision ones.
But Ring..Just works.... I'll be adding some of their floodlight ones when they come back into stock.

 

[rG-tom]

You can’t - you need a 7-series NVR for true AI or a copy of DSS running on a decent PC. You need DSS Pro for ethnicity and clothing choices eg. a Caucasian wearing a skirt (it gets fooled by kilts!).

You would need an ANPR camera for the ANPR to work.

Hmm. It lists it on the model's spec page as being there, and it shows in the menu but says this:

NVR4208-8P-4KS2/L

NVR4208-8P-4KS2/L

www.dahuasecurity.com

"AI by Camera: Face detection, perimeter protection, IVS, people counting, heat map, and SMD"

is it that my camera would need to be able to do it?

 

[rG-tom]

it's actually quite frustrating as even my rubbish Swann NVR from Costco would provide me a snapshot of every face it had seen, and my much more expensive NVR and camera set up can't do that

 

[jonneymendoza]

Nope. Not me. And if you do a search on my handle and Eufy you only get 5 or 6 posts and I consistently recommend Ajax and Hikvision/Dahua for most home users with Bosch, Axis and Hanwha being my go-to for the next tier up. I did register for Verkada but it didn’t take long to realise we didn’t have similar moral values

Is this any decent?

Hikvision CCTV HD 4K 5MP Night Vision Outdoor DVR Home Security System Kit​

 

[SexyGreyFox]

I've decided to upgrade from my Blinks and Ring although the Ring will stay on.
I need to be able to see clearly in the dark at a distance from my house which is about 16 foot to my wall and then on to the far side.
I have the permission of all my neighbours opposite.

I have a nice PC and Synology NAS but reading this thread I get the feeling it's better and cheaper running costs to buy a box & cameras, if this isn't true then I need a good guide to setup my NAS and what cameras to buy.

I have decided on Hikvision (unless somebody can convince me my NAS and certain cameras are better).
The box I've decided on is the DS-7604NXI-K1/4P because at the moment I only need one camera probably going to two.
The reason I chose that box is because of facial things on it but perhaps I won't need that?

I'm now looking at cameras and it will need to go on a flat wall so it looks like bullet are the best however I could make a plate for the dome camera to fit on if they are better.
I've also decided on a 4k or 8mp camera or is this not needed?
I 'd like as wide angle as possible.

Any suggestions will be appreciated and I've even had a look at jonneymendoza's suggestion above but would 5mp be good enough?

I'm not saying money is no problem but I want something decent so if it means separate box, fitting a hard drive (I have plenty spare) and a good camera then I'm willing to go that route and also cheap running costs.

Thanks

 

[i know nothing]

I'm looking to install a 2 camera (later 4 when my extension is complete) PoE system connected to a 4 Ch DVR. I'm looking at Hikvisions range and currently considering the 8MP Colorvu cameras. It is my intention to buy pre-made cables from Kenable, all the cabling will be inside (under floor boards etc) and I'm wondering what cable to install. Longest run will be 20metres so cable length is not an issue, it's the ability of the cable to connect to future high MP cameras etc that I'm thinking about. Do I install CAT6a shielded, or CAT7 (F/FTP) or CAT8.1 (SFTP)? All are full copper. I don't want to be changing cables for 10-15 years, future proofing is my concern.

Edit:- The cost difference between the 3 types, for the 4 cables I want to buy is negligible, should I just buy the best cable (CAT8.1) and be done with it? e.g. 20m of CAT8.1 is £15.40, 20m of CAT7 is £12.00 and 20m of CAT6a is £11.05, I need 2 x 20m and 2 x 10m. Cable cost wouldn't be an issue.

 

[mattyg]

I'm looking to install a 2 camera (later 4 when my extension is complete) PoE system connected to a 4 Ch DVR. I'm looking at Hikvisions range and currently considering the 8MP Colorvu cameras. It is my intention to buy pre-made cables from Kenable, all the cabling will be inside (under floor boards etc) and I'm wondering what cable to install. Longest run will be 20metres so cable length is not an issue, it's the ability of the cable to connect to future high MP cameras etc that I'm thinking about. Do I install CAT6a shielded, or CAT7 (F/FTP) or CAT8.1 (SFTP)? All are full copper. I don't want to be changing cables for 10-15 years, future proofing is my concern.

Edit:- The cost difference between the 3 types, for the 4 cables I want to buy is negligible, should I just buy the best cable (CAT8.1) and be done with it? e.g. 20m of CAT8.1 is £15.40, 20m of CAT7 is £12.00 and 20m of CAT6a is £11.05, I need 2 x 20m and 2 x 10m. Cable cost wouldn't be an issue.

Bandwidth calculator | CCTV Calculator

CCTV Calculator is a tool designated for camera system basic parameters determination and testing. It enables easy calculation of an appropriate lens focal length, camera viewing angle, IP camera bandwith, storage capacity for records archiving and of other camera system parameters.

www.cctvcalculator.net

I think You'll be future proof with Cat5 to be honest
I think its going to be a long time before 1 camera is maxing out a single line
using that calc you can get 30 x 16mp @30fps on a single line

 

[Armageus]

It is my intention to buy pre-made cables from Kenable, all the cabling will be inside (under floor boards etc) and I'm wondering what cable to install. Longest run will be 20metres so cable length is not an issue, it's the ability of the cable to connect to future high MP cameras etc that I'm thinking about. Do I install CAT6a shielded, or CAT7 (F/FTP) or CAT8.1 (SFTP)? All are full copper. I don't want to be changing cables for 10-15 years, future proofing is my concern.

Edit:- The cost difference between the 3 types, for the 4 cables I want to buy is negligible, should I just buy the best cable (CAT8.1) and be done with it? e.g. 20m of CAT8.1 is £15.40, 20m of CAT7 is £12.00 and 20m of CAT6a is £11.05, I need 2 x 20m and 2 x 10m. Cable cost wouldn't be an issue.

Most cameras don't need more than 100Mb ethernet anyway.

You'd be better off getting a 100m (or 305m) roll of Cat5e and crimp the cables yourself.
It's far easier to run the cable and then add the connectors than to try and run cable without damaging the connectors (and you would need to drill a bigger hole through to the camera outside to fit a connector through)

In almost all domestic installations there is no need for shielded or FTP cable.

Given how slow the CCTV world moves even in 20 years, gigabit is still likely to be enough, so Cat5e is more than adequate (and easier to work with), but if you must "future proof" Cat6 is fine for 10Gb at the distances you have mentioned (and is easier to work with than 6a)

 

[i know nothing]

Bandwidth calculator | CCTV Calculator

CCTV Calculator is a tool designated for camera system basic parameters determination and testing. It enables easy calculation of an appropriate lens focal length, camera viewing angle, IP camera bandwith, storage capacity for records archiving and of other camera system parameters.

www.cctvcalculator.net

I think You'll be future proof with Cat5 to be honest
I think its going to be a long time before 1 camera is maxing out a single line
using that calc you can get 30 x 16mp @30fps on a single line

Thanks!

Most cameras don't need more than 100Mb ethernet anyway.

You'd be better off getting a 100m (or 305m) roll of Cat5e and crimp the cables yourself.
It's far easier to run the cable and then add the connectors than to try and run cable without damaging the connectors (and you would need to drill a bigger hole through to the camera outside to fit a connector through)

In almost all domestic installations there is no need for shielded or FTP cable.

Given how slow the CCTV world moves even in 20 years, gigabit is still likely to be enough, so Cat5e is more than adequate (and easier to work with), but if you must "future proof" Cat6 is fine for 10Gb at the distances you have mentioned (and is easier to work with than 6a)

Thanks! It's the crimping bit I'm worried about, I've never done it, hence the reason for buying pre-made ones. I guess I'd have to buy a crimping tool as well as strippers, that kind of concerns me. I have two long masonry drill bits, 10mm and 13mm, I think the connector will fit through a 13mm wouldn't it?

 

[Armageus]

13mm will be tight I think, Vs the 6mm or so you need for a bare cable

You mentioned money isn't a problem earlier, so I would spend the £40 or less that a rj45 crimper, network cable tester and rj45 connectors would cost.

 

[mattyg]

Thanks!

Thanks! It's the crimping bit I'm worried about, I've never done it, hence the reason for buying pre-made ones. I guess I'd have to buy a crimping tool as well as strippers, that kind of concerns me. I have two long masonry drill bits, 10mm and 13mm, I think the connector will fit through a 13mm wouldn't it?

Iwas worried about crimping too. So i terminated all mine into sockets. Then added a patch cable from socket to camera

 

[RedMogg]

13mm will be tight I think, Vs the 6mm or so you need for a bare cable

You mentioned money isn't a problem earlier, so I would spend the £40 or less that a rj45 crimper, network cable tester and rj45 connectors would cost.

I ran Cat6 internally (305M box reel, pure copper Violet sheath, 24AWG for £135) and Cat5e externally (305m reel, black sheath outdoor rated 24AWG £107) both from Kenable on the big river site.
Prices have jumped 30+% since October, particularly for the outdoor Cat5E, so going Cat6 for outdoor isn't much dearer and the UV-proof sheathing is much thicker.

I've drilled 2x 12mm holes from outside into where I've got the POE switch and networking gear, which I was able to push 4 runs through each - 4 for cameras, 4 for the home network.

Had I done it all in one go, I'd have drilled and installed a single 20mm conduit with all cables terminated in a wall mounted patch panel - it's on my never ending to-do list, along with putting all the Cat5e & power cables into conduit/trunking.

You can save some pennies if you get Copper Coated Aluminium (CCA) stuff, but I had some pretty long (75m+) runs and didn't want to risk signal/power degradation.

 

[RedMogg]

Thanks!

Thanks! It's the crimping bit I'm worried about, I've never done it, hence the reason for buying pre-made ones. I guess I'd have to buy a crimping tool as well as strippers, that kind of concerns me. I have two long masonry drill bits, 10mm and 13mm, I think the connector will fit through a 13mm wouldn't it?

Ethernet connector may fit through the first part of the hole, but you'll never get it to go through the hole on the other side of the cavity - I've tried & failed.

If you're going to run more than 4 cables (or may in the future), then take my advice and buy a piece of 20mm conduit to install. If you add a 90° bend faced downwards outside and a brush plate to put over the inside hole, it's a tidy and much more accessible solution.

I'm lucky enough to have inherited Dad's old Hilti SDS+ drill, with plenty of large/long bits, so it takes seconds to add another hole, but I plan to consolidate everything into one "access port" when I finally turn the downstairs bedroom into my study.

 

[katie279]

Quick question, I currently have Arlo cameras and they're fine, just fed up with the constant subscription mentality (ie pay each month, want to keep recordings the pay more, want more than five cameras pay more etc).

The WiFi and battery set up is a huge advantage as some of the spots are really tricky to run wires everywhere.

Are there any good 'open source' cameras that would work on WiFi/batteries and let me connect to my Synology instead (or AN Other!)?

 

[Minstadave]

Quick question, I currently have Arlo cameras and they're fine, just fed up with the constant subscription mentality (ie pay each month, want to keep recordings the pay more, want more than five cameras pay more etc).

The WiFi and battery set up is a huge advantage as some of the spots are really tricky to run wires everywhere.

Are there any good 'open source' cameras that would work on WiFi/batteries and let me connect to my Synology instead (or AN Other!)?

Eufy aren't open source but are subscription free and will connect to Synology.

 

[Siliconslave]

Crimping is a bit fiddly, but get a load of cheap connectors, watch a few videos and practice - make sure you get a cable tester and you can check how you cable is doing. Its actually worth getting decent cable ends for when you do the install properly as the cheap ones can break/fail later down the line.

I've tried pulling made up cables before - the trick is to tie a guide line on it and then encase the connector in electrical tape before you try and get it through a cavity.

 

[RedMogg]

Crimping is a bit fiddly, but get a load of cheap connectors, watch a few videos and practice - make sure you get a cable tester and you can check how you cable is doing. Its actually worth getting decent cable ends for when you do the install properly as the cheap ones can break/fail later down the line.

I've tried pulling made up cables before - the trick is to tie a guide line on it and then encase the connector in electrical tape before you try and get it through a cavity.

I like Ugreen pass-through cable ends for internal runs - £11 for 50 on Amazon (you feed the pairs through, check in in the right order, snip the ends and pull back slightly before crimping - very quick & tidy).
I get metal shielded ends for external use (crimp more securely) - Leenue brand on Amazon £10 for box of 50.
I also bought a bulk pack of multi coloured cable boots & labels, so I can identify which cable is which - I use the same colour each end to help.