jxk716

I think $700 is cutting it a little too close. There are consumer grade wireless cameras but they will not produce a reliable image, especially when recorded, and that is not something you want to mess with in case you need to reproduce video.

I use CNB VBM 24 VFs and find them to be very good in low light. They do need some light though, so you may want to consider that near the camera locations. Nothing crazy just some low wattage floods or motion detection fixtures will do the trick. If lights are not an option you may want to check out "Bullet" cameras with IR illumination. Unlike dome cameras Bullets, by design, minimize IR reflection back into the lens.

Is there power in each building where you want the cameras? If so you can power the cams locally.

All this does not mean diddly if you can't get a signal between the buildings. Users on this form have discussed Ubiquiti wireless options, like their NanoStation M because they don't break the bank.

How large an area are we talking? Any chance you can mount 4 box style cameras with good zoom lens at a central location (close to the DVR)?

What about a DVR? Have you looked at options?

This might help

http://www.cctvforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=31865

Glorified residential installer here. Started gradually through work (a social work practice formerly in a tough neighborhood) with a 16 Cam PC-Based system and became interested in CCTV mainly because it was so easy to install yet produced great results - we turned footage over regularly to the police. Then I installed a 4 camera system at my home - a 4 Channel basic Dahua DVR in a predominantly working class neighborhood. Although there is plenty of weirdos around here (as seen on cam) the main reason for the home cams was security. I live near a parking lot and there as lots of drug dealing going on as well as all types of suspicious activity. In fact a couple of punks mugged a women in front of my cam back on Good Friday and the cops got him. I have CNB VBM 24VFs and have no complaints. Now I install systems for friends and family as well as a few commercial accounts here and there.

So, basically, I got into because it was interesting but, more importantly because I needed the cams. At work we recently switched over to a hybrid DVR and 3 MP cams. Those are awesome! Probably will go all IP at some point but the analogs served us well over the years.

I don't know if this will help but I always try to push the center pin out from the connector, place it on the bare copper then push the connector all the way until the pin can not travel any further. This way I know everything is secure and pushed all the way in.

Yes it is a PCI card and most come with software but you have to shop around.

Something like this would be better

With these:

I have a customer who wants to have 4 analog cams placed on a building about 300 feet away and monitor them from his office. I am thinking about putting the Dahua DVR in the remote building, using a wireless point to point bridge, hook up the Dahua DVR to the remote side bridge and send the PSS software signal over to the antenna on the office building which would be connected to his LAN.

He already has a 4 camera DVR and 4 analog cams at the office location. He prefers to get an 8 channel DVR so that all cams (at office location and remote building) can be on the same unit but having Cat5 run between the 2 buildings is not working out because of city ordinances. My original plan was to use a quad Balun over the home run to the DVR but no Cat5.

All I really want to do is extend a LAN jack from the office location to the remote location so the I can connect the DVR as if it was in the same building.

Would something like this work?

http://www.gnswireless.com/GNS1150N_802.11N_Point_to_Point_Wireless_Ethernet.htm

If I were to do it all over again I'd use Cat5 with balunns.

Glad to help. I was even going to take a picture of the inside of a VBM to show the degree of movement for the lens. I know I could rotate that all the way to the inside back plate of the camera.

The VCMs I installed are exactly like your configuration and there was plenty of room for connections and wire in the back.

Don't be shy about posting pictures when done!

I think this is what you mean right? All the VCM/VBMs I've installed can easily turn 90 to view along a wall including zooming all the way in.

I have attached pictures from VBMs but the VCMs are the same camera just a back box....and yes, there is room for SOME 59 and 18. If you are concerned about future camera placement can you leave a coil somewhere else like behind a wall, above a ceiling etc?

Absolutely.

That's the way I did my first home install; ran the cables under the siding to a common entry point and into the basement. I had no problems with image quality. Since then the cables were installed in conduit.

Any chance to leave yourself extra wire or test the shot from abvove the door onto a computer to see if you like?

What is the camera name, type etc? If its and analog camera you risk losing a facial recognition shot as they approach the door because you may only be limited to tops of heads when they're at the door. If they look up, while at the door, you're in luck. Then again, someone with a hood or one who keeps their face down will not matter much. Mine is off to the side because it was easier to install and I was more interestd in a side view of my porch like this:

Well, you usually don't NEED a PoE switch but it makes life easier. You can use an external power sourse like a 12 VDC power adapter.

You would then run a line to you router for remote access.

Be careful on the lighting. I was never crazy about IR (IMHO - motion lights MAY be better), just stay on the dimer side so facial detection is improved and not washed out.

You'll want to stay away from those cameras(systems); they are made with parts that do not produce solid images especially at night. I use CNB VBM 24 VFs and have no complaints at all...they need little light which is not a problem for me. What is your lighting situation outside where you want to the cameras to point?

Here are the cameras: http://www.cctvforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=22339

You will need a twist on BNC video connector or compresion type like this:

Twist on:

...and a tool like this to compress the connector onto the video wire (make sure the wire is RG-59 and you get the corresponding connector:

You will also need a 4 channel 12 DV or 24 VAC power source for the cameras. Each one of the copper wires (not the video) on your siamese goes into a port on the green power connector and gets clamped down with a small screw. You can also use wall transformers, strip the ends and tie them onto your power run. Polarity does not matter on those cameras.

I have no experience with DVR capture cards. Besides you really should have a dedicated system for camera footage. I have a Dahua 1TB 4 channel basic stand alone DVR that has everything I need including remote viewing.

Here are a couple of nights shots from the CNBs - these were take over the LAN, on playback and using snipping tool to create a snap shot of the playback.

Do you have port forwarding set up? Do you have a static IP? Did you try to enter a colon after the public IP in IE followed by the DVR's port number? Does the DVR have remote software and if so, what happens if you enter the ip?

Which KT&C bullet?

Check this out regarding TV Lines and D1 http://www.cctvforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3064

You might need a 2MP camera for the playground. I have 2 types: Visix 2MP vandal dome from from 3xLogic and Vivotek (FD 8362 and IP 8362); I have no complaints about either. However all 3 are in the 600 - $700 range and the FOV is well lit.

...and more questions for you

What about infrastructure? Is wiring in place? If not will you be installing the system? I ask because you do not mention it above and your price range is a bit too low for your goals. For example, under that price range, take a look at CNB VCM 24VF cameras. I have them at my home/work and have no complaints. Don't get me wrong - they need light at night.

If you have not considered wiring definitely go with Cat5 and baluns (for analog cams) and you'll have what you need for IP down the line. Have you considered a hybrid DVR - you can get analog cams now and good MP when the budget allows. We use a 3xLogic hybrid and it is a great system - not cheap though!

IP cameras need light at night - what is the lighting situation where you want the outdoor cams installed.

Don't limit yourself to Sony/Panasonic - there are a lot of options out there and those brands usually do have have the same quality parts as their TVs or other electronics. Cross reference your choices in searches here and STAY AWAY FROM BOX STORES!!! Heck, you can probably type "box stores" in a search here and see for yourself!

Keep in mind I am only a DIYer but write with experience from both actual installs and reading this forum. Other pros/installers will chime in - good luck!

What do you want the cameras to cover? Outside? Inside or both? If inside what exactly?

One poster,a while ago, needed a system where parents could remotly view the cameras to see how Junior is behaving. Not sure if you need that (or if it is legal in your area) but would require a decent internet upload speed. A lot of DVRs allow you to limit the user accounts so that only certain cameras can be viewed

...And yes, we need an idea of what the budget is

For Ip Cams, one of the moderators here mentioned Cisco SF 302-08P PoE switch. I purchased and it has worked really well - Very little set-up involved on the switch and PoE makes life easier because of less connections.

To get a better idea of images from MP cams check out this post: http://www.cctvforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=11322

You will! Welcome.

I have all VBMs with conduit running to the camera; I should have purchased the VCMs mainly because there is more space in the included back box for wire hook ups. After installing VCMs I don't believe there is a difference with image quality - its the same camera just fitted for different mounts.

A square piece of plywood on top of the tile with a hole for the wires will probably be the easiest. It will help distribute the weight of the camera. Toggle bolts will also do but the wood is more secure.

OMG! I think all of us should take a tour of this system then take turns playing Odyssey pong - Retro Style!