Posts: 7,779
Threads: 691
Joined: Jun 2011
quote:
Originally posted by Seeb
Does anyone have an easy/cheap idea for a one camera system.
Easiest/cheapest I know is free: If you have an old cell phone there are free apps you can use to make them function as an IP camera, using your home WIFI to upload the video to a free Google drive account. If the battery in the cell phone isn't shot it will have it's own built-in backup power source too. The night time video isn't great but it's actually pretty amazing considering the phone doesn't have an IR function or any emitters. If the phone has a "flash" you can turn that on for better night video. You can also watch live stream video and audio to any other cell phone configured with the app. It's not a perfect solution but if you have an old cell phone gathering dust it's a free solution. They can also push alerts and sound alarms. The motion detection is actually pretty good. If your phone has front and rear facing cameras (they all do nowadays) you can mount the phone on the side of a house or somewhere and toggle the cameras. Like you can see what's in front of the phone and also behind it. But I've never seen an app that switches back and forth on it's own in active monitoring.
Posts: 926
Threads: 131
Joined: Mar 2012
Fiber Optics
FO is a completely different ball of wax than copper wire.
My first take on going with FO is as follows:
Being as this use is for less than 100m, not as far as 40 mi. [km?], plus it only needs to equal cat5e functionality, there might be a lot of leeway in the requirements of making good, to specification connections between the cameras and the NVR/PC.
The use of single or muitimode cabling would only have a cost consideration.
It looks as if I will not be able to custom fit the cables myself by installing the terminals.
FO cables cannot be simply cut to length with wire cutters.
The end of the glass core will probably shatter giving very poor, if even usable transmission from the cable to whatever is next in line.
It looks as if the cut ends need to be polished.
Installing terminals on FO cabling looks to be too complex and rigorous for home handyman level skills and conditions.
it will require duplex cabling plus the transmitters and receivers [transceivers?] on all the cables, as many as 4 on each duplex cable to each camera.
Cabling will need to be purchased in prefinished lengths.
So far, what I can find will be much more expensive compared to solid copper cat5e cable that can be bought in bulk and custom fit by me installing the terminals, leaving no coils of excess cable inside the house.
I would really like to reduce not increase the rat's nest of wiring and cabling that grows under and behind PCs and their ilk.
Gotta run to HD this morning.
I'm thinking I'll go check out surge suppressors later.
I really find it hard to believe the commonly available and used in-home types will give reliable protection from lightning strikes.
We'll see.
- - - - - - - - - - -
Was a Democrat until gun control became a knee jerk, then a Republican until the crazies took over, back to being a nonpartisan again.
This time, I can no longer participate in the primary.
Posts: 14,137
Threads: 424
Joined: Aug 2012
It looks as if I will not be able to custom fit the cables myself by installing the terminals.
Not for any price you're willing to pay -- 3M holds the patents on this, I think the Scotch-Lok kits require an $800 tool and about $35 worth of parts per termination.
Still, see above: a strategically-placed fiber patch can be used as a lightning gap, so you don't have to lose everything all at once.
Shielded cat5 might also help; consider ToughCable by Ubiquiti. Even if the connectors are a pain in the ...
Posts: 926
Threads: 131
Joined: Mar 2012
Spent all afternoon at Wally's World & HD.
Just ate supper and am about to go into a food coma.
You're right.
I'll never pay the cost of joining the Fiber Optic Club.
But, after a quick look around, Ubiquiti Networks TOUGHCable does look as if it might have some redeeming qualities.
I'll check it out after I recover from my coma.
- - - - - - - - - - -
Was a Democrat until gun control became a knee jerk, then a Republican until the crazies took over, back to being a nonpartisan again.
This time, I can no longer participate in the primary.
Posts: 926
Threads: 131
Joined: Mar 2012
OK, I'm not totally convinced that TOUGHCables are necessary.
But, I an back to seriously looking at Ethernet surge protectors.
My thinking is now:
The video security system cannot be reasonably protected from a direct lightning strike, or being in very close proximity to one.
It can be protected in varying degrees from transients caused by nearby activity.
Cameras need to be properly grounded.
Cabling need to be shielded.
Cable shielding need to be properly grounded.
Use Ethernet surge protectors on all incoming cables.
Power all components through a UPS.
Get on your knees every night.
Pray for the protection of your electronic gear.
- - - - - - - - - - -
Was a Democrat until gun control became a knee jerk, then a Republican until the crazies took over, back to being a nonpartisan again.
This time, I can no longer participate in the primary.
Posts: 3,229
Threads: 109
Joined: Jun 2010
Does anyone simply disconnect their outside wiring when a storm blows through? I disconnect TV/booster antennas during a thunderstorm, shut off any circuits I'm not using, etc...
Posts: 14,137
Threads: 424
Joined: Aug 2012
Ethernet surge protectors
Best ones include a gas discharge tube in addition to the MOVs.
Power all components through a UPS.
Cheap UPS won't cut it, suggest an isolation transformer on the grid side of the UPS.
I still maintain that a well-placed fiber patch would serve as an excellent "lightning gap".
Posts: 926
Threads: 131
Joined: Mar 2012
@kalakola,
Little doubt you're right about the OF patch.
I'll need to look further into it.
But, I'm seeing the need for the patch to be of duplex cable with a transmitter/receiver pair on both ends.
I may balk at that.
We'll see.
Installation will not begin before the new roof is finished.
The electrician will be out early next week to pull the PV array off, with the roof install beginning a couple of days later.
Installation may be complicated by any problems exposed in the underlying structure.
Note:
A report was made on one of the social media sites of someone seeing a man riding a bicycle around the subdivision with a machete strapped on himself.
I think I may have seen him myself a month or two ago, a scruff looking type of guy on a bicycle with a backpack.
Not that being scruffy is bad.
Many people would lay that description on me.
My immediate concern, right or wrong, was that he was probably a squatter.
Also, just heard that a house that had squatters cleaned out of it and boarded up a while back has had the plywood pulled off and new "residents" are now occupying it, with many short visits being made at night by many different vehicles.
I'm now carrying a P&S camera around whenever I leave the house.
I will begin documenting any and all suspicious people I see around here.
- - - - - - - - - - -
Was a Democrat until gun control became a knee jerk, then a Republican until the crazies took over, back to being a nonpartisan again.
This time, I can no longer participate in the primary.
Posts: 14,137
Threads: 424
Joined: Aug 2012
Fiber ethernet is usually already duplex.
Things to watch for: some switches only recognize GBICs from their own vendor, some low-end switches don't support PoE on all ports, some switches have "combo" ports (SFP or copper but not both at the same time).
Multimode fiber tends to be orange.
Example config:
two of these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LW9A328/
a 2-pack of these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073VM49BK/
and one of these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004Z9301I/
You probably need more PoE ports on the camera side, so:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C58VKPN/
Once you have PoE, other things become possible:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HCTLKDS/
Much easier install with PoE, didn't have to be near an outlet, etc.
Posts: 926
Threads: 131
Joined: Mar 2012
If your trying to make my head hurt, you're succeeding.
So many things to be considered that I haven't the faintest idea as to what they are.
Gotta do some more learnin'.
EDIT:
Removed a stupid question.
- - - - - - - - - - -
Was a Democrat until gun control became a knee jerk, then a Republican until the crazies took over, back to being a nonpartisan again.
This time, I can no longer participate in the primary.
|
