Newest new member :)

teamRAVEGREEN

teamRAVEGREEN

Young grasshopper
Jan 9, 2018
44
23
Seattle area
Hi there -

I'm so glad I found this forum! I've been wanting to do a project like this for some time, but I wasn't too sure how to get started. Good news: I work in IT and like to tinker. Bad news: my extent of IP camera/security experience is little to none. I have an decently rated wireless camera from Amazon used to spy on my little guy as he sleeps (cheap baby-monitor).

I've decided at least one thing: I want to use BI

My many unknowns:
  • PoE Switch - even at work I don't deal with 'networking' all that much, so I'll need to research cost/functionality.
  • IP Cameras - I know I won't use the wireless cam I currently own, but that's about it.
  • Camera placement - I at least realize how important this is (thanks to these forums)... more research.
  • I have a HTPC that I was thinking about re-purposing but I didn't realize how old it was until I started looking up the specs. Not sure how well it will work... It is currently an i3-2100, only 4 GB of memory. I still need to research what upgrade options i have for the LGA 1155 socket.
  • House is new construction, but no network run anywhere - everything currently wireless. I've pulled some simple runs of speaker wire for surround sound but don't have the experience I think I will need for cat5 to who knows where.
  • When all said and done I know that I would like to have some small monitor/tv/tablet(s) mounted in a couple places in my house to be able to view cameras (mostly the front door) - don't know how I'll do this yet.
  • Lots more stuff I'm not thinking about yet... haha
So as you can see I have a lot more stuff to research, probably a lot of questions to ask. For now though, I guess I'd just like to say that I'm thankful I stumbled across this community and thanks for all of the information!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Philip Gonzales
Intel is always changing sockets and breaking compatibility, so your old board is basically worthless. You can buy a whole new (used) system for less money than a compatible CPU upgrade for an old system like that.
 
  • Like
Reactions: teamRAVEGREEN and fenderman
When I say your old PC is "worthless" I only mean worthless for upgrades. i3-2100 still has Quick Sync Video so you can use hardware acceleration in Blue Iris. Just be aware that the old 2nd gen Quick Sync doesn't support cameras with resolutions higher than 1920x1080. That won't be a problem if you stick with Dahua Starlight models, and that PC will probably work fine for 4 or 5 cameras. In fact if you're conservative with frame rates you'll probably run into issues from the small amount of RAM before you hit the actual limit of the CPU.
 
  • Like
Reactions: teamRAVEGREEN
bp2008 said:
When I say your old PC is "worthless" I only mean worthless for upgrades. i3-2100 still has Quick Sync Video so you can use hardware acceleration in Blue Iris. Just be aware that the old 2nd gen Quick Sync doesn't support cameras with resolutions higher than 1920x1080. That won't be a problem if you stick with Dahua Starlight models, and that PC will probably work fine for 4 or 5 cameras. In fact if you're conservative with frame rates you'll probably run into issues from the small amount of RAM before you hit the actual limit of the CPU.
Click to expand...

Hi bp2008, thanks for the reply.

I thought that could be the case, but figured figured if I could find a cheap-ish 1155 socket processor with a little more power and a bit more ram I might be in business for a few cameras. My initial plan was for 6-8 max, but I really have no idea and am really just getting started on my research (yesterday). I'm not against buying something new (but used) like has been suggested in posts on here. Just weighing my options!
 
As an eBay Associate IPCamTalk earns from qualifying purchases.
  • Like
Reactions: teamRAVEGREEN
Thanks bp2008 - out of curiosity what type of limitations would that thing have - number of cameras or resolution, etc.?

One thing that's really a mental block for me right now is how I could perhaps mount all the equipment in the garage and make cable runs upstairs? From the garage into the crawl space I don't think will be an issue. Lots of room to maneuver in this house's crawl space too, but how do I get into the attic from the garage or do I need to get into the attic? I'd prefer to not go outside of the house if possible.

Does anyone have any ideas here or suggested reading, recommendations?
 
You're the only one who knows your house and where would be good to drill. I have an attached garage with a big PoE switch in it that most of the cameras feed off of. One cat5e cable then enters the house through a hole I drilled into the coat closet. That is the great thing about IP networks. One cable can carry pretty much everything.

Mine is a manufactured home with no attic so all my cables going from room to room go down through the floor into the crawlspace. I was lucky and never hit a floor joist in my drilling (that would make it considerably more difficult!), though I did accidentally drill through a ventilation duct once. Just ran the cable through anyway and didn't worry about it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: teamRAVEGREEN
teamRAVEGREEN said:
Thanks bp2008 - out of curiosity what type of limitations would that thing have - number of cameras or resolution, etc.?

One thing that's really a mental block for me right now is how I could perhaps mount all the equipment in the garage and make cable runs upstairs? From the garage into the crawl space I don't think will be an issue. Lots of room to maneuver in this house's crawl space too, but how do I get into the attic from the garage or do I need to get into the attic? I'd prefer to not go outside of the house if possible.

Does anyone have any ideas here or suggested reading, recommendations?
Click to expand...


Welcome teamRavegreen,

Crawl space can work very well as a location to route the cabling, in fact - i think it is even better than the attic as you now can easily also bring in wall jacks to your downstair rooms!

Suggest the following:
1) Survey crawl space - see where the major beams are, plumbing, electrical, etc.. take pictures.
2) Plan routes - DO EXTRA cable lines now - I prefer Cat6 when possible as I can use it for the normal networking ( cameras are fine with cat5e, other networking i like the option to consider using faster speeds in the future ). Determine location of data closet(s).
3) Use a stud finder to determine locations of studs.
4) Measure height of electrical outlets - they are normally attached to a stud. Studs are normally 16" apart. SO that should give a good idea of spots for wall jacks..
5) Test locations you want to place the security cameras - 6-8 feet high works nicely for ID purposes, and thus going up the walls will be good. NOTE - for many new constructions they are now using more steal, especially by the garage .. so watch for that - as it can make it a challenge.
6) Consider using conduit where it makes sense. ( Grey PVC conduit is useful at times 3/4"+, and so is EMT conduit 1/2"+ )
7) Find a route to the upstairs for cable runs - for the upstairs I would see if you can access the attic area - and if you can consider drilling down for wall jacks on interior walls.
..

Have fun, and we have more notes below to share.



----

It's easy to get swamped with information here, so I wanted to share some notes with you

Please check out @giomania 's notes:
Dahua Starlight Varifocal Turret (IPC-HDW5231R-Z)

I have also made notes which are a summary of a lot of the reading I've been doing here,:
Looking for some advice and direction!

Have fun joining us here.

---- I've written the wiki here with notes on DIY installs ----

It's a bit long to post, so I'll just provide the link

Lorex / Dahua OEM 6x 4K / 8MP security camera system w/ 8 port POE IP NVR 2TB HDD kit at Costco B&M YMMV for $799.99
 
  • Like
Reactions: teamRAVEGREEN
It's the weekend and I'm starting to explore options a little more, but I'm hoping for some little pushes in the right direction. I'll be going into the attic to check things out - I haven't been up there yet. I've seen the crawl space a bit when I was running some speaker wire for surround sound system, but I plan to go back down there. There is a lot of room down there to maneuver around, I can stand in places.

To start, this is what I'm thinking:
  • Use my above computer as a test - buy BI and install, get to know it.
  • Buy a PoE switch or two (looking for suggestions)
  • Buy a couple of cameras for specific locations (looking for suggestions on locations and cameras - see pics below)
  • Buy some cat5e/6 cabling, tools to make own cables
  • Explore and research options for connecting house (internet / switch mounting point(s) / both floors)
So here's the house - this first shot is from the street, so you can see that my house sits above the road and the driveway is sort of long. Everything from the house to street is wide open. From here, directly to camera-right is our mailbox. I'm not sure exactly what is beneficial to capture/see here - cars pulling into our driveway? Mailbox? Mounting a camera above the garage seems like it would be pretty easy, but is that the best spot?

p2709403540-4.jpg


More importantly: our entry way - I'm thinking two cameras here... someplace... one somewhere for approach and another for ID? Am I on the right track?

p2709403541-4.jpg


Networking question - Doing a little research it seems like I can use some of this for extending network throughout the house. This is in an upstairs closet, cables coming in from attic. Currently wired for phone, but I can easily change that right, or no? I'm thinking two switches - perhaps one in the garage with BI computer (alternate location - in house under stairs?) and another smaller one here to extend network and easy access into attic. Initially I was thinking connecting the two switches was going to be tricky, but maybe I can utilize some of this to make the job easier... more research.

p2709403542-4.jpg


Guess that's it for now. Off to go climb around in attic and crawl space. Thanks for looking! I'm hoping for any and all feedback - I've never done anything like this! :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: mat200
  • Like
Reactions: teamRAVEGREEN
Hi teamRavegreen

Definitely plan to keep an eye on the mailbox, I would look at a varifocal camera which can put at least 100 ppf or more where someone would park the car in front of your house.

Thus on the front of the Garage I would look at 2 cameras covering the parked cares, one looking down the driveway and to the mailbox.
 
teamRAVEGREEN said:
.. maybe I can utilize some of this to make the job easier... more research.

p2709403542-4.jpg
Click to expand...


Hi TeamRaveGreen,

Check that phone cable and see what it states on the cable.
Is it cat3? cat5? cat5e? ...
 
Hey Mat200 -

I'm about to post an update to this thread with some different pictures and asking for some specific suggestions for a first cam or two, but to answer your question:

When I was doing some exploring in the attic yesterday I could clearly read that the cable is cat5e, so I guess that's good. Also, found where these all went (most were obvious), but that first cable on right was labeled SERV... couldn't read the rest, and couldn't find it anywhere in the house. Then my father-in-law comes over and thought maybe serv, like service. So we went and looked outside where my Cable TV/Internet come into the house and there it was!

So I think the plan is to pull that back into the garage someplace and plug it into a switch to connect my two levels. My current plan would be to have my BI computer and primary poe switch locked up out in the garage. I realize some of the drawbacks of this, but I'm not sure right now if I have a better place.
 
I guess now that I've purchased some cable and hardware I'm officially started on this project...

Purchased today:
  • 1000ft Cat6 UTP, CMR, 23AWG - monoprice
  • TP-Link 16-Port Gigabit PoE switch, TL-SG1016PE - amazon
  • TP-Link 8-Port Gigabit PoE switch, TL-SG108PE - amazon
  • WD Purple 4 TB - amazon
If anyone's curious I went with TP-Link because prices were all pretty competitive and I have some of their gear in my house already and it has been pretty good to me. 16-Port switch would be my primary (first level) and the 8-Port is going upstairs in the closet with current house wiring.

Would like to purchase asap:
  • BI
  • One or two cameras - need suggestions please!
I'd really, really like some suggestions on a couple of cameras to buy. These cameras are my first ever for doing this sort of thing so they will be my guinea pigs, but should obviously be part of my end goal/solution.

I'm thinking one should be on the garage because it will be easy(ish) to run cable and mount and begin playing in BI. The other one I would like to be one of the first two for the front door. I'm still not sure about placement or how I'll get my cabling to either location.

Eventually probably two cameras on the garage - not decided, but I was thinking that the first one could be on the left, opposite my measurement. Above the light?
p2710363940-5.jpg


Second one I was thinking one of the two red-dots... Again I'm not sure how I'm getting cable there yet - lots of room in crawl, but can I get the cable up the wall that high... I was thinking the one marked 6' would be the ideal spot for my front door/ID camera. The one labeled 10' I was thinking for approach, but maybe too high? I guess I could come down onto the pillar, but I wasn't sure how good the view would be more closely lined up with the front wall. I need to test still.
p2710363937-5.jpg


Another shot of entry
p2710363936-5.jpg
 
As an Amazon Associate IPCamTalk earns from qualifying purchases.
Good cameras.

Order a couple of microSD cards and start playing with them and test possible placement options.

Good to hear the cable is cat5e - that may be useful.
 
  • Like
Reactions: EMPIRETECANDY
Ok, I've got what seems to me to be a stupid question... Is there another word or term I'm missing to try and find the T-568B cable ends/plugs? I thought for sure I should be able to find these on Amazon or locally at a hardware store, but quick online searches of both isn't turning up what I expected...

I'm looking for T-568B and a cable tool for making my own cables?

[edit] Ok, duh, what I'm obviously looking for are rj45 connectors, but I'm not seeing anything mentioning T-568A or T-568B. Is that just in reference to the way the wires are terminated? Man I'm feeling stupid right now, lol :oops:
 
Last edited:
teamRAVEGREEN said:
Ok, I've got what seems to me to be a stupid question... Is there another word or term I'm missing to try and find the T-568B cable ends/plugs? I thought for sure I should be able to find these on Amazon or locally at a hardware store, but quick online searches of both isn't turning up what I expected...

I'm looking for T-568B and a cable tool for making my own cables?

[edit] Ok, duh, what I'm obviously looking for are rj45 connectors, but I'm not seeing anything mentioning T-568A or T-568B. Is that just in reference to the way the wires are terminated? Man I'm feeling stupid right now, lol :oops:
Click to expand...

8P8C RJ45 Plug with Inserts for Solid Cat6 Ethernet Cable, 100 pcs/pack - Monoprice.com

3 Ways Modular Plug Crimps, Strips, and Cuts Tool with Ratchet - Monoprice.com
 
  • Like
Reactions: mat200 and teamRAVEGREEN
teamRAVEGREEN said:
Ok, I've got what seems to me to be a stupid question... Is there another word or term I'm missing to try and find the T-568B cable ends/plugs? I thought for sure I should be able to find these on Amazon or locally at a hardware store, but quick online searches of both isn't turning up what I expected...

I'm looking for T-568B and a cable tool for making my own cables?

[edit] Ok, duh, what I'm obviously looking for are rj45 connectors, but I'm not seeing anything mentioning T-568A or T-568B. Is that just in reference to the way the wires are terminated? Man I'm feeling stupid right now, lol :oops:
Click to expand...

Correct, that is the order of the wires as they enter the RJ45.
Wiring Termination Instructions and Diagrams - RJ11 and RJ45 Jacks Guide
 
  • Like
Reactions: teamRAVEGREEN
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom