Camera placement for new house

[dummptyhummpty]

We're having a new house built and I'd love any feedback on camera placement before we have the wiring done. It's a typical suburban housing development with houses next to and across the street. There's a different community behind us (a gated mobile home "estate").

I've attached an image with the locations I was thinking of placing cameras (model(s) TBD). These would all be on the first floor around 8 or so feet. I'd maybe add an overview camera for the backyard to the second floor to keep an eye on my dogs. I'd love to have some LPR cameras as well, but not sure where those should go. I was thinking of adding an network drop low on the front of the house to add those later.

Is there anything I've overlooked or should change? Thanks!

 

[Revo2Maxx]

You have blind spots in your current camera layout.

 

[dummptyhummpty]

You have blind spots in your current camera layout.

I'm guessing the yard along the left side of the house and the area behind the garage?

 

[mat200]

We're having a new house built and I'd love any feedback on camera placement before we have the wiring done. It's a typical suburban housing development with houses next to and across the street. There's a different community behind us (a gated mobile home "estate").

I've attached an image with the locations I was thinking of placing cameras (model(s) TBD). These would all be on the first floor around 8 or so feet. I'd maybe add an overview camera for the backyard to the second floor to keep an eye on my dogs. I'd love to have some LPR cameras as well, but not sure where those should go. I was thinking of adding an network drop low on the front of the house to add those later.

Is there anything I've overlooked or should change? Thanks!

Good start, I would probably look to have a bit more coverage on the front of the house, and would want to be able to ID any car which an attacker / or theft may use ..

Remember to look at the DORI specs and see how far away the ID zone is for each camera and that should help give you an idea of some possible coverage issues.

As you are building a new house, now is a great time to over cable .. personally I like the N+1 rule for ethernet cabling
( run one extra cable for each location )

 

[Ri22o]

My first thoughts.

Front Door - Add an additional camera under the cover, pointed at the door.
Guest Suite Door - Add an additional camera under the cover, pointed at the door.
Covered Patio - Add an additional camera under the cover, pointed at the door.
Garage - The crossing FOVs is nice. I would install the cameras under the door header, if possible, for best chance of ID. I would also add a 3rd camera as an overview.

You also need more overlapping FOVs along the outside.



See @wittaj 's post below that is going to be made in here sooner or later.

It is best to have a mix of cameras, each one selected for the goal of the camera.

I have some varifocals for IDENTIFY at distance and pinch points, and OVERVIEW cameras so I can see what is going on with one field of view.

As far as cameras, without knowing what your goals of the camera is, this thread is used as the go to for the new person here outlining the commonly recommended cameras (along with Amazon links) based on distance to IDENTIFY that represent the overall best value/best bang for the buck in terms of price and performance day and night. It might be a 2MP camera in some instances. Many here feel 4MP is the current sweet spot for these cameras.

The Importance of Focal Length over MP in camera selection

And coupled with that thread is this great thread which will show why all of the same 2.8 or 3.6mm cameras is the wrong choice (these are the common focal lengths consumer brands sell):

i-want-2-8mm-cameras-everywhere-to-see-everything-this-is-why-you-need-specific-fovs-with-purposeful-focal-lengths.70053/

We would encourage you to look at those threads in detail.

It will probably raise more questions than answers LOL.

Many of us purchase from trusted member @EMPIRETECANDY, a vendor here with an Amazon store, his own webpage, and via DM.

He sells Dahua OEM for cheaper than you can buy label Dahua.

Not many Dahua resellers sell the "good" stuff. For example, most Amcrest and Lorex cameras are consumer cams on less than ideal MP/sensor ratios.

B&H sells Dahua cams, but they are older models.

 

[Ri22o]

You can see my garage/driveway cams under the header here:

I have my 5442 driveway cams under the garage header and they have no issues with the coach lights being right there.

View attachment 164007View attachment 164008View attachment 164009

 

[dummptyhummpty]

Good start, I would probably look to have a bit more coverage on the front of the house, and would want to be able to ID any car which an attacker / or theft may use ..

Remember to look at the DORI specs and see how far away the ID zone is for each camera and that should help give you an idea of some possible coverage issues.

As you are building a new house, now is a great time to over cable .. personally I like the N+1 rule for ethernet cabling
( run one extra cable for each location )

My first thoughts.

Front Door - Add an additional camera under the cover, pointed at the door.
Guest Suite Door - Add an additional camera under the cover, pointed at the door.
Covered Patio - Add an additional camera under the cover, pointed at the door.
Garage - The crossing FOVs is nice. I would install the cameras under the door header, if possible, for best chance of ID. I would also add a 3rd camera as an overview.

You also need more overlapping FOVs along the outside.

See @wittaj 's post below that is going to be made in here sooner or later.

Thank you both, I'm not sure if this is any better. I'm struggling to find good balance and it feels like I'm overdoing it?

@mat200 Thanks for the call out on running 2x network cables to each location.

For the cameras under the patio, porch and guest entrance, should those be mounted on the ceiling looking down or is it better to mount them on the wall at the same height as the other cameras? I forgot to mention, both front entrances will also have door bell cameras.



Here's a couple of images of the guest entrance and the porch (from the left side)

You can see my garage/driveway cams under the header here:

Thanks for sharing that, I've reviewed your original thread multiple times in the past and it's been really informative!

 

[Ri22o]

There's no kill like overkill, but you will want to check some of those positions with a camera before committing, just to make sure they are good.

For looking at the doors, my thought is it is so you can see what happened, if something happened. Say you answer the door and have an altercation with whoever knocked. Do you want to have record of this? A doorbell cam likely won't capture everything you would want to see. This may be difficult with the guest door, but the front could likely be covered by one that is also covering the porch.

 

[mat200]

Thank you both, I'm not sure if this is any better. I'm struggling to find good balance and it feels like I'm overdoing it?

@mat200 Thanks for the call out on running 2x network cables to each location.

For the cameras under the patio, porch and guest entrance, should those be mounted on the ceiling looking down or is it better to mount them on the wall at the same height as the other cameras? I forgot to mention, both front entrances will also have door bell cameras.

View attachment 222378

Here's a couple of images of the guest entrance and the porch (from the left side)

View attachment 222379View attachment 222380


Thanks for sharing that, I've reviewed your original thread multiple times in the past and it's been really informative!

Thanks

Ah, I see the house is already up .. is the drywall up ?

IF so, then DO take some time to do test of positions before running cables.
( search for the test rig )

Personally I really like a form factor like a mini-dome wedge camera at face level on the front doors.

 

[dummptyhummpty]

There's no kill like overkill, but you will want to check some of those positions with a camera before committing, just to make sure they are good.

For looking at the doors, my thought is it is so you can see what happened, if something happened. Say you answer the door and have an altercation with whoever knocked. Do you want to have record of this? A doorbell cam likely won't capture everything you would want to see. This may be difficult with the guest door, but the front could likely be covered by one that is also covering the porch.

I understand about the doors and that's a really great example. I think I can get good coverage from the porch. I'm not too worried about the guest door.

Thanks

Ah, I see the house is already up .. is the drywall up ?

IF so, then DO take some time to do test of positions before running cables.
( search for the test rig )

Personally I really like a form factor like a mini-dome wedge camera at face level on the front doors.

Oops, sorry. No it's not built yet. That was from the model to give you a visual. I could head out to the model with a test camera, but I might get some funny looks haha. The model and lot are slightly different, but would be better than nothing I suppose.

 

[mat200]

I understand about the doors and that's a really great example. I think I can get good coverage from the porch. I'm not too worried about the guest door.


Oops, sorry. No it's not built yet. That was from the model to give you a visual. I could head out to the model with a test camera, but I might get some funny looks haha. The model and lot are slightly different, but would be better than nothing I suppose.

Sweet, you have time ..

Share a picture of what the front of the house should look like .. will give spots I would consider for placement of cameras.

Remember to consider conduct runs in some key areas to allow easy pulling of cables in the future ..
( for a friend we ran conduit elbows in some critical spots so he could easily get a cable into / out of a corner )

 

[Ri22o]

Remember to consider conduct runs in some key areas to allow easy pulling of cables in the future ..
( for a friend we ran conduit elbows in some critical spots so he could easily get a cable into / out of a corner )

In hindsight, I probably wouldn't have ran everything on home runs, but being able to patch whatever, wherever is nice. So maybe consider running power and 2 ethernet to certain areas for a POE switch, and then you can branch other runs out from there.

Personally I really like a form factor like a mini-dome wedge camera at face level on the front doors.

If the WAF allows it, I would go with a 5442 over a wedge. Having tried a wedge at my front door, with 5442s everywhere else, I couldn't accept the quality difference and ended up swapping it with a 5442 (T54IR-AS).

 

[dummptyhummpty]

Sweet, you have time ..

Share a picture of what the front of the house should look like .. will give spots I would consider for placement of cameras.

Remember to consider conduct runs in some key areas to allow easy pulling of cables in the future ..
( for a friend we ran conduit elbows in some critical spots so he could easily get a cable into / out of a corner )

Here's a pretty accurate render. I think we have until sometime in August to spec any network drops, so yes, I do have some time. I'm waiting to find out what options we have around conduit. Thanks again!

 

[Timokreon]

I don't know about your finances, and quite frankly not my business, but if you have the finances I would set up an equipment room/area, and pull all the ethernet, etc.. to that area.
Ensure you're able to pull new cables when you want...with pull tape, conduits, etc...

I'd also think about pulling fiber while things are open. Fiber is about the same cost of cat6, and can open up new things down the road. Fiber can be used for all sorts of things.
Can also be used for things like TV, stereo, etc...

 

[dummptyhummpty]

I don't know about your finances, and quite frankly not my business, but if you have the finances I would set up an equipment room/area, and pull all the ethernet, etc.. to that area.
Ensure you're able to pull new cables when you want...with pull tape, conduits, etc...

I'd also think about pulling fiber while things are open. Fiber is about the same cost of cat6, and can open up new things down the road. Fiber can be used for all sorts of things.
Can also be used for things like TV, stereo, etc...

There's a closet I'm planning to use for this purpose. Good call on the fiber!

 

[Timokreon]

There's a closet I'm planning to use for this purpose. Good call on the fiber!

If using a closet, ensure plenty of air flow, AC, exhaust, etc... if it's like mine, all the routers, NVR, TV Receivers, etc... put out a TON of hot air and need the AC, plus exhaust to get rid of it all.

 

[dummptyhummpty]

If using a closet, ensure plenty of air flow, AC, exhaust, etc... if it's like mine, all the routers, NVR, TV Receivers, etc... put out a TON of hot air and need the AC, plus exhaust to get rid of it all.

I'm not sure I can swing a separate AC unit, but that closet backs up to a laundry room where I was planning to vent the hot air. Then I can pull cooler air from the room with the closet. The nice thing though is that part of the house has its own HVAC so I can hopefully take advantage of that if needed.

 

[Timokreon]

I'm not sure I can swing a separate AC unit, but that closet backs up to a laundry room where I was planning to vent the hot air. Then I can pull cooler air from the room with the closet. The nice thing though is that part of the house has its own HVAC so I can hopefully take advantage of that if needed.

Yeah, that'd work most likely. Having the exhaust, with some kind of circulation.. I don't have a separate AC either, just cross circulation with an exhaust fan to help get rid of the hot air.

 

[mat200]

Yeah, that'd work most likely. Having the exhaust, with some kind of circulation.. I don't have a separate AC either, just cross circulation with an exhaust fan to help get rid of the hot air.

I'm not sure I can swing a separate AC unit, but that closet backs up to a laundry room where I was planning to vent the hot air. Then I can pull cooler air from the room with the closet. The nice thing though is that part of the house has its own HVAC so I can hopefully take advantage of that if needed.

I just vented my closet, and ensured that the heater would not warm it up.

I guess if I get a lot of equipment I would have needed to do more

 

[mat200]

Here's a pretty accurate render. I think we have until sometime in August to spec any network drops, so yes, I do have some time. I'm waiting to find out what options we have around conduit. Thanks again!

hi dummpty

These are the locations I would test out ..