New cctv questions?

[wackywoo105]

I just purchased some Hikvision DS-2CD2387G2-LSU/SL 8MP ColorVu Network Turret Camera With Live Guard 2.8mm. I have a 7716 m4 nvr on order and 2 6tb Skyhawk drives. I questioned if AI or purple pro would be better but the seller said standard Skyhawk are fine.

I will probably go up to 8-10 8mp cameras. Will standard Skyhawk drives be adequate, or should I be looking at the AI or WD purple pro models? I haven't collected the drives yet so can probably change my mind.

The cameras will be used in a small retail environment. The seller said color vue probably wasn't needed and may cause glare? They said they are mainly for outdoors. If there are any issues I plan to add more cameras later so can move them around. Are colour vue not recommended for indoors? I plan to mount 3 cameras in a room that is 9mx4.5m and one camera in a room about 3mx3m.

Also does anyone have any tips in installing the cameras to a 600x600 false tile ceiling with a hanging metal grid? The cameras are heavier than I anticipated. I was going to get some mdf backing board unless there are better methods?

Thanks in advance.

 

[ludshed]

Depends on how much ambient light there is when lights are off. I’d just put some IRs in and call it a day. As far as your mounting just use a self tapper into the metal.

 

[wackywoo105]

Thanks.

Do you have any thoughts about the drives?

Another question is will I need cat6 cable, or will cat 5e be sufficient?

 

[ludshed]

Cat 5e is fine. I’ll catch some flack for saying any drives will work but numbers and time don’t lie. You’ll be told wd purple or anything designed for nas/cctv though.

 

[TonyR]

There's T-bar between the tiles, right ? if so have a look at the UniFi Professional Mounting System

It's about 8" in diameter and mounts to the T-bar. I haven't used but the price is reasonable AND it can be mounted/un-mounted quickly. It includes the flange and 2 T-bar spin-clips. In the install guide below, skip over the UniFi radio part to the actual T-bar stuff beginning on page 12 of the guide.

Installation Guide

You could also watch this YT video at bottom beginning at the 2:00 min. mark to where they are using the T-bar mounts (the first 2 minutes is about mounting on the center of a tile).

Instead of putting the 2 clips at 3" spacing for their included UniFi radio bracket, you could pick 2 places on your junction box or cam that the clips could be spaced at. It appears shaky before the tiles are dropped back in but maybe it's OK for a turret cam.

If you purchase from amazon and you don't like or it doesn't work you could return.

 

[TonyR]

If too expensive or won't suit your needed diameter, then consider these, for T-bar, mount cam's junction box to them.

This one is cheap, you drop in a 'carriage' bolt of desired length and they're at Home Depot.

This one is even less, also at HD. Comes with captive bolt and nylon cap nut.

EDIT: 1/30/23 @ 1554 CT: NOTE: regardless of which method you use (T-bar clips or MDF board above tile), I'd be sure to mount cam near where the support wire(s) from the ceiling is tied to the top-side of the T-bar; maybe even add an additional wire here and there if the cam is so heavy it causes a sag in the T-bar.....no body wants a suspended ceiling to become UN-suspended!