Couple of CCTV questions, please

[Zain]

Hi People

I'm looking at buying an 8 Camera DVR set up for my business.

Found a suitable package but just need to confirm a couple of points

Firstly, I need a dedicated 24 hr monitor. Which would be more suitable - a LCD TV or Computer monitor? looking around 24'

Finally, the cameras are powered 12V DC adaptors. Asides from chucking numerous extension sockets/cables all over my suspending celling, is there an easier way to power these up?

Thanks for your time

[rickyt]

Not sure about the monitor you should use , but you can buy 10 x 12V 4A Switching Power Supply for your cameras for £39 from that well known auction site . Doesn't get around the socket problem though. Or , you could buy a single power supply to feed 8 cameras [REGULATED 12V DC 5 AMP POWER SUPPLY 2.1MM] for £17.49 ,again from the same site . You would only need one mains socket and you could just add extension cables to the ones from the power supply to feed cameras in other areas of the building.hth

[Zain]

Originally Posted by rickyt

Not sure about the monitor you should use , but you can buy 10 x 12V 4A Switching Power Supply for your cameras for £39 from that well known auction site . Doesn't get around the socket problem though. Or , you could buy a single power supply to feed 8 cameras [REGULATED 12V DC 5 AMP POWER SUPPLY 2.1MM] for £17.49 ,again from the same site . You would only need one mains socket and you could just add extension cables to the ones from the power supply to feed cameras in other areas of the building.hth

Thanks. Been looking at the single power supply but I'd need at least 15 meters of cable on each camera. There's other boxed solutions but I'm not sure if the cameras I've chosen would be compatible.

[Super Andy H]

You can power each camera from a single transformer via ethernet cable. Or using something designed for the job such as an NVT balun with POE. But that is not as cheap as an ebay jobby.

A CRT will give you a better image and last longer. But I work in the CCTV industry, well it's the main string to my bow, and we have a few 100 LCD screens which are on 24/7 and do a more than decent job. Some are samsung TV's with a coax to phono convertor. Some are bespoke Melford monitors.

A good idea, and one that I use for small CCTV solutions is to buy a cheap balun to use at each camera. Setup a 12v/24v Transformer at a spur near my DVR. Run cat5/cat6 to each camera and send power from the transformer to each camera and send the video back from the camera using the balun into an another balun at the end of the line and then coax into the DVR. Shouldn't cost too much dependent on the kit. Even the high end single baluns are only about £20 a pop and come with a lifetime warranty.

[vex]

The systems we put in are run with a dedicated siamese cable of coax (RG59) and a power pair to each screen. This is partnered with professional psu.

AS for running a TV or a Monitor, it will depend on the outputs of the DVR box you are using. If it has a VGA output then a PC Monitor will give you a better image, If it has a composite video then a TV Monitor would be better but the image may not be up to scratch.

HTH

V.

[Zain]

Thanks for your input guys

Ok, done a little more research today and it appears the cameras are infact twined cable with BNC and power.
I've got 2 options in powering these, first is wire them all up to a single purpose built camera power box.
Or secondly, plug them in individually to mains socket.
TBH, preferring the second option. The box sounds good but if it were to fail I'll be left vulnerable until a replacement is sourced/fitted.
Also, I think I could use Multiple output DC leads to save on sockets.

Regarding the monitor - The DVR is equipped with VGA and Coax.
So I'm pretty flexible on what screen to use.
Having said that I need 3!
Been quoted £249 for a 24' dedicated CCTV monitor - which I'd use for the main shop floor screen. I'll grab what ever bargains I can find for the other 2 -back office and top flat

Thanks

[D4RK1]

To prevent screen burn id have the cameras on a sequence (camera 1 full screen then after 5 seconds goes onto camera 2 etc etc)

As for power, running them from a 8x1amp psu is fine. PSU's dont fail so wont cause you any problems. You can use any pc monitor for screens, as you've said you can run pci/vga lead or coax (you can get coax to phono converters too)

To run the power to the cameras you can use 8 core alarm cable, 2 core flex, cat5. Whatever you like really. Your only thowing in short runs so youl have no volt drop issues.

I personally wouldnt bother with baluns, no needfor the extra cost, just run a coax and 6/8core in with it. Or like vex mentioned get some siamese cable.
Its also worth getting a lockable box for the dvr.

try to stay away from any mains cables to prevent any interferance and you wont go wrong.

[Zain]

Up-date

Ok, I'm in the process of installing my system

Gone for dedicated PC monitors via VGA. Trouble is I need to wire 2 of the monitors 25 meters away. So I'm guessing I'd need a 4 Way VGA splitter, and 2 x 25 VGA leads.

Audio

I'm looking at adding 1 mic. Again it's about 25 meters from the DVR. Plus the fact I'm using PC monitors for back office, I think I need BNC to 3.5 mm jack, to small speaker ie Ipod etc

Am I going about this the right way? any tips/pointers would be most appreciated

Thanks

Z

[hornydragon]

25m VGA leads wont come cheap how many monitors are you using? for remote monitors Composite is fine, use good coax and BNC's

[Zain]

Originally Posted by hornydragon

25m VGA leads wont come cheap how many monitors are you using? for remote monitors Composite is fine, use good coax and BNC's

Done some more surveying last night. I actually need 1X18m length and 1X13 meter.
1 or more of my monitors don't have coax inputs, only VGA.

Managed to order 2 Belkin Pro VGA's 25m & 15m for £40. A little bit cheaper than 1 of the Maplin alternatives.