Building my first IP camera system

Jul 30, 2024
10
12
USA
Hello All,

As I mentioned in my introduction post, I am building a small IP camera security system as a learning exercise for a future larger whole house system.

For this exercise I thought I would install a camera to monitor an outbuilding in the woods behind my home.

The building is about 250 ft. from the main house, with a partially obstructed line-of-sight.

The future system would also have some other locations to monitor at similar distances, so learning about WiFi cameras is one of my objectives, though I understand 250 ft. maybe on the edge of what is practical.

For a first camera I'm thinking of a Dahau SD1A204DB-GNY-W, or something similar, powered temporarily from a battery pack in the outbuilding.

Research on WiFi access points has started, but I haven't gotten far enough yet to make a selection (suggestions appreciated).

I have a Dell T340 Server which I would like to use to manage the camera and store videos (Intel Xeon E-2244G, 3.80GHz, with 2X 1TB HDD's, RAID1), though I am uncertain how capable this hardware is for handling multiple cameras in a larger system.

For now the system would be exclusively stand-alone and not connected to the outside internet.

Blue Iris sounds like the consensus SW favorite on this site, so I am going to start there when I get to looking deeper into the SW.

For this first phase, I would be very happy when I can do the following:

1) View the camera output on the computer monitor in real-time
2) Make changes to camera settings to adjust/optimize image quality
3) Control the PTZ functions of the camera
4) Store and retrieve video and still images
5) Set alerts based on motion detection, region-of-interest

All for now, and thank-you in advance for your suggestions and comments.

-WP
 
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Wifi cameras should be avoided, as you will be disappointed.
Look for good quality cameras such as this ONE.

My moto, buy once, cry once.

For a reliable system you need to plan on using ethernet cable with POE capable cameras.
More recommendations here: The Importance of Focal Length over MP in camera selection | IP Cam Talk

Xeon processors are energy hogs and create lots of heat.

A $100 refurb SFF business class machine will run circles around that Xeon.
Example 1

For a little more headroom, you could go with this instead.
Example 2
 
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I have the little brother to that cam, SD1A203T-GN. The only real difference is that the lens on mine is 2.7-8.1mm and the one you are looking at is 2.8-12mm and mine is hardwired. I use them indoors.

You do not state if this is going to be outside. If it is, then a dome is not recommended. Also, WIFI should be avoided.

It sounds like you do not have power at that location. For that distance, you could do fiber back to your server, or use radios. But you would need power there.
 
A $100 refurb SFF business class machine will run circles around that Xeon.
Example 1

For a little more headroom, you could go with this instead.
Example 2

Thanks for the tip on the SFF computers, I'll look into them.

Since I have the PowerEdge T340 I'll start with it.

The T340 has some nice features I was hoping to take advantage of, like 8X 3.5 HDD bays, and redundant power supplies.

Cheers!
 
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The T340 has some nice features I was hoping to take advantage of, like 8X 3.5 HDD bays, and redundant power supplies.
I am jealous! My server only has three.
 
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You do not state if this is going to be outside. If it is, then a dome is not recommended. Also, WIFI should be avoided.

It sounds like you do not have power at that location. For that distance, you could do fiber back to your server, or use radios. But you would need power there.

Yes, definitely an outside application, and no power at the location.

Learning the practical limitations of WiFi is one of my objectives - I would like to avoid burying long runs of cable & conduit if I can avoid it, as well as the technical difficulties of proper grounding and lightning protection.

And before I commit to PoE , I'd like to learn what would be sacrificed in terms of image quality, frame rate, up-time, etc.

Can I ask what the issues are with using a dome outside?

Thanks!

-WP
 
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Domes are not recommended outside unless it is well protected from the elements. The big issue is that the domes will hold onto water droplets much longer than other cameras and thus any dirt on it can then become problematic. And during a rain event with IR, the camera is basically blind...but even without rain, the reflections of lights even outside the field of view can throw weird reflections into the dome.



The domes attract lots of dust. Then rain. Then dirty rain spots. Glare from all angles of the sun. Then over time the sun will "fog" the dome like a car headlight.

We have more people coming here posting a problem picture at night thinking there is a problem with their dome camera when in reality it is the IR bounce from some object that the dome is then capturing and magnifying.

This thread shows why wifi cams are bad, from missing motion, slowing down entirely network, to less than ideal MP/sensor ratios:

 
For a wireless shot to the outbuilding I'm using ubiquiti ns5ac. That's how I send my network to my shop. I've setup this system to a gate 2500 ft with the remote end on solar only.
 
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