CCTV .... for a Dummy

[CharlieG]

I have a spare PC with 8 GB RAM and 3.3 Ghz processort and want to dedicate it to a 1 or 2 camera outdoor system with good night capability. Can anyone point me to a document, book, instructions for setting up CCTV. I guess I just want a shopping list of what can work simply. I have a Virgin router on which I have 3 spare ports unless anyone can convince me to go wireless.
(thanks to Blue Iris as they pointed me to this forum)

 

[looney2ns]

3.3 GHz doesn't mean anything, need to know the exact model.

Choosing Hardware for Blue Iris | IP Cam Talk

 

[CharlieG]

Blue Iris support said minimum is

• Pentium dual-core or equivalent 2GHz processor or better
  
• 2GB or more system RAM
  
• Microsoft Windows XP SP3 or newer, or a server OS
  
• One or more USB or Network IP cameras, or an analog capture card with DirectShow drivers

My system shows Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-3220 CPU @ 3.30 GHz 3.30 GHz

Waiting with bated breath, I'm doing dancing and the saxophone but this is out of my depth

 

[bp2008]

i3-3220 will handle 1 or 2 cameras with room to spare. For efficiency's sake, follow this guide when setting them up: Optimizing Blue Iris's CPU Usage | IP Cam Talk

You'll want a PoE switch to power your cameras: http://a.co/8WIyRCD

Quick and dirty cameras:

http://a.co/gHpJce9
http://a.co/1So7vuz

When you read the "2.8mm" or "3.6mm" parts of a product description, that is the lens size. Smaller lens size = wider angle view. 2.8mm is typically about 90 degree horizontal field of view (good for indoors). 3.6mm is typically closer to 70 degrees, which is a bit better outdoors where distances are greater.

If you can afford it, there are cameras available with far superior night vision: Dahua Starlight Varifocal Turret (IPC-HDW5231R-Z)

 

[bp2008]

To wire everything together, use cat5e or cat6 cables. Use shielded cables if you need to run the cables parallel to electrical wire for more than a couple of feet. Avoid cables made of copper-clad aluminum (CCA), instead getting cables made with pure copper conductors.

 

[CharlieG]

Thanks for your help, I really appreciate it.
Some reading to do I know but it's great to be given the direction to go in.