Too often, I’ve been a buy it now and then upgrade as I learn what I really want. Age is fixing that and I’m going to try to educate myself before spending the cash on my security cameras. I have a modest 2,300 sqft two-story home back in the woods. It’s a flag and pole shaped lot (140 yard driveway is the pole with ~2 acre lot where the house sits), so I get no passing traffic. The trees are quite mature, so it get VERY dark at night It’s also in western WA, so lots of gray days and rain.
During my remodel, I ran 5 lines of 23g all copper cat 6. Two at the main front door, 1 at the side door, 1 at the back door (all doors have a covered patio), and 1 at the corner (under the eave) to point towards the detached garage (10 yard away). Down the road, I’ll be adding 2 -3 for the new garage (replacing the old one), 1 for near the entrance of the driveway, and 2-3 for wildlife viewing around the property.
Things I’m learning are:
-lowlight will be more important than distance.
-watch for degrading weatherproofing and up deterioration on covers.
-I want notified when critters and vehicles approach.
-I want to set detection/notification zones for each camera. Lots of landscaping that blows in the wind and I don’t want those setting off the camera to send me a text notice of wind.
-I want the house/garage cameras to pick up sound.
-I only want two people to have access to the cameras.
Only question right now is (I did read the cliff notes) do I need a NVR if I’m going to buy into the BI? I have a decent laptop laying around I can dedicate to this. Based on what I’ve read, I think I can use the laptop, add a 16 point PoE switch, use BI, and be good to go???? $60 for BI, $1,000 in cameras and the PoE switch, and I’m up and running...
Thank you for all the sharing of knowledge. Back to more reading for me.
During my remodel, I ran 5 lines of 23g all copper cat 6. Two at the main front door, 1 at the side door, 1 at the back door (all doors have a covered patio), and 1 at the corner (under the eave) to point towards the detached garage (10 yard away). Down the road, I’ll be adding 2 -3 for the new garage (replacing the old one), 1 for near the entrance of the driveway, and 2-3 for wildlife viewing around the property.
Things I’m learning are:
-lowlight will be more important than distance.
-watch for degrading weatherproofing and up deterioration on covers.
-I want notified when critters and vehicles approach.
-I want to set detection/notification zones for each camera. Lots of landscaping that blows in the wind and I don’t want those setting off the camera to send me a text notice of wind.
-I want the house/garage cameras to pick up sound.
-I only want two people to have access to the cameras.
Only question right now is (I did read the cliff notes) do I need a NVR if I’m going to buy into the BI? I have a decent laptop laying around I can dedicate to this. Based on what I’ve read, I think I can use the laptop, add a 16 point PoE switch, use BI, and be good to go???? $60 for BI, $1,000 in cameras and the PoE switch, and I’m up and running...
Thank you for all the sharing of knowledge. Back to more reading for me.
