Need suggestion/help for outdoor cameras for my home

[wolfespawn]

Hi!

I have been looking to install cameras at my home and I have no idea what to look for. I have almost pulled the trigger on some but something in the description always stops me (i.e. water reistant, not proof- but they are outdoor!!).
I had my home pre-wired when it was built with I believe 8 camera locations. I would like to be able to view my cameras remotely from my phone and I would like at least 1 very hi quality camera that can possibly capture license plates at maybe 80-100 feet (not sure it's possible).
How hard is this going to be for me to setup myself?
4 of the cameras will be completely exposed to weather (side of house facing the rising sun in a hot Las Vegas desert).
How big of a DVR storage drive will I need if I would like to keep the recording for up to a week? Are they all motion triggered?

Thank you for reading my questions, I am completely clueless.

 

[tangent]

Welcome. Start here: Resource Guide on IP Technology for all Noobs

- Evaluate the prewired locations. How high are they, what type of cable was used, did they use a junction box if yes what type...
People tend to want to put their cameras too high, which is especially disappointing if it's a prewire as upper floor soffits are relatively easy to access after the fact.

- The camera's IP (ingress protection) rating is what matters, you can look it up on wikipedia. Any camera that's IP66 or IP67 will be fine. Turret/Eyeball camera are generally the most desirable type. This camera is a good option: Dahua Starlight Varifocal Turret (IPC-HDW5231R-Z)

LPR requires a dedicated camera and depends heavily on the location of the camera.

 

[wolfespawn]

I just checked. They do have blue junction boxes (plastic), and have CAT5 or CAT6 inside. You were correct, they went really high on the side of the house, like 9 feet.
I just looked at the link you attached, the Dahua. It mentions needed a microSD? I was looking to buy a system that stored on a hard drive as well as viewable from phone. Does that camera operate like that?
I would need 7 cameras. Also, 2 on the back patio, do they sell mounts that extend 2 feet or so to get under the view on my patio cover?
Thanks for your reply!!

 

[tangent]

Many cameras have microsd slots, you don't need to use them. People typically use them as a backup.

9' up isn't too bad if that's accurate. Your front door is one location where you should certainly try to be lower if you can.

Camera's generally aren't made to just mount to a normal rectangular junction box, so that complicates things some. Did they install the boxes horizontal or vertical?

 

[wolfespawn]

They installed both. The front door junction box is mounted in the ceiling (at 9 ft) as well as the 2 under the back patio. The rest were installed in the exact manner of house outlets.

 

[tangent]

The PFB203W | Dahua Technology can attach to boxes that are horizontal (sideways).

 

[tangent]

A picture from the ground with some distance would give a more useful perspective. You'll probably need to modify a weatherproof junction box cover to mount cameras.

 

[wolfespawn]

The silver plates above the light and to the top roof above door. They have the cat5 inside them. Is there a specific junction box I can order that would fit most cameras universally?

 

[tangent]

That'll make quite the bald spot camera at the front door.

Camera junction boxes are not universal. Most anything will probably require some modification.

 

[giomania]

Read the cliff notes in post #13 of the thread you were directed to; lots of great info in there.


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