Wall mounted tablets

[fenderman]

Is anyone using wall mounted tablets to display their cameras. Was thinking about doing a custom tablet in wall install right by the front door, sort of like a high tech peephole. Probably a 7" android tablet. Ideally i would like to power it via poe as well as sending data via ethernet as well. I have found this http://www.geekland.co/9-Android-40-Flush-Wall-or-Vesa-Mount-Tablet-with-RJ45-POE-GK-VIA-E006.htm
Another ideas would be to take a standard android tablet (maybe even the cheaper chinese models that have ethernet built in) and use this http://www.amazon.com/WS-POE-USB-Kit-Tablet-Remote-charger-Ethernet/dp/B00AH5XCLC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1408070339&sr=8-1&keywords=poe+tablet and buy a wall mount.
Thoughts? Suggestions? Anyone do this?

 

[vector18]

They make a charging inwall mount for the Ipad, it's not cheap, but it keeps it charged and you can run lighting control apps, cameras, etc.

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https://www.google.com/shopping/product/2098567369432865655?q=ipad+in+wall+dock&sqi=2&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.73231344,d.cWc,pv.xjs.s.en_US.jy1SGYsq9dM.O&biw=1920&bih=943&tch=1&ech=1&psi=OnbtU67wE7O-sQTJmICYDw.1408071222672.3&ei=S3btU5bSBpPMsQS4-ICwCw&ved=0CLkEEKYrMAE

 

[fenderman]

Interesting nice concept....though I want to avoid iAnything...and i would like data to be fed over an ethernet cable..if possible. This requires power via a wall plate presumably piggybacking off a an outlet or switch...

 

[fenderman]

Found this that will let me add ethernet to most android tablets http://www.amazon.com/BobjGear-Ultrabooks-EXCEPTIONS-Description-Included/dp/B007RTACDM/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1408072736&sr=1-1&keywords=BobjGear+USB+to+RJ45

 

[catseyenu]

You can get a Nook HD+ for around $150.

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/p/nook-hd-plus-barnes-noble/1110060512

 

[fenderman]

Problem with the nook is that its not a true android tablet...the ethernet is probably not enabled so i cant use the ethernet to usb device....there are always asus tablets that are on sale (refurbished)...

 

[icerabbit]

Interesting idea to do POE for a tablet. Don't know that it has been / can be done. Custom voltage and you'd need to splice off power before it reaches the dongle as to not fry it. Then how will it communicate?

For wall a wall mount - since there are so many brands sizes shapes - a handy person might make their own similar to a picture frame (or digital photo frame actually) vs paying a premium retail.

 

[catseyenu]

No ethernet but it is a true android tablet after rooting.
The battery life is really good as well.

 

[nayr]

here is how you PoE an android table: http://www.adafruit.com/products/435

hack a micro usb cable's power pair onto a barrel plug and then give it a 5v ac/dc wall wart on the other side, or power a usb hub over it.. dont expect to get 5v through 300ft of cat6 however.. worst case scenario you get a variable voltage power supply and adjust it until you get 5v out the other end.

Use that USB NIC on a rooted droid tablet and mount it in a thick picture frame near the screens edge to hide the bezel and any holes; you can find 90 degree usb port adapters which can help tuck bulky connectors away.

A Tablet control panel gives you built in battery backup, camera (maby, front facing), speaker and microphone.. pretty good.

 

[vector18]

Aren't all android tablets Wifi capable? I'm confused why your looking to connect ethernet to it? Why not find a wall mount that lets you charge the tablet, whether it be itablet or android, and connect to your wifi in your house? For me, that would be the simplest solution. Besides, on pretty much every dvr/nvr, tablets stream the secondary stream, which is a lower resolution and less bandwidth anyway.

 

[fenderman]

Vector, i have found that depending on the home/router/network, wifi can be tricky because once the connection breaks the image freezes and doesnt restart. Also since i need to power it anyways, i figure bringing low voltage via poe is best. I dont want to leave a charger in the wall...
I like what this guy by making an external frame did except for the part where he put a charger and an extension cord in the wall lol...

 

[nayr]

the idea of using a wireless for security purposes is repulsive... something like this thats going to be displaying video is moving data 24/7/365; which is noise to everyone else trying to use wifi.

Ive got a $25 radio here I got from a garage sale; it can broadcast 40 watts on the ISM frequency honeywell/ge wireless sensors operate on at a few mW of power... how well you think those wireless security sensors will be working within a few hundred yards of me just pressing the transmit button on the radio.. Ive tested it; they dont work anymore.. effectively jammed. (I am a HAM and legally I can transmit alot more than 40w on UHF)

Oah dont forget there is only 1 standing WiFi security model that hasent been broken and thats TLS Certificate authentication; I run it... however nobody else but me does

 

[icerabbit]

Of course there's "IN the wall" and in the wall. I've seen several of those videos before too where whatever is hacked up, taped up or not; and just dropped in the wall cavity. :mad-new:

I was giving it some thought last night, as I might like to do this too.

Amazing how somebody's comment or idea becomes a "hey I'd like that too". Right?

How about a recessed TV / media box? That's the approach I would take.

Typically used for wall mounting TVs that is 2 gang, one for 110 and one for whatever you choose. Nice and up to code. Some space for a wall wart and/or the ethernet dongle. All hidden behind the frame?

Tablet covers it using some old cleat mount, picture frame mount, novel magnets, ... etc or any combination. Whether removable entirely. Or affixed with maybe some hinge or bracket.

Different brands, different levels of recess, outlet facing forward, angle or sideways. Can't find the exact dual gang type I was thinking about with keystones one side and duplex outlet on the other. But loads of results and types. Single gang with side space, dual gang ... Retrofit install type with tabs to mount on drywall.

 

[vector18]

Nayr, do you think he lives in a bank, casino, federal reserve, police station, or something? He just wants to see his cameras on his tablet. 99.99% of all people that have security cameras in their home, and are networked, all view them on their tablets and/or laptops via wifi. As far as signal getting lost as mentioned, I view IP cameras on my laptop over my wifi and even if I have 64 IP cameras streaming all at the same time, my kids playing xbox online, and my wife on her iphone browsing ebay trying to spend my money, not ONE of my the 64 IP cameras lose signal from anyone of them! One little tablet streaming a couple of cameras over the secondary stream, I would not worry at all.

 

[catseyenu]

Different world views, home owner vs network engineer where fail safe & zero defects is a job requirement.
I lean toward Nayr but often have to live with home owner.

 

[nayr]

he dont have to live in a bank to be in an area dense enough wifi sucks in general, you dont have to live in an apartment/condo just have them close enough by and the whopping 3 channels you can use on 2.4GHz are saturated... adding a 24/7/365 high bandwidth streaming device is just lowering throughput for everything else... Everything uses 2.4GHz; Wireless Phones, Wireless Controllers, Wireless Video Broadcasts, Bluetooth Devices of all sorts, RC Toys, Wifi and lets not forget our friend the Microwave... If you want a good wireless experience stop shoving everything you can on the same band.

If his tablet had no wires running out of it then fine; no big deal.. but he's putting it in a fixed location wired up to power; so why the hell not wire it to the network if possible; thats just good form imho.. Its always a good practice to wire up everything you can so the wireless stuff you do need to use will perform better.

Obligatory XKCD: http://xkcd.com/654/

 

[icerabbit]

Hello vidabox for those in the ios ecosystem:


But, it basically confirms the wall box idea. For android with ethernet one could do two ethernet cables, one for power one for ethernet ... unless using nayr's solution or you go 110, which personally I'd think is best/easiest local charger in view behind device vs somewhere else.

 

[fenderman]

Did you ever put something together? I'll likely want a small, fixed screen by the front door, too.

I have done several installs and went with wall mounted monitors distributed over cat cable. These are rock solid. The only downside is that it will mirror the pc display. There is a thread with images.

 

[nats]

You could try now with a pi3. You get POE and a raspbian to play around. That plus the touch screen and a case with vesa mount would do the trick for under $100