Epik

After two break-ins within the past year I figure it was time to look into a security system. I'm looking for a max of 4 cameras, starting with 2 and expand later. I'm more interesting in deterrence and being able to see the surrounding property rather than actually trying to ID someone (but that is always nice). From browsing around on here I've pulled this together for about $600. 2 Dome Cameras - VCM-24VF DVR - Dahua ESDV-PROLINE-4 Security DVR 12v Power supply with 4 way splitter Baluns (unless I can use a EV01P-VP-T) Cat5e cable Is there anything else I would need (besides tools) to make this work? I have no experience in electrical work and installing anything like this but it seems simple enough. Install cameras, baluns on each side of cat5e cable running to DVR. Are there any other cheaper cameras I could use that are recommended? I'd like to keep it under $500 total.

(New to this bear with me) If you mount the camera at a place where it goes straight into the attic behind, even surface mounting, wouldn't the connections from the camera be long enough to have the EV01P-VP-T secured nearby in the attic? Is a gang-box really needed? I am getting a grasp on home security and the installation and was planning on using those but I didn't plan on having a gang-box just have the cords go into the attic and then cat5e it from there.