First off, I want to thank everybody ahead of time for any help or suggestions you may be able to provide. I know these forums have search functions, and you guys probably get a bunch of the same questions over and over again. Unfortunately, I don't have lots of time (I'm at work) to search out the answers and it's easier to be lazy to just post the questions! So thank you for your patience!
So, I'm in the process of installing a Lorex LH154000 DVR system with eight 960h resolution cameras at my house. I know this is not top of the line equipment, but it allows me to stay in a price bracket that doesn't upset the wife. What a PITA it has been trying to run wires and stuff, we've only managed to get three of the eight cameras installed.
The cameras have IR capability, but I noticed that with the one camera I have up inside of the house, in low light situations, the IR seems to make a hot spot of illumination and the rest of the room is dark. I've ordered an 850nM wavelength IR illuminator (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007E5MK6G/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 tired to make it a hot link but don't know how) to install in that room. First off, is the wavelength that security cameras use pretty much an industry standard and will this light work for my purposes?
Do you guys have any recommendations for lighting my front yard with better at night? I am under the impression that the IR illuminators only work when the IR hits objects and is reflected back to the camera. Will a light like I posted work to illuminate my front yard if, lets say, someone drive across my lawn again about 15 yards from the camera? I don't expect to get the highest quality video of the vehicle but will I be able to capture an image that will allow me to distinguish the make and model of the car?
Also, due to the layout of my house, the DVR is not set up in my master bedroom like I'd prefer. Someone suggested to me that I run an HDMI or coaxial cable back to my bedroom and then use an IR blaster to control the DVR. Can anybody tell me about IR blasters and if this idea is worth a damn?
Thanks again guys!
ETA:
Here is how the view looks from these cameras as they sit now without any additional IR illumination added to them: