nrnoble

Hi I am president of a small condo association (32 units). We are investigating video security options for our complex. Because we are small, often we do things ourselves, other times we hire professionals. ATM, we are trying to determine between hiring a professional to install security system of 8 outdoor cameras, and doing it ourselves. So far we have 1 quote to install 4 camera system for $1500. We got other quotes that were several thousand, beyond what we can afford to spend. I have installed a cheap zmodo camera system as tempory test system help evaluate our needs. The ease-of-use of this system does not meet our requirements but may work as a secondary system to monitor areas of minor concern.

At the moment I am unable to connect my cheap Zmodo cameras directly to my PoE switch. The cameras don't turn on unless connected to the Zmodo DVR. Is this because the cameras are designed only to function when connected to DVR, or do I need further education on PoE, IP cameras, etc? I've decades of experience with computers and IP networks, but no experience with security systems or IP cameras. I bought a cheap Zmodo IP camera system to play around with before investing in a major system $$$. The Larger goal is to buy a high-quality system after I am better educated as to what to buy, etc.

Do you get a link light when plugged into the switch. Does the camera power up? If not then the cameras and DVR are not using POE. POE goes over the same conductors as data (1-2 3-6) Orange and Green pairs. Non POE devices may use the non data pairs (4-5 7- Blue and Brown pairs to send voltage. The cameras do not power on when connected to the PoE switch. The cameras only power on when connected to Zmodo DVR. I will check the DVR specs to see if it uses PoE. It very well could be using IP and power, but not PoE as you suggested. The cameras use a non standard connector; it looks like a mini-usb connector. The 50ft cables for each camera have a standard ethernet connector on one end (DVR), and a female mini-usb (or whatever) on the other (Cam). All devices are all on the same local subnet, everything is wired (except iPad). I can see the cameras from my PC's when everything is connected to the DVR, and each camera has its own DHCP IP (192.168.1.x). The camera's IP show up in the router's table of connected devices, but list them as an unknown type\name.

Thanks. I shall put that system on our list for consideration. For the hardwareware we have budgeted $1000. I agreed doing it ourselves would save us money and long term we'd be better off not having to rely on outside professionals. The last quote we got started off at $2000, which only covered getting AC power to one location so we had AC power for a couple outdoor cameras. Their plan was to do everything wirelessly using some new laser technology between cameras and DVR. I am sure it was high-quality system, but they were suggesting something that would cost us $4000 - $5000. After doing the walk through, they said they'd give a quote, but we never heard back.