hongstar 0 Posted November 12, 2010 I am sorry if this is off topic and a very simple question but what items are needed to connect a DVR with CCTV cameras to the computer? From my manual, I only see a picture of a DVR next to the computer and all it says are "rs 485" "ethernet cable" and a few other tidbits. So I am guessing that the rs 485 cable is the only thing I need? However, I see people talking about Siamese cables and such so I am very confused. Again sorry for the stupid question thank you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Soundy 1 Posted November 12, 2010 RS-485 is normally used for control signals, such as for a PTZ camera. Most DVRs would connect via network - at the very least, you'd connect a "crossover" ethernet cable between the two machines' network ports (newer computers with gigabit network should be able to use a standard ethernet patch cable). Getting a little fancier, you could plug both into an ethernet switch or your broadband router. Siamese cable is a type of cable with both coax (for video) and power cables in one package... or more commonly, the two cables joined along their length by a web (kinda like Siamese twins, hence the name). It's generally used to connect analog cameras. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hongstar 0 Posted November 12, 2010 So, I would not need the rs 485 cable and only need to connect both the DVR and the computer to an ethernet cable? Is that all that would be needed? Sorry if I am misunderstanding. And I have four CCTV cameras, just to mention. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Soundy 1 Posted November 12, 2010 That should be all it takes, yes. If you have a router for your internet, you can plug both into that. If you're plugging one directly into the other, you should get a "crossover" ethernet cable (most computer stores should know the difference). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hongstar 0 Posted November 12, 2010 Ah I understand thank you! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hongstar 0 Posted November 12, 2010 Ah there is a problem... I am sorry but I misunderstood and asked the wrong question. What my friend wanted to know was how to connect the DVR to a computer MONITOR only. So what would be the necessary items to do so? Again, I am sorry and I would be very appreciated if I can get assistance. THANK YOU! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Soundy 1 Posted November 12, 2010 Depends on the DVR. Some have a VGA output that you can just connect straight to a computer monitor. If it just has a BNC or RCA (composite video) output, you'd use a composite-to-VGA converter. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
