Siamese RG59+1pr+16/2 vs CAT5+16/2+Baluns?

[Brandon_K 0]

I've done a bunch of searching around and can't find a good answer. I'm installing a new 16ch system in our haunted attraction and I'm debating on the best type of cable to use.

 

Satellite view of attraction - http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=hundred+acres+manor&aq=&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=47.885545,79.013672&ie=UTF8&hq=hundred+acres+manor&hnear=&ll=40.33318,-80.009311&spn=0.001417,0.002411&t=h&z=19

 

The runs range from 30' to ~400'. Indoors and out, some will be in conduit, some aerial. There are numerous fluorescent lights in the building, both screw in CFL type as well as 4' and 8' fixtures. LOTS of power wires, we have a few hundred branch circuits throughout the campus. Many of the aerial runs will require the CCTV cable to run parallel to 120/240v lines. They will also run next to my audio system cable (12/2, PVC jacketed Belden).

 

In the image above, the main building where my tech office resides is the large "V" shaped building to the north. The small building ~40' to the north east is the concession stand. Directly south ~300' of the main building (partially covered by trees in the picture) is the "pump house". The building south west of the main building (right below the small pool) is the "bus shed". Lastly, the large section directly to the south east is a number of linked small buildings called "town".

 

I see pro's and con's to both types of cable. Supposedly UTP will cancel out interference better than coax due to it's twisted construction, reducing crosstalk, etc. Having run miles of coax in my life, it's hard to me to jump on the UTP bandwagon. IMO, anything that transforms the signal (IE, a balun) is going to reduce image quality. But then again, I've never used them, so what the hell do I know.

 

Cable costs are roughly about the same cost. Belden 5288US runs me ~$220/1000'. Belden doesn't have anything I want in a RG59/power/PTZ-audio cable, so I've looked around and found this; http://www.deluxecctv.com/catalog/cables/1000ft.-ptz-siamese-rg59-cable-overall-jacket-white-1617.html. That runs $200. Cable cost is negligible between the 2.

 

With coax, it would be terminated with SnapNSeal BNC's and soldered coax power jacks and audio jacks (half of the cam's will have audio included on them, hence the need for the pair of data wires, plus a few PTZ's with no audio). I'm figuring on ~$5 per end per run in termination costs.

 

With the UTP cable, I would be using these baluns from Amazon; http://www.amazon.com/VideoSecu-Security-Camera-Network-Transceiver/dp/B000T8SO4M . This will end up being ~$12 per end in termination costs.

 

Unfortunately neither of those cables appear to be UV resistant I would be more inclined to go with a outdoor rated CAT5 (UV resistant w/ messenger cable), but a 12v power supply (already have, a custom Altronix unit) isn't going to fly at 400'.

 

The longest wire length run is going to be a bit less than 400'. Given everything that I'll be working with, what do you guys recommend?

 

That said, I'm not adverse to running 2 types of cable, IE coax siamese indoors and for the shorter runs and cat5+16/2+baluns for the longer runs.

 

System info;

 

DVR is likely to be Zmodo's "high" end DVR, set to record at D1. Some channels will record at 10fps, others at 5fps (maximum of 120fps across 16 channels @ D1).

 

Camera's are also likely to be Zmodo's as they're one of the few I've found with audio built in. I realize spec's generally don't mean anything on lower end gear in the CCTV world, but I'll throw them out anyhow. Most are 1/3", 420-480 TVL, some with 3.6mm, some are vari-focal. All have auto backlight control and auto gain control, all 12vdc. They are also all day/night w/ IR. As I said, we're a haunted attraction so this is a requirement. I've looked at going with a higher end used camera (Nelly's Surplus, for example), but I didn't see any that were day/night capable. I AM limited to a budget. I'm figuring I can get the entire thing done, minus monitor (likely to be a 36" 1080p LCD from Newegg) for under $2000.

 

Thoughts?

[Soundy 1]

We use Cat5/baluns almost exclusively these days, but then our "standard" camera is the CNB VCM-24VF with 24VAC power, so voltage drop and ground loops aren't an issue (this camera would be worth looking at for your needs, BTW - dual voltage, true day/night, good low-light performance).

 

Another option with Cat5 is that you could power "farther" cameras locally, and run multiple video signals (up to four) over a single Cat5 run. Whether that actually makes sense for your setup, I don't know, but it does give you more options.