Front door camera displayed on multiple computers

[harminator 0]

Here is the layout:

 

Office environment, I want to put a camera at the front door to view the person when they push the door buzzer. Multiple people in different offices will need to view this camera depending on who is working that day. No need to record video, so no DVR. Thinking of a way to use existing computer monitors instead of separate video monitors. Do not want to use IP camera on the LAN.

 

Here is the setup so far:

 

1 - analog camera at front door

1 - 1x4 video distribution amplifier to split the signal to 4 offices.

4 - bnc to vga convertors to convert the signal at each computer monitor

4 - vga switches to switch input view from computer to camera

 

So have I missed anything?

Any alternative setup that would work better?

 

Thanks.

[NotoriousBRK 0]

Why would you not want to use an IP camera?

 

Get a cheap D1 IP camera that supports h.264. The image stream will be less than 1Mbps. 5 or 6 people watching this on a typical 100Mb/s network is a rounding error in the network impact it would make.

 

What you're proposing is likely to be more expensive, and highly cumbersome to deal with.

[Soundy 1]

Yes: what you're doing would work, but an IP camera would work FAR more efficiently, and substantially cheaper.

 

With this plan, you need not only the video splitter and four composite-to-VGA converters, you also need to get cabling TO every workstation, from the central location of the splitter. Depending on the setup and layout, that could be substantial labor, and of course, cable costs.

 

This also limits you to four specific stations; if you need other stations, you're at least adding MORE new wiring to those desks and then moving the converter, or adding another splitter (or upgrading the existing one) and more VGA converters. If desks get shuffled, that's additional rewiring.

 

And your monitors must all have a separate VGA input - not a problem if all the PCs are using DVI and the existing monitors already, but if the monitors have only a VGA input, or a computer has only VGA out, you're looking at AT LEAST upgrading those monitors, and possibly adding a video card to those computers.

 

With the IP route, you have three steps: install camera, plug camera into LAN, and add shortcuts to the requires users' desktops. Changing or expanding access requires only adding more shortcuts where needed, something most IT departments can do remotely.

 

You could even use a camera with a relay output and tie the door buzzer into that, so the users can just trigger the door from the camera's interface.

 

Why wouldn't you want to use an IP camera? Traffic shouldn't be an issue, unless it's a 10Mbit LAN; use a VGA cam, and traffic will be negligible. If you're worried about other people viewing it, use a camera with per-user access control.

 

If you're absolutely dead-set against an IP camera, and going to run wire to each desk anyway, you might be better off looking at a basic video-intercom system, and just put a call station at each desk. It might cost a little more, but it will be less hassle in the long run, and give the added benefit of two-way voice communication. Some video-intercom setups are network-capable as well, so you could use the existing LAN infrastructure that way too - just plug in a station wherever you want someone to be able to view and open the door..

[harminator 0]

Their concern with the IP camera is having 3-4 people who leave the application open on their computer all day & having that eat up bandwidth. It is a 100Mb network, so you are saying that is something we shouldn't be worried about?

 

I agree an IP solution would be much simpler.

 

It's a pretty basic view, indoor hallway, so I don't see much need for low light or back light compensation. Any recommendations for a decent IP camera?

[Soundy 1]

With a VGA camera, bandwidth will be negligible, even with constant movement. If there's rarely anyone there, it won't even be a blip - they'll use more bandwidth on their daily emails. Even with an MP camera you won't see much traffic - the HIKvision 2MP cameras I'm using, for example, allow you to set a maximum CBR, and even that doesn't go above 2Mbit. Four people watching at once would be an 8Mbit hit at most. Set it for 512kbit, and it won't be more than a 2Mbit impact at any time. A VBR codec will use even less, as it will change depending on the scene and drop to almost nothing when there's no movement. And of course, you can always cut back the framerate - even 10fps would look smooth and be plenty for just seeing who's at the door.

 

CNB has IP versions of several of their models - http://www.cnbusa.com/en/html/product/product_list.php?maxx=3&midx=298 for example.

 

Edit: Oh yes, and many H.264 cameras will support bi-directional audio as well, meaning it would be possible to implement two-way audio communication.

[NotoriousBRK 0]

Their concern with the IP camera is having 3-4 people who leave the application open on their computer all day & having that eat up bandwidth. It is a 100Mb network, so you are saying that is something we shouldn't be worried about?

 

Yes, that's what we're saying.

 

4 people streaming a typical VGA camera would be about 2-4Mbps (assuming h.264). A small mjpeg stream might be 3x that (6-12Mbps), in either scenario not a significant impact on your network.

 

Or, think of it like this, you could buy a cheap IP cam and have it setup and working in an hour or two. If it *didn't* work and chewed up the network you would know almost instantly and could return it or sell it on craigslist or something. Then you can do your convoluted (sorry) 1980's era cable-drop-to-every-station approach. But, I think you'll find the IP camera won't be a problem

[harminator 0]

Great, thanks for the info. I'll convince them there is no need to worry about bandwith issues. I would much rather do it this way.