My noob layout for your review..

[camera-newbie 0]

Hi all.. So after running the gamut of camera questions I'm ready to have you all criticize my home-brew design.. I took some images of our property from Google maps and trimmed off anything not adding value to the discussion.. I've got two images - one aerial view and another front view. A few things have changed since these photos were captured care of google which I will allude to below.

 

The first photo is the aerial view with red stars showing camera locations and blue arrows indicating the direction the camera will be monitoring. I will note that in the driveway next to the green p/u truck is a 24' class C RV that is very tall hence the interest in having a pair of cameras monitoring the front. The RV is currently parked just above the blue arrow in the picture below (in the driveway) so that one camera pointing to the street will be able to see if someone is messing with the RV entrance among other things. The other front camera will be pointing diagonal (paint wouldn't let me draw an angle with the arrow) towards the hood on the truck and monitoring the remaining area of the yard.

 

The other two cameras in the front are to monitor the side yard which is about 5' wide and about 50' long. The side yard on the top of the photo is where the electrical panel is and our pair of solar panel inverters which we've had issues with in the past (people turning the breakers off,etc) -- we're fairly sure it's the neighbors with the pool in the photo. I want to ensure I can see anybody walking down or crawling over the fence. The two rear cameras are to monitor the backyard which now (not shown in the photos) has a large chicken coop and more fruit trees -- all of which get fooled with by the neighbors (during one week last summer, our plum tree in the bottom left corner of the yard next to the shed had ALL of the fruit removed within 2-3 days -- during the night). Go figure! The yellow box represents the location of the chicken coop -- which is about 15' by 5' and could be used to house a PIR or other motion detection light since it's got its own 12V system charged by a solar panel. Oh yeah.. In the photo below, west is to the left edge of the photo, east to the right -- late afternoon sun can be very bright -- this is in the Los Angeles area for reference.. And, yes, I know by yard is a pig-stye -- we remodeled a few years ago and we've not had a chance to 'fix' the backyard which took a huge beating at the time -- everything just about died..

 

 

 

Below is the front-view of the property -- the RV is currently sitting where the silver minivan is parked. The right most camera (yellow star) will pan out diagonally to cross the yard not picked up by the left most camera as mentioned earlier.

 

 

In terms of cameras, I'll admit that I've been all over the map -- I've been in the digital camp then the analog camp and both even (yes, I'm aware that mixing tech here requires a hybrid DVR or similar).. I like the images I've seen with the CNB monalisa's and KT&C's (KPC-N501) analog cameras but will be receiving a prior generation Basler IP camera (1.3Mp) I'm getting from TheWireGuys here (Thanks!) and I've also been in talks with a local electronics broker with some prior gen IQEye Sentinel 2,3,5mp cameras for a song that were taken out of service and tested fine -- still working on that. If that does not pan out then I'll be likely using the CNB's (The bullet equiv of their popular dome mentioned here frequently -- I think that would be the CCM-24VF?) since I can actually afford 5-6 of them and a DVR from Sean -- but need to check the pricing on their bullet equivs of the VCM-24VF's -- hopefully the pricing is similar..

 

In terms of camera types, I'm definitely thinking bullet style on the side yards since they can be mounted under the roof eaves (no soffits here) easier than a dome I think and would be easy to point down the sides.. Perhaps a pair of bullets also for the two front-yard cameras and probably bullets for the backyard since they'll behave better in the late afternoon sun.. Although I could use domes in the front yard possibly -- not sure if any of you have suggestions on that..

[camera-newbie 0]

By the way.. I'm wondering how a pair of CNB VCM-24VF's would do in the front yard in lieu of bullets. In talking (via email) with Sean, the camera he suggested (box style housed in an enclosure) I'm thinking is a bit too bulky & obvious for a front yard whereas the domes are a bit more inconspicuous IMHO. Any comments on how you think the CNB's might perform with the rising sun hitting them from the east? Although if it were an issue it'd probably not last too long and the likely hood of something happening during that time is not as great I suppose..?

 

By the way, I've kinda decided that the Basler BIP-1300c-dn, which is on it's way, will be mounted in an Aigis HS9480 enclosure and placed at the peak of the roof in the backyard to give a good generalized overview of the entire yard..

[norcaldad 0]

I have two bullet's installed. While testing, I put a dome in place of the bullet and did not notice a difference during daylight. 3.6 appears to me to be 3.6 dome or bullet. I don't know if there would be a difference at night as I did not try it, but they both have the same IR, 36 each. I "assume" there would be no difference.

 

I am putting bullets in the gable's as I think they are more visible there. My preference is a good deterrent. I really don't want to ever see anyone climbing over my fences...

 

My great experience tells me if Sean recommends it, you can't go wrong. Good luck.

[camera-newbie 0]

Thanks for the reply.. I'm working towards setting up my first IP camera that I bought from the WireGuys here -- the enclosure is on order and I'm trying to work through my lens options..

 

Ok.. So I got an answer back from Basler on what lens will fit into the Aigis HS9480 enclosure (a fairly small enclosure) and I should be OK to get one of the following lenses I've selected primarily for the focal length (2.8-12mm), but the two lens data sheets indicate slight variations and I'm not sure which is the better choice :

 

1) Computar/Ganz TG4Z2813FCS-MPIR with spec sheet found here

2) Pentax TS4V212ED-Q (#C70227) with spec sheet found here (you'll have to search the PDF for C70227.

 

I think the main things to note are the following :

 

1) Computar lens : has f1.3 aperture, wider field of view horizontally at 102.2 degrees

2) Pentax lens : has f1.2 aperture, slightly narrower horizontal field of view at 98.5 degrees

 

The Computar should let in a little less light due to the lower aperture rating but has the wider field of view.. The Pentax on the other hand should allow more light in due to the lower aperture rating but the field of view is a bit less.. I believe the pricing on both is similar .. Any ideas on how much difference the aperture rating on these will be different in terms of low-light performance?

 

If this was your decision, which would you choose? Just for background, this lens will be used as an over-arching camera in the backyard elevated up about 25' to monitor an area of approx 50-60' deep by about 50 wide hence the need for a wide field of view -- I'm trying to stick with a varifocal lens to ensure I can adjust the image viewing area a bit -- I'm assuming if I want much wider than 100 degrees I'll need something like a fish eye which I'd rather not use for this application due to the obvious distortion of the image.. This camera will be used in low-light with external lighting. Eventually other cameras will augment this view with more specific areas and those cameras are of course TBD at this point..

[camera-newbie 0]

ok.. I just bit the bullet to ensure I'd have one this week -- I opted for the Computar lens since it's way easier to order than the Pentax which isn't sold nearly as wide.. It's supposed to be in my hands on Thursday..

[camera-newbie 0]

Just a quick update.. I received the lens in the mail and it works just fine on the Basler (but I've yet to receive the outdoor enclosure for it).. I've tried using the Basler camera with both Vitamin-D and SecuritySpy on the Mac.. Both work OK but in different ways. Vitamin D seems to complain regularly about dropping frames even on a system with hard-wired ethernet.. That is using the MPEG4 streaming since I was unable to get V-D to recognize the Basler H.264 stream for some reason. SecuritySpy only likes the Basler JPEG stream.. Go figure.

 

Anyway, I did order a pair of the CNB domes (VCM-24VF) for use in the front-yard along with a commercial grade power supply. I'm hoping to receive that sometime this week to try out.. I also ordered a Passive POE injector from Wifi-soft since I've already got readily available switch ports and didn't want another switch (w/ POE) to mount on the garage wall.. I also ordered some Avigilon items from TheWireGuys here on the forum (Thanks Michael!) including one of their encoders. I'm looking forward to trying this stuff all out once it arrives.. I'll post some pics once I get things and start wiring,etc..

[camera-newbie 0]

Ok.. Since our cameras are supposed to arrive tomorrow I figured I'd sketch up a quick overview image of where I plan to put cameras and see if anyone sees any major flaws with placement or angles,etc..

 

• On the left & right are cinder block walls with 5' setbacks between the house & those walls.
  
• On the bottom of the drawing is where a sidewalk runs and the street. I'd like to have cameras 1-3 monitoring activity in not only the yard but also for any of the cars should there be a break-in (which we've had a few times over the years), egging, etc
  
• I've identified the power panel on the upper right corner - this is where all of our electrical panel stuff is including for our Solar panels with disconnects, inverters and whatnot. I want to know if anyone is fooling with these in addition to seeing if anyone is crawling over the fence.
  
• The backyard is where I really want to monitor what goes on.. Camera #7 is at the peak of the roof with the widest varifocal lens I could find -- 2.8mm computar. That camera will be mounted up about 20' give or take. Camera #6 & #8 will be mounted on the eaves at perhaps the 8' level and gather a more narrow field of view.
  
• Camera #1 will be getting the side-view of our RV which will be on the left side of the driveway with it's rear near that camera. Since the RV is rather tall (~10ft) I want to ensure that camera #2 picks up what #1 can't see.
  
• Camera #3 is primary a vehicle view camera since we always have a car parked in front of the house.

 

Let me know if I need anything changed..

[camera-newbie 0]

Another followup.. I received my package today along with my order of Baluns from Apex and was able to jury-rig my first analog camera with some scrap CAT5e cable I had sitting around.. I was able to connect up my Avigilon 4 camera encoder to my PoE injector and loaded up the Avigilon software.. Unfortunately the licenses couldn't be activated due to a server error on the far end -- a quick call to Avigilon support rectified that and about 5 minutes later a quick re-try worked like a charm.. I was then able to setup the software to view our lone analog camera on our ipad2! " title="Applause" />

 

Worked like a charm.. I later went to the local Home Depot to buy a 2x6x8 to use tomorrow for mounting the camera (and painting it) under the eaves on the side yard. I'll post some pics of that in progress. I'll also be cleaning in the garage to mount up the PoE injector and the Analog 8-camera power supply I got -- next to the rest of my network 'crud'. So far, I've been VERY pleased with the Avigilon hardware & software.. Very well designed!

 

P.S. The CNB analog cameras (VCM-24VF's) are really nicely designed cameras! I was of the opinion that the case was a thick plastic housing but the mounting based part of it is a very sturdy metal enclosure and gives the camera a nice beefy feel -- not cheap in the slightest!

[Soundy 1]

P.S. The CNB analog cameras (VCM-24VF's) are really nicely designed cameras! I was of the opinion that the case was a thick plastic housing but the mounting based part of it is a very sturdy metal enclosure and gives the camera a nice beefy feel -- not cheap in the slightest!

As an installer, I've worked with a wide range of cameras from the cheapest to some of the biggest name brands. All the specs and reviews concentrate on the performance and such, but I never see mention of how a camera rates from an installer's perspective. Many of the big names (Pelco, Panasonic, Bosch, etc.) seem to have cameras designed by engineers that have never had to actually INSTALL one of them, or never talked to an installer. Some of them are a major pain to mount or adjust... others have some just plain GOOFY design elements.

 

These style CNB domes are, frankly, one of the most installer-friendly designs I've ever come across. I've seen so many three-axis designs where things need to be locked down with screws (meaning, conversely, they need to be unlocked to adjust them)... sometimes they even use different screws for the different adjustments, meaning you need two or three separate drivers just to adjust a camera. The CNB's gimbal design is near perfect - FULL range of motion, easy to adjust, but solid enough that I've never had one slip out of place... NO locking screws required.

 

The backbox design on the VCM is near perfect as well - lots of room for a balun or connector to fit inside, and in fact, with the GEM mini-baluns we use, the balun and BNC are a nice snug fit behind the mounting posts, making it a lot easier to keep the wires in place while mounting the camera to the backbox.

 

If there was ONE issue I'd have with the design, it's that the mounting holes on the camera enclosure itself are too close to the rear protrusion. The holes are designed to match up to a dual-gang box, but the proximity to the cutout means there's not a lot for a screw to grab onto if you're drilling a hole for it (3-1/4", BTW). Drill a 3-1/2" hole, and chances are at least one screw will miss. If the cutout was even as small as 3", I could use EZ-anchors to secure the camera to sheetrock. The one plus with the size it is: the hole is JUST big enough for me to get my hand through to fish around for the wire runs

[camera-newbie 0]

I agree completely regarding your CNB observations. I was able to mount both of them this afternoon outside after running CAT5e cable in the attic, fiddling with EMT (I should probably take a class next time on bending EMT!! ) and spending all of yesterday re-wiring my network panel in the garage -- finding space for the PoE injector, 24VAC power supply, adding more power outlets,etc. Lots of work but worth it.. I'll post some pics soon.. I've got a few Avigilon control center questions but will create a separate post for that.