Front Door Cameras

[olsenblane 0]

Does anyone have any advice on cameras for the front door? I am buying a Hikvision NVR, so something that is compatible with that. I planned on putting a turret in the corner, but maybe there is a better way of doing that.

Also, is there a way to view my cameras on my TVs? Any third party gizmo that I can connect as an HDMI source that can view the cameras? Or is someone doing something else clever in that aspect?

Edited May 23, 2015 by Guest

[Numb-nuts 1]

You simply do not give enough information here to expect an answer. First what id your front door situation? onto the street, into a portico into the garden what?

Also yes of course you can view your cameras on your TV that is if your NVR has a suitable output that matches your TV inputs i.e either VGA or HDMI you could even stream the video to your TV with a media streamer. But where is your NVR to be located you have to get the cable to the TV in order to plug it in and HDMI will require a good if not great cable if it's any distance away.

 

You questions are fairy vague and a picture of your front door would help you get suggestions. Remember if anyone is standing infront of a camera the light behind them will be an issue (very often)

[olsenblane 0]

Pic Added. Its kind of a far away Pic.

[MaxIcon 0]

Placement for a front door cam is usually a trade-off. If you mount it above the door, you're too high when they're right there, and you don't get as good a view. Down low, and the physical security for the cam isn't as strong, if that matters.

 

My door cam is mounted to the side; in your pic, it would be above the window to the right of the door. This gives a pretty good view (I went with a longer lens; 6mm, I think) and isn't as noticeable.

 

You get side view, and that can be a bit limiting too.

 

Best bet is to come up with a way to temporarily mount the cam in each location. I like to use a ladder and towel with bungee cords; the towel lets you redirect the field of view easily.

 

This lets you test it in a variety of positions and figure out what works best for you.

[alexf40 2]

I use a 2.8mm Hikvision DS-2CD2332, suited perfectly. It does slightly distort someone when they are right at the door, but you get a really good clear shot before they are that close.

[300winmag 0]

I use a 2.8mm as well, not the greatest as i need it high enough for someone not to hit it but low enough for a lucky face rec shot.

 

As for viewing on your tv i hooked a 50' VGA cable from my Hikvision DS-7731NI-SP in the basement up through the ceiling downstairs to the living room upstairs and plugged it into the PC port on the back of my Samsung tv. Now when I want to watch the cameras I hit the source button on the tv remote till I get "PC" and bam there I go.

 

Now if you want to be lazy like me and not go down stairs every time you want to play with your camera's I would also install a 50' USB cable with a repeater built in (cheap on amazon) and run that beside your VGA cable and now you can hook up a wireless mouse beside your tv and control your NVR in the comfort of your favorite couch!

 

Good luck!