Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

House wiring

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

    House wiring

    I have a question for the masses out there that have done their own house wiring for networking and security camera systems... right now the plan is to use RG6 for cable/satellite, Cat6 for telephone and networking (Gigabit), and Siamese cable (BNC data + 12v power) for security. There will be a closet dedicated to all wiring and data storage (DVR for security, file/web server, HTPC, NAS, etc.). What kind of hardware are folks using for this type of application? I had planned to do it the "old fashioned way" by using punch down blocks, a rackmounted Gigabit switch, etc. but after some research there are some really nice integrated products out there (such as On-Q's systems). The camera security system will probably be EZWatch based, since I can use my own PC using their camera hardware. I guess my questions are really threefold:

    1. Regarding the wiring, how many runs do people make to each location? I had planned to do only one, but then I started thinking about backup wiring in case one goes bad or if I wanted to add another jack, etc. Do people typically do more than one run per connection? It's much easier to run the wire before the walls go up!

    2. Does anyone have experience with the EZWatch security camera hardware? We're planning on using the EZBullet Pro for perimeter and the EZDone Pro for entry/patio areas. If anyone has recommendations on other systems, I'd love to hear them.

    3. What kind of hardware and cable management systems are folks using inside their wiring closets? I considered using a 19" rackmount chassis but that may end up being too large for the space (2' x 6'). It will be conditioned space.

    Thanks for any and all suggestions. I went to a local security specialist store and they quoted me $10-12k just for an 8 camera system (installed, with DVR). Certainly I can do better installing it myself!

    #2
    Re: House wiring

    rg6 qualdshield for the cable- plain rg6 will not work (it is for analog only). make all splitters 2300mhz or higher for sat (1000mhz for digital cable).

    rackmount works... nicer than my system of floor holes and an 8 port 10/100 bolted to a basement wall... but no cameras either.
    sigpic

    (Insert witty quote here)

    Comment


      #3
      Re: House wiring

      Good call on the splitters, that was something that I forgot about. In our current house, the RG59 comes from the outside into the attic, where it is split 6 ways. I was looking into a powered splitter (because sometimes we experience low signal on some HD channels) but there aren't any outlets. Hopefully this won't be an issue in the new house. I hadn't heard about Quadshield, I'll definitely look into that.

      The cameras will be coax/BNC, since the IP cameras are way too expensive right now (like $400 apiece).

      Comment


        #4
        Re: House wiring

        you MUST use quadshield for anything digital, and any splits as big as six in one go should be powered. if your internet goes though that line as well, put the modem as close to the source (least no. of splits) and not on an amplified (powered) split.
        sigpic

        (Insert witty quote here)

        Comment


          #5
          Re: House wiring

          Security cameras are generally analog but it depends on specifically what you get.
          Mann-Made Global Warming.
          - We should be more concerned about the Intellectual Climate.

          -
          Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.

          - Dr Seuss
          -
          You can teach a man to fish and feed him for life, but if he can't handle sushi you must also teach him to cook.
          -

          Comment


            #6
            Re: House wiring

            i would still go quadshield on the security... nothing like some dummy robbing your placea and his face is not recognizable because of static on the line... better safe than sorry.
            sigpic

            (Insert witty quote here)

            Comment


              #7
              Re: House wiring

              All of those On-Q systems are Junk. Don't Go with the "All data cable" box solutions that Lowe's and HomeDepot are running.

              Just mount a 6' x 4' (or what fits)sheet of Plywood on the wall. But nix the all-in-one box. They get too cramped too soon. Then divide plywood using a pencil. Law the wood on floor and arrange where you want your equipment to go.

              It is a good Idea to punch and patch everything in the same closet. You can even get fancy and paint the wood battle ship grey and impress the telco and cable guys when they come. :grin:

              Either 66 or 110 Punch down block (Bridge) for Telco. Cat6 is over kill (Please PM me with flames or ask an admin to delete post, if you object). If you plan on buying a Box of cat6, than just use that. But Be aware you are not gaining anything by using cat6 for analog phones.

              JustFYI on that. Also check prices on Cat6a (augmented) slightly more twits per foot. Better for GigaBit. Also if your plan it to run gigabit. Get the cat6 rated patch panel.

              Also. If you get an unmanaged or even a web managed switch. You can mount it on the plywood. Just under the gigabit patch panel.


              You can make any cable arrangement look neat and orderly if you have expansion on your mind when you set it up.

              I typicly run 2 phone and 2 data per room. If you get fancy you can put them on opposite walls.

              Comment


                #8
                Re: House wiring

                Originally posted by PCBONEZ View Post
                Security cameras are generally analog but it depends on specifically what you get.
                The ones I'm looking at getting from EZWatch are analog, with 550 horizontal lines of resolution. An 8 camera system is going to cost around $2k, which includes the cameras, wiring, power and 240fps 8 channel capture card (I provide the PC). Much better than the $10-12k from the local specialists! Hopefully someone with experience in this area will chime in and give a thumbs up or down on this system (or suggest a better one for the cost).

                Comment


                  #9
                  Re: House wiring

                  Originally posted by ratdude747 View Post
                  i would still go quadshield on the security... nothing like some dummy robbing your placea and his face is not recognizable because of static on the line... better safe than sorry.
                  Definitely... The EZWatch website posted samples of their security camera captures, and I think the quality is decent versus the cost. Most of the cameras will be within 10-15 feet of what we're watching (doors, windows, etc.) so recognition hopefully won't be an issue.

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Re: House wiring

                    It's much more difficult to spray the lens on a dog. Better yet two.
                    .
                    Now available at home depot $19.95.
                    Just tread it onto the pole of your choice and drop in a can of spray paint.
                    .

                    .

                    .
                    Of course an active anti-tamper system with heat seeking missiles [instead of some dogs] might do the trick too.
                    .
                    Last edited by PCBONEZ; 08-02-2010, 10:08 PM.
                    Mann-Made Global Warming.
                    - We should be more concerned about the Intellectual Climate.

                    -
                    Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.

                    - Dr Seuss
                    -
                    You can teach a man to fish and feed him for life, but if he can't handle sushi you must also teach him to cook.
                    -

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Re: House wiring

                      Originally posted by thesavo View Post
                      All of those On-Q systems are Junk. Don't Go with the "All data cable" box solutions that Lowe's and HomeDepot are running.
                      One of the local builders swears by these and I hadn't seen them in action before. You are right though, I do think that the sheer number of connections we need to make will crowd the box pretty quickly.

                      Originally posted by thesavo View Post
                      Just mount a 6' x 4' (or what fits)sheet of Plywood on the wall.
                      Even though it's dedicated space for wiring, it is still located in livable space (meaning, I'd prefer that it was presentable). If I don't go with a 19" rack, I will probably use shelving units to stack up equipment.

                      Originally posted by thesavo View Post
                      Either 66 or 110 Punch down block (Bridge) for Telco. Cat6 is over kill (Please PM me with flames or ask an admin to delete post, if you object). If you plan on buying a Box of cat6, than just use that. But Be aware you are not gaining anything by using cat6 for analog phones.

                      JustFYI on that. Also check prices on Cat6a (augmented) slightly more twits per foot. Better for GigaBit. Also if your plan it to run gigabit. Get the cat6 rated patch panel.
                      We will be buying Cat6 in bulk, so we will use for both. We use an Ooma for telephone service (and love it) so it shouldn't be an issue. I guess the thinking was that if 10Gb/s would become more affordable in the future, we'd like to already have the appropriate wiring in place.

                      Originally posted by thesavo View Post
                      I typicly run 2 phone and 2 data per room. If you get fancy you can put them on opposite walls.
                      Good info, thank you. We are considering multiple data connections per room just in case we want to rearrange furniture or whatnot, but is it worth the extra cost? Wireless speed is getting better, but it still doesn't compare to wired...

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Re: House wiring

                        Originally posted by PCBONEZ View Post
                        It's much more difficult to spray the lens on a dog. Better yet two.
                        .
                        Now available at home depot $19.95.
                        Just tread it onto the pole of your choice and drop in a can of spray paint.
                        .

                        .

                        .
                        Of course an active anti-tamper system with heat seeking missiles [instead of some dogs] might do the trick too.
                        .
                        smith and wesson?
                        sigpic

                        (Insert witty quote here)

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Re: House wiring

                          Originally posted by ratdude747 View Post
                          smith and wesson?
                          That only works when you're home.
                          ... Unless you have a very talented dog or cat.
                          Mann-Made Global Warming.
                          - We should be more concerned about the Intellectual Climate.

                          -
                          Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.

                          - Dr Seuss
                          -
                          You can teach a man to fish and feed him for life, but if he can't handle sushi you must also teach him to cook.
                          -

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Re: House wiring

                            Originally posted by PCBONEZ View Post
                            That only works when you're home.
                            ... Unless you have a very talented dog or cat.
                            or you do something like in home alone with a rube goldberg type booby trap.. tripwire to trigger, the population of thieves will go down by 1...

                            joking...

                            serious idea- i wonder if they make lenses that paint will not adhere to?
                            sigpic

                            (Insert witty quote here)

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Re: House wiring

                              Originally posted by ratdude747 View Post
                              serious idea- i wonder if they make lenses that paint will not adhere to?
                              I don't think so.
                              Even if they did the crooks would figure out to use some opaque or colored Spray Adhesive [like 3M] instead of paint.
                              .
                              Mann-Made Global Warming.
                              - We should be more concerned about the Intellectual Climate.

                              -
                              Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.

                              - Dr Seuss
                              -
                              You can teach a man to fish and feed him for life, but if he can't handle sushi you must also teach him to cook.
                              -

                              Comment


                                #16
                                Re: House wiring

                                firstly, they arent "security cameras", they are servailance cameras.
                                they dont make anything secure unless they have a gun linked to them - search "turret gun"

                                now, the key is to hide them.
                                if people know where a camera is then it's not hard to work around them in most cases.

                                and hook them to a computer & use something like this:
                                http://www.zoneminder.com/

                                Comment


                                  #17
                                  Re: House wiring

                                  Originally posted by stj View Post
                                  firstly, they arent "security cameras", they are servailance cameras.
                                  they dont make anything secure unless they have a gun linked to them - search "turret gun"

                                  now, the key is to hide them.
                                  if people know where a camera is then it's not hard to work around them in most cases.

                                  and hook them to a computer & use something like this:
                                  http://www.zoneminder.com/
                                  Thanks stj, the software is great info. Will definitely scan their forums for discussion of preferred hardware. FYI, the frontpage of the zoneminder website calls them "security cameras".

                                  Sometimes knowing a camera is present is enough of a deterrent for some folks (not seasoned criminals of course). There is a 75 foot setback (plus a 10 foot ceiling) on all sides of the house that will be monitored so it's doubtful someone can spray the lens without being caught on at least one of the cameras.

                                  Comment


                                    #18
                                    Re: House wiring

                                    I always wanted to get the dome of an old B-17 Flying Fortress and mount it on the roof and animate it with infrared sensors..
                                    .

                                    .
                                    .
                                    Locks only keep out honest people.
                                    .
                                    Mann-Made Global Warming.
                                    - We should be more concerned about the Intellectual Climate.

                                    -
                                    Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.

                                    - Dr Seuss
                                    -
                                    You can teach a man to fish and feed him for life, but if he can't handle sushi you must also teach him to cook.
                                    -

                                    Comment


                                      #19
                                      Re: House wiring

                                      A few comments:

                                      Zoneminder ROCKS! And it's free. It will also work with IP cameras, and wireless IP cameras, even cheap USB webcams.

                                      A good dual shield RG6 is fine, quadshield is ok, but overkill. I use dual shield for 60 foot runs of Gigahertz sat feed, and it's fine.

                                      Those On-q, and Leviton all-in-one boxes are waaaay overpriced, that's why that builder "swears by them" huge markup Just get a standard 110 patch panel and a decent switch.
                                      Cat 6 for phone is overkill, but I always recommend it, as you can switch to data later, or VOIP without having to re-wire.
                                      36 Monitors, 3 TVs, 4 Laptops, 1 motherboard, 1 Printer, 1 iMac, 2 hard drive docks and one IP Phone repaired so far....

                                      Comment


                                        #20
                                        Re: House wiring

                                        do quadshield, if you ever do satellite, you need it, 1000mhz is for digital cable only. dualshield is harder to find as well. swapping splitters is much less of a paint than swapping cable... do it right the first time.
                                        sigpic

                                        (Insert witty quote here)

                                        Comment

                                        Working...
                                        X