Question: I am installing some CAT5 cable around the house to network up the various
family p.c.s. At the same time, I am proposing to link all the TVs in the
house to my DVD player and digital TV box using coax.
I would like to purchase and install an outdoor security camera system about
80m (260 ft.) from my network and AV patch panel location. Ideally, I would
like to record the camera output in response to motion in front of the camera.
The key question: What sort of cable (CT100, CAT5e, other) should I run
between the patch panel and the camera location? Should I be looking to
record the camera picture on a PC hard disk or a VCR (or something else)?
Answer:As has been suggested by someone else the easiest solution is to use
an IP camera. Axis (http://www.axis.com/) are a good choice for these,
available at various places online. You can record this image on your
PC, view it over the www or from any local machine through IE and a
whole host of other features depending how high up the spec list you
go. To view it through your tv system you would need a TV out card
installed in the PC, with either a standard co-ax directly into the
distribution system or composite output through an external modulator.
Tou can also get video servers which will convert a modulated signal
into IP or vice-versa.
You could opt for a standard cctv camera and link it directly into a
distribution system, or into a capture card in the PC with recording
software.
As for cable choice, it depends on the exact spec of the camera you
choose. Either RG59, CT100 or cat5 are the most likely candidates
unless you go for some obscure item!
