How to do video surveillance with your own hands?

In our article, we will talk about how to do video surveillance at home. This is not only an additional security function, but also a means of monitoring children or domestic workers (if any). Probably, if you have a servant, you are unlikely to want to make the system yourself - you will give this work to specialists. But you still need to know what you are paying your money for. If you want to independently perform the installation of equipment, then read our article, we will try to put everything on the shelves.

Video Surveillance Components

First, let's look at what components the video surveillance system consists of. Such designs can be found today in many places - in schools, kindergartens, shops. We single out the main components of the system:

1. Video cameras are the eyes, and sometimes the ears, as microphones are mounted on some models. There are analog and IP cameras .
2. The DVR is the main part of the system, since it is to it that all the cameras, monitor and controls (mouse, keyboard) are connected.
3. A hard disk is a part of the system on which video files are recorded. But the disk size is limited, so when working, old files are erased, new ones are written instead. The larger the disk capacity, the longer the recording. This is important to consider when choosing items.
4. Wires for data and voltage supply.
5. As a rule, a DVR is the simplest computer that has its own operating system. But sometimes it requires a TV, PC or smartphone to work properly.

If you contact the companies that are involved in the design and installation of video surveillance, then you will pay 2-3 times more than with self-installation.

Why do better yourself?

In fact, all the procedures are not much different from installing lighting in the territory of your household. The easiest option - you only need to install a light bulb, a cartridge and wires. Sometimes set the switch (simple or automatic). If you look closely at the system, you can see that this is a simple constructor, which includes several components (we talked about them above). All of them are ready, and there is no need to even configure them. The maximum that needs to be done is to strip the wires and make the connection.

In the process, you may need a screwdriver, a screwdriver, as well as pliers for crimping twisted pair (if used). But you can also enjoy the installation - to assemble the entire structure into a single unit and make it work correctly - this is a rather fascinating task. Moreover, it is completely safe, since the operating voltage of all cameras is 12 volts. If you can install the system yourself, then you will get tired of the obsessive offers of neighbors and friends. The cost of self-installation is several times less than when contacting a specialized company.

Little acquaintance

You can design your own video surveillance system from a simple webcam. To do this, you must use an extension cord, but its length should not exceed 5 m, otherwise the device will not have enough current and it will not start. In order to start recording when there is movement in the room, it is necessary to use special programs. You can even configure a VLC player, however, it will have to write batch files for it.

If the current device is not enough, you will need to use an additional power source. The USB cable has 4 wires - two signal and the same amount of power. The longer the wire, the greater the loss. Therefore, it is necessary to put a 5 V power supply next to the webcam. Such a system is quite enough if you need to monitor one room. But at the same time, the computer must be constantly turned on. In addition, for greater reliability, the light should constantly be on in the room. In the absence of lighting it is hardly possible to see what will be depicted on the record.

CCTV Planning

Before you buy all the equipment and begin installation, you need to draw a sketch on which to depict the entire territory of your site. You should also answer a number of questions:

1. Where will the dashcam be located? This, in fact, is a miniature personal computer that processes signals from video cameras, writes them to a hard disk and displays them on a monitor screen. Some models can be connected to the Internet, so the signal from it can be viewed anywhere in the world. If there, of course, there is access to the Internet. In the room in which the recorder is installed, there should be an optimal ratio of humidity and temperature.
2. What area will the cameras record? The height and width of the horizontal angle should also be considered. The next question is how many cameras are needed to ensure surveillance of the territory? When designing you need only two devices - a ruler and a protractor. All necessary parameters (for example, viewing angle) are indicated in the passport to the camcorder. Calculate how many cameras you need to implement the entire system. It is recommended to use cameras with a narrow horizontal angle (not more than 90 degrees). Use devices with a wide-angle lens (up to 150 degrees. Not recommended). The maximum number of cameras depends on how many channels are in the recorder. There are designs in which there are from 4 to 16 inputs.
3. The maximum distance from the recorder to the cameras is one of the most important parameters. Do not forget that beautiful cable management is a significant cost overrun, so you should always make a margin of at least 10%.
4. Carrying out remote access to the registrar - immediately decide whether it will be possible to access it through the Internet? It is best to connect the device to the network through a provider that does not provide access through wireless communications. Needless to say, such networks are much more expensive than wired. In addition, their declared speed is not only higher, but also more stable - therefore, it is recommended to trust providers who provide access to the network via optical fiber or ADSL. A static address is also recommended.
5. Decide if you want to connect the entire system to a TV installed in a room? Indeed, in any registrar there is the possibility of connecting to a monitor or TV for broadcasting pictures. If the distance from the recorder to the TV is not more than 20 m, then you can implement such a system. But does it make sense to do it - it depends on your decision.

Now let's talk about what accessories are necessary for the normal functioning of the video surveillance system. With your own hands for the house, you can do it literally in 1-2 days, having everything you need available.

Using optional accessories for the system

What do you need to apply, except for the main components? Let's take it all on the shelves. You will need such materials and tools:

1. Boxes for neat installation of wires.
2. High power lamp with motion sensor - it is necessary for lighting. Sometimes infrared sources are not enough for full coverage of the territory.
3. To provide wireless broadcasting between the router and the registrar, you must use a Wi-Fi adapter. But it will be much more reliable and cheaper to use a simple cable, which we used to call twisted pair. It is recommended to learn in advance how to do video surveillance with your own hands in order to prevent mistakes during installation.
4. Uninterruptible - this device is necessary if constant power supply to the system is required. Very often, in some areas, electricity is cut off. This device allows you to ensure that the system in standalone mode for at least 2 hours.

In some cases, even gasoline-powered generators can be used, unless, of course, they are included in the power supply system at home.

A bit about the dashcam

And now about how to do video surveillance with your own hands and choose the right components of the system. Let's describe the possibilities that even a simple DVR gives you:

1. It can receive and broadcast video from several cameras (and regardless of what type they have). The number of cameras - from one to 16.
2. It can record the signal to a hard drive or flash drive. Without it, you can’t do a full-fledged video surveillance system at home.
3. Provides the ability to write files to flash media, MicroSD-card. Typically, the recorder has several USB ports to which you can connect any external device - even a mouse.
4. Connection to a personal computer. Therefore, it can also be connected to a router and transmit a signal via the Internet to a remote workstation.
5. Using VGA or HDMI cables, you can transfer the signal to a TV or monitor.
6. Some models may send emails to email addresses. The main thing is to specify the address correctly and connect the device to the network. Here's how to do video surveillance at home with your own hands and get a message about all the problems to your personal address. This will be useful if you are designing a cottage system to guard it in the winter.
7. You can control cameras, rotate them around an axis, if such functions are available.

If you look closely, it turns out that a household disc player takes up less space than a DVR. Quality models are not cheap, but the price is constantly falling. The approximate cost of the registrar is about 5000-10000 rubles, it is not worth spending more than 15000.

This can already be called wastefulness. Pay attention when choosing a resolution - FullHD is enough so that even in difficult conditions you can see the faces of people. Making a high-quality video surveillance system in an apartment with your own hands is much easier - all cameras can be used without protection from moisture. And this significantly reduces the cost of the entire system.

Hard disk requirements

Let's look at a simple example. For example, you have a spindle-type hard drive of about 1 TB in size. The cost of such a gadget in the market is about 4000 rubles. For example, when recording video files with a resolution of 720p, you only fit on a disk for 25 days. Therefore, you can store a maximum of one month. Cheaper discs will contain less information.

It is recommended to use discs with green stickers in the recorders. High speed is not needed, but power consumption and the degree of heating are minimal. In registrars, it is best to use 2.5-inch drives (these are used on laptops). You can implement a system of hidden video surveillance with your own hands quite simply even in the absence of hard drives - you need to use flash drives.

Electrical and data cables

Do not think that if the cost of wires is low, then the requirements for them are the same. You need to make the highest quality food - you can not allow the presence of power surges. The resource of all components directly depends on this. The better you organize your meals, the longer the whole system will last. The wires will work in very extreme conditions - they are affected by rain, snow, high and low temperatures. It is necessary that the wires have a strong base, good insulation and the highest quality braid. Only in this case surveillance cameras in the country (do-it-yourself installation is quite simple with their own hands) will last for a long time and various electronic diseases will not appear.

A bit about power supplies and uninterruptible power supplies

These are parts of the system that have the crucial task of converting from 220 V to 12. All components of the video monitoring system need a stable and highest quality power source. As a rule, camcorders break in the presence of power surges. Failures are less likely to occur due to bad weather, factory defects or the actions of hooligans. Do not save on power supplies.

A medium-sized device can ensure the stable operation of a couple of cameras, a router and a registrar for several tens of minutes. Of course, such a source is not enough for the night. But with frequent and short-term shutdown, such an uninterrupted switch will be very useful. If you are not confident in your abilities and think that you cannot correctly connect all the electrical wires, find an experienced installer. Otherwise, you cannot vouch for the quality of installation. If you decide to make your own video surveillance via the Internet, consider the consumption of network adapters.

What about the cameras?

There are two types of surveillance cameras:

1. Stationary
2. With swivel mechanisms.

By type of mount:

1. To vertical surfaces.
2. To the ceiling.

You can also find devices with infrared illumination, protection against vandals, with microphones and speakers. Some models can change the focal length. On some, you can change the lenses, the width of the vertical or horizontal angles. In almost all cameras, the degree of reliability is high, the main thing is to organize proper nutrition.

One of the main characteristics of the camera is resolution. Of course, devices with a resolution of 360 × 288 and less cannot be used - they are morally obsolete. Even devices with a resolution of 640 × 480 are already a thing of the past. Use devices with a resolution of at least 720p in the video monitoring system. Most of the devices that can record video in FullHD quality have very high requirements for the recorder, data channel and hard drive. For video surveillance systems for private houses (it’s easy to install them yourself), Chinese devices are suitable - they are easy to install, and the cost is quite low.

Displaying pictures on a PC or phone

The signal comes from the cameras to the recorder, which records to the hard drive. It is also possible to transmit a signal (already recorded or current) to various consumers. A simple case - over a twisted pair cable to a laptop or stationary personal computer. But it is much more convenient to connect the registrar to a router and a local network. In this case, the signal will be transmitted to the Internet via cable or Wi-Fi. If you use wireless, then you can connect to the recorder with literally any device - a phone, an e-book, a tablet.

Access to the DVR can be carried out either through a specialized program called CMS, or through an Internet browser. The program displays all the surveillance cameras. With your own hands, any user can install and configure the software. What the program can do:

1. Configure all the functions of the DVR.
2. Manage cameras (adjust brightness, backlight, color, motion detection).
3. Record a broadcast signal, edit already recorded files.
4. Provide the ability to warn the user about events that have occurred - about signal loss, power surge, etc.
5. To carry out the output of the picture online to one or even several sources.

If your ISP provides access to the Internet with a static address, then you can easily make remote control of video surveillance. You only need to configure the registrar and the personal computer connected to it.

It should be noted that most mobile operators do not allow working with a static IP address. At the next connection to the network, the operator gives the client a new address. In this case, the best solution would be to connect the registrar to the cloud storage, which will act as an intermediary between the signal source and the viewer. But if the provider provides access to a network with a static address, remote video monitoring with your own hands is much easier to implement.