Currently, video surveillance systems are an integral part of ensuring security at a variety of objects, such as real estate - residential or commercial, or open areas. To professionally provide an object with a tracking system, the help of specialists will be required. However, if necessary, you can install a video surveillance system with your own hands.
The following is a description of some of the features of creating and using a video system for surveillance and the equipment required for this. There is nothing particularly complicated in this, and therefore an ordinary user can set up a video surveillance system with his own hands.
To independently assemble a kit for video surveillance, you will need some elements. These include electrical and radio frequency cables or twisted pair cable, a computer (server), router, data storage device, power supplies, etc.
It should be noted that when installing a video surveillance system for your home or apartment, you can completely do without a video recorder. The server function will be performed by an ordinary personal computer. Now in more detail we will consider how to make a video surveillance system with our own hands. So let's get started.
How to choose the right camera for a video surveillance system kit?
First, let's talk about what criteria you need to choose a camera in order to make it best suited for certain operating conditions.
The camera must have a resolution that is measured in megapixels (megapixels). And the number of active pixel sensors that are placed on the video matrix determines this resolution. With their help, the streams of light are converted into electrical impulses. After that, they are converted to an image on the screen.
This provides a special microchip. In addition, it is also an electronic jam. To receive an image in a specific Full HD 1920 × 1080 format, the resolution of MP 2.1 is enough. Check it out is easy. To do this, the number of points must be multiplied by an inch.
In a fairly large area, it will be very economical and profitable to use not one video camera at a time, but several. They must have permission Mp 1-2. Or one or two cameras with a resolution of MP 3-5, which are suitable for places where you need detailed detail and image expansion.
Frame rates up to 30 FPS are required per second. If the so-called motionless scenes are observed when the object of observation is, for example, parking, then a frequency of 8 FPS can be dispensed with. But when you need to monitor the track with many cars - this, of course, is not enough, especially if you suddenly need to see the number of the car.
It is also necessary to take into account the photosensitivity of the camera (it is indicated in lux lux). Cameras used at night should have a sensitivity factor starting from 0.01 lux, and at dusk - from 1 lux.
This indicator depends on what area the sensor elements located on the matrix have. The larger their surface, the greater photosensitivity is required. However, microlenses can be used if necessary. They are placed between the sensors or above them. They help to attract additional streams of light and improve image capture quality.
What types of cable routes exist and how to lay them
In order for all components included in the video surveillance system to function correctly, it is necessary to ensure the correct laying of cable routes. It is from this that the installation of a video surveillance system should begin.
Such routes are laid using twisted pair or coaxial cable. The first of them - twisted pair, is a cable with one pair of conductors or several that are intertwined. This binding provides a significant reduction in electromagnetic interference. This cable is commonly used to connect digital IP cameras.
The second is coaxial cable, single core. This, in essence, is an ordinary antenna cable. It is not necessary to install it on the line of additional video adapters. Such a cable has a reliable shielded protective coating, which significantly reduces the unwanted effect of electromagnetic interference. Both of these cables can be used when placing the system both indoors and outdoors.
How to lay the cable indoors
When installing cameras for video surveillance in a room, it is taken into account that there are no sudden and sudden changes in temperature there. Therefore, it is permissible to use such cable channels, where it is possible to place not one, but several lines at a time. Such cable channels will not protect against severe mechanical damage. But then they can completely hide all the wires, and they will not be visible at all.
In addition, from the point of view of fire safety, this gasket is exactly what you need. In the event that an aggressive influence of external factors on the object where the video surveillance system is located is possible, it is better to use a special corrugation to protect and preserve the cables.
To ensure that all cables are securely fixed, clamps are used that meet certain quality requirements. They will be able to fulfill their mission for several decades. Or you can firmly fix them with electrical tape, when there is no need to observe the aesthetics of the room. When cable lines are laid on wooden coatings or drywall, staplers with special brackets can be used to strengthen. This will not spoil the appearance of the room and firmly fix the cable.
How to lay the cable on the street
For normal operation outdoors, the installation of video surveillance systems with your own hands needs a special approach. This also applies to the cable itself and its laying. You can use two installation methods: indoor and outdoor.
The first of these involves laying the cable in walls or underground. The second - through the air, using electric poles or special supports, or pulling the cable along the walls or fences. In this case, only a cable specially designed for outdoor installation is used.
When a pull is required from one building to another, so that the material is not noticeable, it is placed underground inside a plastic pipe. To do this, it will be necessary to dig trenches. But in those cases when the cable should be laid in the territory where traffic is carried out, metal pipes must be used, not plastic. This is the only way to have confidence in the reliable protection of the data cable.
If it stretches through the air, it is necessary to take into account weather conditions (hurricane wind, thunderstorm, etc.). Be sure to provide the line with special insulation to protect against thunder. The length of the cable should be up to 35-50 meters.
How cameras are mounted
Using a surveillance camera, a complete view of the object should be provided. The camera itself should not be noticeable so that possible unwanted guests do not guess about its presence. And at the same time, it should be installed in such a way that, if necessary, access to it does not cause any difficulties.
To connect a digital video camera to a simple video surveillance system, you will need: twisted pair, two RG-45 tips and a power cable. If a hybrid or analog camera is mounted, then a coaxial cable is used. It should be equipped with a “tulip” type connector: one for power (red), two others (yellow and white) for receiving a signal from the device.
Mounting elements must be strong and securely fix the camera. Be sure to minimize the risk of falling, as well as shaking and vibration. Those mounts that come with the camera are rarely reliable. Metal brackets are not suitable for installation. In addition, they cannot be installed on metal surfaces. Indeed, in the event of a thunderstorm, the camera can become a lightning rod.
How to mount a DVR
The DVR is the main point of the assembled DIY surveillance system, where all the information from the connected cameras is recorded. However, mounting and connecting it is quite simple. To do this, you only need to connect the power source, camera, monitor and other devices (mouse, keyboard) to the corresponding connectors.
How to connect the system to a power source
When the entire installation of the equipment is completed, power can be supplied. First it is fed to the recorder, then to the cameras. In cases where the power is used through the camera’s connectors with a separate cable, and not according to PoE, it is necessary to take into account the polarity (plus-plus, minus-minus), since in such systems a direct current of 12 V. is used.
In general, the power is supplied in the following order: first to the cameras using separate cables or power supplies, then to the DVR from the cameras.
DVR setup
The last step in creating a do-it-yourself video surveillance system: after completing a system design, acquiring all the required components, laying cable lines, firmly securing the cameras in permanent places and connecting cables to them, it remains to carry out commissioning.
Do-it-yourself commissioning of a home video surveillance system includes the following actions: time and date markers are installed on all recorders, hard drives for data storage are formatted, recording mode is configured, and then remote access to all cameras.