Roof eve IP camera mouting

[dcg9381]

New construction - I've got James Hardie (cement board) eves. We'll be adding IP cameras.

I'm on the fence about adding round electrical / boxes for Cat6. It's another penetration, has to be done carefully to be attached correctly...

Most of the modern IP cameras appear to be surface mount with a seal. Thinking about just dropping CAT6 out of the eve in a small 1/4" hole and installing cameras over (eventually).

Same question for indoor (drywall)... Preferred method?

 

[pgray007]

I have hardiboard soffits and installed cameras after construction and just dropped the cable down a 1/4” hole cut w/ a drill and screwed right into the hardiboard. Similar deal on the interior (hole in drywall, screw into drywall anchors).

Many of the cameras are small enough that they wouldn’t cover and entire outlet box so just dropping the cable gives more flexibility in my mind, and they’re so light simple drywall anchors work fine.

You didn’t ask, but I really like the UniFi network products and their cameras are OK (albeit a bit more expensive) but nicely integrated to their software/appliance.


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[Kaizen]

As said cams don't cover light boxes so i wouldn't. Only consideration is a hole big enough to push the connector back into a void. Some of mine were over an inch.
Also don't know if you have had ip cams before. While a high location will give you more of a view its very easy to wear a hat and keep head down to get around. Best is lower but out of reach.
Id run terminated cables if you can. i ran cat6 and had a hell of a time terminating it so it worked. i now get long terminated ones on amazon and run those.

 

[dcg9381]

Thanks, guys. I'll drill holes sized to handle the RJ-45 connector and not mess with boxes. We'll likely drop the CAT6 in this weekend. We're setting up for POE, of course.

I have had IP cams before - so I'm aware of field of view issues and that higher is (typically) better.

Prior, I've used IP cams without a NVR controller. Basically, I set them up to do their own motion detection, etc, then send those photos to an FTP server that I had setup locally with distinct folder names. Anyone have a strong opinion about NVR?

 

[Kaizen]

Thanks, guys. I'll drill holes sized to handle the RJ-45 connector and not mess with boxes. We'll likely drop the CAT6 in this weekend. We're setting up for POE, of course.

I have had IP cams before - so I'm aware of field of view issues and that higher is (typically) better.

Prior, I've used IP cams without a NVR controller. Basically, I set them up to do their own motion detection, etc, then send those photos to an FTP server that I had setup locally with distinct folder names. Anyone have a strong opinion about NVR?

For the hole size.....it’s bigger then the connector. All of mine have a twist lock weatherproof cover over the connector.
Example hikavision is 7/8”.





For the nvr I’m interested as well. Got mine from Kelly and tried a normal terabyte drive which burnt quick. Got the right kind with 4T I think. Holds about a month on 4 cams. Unit works fine but wish there was one that you could scroll like in the movies. Mine takes forever to look through it.


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[rayra]

Thanks, guys. I'll drill holes sized to handle the RJ-45 connector and not mess with boxes. We'll likely drop the CAT6 in this weekend. We're setting up for POE, of course.

I have had IP cams before - so I'm aware of field of view issues and that higher is (typically) better.

Prior, I've used IP cams without a NVR controller. Basically, I set them up to do their own motion detection, etc, then send those photos to an FTP server that I had setup locally with distinct folder names. Anyone have a strong opinion about NVR?

Overthinking your way into more trouble. Most POE cameras require the integrated cat5/6 socket go thru a penetration into a void. So your holes will need to be at least as large as that socket, which is a good bit bigger than the naked RJ45 connector you are imagining you need to pass.

 

[klassenl]

For the nvr I’m interested as well. Got mine from Kelly and tried a normal terabyte drive which burnt quick. Got the right kind with 4T I think. Holds about a month on 4 cams. Unit works fine but wish there was one that you could scroll like in the movies. Mine takes forever to look through it.


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I think across the spectrum of manufacturers this is perhaps the biggest weakness of most of them. It's hard to search through the recorded video. Even when you know where to look it's still hard to get there.

 

[Kaizen]

I think across the spectrum of manufacturers this is perhaps the biggest weakness of most of them. It's hard to search through the recorded video. Even when you know where to look it's still hard to get there.

I once saw the security office at a high rise office building. they had over 100 cams running. No lag in video at all. Asked him how it was to review. He clicked on one and used a ball mouse thing to speed back 4 hours in a second and then notch forward one frame at a time. obviously a million dollar system but it exists.

 

[penright]

i now get long terminated ones on amazon and run those.

I have learned to use these through-hole connectors. Just an example. With some shopping around you can find them as cheap as the non-through hole kind. The crimping tool is not that expensive either. The crimping tool will work with both non-through and through hole connectors.

The big issue with the non-through hole is pushing it tight enough that the outside insulation gets caught in the strain relief. That causes you to press tight the wire. After crimping, a bend close to the connector will stress the small wires and cause a break. Of course, if you don't catch the strain relief on the outside insulation, then over time the wire to break right before the pins. Through holes, it is still possible to mess up, but the wire is way more relaxed when the crimp happens. Also it easy to verify the wires are in the correct order. If not pull them out and re-stab them.
.

 

[infinkc]

my house i installed turret cameras so they have a larger mounting surface. I had 4" electrical boxes installed in all the locations. remember that the end of the connector on the camera is wide, so you need a hole that can take that.