Home/Garage build - security camera prewire?

[fleming23]

I will openly admit, I am just getting started on this process and will absolutely do as much research as possible. What would you do, knowing what you know now, for a new home and/or garage (built from the ground up) as far as cameras/dvr, or other security goes? I have a few months before we should even begin clearing our new lot but only get one shot at doing this right the first time so I want to be well informed.

In our current home I have been utilizing the Ring PRO door bell and flood light camera but only have those as they were the most convenient option given my existing wiring. We use simplisafe for our security needs and other than the keypad looking about 25 years old, I have been reasonably happy with the performance of that system as well. For camera prewire, I am thinking each corner (or area where I might want a camera, porch, deck, basement, etc.) of the house should have a 120v outlet and run of cat5/6. I can probably limit the exterior to opposite/diagonal corners (as appropriate), front porch, rear deck so as to not go overboard on extra outlets, if these are even the best approach. Most things are transmitting wireless, which is fine (EERO has our wifi coverage pretty well sorted), but still require a power source, thus the standard outlet at each camera location. What I have not decided is what actual hardware to use. I'm leaning toward a non-subscription based DVR platform but do enjoy being able to live feed the Ring cameras when someone pulls in the drive or leave a package at the front door.

Any tips, pointers, or useful links would be much appreciated as I know I have some reading to do.

 

[themiller]

Any decent security camera is going to be PoE. I wouldn’t bother with AC outlets for anything other than Christmas lights.

 

[monty007]

I️ agree with themiller. POE camera setup is the best way to go. I️ would personally run Cat6 cable. A bit overkill but good for anything in the future. I️ would also run some speaker cables and in roof/wall speakers while you are at it. I️ have a Lorex UHD 6 camera kit that I’m using at my place. I’m very happy with it.


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[elliottw]

I would run cat5 or cat6 for sure.

 

[Zivman]

Any decent security camera is going to be PoE. I wouldn’t bother with AC outlets for anything other than Christmas lights.

this has been my experience.

I have an existing Unifi system at my farm... actually just bought another system for my house and newly built garage.

two G3
one G3 dome
60w PoE switch
running unifi software on my existing server.

not necessarily the easiest to initially configure, but if you have a tech savvy friend, they are hard to best.

regardless, good systems won't need anything other than ethernet ran to them

 

[MattT]

On a new build I'd run Cat 6 in conduit so 20 years from now when Cat 5/6 is obsolete it could be easily replaced with the latest and greatest.

 

[Fly YX]

I install ubiquiti networks IP cams. The DVR software and app is free for Upiquiti ip cameras. If you use cheap IP cameras make sure you implement a good password and a firewall the problem with cheap ones is that they don't do software updates.

 

[hoye0017]

On a new build I'd run Cat 6 in conduit so 20 years from now when Cat 5/6 is obsolete it could be easily replaced with the latest and greatest.

This is the best idea. Do this.

 

[RWorth]

It has a lot to do with your house design, if you are building a ranch with a full cellar you don't need any pre-wiring as everything is easy to reach and fish. What are you building? Do you have plans yet?

 

[A**holes Garage]

On a new build I'd run Cat 6 in conduit so 20 years from now when Cat 5/6 is obsolete it could be easily replaced with the latest and greatest.

/thread

 

[fleming23]

It has a lot to do with your house design, if you are building a ranch with a full cellar you don't need any pre-wiring as everything is easy to reach and fish. What are you building? Do you have plans yet?

I honestly had no idea most of the newer cameras were power over ethernet, that actually makes this 10 times easier! When we built out current house I had the builder run cat6 to every room, but for networking purposes and had not considered cameras.

The house will be about a 3000 sq ft, 3-car garage, 2-story craftsman style home. Basically what you would see in most neighborhoods. Nothing crazy but not on the low end either. Once the house is complete I will begin building the 1500 sq ft workshop/garage (and very likely start a thread to get ideas on what to include, or not, in that structure as it will be my first detached garage build.)

I appreciate all the replies! It seems most everyone is of the same opinion which makes this even better.

 

[Trey T]

DONT MOUNT OUR CAMERA HIGHER THAN 8FT. 6FT IS OPTIMAL HEIGHT.

all caps bc everyone seem to not to listen

 

[norcaljr]

DONT MOUNT OUR CAMERA HIGHER THAN 8FT. 6FT IS OPTIMAL HEIGHT.

all caps bc everyone seem to not to listen

Why ?

 

[Showkey]

Why ?

So it’s easy for the bad guy to tamper with or disable.

I went with wireless cameras through the home, garage and shop. So power was the only concern.

 

[RWorth]

Wondering about the height restriction myself, I have 3 outdoor cams, and all 3 are well above 8'. I wasn't actually thinking about tampering, but it gave me better coverage. with the 3 cameras no-one can approach any of the entrances in my house or garage without tripping a camera.

 

[hailtoby]

I’m going through the same planning now for Cat6 POE cameras in a new house. I am planning to also have a few interior cameras...in the garage, down by the basement bar, and probably in the foyer as well.

 

[Radix2]

Wondering about the height restriction myself, I have 3 outdoor cams, and all 3 are well above 8'. I wasn't actually thinking about tampering, but it gave me better coverage. with the 3 cameras no-one can approach any of the entrances in my house or garage without tripping a camera.

I think the idea is that up high, you cannot get an identifiable picture - sure, you can see all over and see "someone" doing something, but that is mostly useless.

A perp in a hoody is a perp in a hoody..

If you want the cops or anyone to be able to identify the person it needs to see the whites of their eyes. Best bet might be high obvious cameras to attract their attention, and a couple eye level ones hidden for the money shot. And a camera low and hidden to get a plate if a drive in is likely..which is worth even more than a face.

 

[MrBalll]

Here's another thing to think about. Decide where your shop will go and be sure to at least start a PVC pipe underground that goes to your main NVR hub. Whether you use a standalone NVR or get PoE switch and hook everything up from there. This is what I did when I built my shop. I ran four Cat6 cables underground. Three for camera's and one for a WiFi router I use as an AP.

Since you have the PVC buried you can use it to fish Cat6 wiring through so you can have camera's around and in your shop. Could just cap it off a few feet outside the house then splice it to finish it off when the shop is being built.

 

[AgentZ]

Here's another thing to think about. Decide where your shop will go and be sure to at least start a PVC pipe underground that goes to your main NVR hub. Whether you use a standalone NVR or get PoE switch and hook everything up from there. This is what I did when I built my shop. I ran four Cat6 cables underground. Three for camera's and one for a WiFi router I use as an AP.

Since you have the PVC buried you can use it to fish Cat6 wiring through so you can have camera's around and in your shop. Could just cap it off a few feet outside the house then splice it to finish it off when the shop is being built.

A couple of conduits and **** it, pull fiber as well! My personal plan will be 10gig fiber tween switches in each of the buildings and 10gig tween the switches and file servers. Sorta crazy but not really!

 

[RWorth]

I think the idea is that up high, you cannot get an identifiable picture - sure, you can see all over and see "someone" doing something, but that is mostly useless.

A perp in a hoody is a perp in a hoody..

If you want the cops or anyone to be able to identify the person it needs to see the whites of their eyes. Best bet might be high obvious cameras to attract their attention, and a couple eye level ones hidden for the money shot. And a camera low and hidden to get a plate if a drive in is likely..which is worth even more than a face.

I can see your point about the hoody, I'm using 4K cameras outside so plate # are no problem and I can identify people, I'll have to check and see if I'm too high to catch a face with a hood on. I actually have an extra Cam at the moment, maybe I'll set that one up low.

I think the most important thing is making sure the intruder can't find the dvr, or you store your instant video off site..