Do it yourself kits

Get your overalls and tool belt on!!! We're going to be looking at some do it yourself (DIY) surveillance kits.


There are several DIY kits on the the market today to suit almost any budget. The cheapest are the Analogue systems, followed by the HD-SDI and then the most expensive are IP systems.

They all come with every component you need to get your system up and running with the exception of the monitor in some cases.

I have found that IP DIY systems are slightly easier to set up than analog or HD-SDI systems due to their wiring simplicity but generally take about the same amount of effort.

Here's a list of the tools and equipment you'll need :

1. Ladder (Lenght depending on the height of your highest camera)
2. A cordless screwdriver/drill 
3. A hammer or impact drill (only for houses with concrete walls)
4. 1 1/2" hole saw (Important for use on cables with pre-made ends !!!!!!) 
5. Trunking (For surface mount wiring)
6. Drill bits (Wood,Metal and Concrete)

Analogue and HD-SDI

As mentioned in my earlier posts both Analogue and HD-SDI use the same type of wiring , this is why I grouped them together.

The following video shows the various components that make up a CCTV/HD-SDI kit and how they work.

IP 

As we can see from the above video, for Analogue and HD-SDI systems there are separate power supplies to be connected to power the cameras which at times can look messy to the back of the DVR.However with most DIY IP systems the cameras are powered directly from the NVR through Cat 5 network cable. It is usually a neater and easier installation as seen in the video below.

Mounting cameras

The following video looks at selecting your camera locations and mounting on a concrete wall. Concrete wall mounting is most common for outdoor cameras in Trinidad and Tobago.

If you're installing on dry wall (gypsum) please take a look at the following video if you don't want your cameras falling off!!

Where to begin?

1.Buy a DVR / NVR kit which can safely operate at 50 degrees Celsius !!!!!!!!! . I cannot stress this enough. If you see a DVR or NVR without a built in fan please walk away.Pricesmart Qsee DVR kits often fail due to this as i have personally learned the hard way. We live in a tropical climate where temperatures can easily reach over 40 degees Celsius in an un-ventilated room in the dry season.Unless you're going to leave the AC on or open a few windows when you leave the house for the day get an NVR/DVR that can operate in high temperature ranges. 

2. Power protection....get it. A 500va  Uninterruptible Power Supply will cost less than $600TT and will save your surveillance equipment from both high  and low voltage fluctuations. 

2. Identify where you will be placing your NVR/DVR. Remember to keep it in an easily accessible location you can get to quickly. I usually recommend the master bedroom.

3.Identify areas you would like to mount the cameras.

4. Look for a wiring path back to the DVR. During this exercise you should be able to estimate how much trunking and what drill bits (concrete/ masonry) are required for surface mounting.

5. Go for it.

Streaming   

See our next post!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!