I've been using IP cameras (Vivotek) with POE, and I do not have any experience with analog camera setups.
But there are a couple of locations where I want cameras (e.g. door jams), and it seems that analog cameras may be my best (and maybe only) bet for these locations. I'm using both Blue Iris and Vitamin D (now known as Sighthound) with my curent cameras, and I want to continue to use both programs with the new cameras so I'm looking at encoders (Axis, Grandstream, etc).
What puzzles me is the relationship between the encoders and how to get power to the camera. Most of the encoders indicate that I can use POE (rather than a wall wart) to power the encoder.
But if I power the encoder by POE, does the encoder then also send that power to the camera over the video connection cable? Or do I use the DCV outs that most encoders seem to have and send the power from the encoder to the camera over a separate 18/2 cable? Or do I need to separately provide power to the camera apart from the encoder?
As far as I can tell, these smaller analog cameras are not POE-enabled (if there is such a thing in the analog world) since they have a separate power input barrel connector, so even if the encoder sends power over the video cable, I assume I'm going to need to break if out someway at the camera. And if that's the case, should I consider cat5 with baluns for ease of making these connections?
Any thoughts on the best way to do this would be much appreciated. I'm going to have to run new cable to these locations so I'd like to get my head around what's needed and what's optimal before I hit the attic again.
Thanks.
But there are a couple of locations where I want cameras (e.g. door jams), and it seems that analog cameras may be my best (and maybe only) bet for these locations. I'm using both Blue Iris and Vitamin D (now known as Sighthound) with my curent cameras, and I want to continue to use both programs with the new cameras so I'm looking at encoders (Axis, Grandstream, etc).
What puzzles me is the relationship between the encoders and how to get power to the camera. Most of the encoders indicate that I can use POE (rather than a wall wart) to power the encoder.
But if I power the encoder by POE, does the encoder then also send that power to the camera over the video connection cable? Or do I use the DCV outs that most encoders seem to have and send the power from the encoder to the camera over a separate 18/2 cable? Or do I need to separately provide power to the camera apart from the encoder?
As far as I can tell, these smaller analog cameras are not POE-enabled (if there is such a thing in the analog world) since they have a separate power input barrel connector, so even if the encoder sends power over the video cable, I assume I'm going to need to break if out someway at the camera. And if that's the case, should I consider cat5 with baluns for ease of making these connections?
Any thoughts on the best way to do this would be much appreciated. I'm going to have to run new cable to these locations so I'd like to get my head around what's needed and what's optimal before I hit the attic again.
Thanks.