Installing Home Camera - Novice

S

Slates

Active Member
OK.. to start, I am quite a novice when it comes to anything concerning wiring, cameras, etc. I have been struggling lately with what I think is a simple task but all of my research seems to come up blank.

What I am looking to do is a simple baby monitoring solution, with a camera upstairs (w/ audio) fed to my TV downstairs. I have attic access above the nursery and I also have an open Coax run and Cat5e run that I could use to get to the room with the TV.

I spent some time looking at cameras and found that most of the Non-IP ones utilize BNC connectors.. which sadly are new to me. I obviously don't want to run a new cable to the downstairs room but I can't see to figure out how to get the signal from the camera to the TV over either the Coax or Cat5e.

I saw the news post about the BNC to RJ45 balun, but I am not sure I fully understand what that does for me. Is this my solution staring at me right in the face? Is there a viable way to utilize the Coax cable (it obviously would be the easier to hook straight into the TV I would think.

I would appreciate any input you might have. Normally I can spend a couple of hours reviewing forums and spec sheets and get enough info to get the job done, but with these cameras I just get really confused..

Thanks!
 
Analog cameras usually take a coxial feed as well as power. It is true that most use a BNC connector which is simply a connector with a twist lock. These are used in broadcast type scenerios to make sure the connectors do not accidentally come apart. The good news is that you can either terminate your coaxial wire with BNC connectors (rather than F-style connectors) or you can get a F to BNC adapter.

You might also be able to run power over the cat5e wire, but you might also consider running a 18/2 wire for power since the cat5e wire has such a small wire in it (usually 22 or 24 gauge wire).

Another option is to purchase a cat5 balun. There are baluns to send all kinds of signals over cat5 wire. Obviously you would want to find one that has a composite video signal as well as power. The downside to baluns is usually their cost. It certainly can be cheaper to simply run the correct kind of wiring than purchasing a balun. So keep that in mind when you are trying to figure out the best method. Make sure you look at total cost (including adapter and connectors) when comparing the two options.

You didn't mention what type of coaxial cable you have run, but it may not be designed for to handle the "line level" video outputs of the camera. So try the coax you have, but if he picture is snowy or scrolls across the screen, you may have the wrong type of coaxial wire (just an FYI in case this happens).
 
Ok.. I am not positive what type of Coaxial cable that the builder installed. I am sure its cheap! I will check that and get back.

So, provided its the correct type of cable, is there an adapter that could take a BNC connector and convert to a female F-style? Is there any degradation or signal loss from this, or is it really just a straight connection conversion?

If I run power separately in the attic via a wall-wart, could the Coax carry audio and video signals from the camera?

Lastly.. any suggestions on an actual camera? For baby monitoring I obviously want IR abilities along with a microphone. Since I want to monitor on the TV versus on the internet at this point, I think analog sounds the best for me. I am hoping to stay in the $200-300 range all-in.

Thanks for the reply!
 
bslater said:
Ok.. I am not positive what type of Coaxial cable that the builder installed. I am sure its cheap! I will check that and get back.

Most likely RG-6 or RG-59, both are 75 ohm and will work with an analog camera

So, provided its the correct type of cable, is there an adapter that could take a BNC connector and convert to a female F-style? Is there any degradation or signal loss from this, or is it really just a straight connection conversion?

http://pchcables.ecommerce-site-search.com/?page=3&query=bnc+adapter

If I run power separately in the attic via a wall-wart, could the Coax carry audio and video signals from the camera?

Not sure on this, depends on the camera but I'm guessing just video (again, just not sure if that capability is available)

Lastly.. any suggestions on an actual camera? For baby monitoring I obviously want IR abilities along with a microphone.

Check to make sure IR will not hurt a baby's eyes. I do know of a fourm member that was concerned about this and it does merrit consideration.
Click to expand...
 
If you're wanting something as simple as monitoring the baby as you describe, don't overlook the cheap 2.4 Ghz wireless cameras. Lorex is one brand I am familiar with. Nothing to wire, just plug the camera in to the AC, connect the receiver to your TV and AC and you're in business.

I recommend the B&W version. The color needs more light. You can use an IR light and a view in total darkness as bright as day.
 
Thats true. That is definitely one option I am still considering. I thought that with all of these available cables and open attic access that a camera wired to the TV would be fairly easy but as with anything related to Tech.. it is never TOO easy!


I did borrow a neighbor's wireless monitor and tried it out. The audio was pretty bad (lots of humming) and the picture was mediocre. however, for what we need it for it might suffice. I am sure some of that could be cleared up by removing some interference.
 
CCTV balun with audio, video, and power. $8.00 for a pair, free shipping. (See ebay item 200352493214, or do a search for "CCTV balun audio power")

Heck, even if they suck, it is worth 8 bux to try it out. However, I have a buddy who had used the cheap Ebay CCTV baluns successfully, says the PQ is entirely satisfactory for him.
 
OK.. so have been researching cameras/installation quite a bit but I feel like I am still missing the obvious...

I discovered the Leviton IP/Quad module, when combined with their RJ45-RCA module, their cameras, etc it looks to be exactly what I want. Unfortunately, I am not willing to pay that kind of money for something I am not sure will work for me. I figured that if that product existed, then a dumbed down version should also exist, or can be put together, that will accomplish almost the same feats.

Basically, the Leviton system takes POE feeds from their proprietary cameras into a module which converts that feed to RCA. The RCA then feeds in the IP/Quad modulator which outputs a video feed and is also networked for viewing over the internet. The video feed can go directly to a monitor.

This is essentially what I am looking to do. I would like to put a few cameras up that are connected via Cat5e (either POE or separate power is probably fine). I would like to be able to view those feeds on my bedroom TV, which has both a spare Cat5e and Coax connection. I am just having trouble determining what I need that will mimic the abilities of the RJ45-RCA and IP/Quad. Obviously the IP quad has some software built in, and I don't expect that functionality. I am just looking for something that will input the Cat5E (or I guess BCN via baluns) and output to the network AND a video out that I can run to my TV.

Am I just stupidly overlooking a DVR? If so.. any suggestions? Likely talking about no more than 4 cameras total...

Thanks!
 
Forget the cat5 for transmission. Use the coax, with a BNC adapter. Use the cat5 for power, if you don't have an outlet (or don't want to add an outlet) in the attic.

Buy a cheap CCTV analog camera. Check Craigslist and eBay.

I have no idea what effect IR will have on a baby's eyes - search.

Buy a baby intercom for audio.

Get it done, upgrade when necessary.
 
Personally my 9 cameras are a mix of RG-6/Simese and CAT5. I do not see any difference in quality of the video. My longest CAT5/RG6 runs are at around 150 feet or so. I find that the CAT5 is much easier to run and manage than the RG6.

Most if not all of the "off the shelf" baby monitor cameras have IR built in. I haven't seen any studies relating to the light. Like everything else (bones, immune system, etc) a baby's still developing his/her long term "infrastructure". Check for your self doing a Babinski reflex test (spinal cord developement) and feel the fontanels on the skull (soft spot) (you can see that the skull bones haven't fully grown yet)...

I haven't seen anything on the IR effects on the developing Rods (BW) or Cones (color) in the retina.

Did find this doing a quick Google search from an Canadian OSH site writing about welding. A bit extreme and not really too related but ....

"UV-radiation is divided into three ranges - UV-A (315 to 400 nm), UV-B (280 to 315 nm) and UV-C (100 to 280 nm). UV-C and almost all UV-B are absorbed in the cornea of the eye. UV-A passes through cornea and is absorbed in the lens of the eye.

Some UV radiation, visible light, and IR radiation can reach the retina. "
 
Thanks for the information Pete_c. Running CAT 5 may be more expensive since I'd need to buy a Balun, but if I ever replace the CCTV cameras with network cameras, I won't have to pull more wire! Plus, I have a ton of extra Cat 5. What Baluns are you using?
 
EMR spectrum: UV and IR are both located just outside the visible light spectrum, but on opposite ends, FWIW. UV is very high energy, comparatively, and is the radiation that causes sunburns. I am not a physicist, but I would strongly doubt IR radiation poses any risk to a baby's developing eyesight. This radiation has been intensely studied for many years now. (Wikipedia link)

CCTV baluns: Do an Ebay search for "CCTV balun audio power". $8 for a pair including shipping. I have a friend that has used these cheap baluns and cannot tell the difference between them and straight connect with RG6. YMMV.
 
AceCannon - understood - most of the time anything in excess can be a detriment and more than likely the IR light is of no consequences. The technology has improved much for testing but there are always unknowns IE: look what happened when Röntgen started to play or when they first tested Radar ....
From the Wiki
Biological systems

Thermographic image of a fruit bat.The pitviper has a pair of infrared sensory pits on its head. There is uncertainty regarding the exact thermal sensitivity of this biological infrared detection system.

Other organisms that have thermoreceptive organs are pythons (family Pythonidae), some boas (family Boidae), the Common Vampire Bat (Desmodus rotundus), a variety of jewel beetles (Melanophila acuminata),[20] darkly pigmented butterflies (Pachliopta aristolochiae and Troides rhadamantus plateni), and possibly blood-sucking bugs (Triatoma infestans).

Photobiomodulation
Near infrared light, or photobiomodulation, is used for treatment of chemotherapy induced oral ulceration as well as wound healing. There is some work relating to anti herpes virus treatment. Research projects include work on central nervous system healing effects via cytochrome c oxidase upregulation and other possible mechanisms.

Health hazard
Strong infrared radiation in certain industry high heat settings may constitute a health hazard to the eyes and the vision. More so, since the radiation is invisible. Therefore special IR proof protective eyeglasses must be worn in such places.

Balums - In have installed about 4 different pairs - Ebay specials - some constructed better than others. Its been a couple of years so I couldn't tell you without looking to see if there is even a name on them. A friend a while back recommended these - although he did so after I had already installed mine. One of mine is similar in construction.

balun.jpg
 
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