DIY installation of cameras and video surveillance systems for houses and apartments

Recommendation points

• Typical system configuration
• Selecting and placing cameras
• Organization of a recording center
• Management and access
• Collaboration with other systems

Internal video surveillance is considered one of the most effective means of preventing and detecting burglaries. These systems have long ceased to be complex, today anyone can install and set up a network of cameras on their own, while investing in a modest budget..

Typical system configuration

The best way to determine the choice of a video surveillance system is to evaluate its components separately. To do this, you need to know the general topology and understand what function the various elements perform. Depending on the type of cameras, the structure of the video surveillance network may be different.

Analog cameras are the most common type of video capture. They broadcast a coded signal without encryption in the PAL or SECAM system, that is, a signal of the same kind is transmitted over the wires as from a video player to a TV. To be able to process such a signal, it is necessary to decode and digitize it, which is what a video recorder does, which can simultaneously process several streams from different cameras. The registrar digitizes the recording and sends the files to a remote server, from where the user can access them.

Analog video surveillance: 1 – stabilized uninterruptible power supply; 2 – internal analog cameras; 3 – outdoor analog cameras; 4 – video recorder; 5 – monitor; 6 – modem / router; 7 – a computer on the local network; 8 – Internet; 9 – remote access

A video surveillance system with IP cameras is more complicated in a technical sense, but at the same time much easier to organize and configure. The cameras themselves digitize the signal, after which the data is transmitted via the Ethernet protocol directly to the storage device. The presence of a distributed network of decoders leads to an increase in the cost of the system, in return the user receives a high data transfer rate, high quality and the possibility of more flexible camera settings for different lighting conditions and viewing range.

Video surveillance scheme with IP cameras: 1 – stabilized uninterruptible power supply; 2 – dome IP video cameras; 3 – switch; 4 – IP-video recorder; 5 – video surveillance post; 6 – router; 7 – Internet; 8 – outdoor IP video cameras; 9 – deleted user

Do not forget that all cameras require connection to a low-voltage stabilized power supply. Also, the system may contain additional devices: position controllers of controlled cameras, switches for connecting fire and security alarm systems, video signal splitters. The end point of the system – a video processing server – can also be equipped with a completely different software for viewing and organizing stored files.

Selecting and placing cameras

The most burning question when organizing a video surveillance system is how many cameras are needed to confidently take control of a certain territory. Fortunately, if we are talking about an apartment, few video surveillance points are needed. The general principle is to monitor the main routes of movement and storage of valuables. Also, if we are talking about remote monitoring of children or service personnel, it may be necessary to install cameras in other inhabited areas..

The obligatory area over which video monitoring is required is the entrance hall. It is obligatory to place at least one camera here, in the field of view of which the front door will be located. The second camera can be positioned with the opposite field of view.

One camera can be placed in the living room and living rooms. They are placed at the greatest distance from the door leading to the room, or on the principle of covering the largest area. If we are talking about a passive measure of protection against theft, it will not be superfluous to install hidden cameras, for example, in the area of ​​a safe or other place of storage of valuables.

It is most beneficial to use PTZ cameras to monitor children or servants. Position control allows just one video capture point to take control of a room up to 50 m² even if the angle of view and focus cannot be adjusted. We must not forget about external video surveillance: cameras should be installed with a view of the entrance gates, fencing sites where penetration is most likely, and in the case of apartments – on the floor area with a view of the entrance door and staircase.

As a rule, for installation in an apartment, CMOS-matrix cameras are purchased with a short focal length (up to 10 mm) and a resolution of no higher than 2 Mp for digital cameras and up to 960 TVL for analog cameras. There is also a method for calculating the resolution, based on the ratio of 200 pixels for each meter of the horizontal and vertical coverage area – with this video quality, you can effectively recognize faces and small details of clothing. Since cameras are used under a variety of lighting conditions, it is important for them to be able to adjust light sensitivity and exposure. If you additionally need to record video at night, it will not be superfluous to have a built-in IR illumination of the appropriate range..

Organization of a recording center

When the number and location of cameras has been determined, you can start choosing a registrar or network router. In addition to the number of connected channels, an important criterion is the length of the line – according to these parameters, the data collection device must correspond to the existing network of cameras. It is also important that the analog recorder processor is able to process the signal without loss at the recording speed and TVL number that the cameras produce..

Eight channel multi-format video recorder

Most often, four- and eight-channel duplex analog recorders are used for apartments. You can make a choice towards a device with a built-in display (Hikvision DS-7204AHLI-S), which will greatly facilitate the preview of stored video files. The proposed option is distinguished by a minimum sufficient set of parameters, but if you need recording in a higher quality, you can pay attention to the eight-channel Oltec HDVR-04. Both registrars have the ability to write files to a SATA disk or to a remote server, provided they are connected to the Internet.

Connecting a hard disk to the DVR

Networking IP cameras is easier, but this presents a digital system flaw in a security vulnerability. The fact is that building a closed system requires the installation of a separate server, the role of which in analog video surveillance is played by a relatively inexpensive recorder. If there are no special requirements for the security of the system, IP video cameras are beneficial in everything except cost: it is easier to combine them with a conventional router for Ethernet networks at the physical level, all the rest of the setup comes down to setting up the appropriate software. It is impossible not to mention the possibility of connecting IP cameras wirelessly – devices with a built-in wireless adapter are more expensive, but they help to avoid additional wiring besides power supply.

Management and access

The advantage of closed systems is that no one except the apartment owners will be able to get the recording files at their disposal. Any other type of system connected to the Internet has the same security flaws as any network device. The most vulnerable in this regard are wireless cameras: although the encrypted signal cannot be intercepted, it can be easily jammed, disabling the system for a while.

However, connecting the system to the world wide web has its advantages, the most obvious of which is access to archives from anywhere in the world at any time. When writing files to a remote server, the system can be made completely secure, for example, set up transmission over a secure SSH channel and purchase licensed software that will additionally encrypt the information stored on the server.

Collaboration with other systems

As a conclusion, it is worth recalling the functions of video surveillance systems, which take them far from the category of expensive toys. First of all, we are talking about the possibility of confirming the danger when a security or fire alarm is triggered. Also, ordinary video cameras can act as a motion or flame detector, working as part of security systems.

The first way to combine a video surveillance system with an alarm is to use special analytical programs, for example, Axxon Intellect. The cost of such software for non-commercial use does not exceed $ 10. Another way is to connect an external discrete switch to the video surveillance server, which will transmit the corresponding signals to the alarm unit about the presence of movement in a particular security zone..