I’ve been working in home security/surveillance for some time – primarily because it makes such an exceptional input for a BOCS system, but we have received so many questions related to larger installations it seemed time to tackle a commercial installation head-on.

This all started because modulators, in general, have died as a method of distributing security video around the home/office. That is because most cable-tv systems have gone digital – meaning there is no longer room to insert a simple modulated signal in the “lineup” without losing a LOT of the channels you use everyday. Most folks are not willing to give up ESPN or HBO to get their security cameras home-wide.

Enter BOCS – we provide a new way of getting that video home-wide that does not interfere with existing cable – There is a long explanation elsewhere in this blog but bottom line is that if you are installing a security system, BOCS is a crucial element (and allows me to dive into seemingly peripheral topics like this.)

On to the Installation:

I chose an Aposonic R22 8 channel H.264 DVR – for a lot of reasons – most will be outlined below. I found a local Church that needed security and was willing to let me spend a week there getting the system set up, so this goes through step by step every aspect of the planning and installation.

The FULL text can be had by signing up for the eBook on our SECURITY PAGE, but I’ve put the first few sections here to give you an idea.

Also – if you are a commercial installer, take a look at our COMMERCIAL PAGE for more information.

———————————————————-

Aposonic R22 Review and Commercial Installation

Installation Overview:

A Church in Longmont, CO

5 cameras (soon to be 6) each distinctly different in location and application – part two of the review will include details on each camera, why each was chosen for the particular application and how well each works given the requirements

An 8 channel Aposonic R22 DVR –

Local and remote access (via computer as well as cell phone)

1000 feet of cabling and a lot of sweat

Note that when I ordered this system, I specifically ordered one of each of 4 distinctly different cameras so as to evaluate each type. Now that the system is set up and the differences are well understood I would order more of some types and less of others – more on that in part 2 (to be published soon)

Initial impressions:

• DVR unit is solid, has well labeled (intuitive) buttons, and excellent connectors
• Each camera was well packaged in the box – little chance of shipping damage
• All required cables are included (although labeling needs improvement) – AND cables were of adequate length (60ft each) to cover a standard installation.
• A single large power supply with a cable splitter was included – very nice to allow less outlet space at the DVR site
• DVR was exceptionally “light” – turns out you have to specify a hard drive/size. Luckily I had a spare 80GB drive laying around and fixed that quickly.

Physical Installation:

Normally this would not be part of a review, but as this is a specific commercial installation it seems appropriate.

Requirements – seems like a simple enough thing, start throwing cameras up and plug them all back in to the DVR – but hold on, a little planning (actually a lot) goes a long way.

Things to pre-plan:

Goals: Is it to monitor entrances real time during the day, monitor secure areas for unusual activities, provide later proof of illegal activities (each of these determines different camera locations and types). If you want a camera to actually create an alarm it needs to be inside the secure area so false alarms do not occur etc…

Day/Night applications: Consider up front what kind of a view each camera will have in day and night – will the sun be right in the lens, what will be the throw of the built in IR LEDs, Which way should each camera face

Camera positioning: Is there enough room to get a wide enough shot and/or zoomed in enough to capture good enough images to identify people – are the cameras visible enough to deter some behaviors but hidden enough in others to catch those same issues

DVR location: Central enough to keep wiring runs to a minimum but in a secure location – if a thief can get the DVR there will be no evidence and the whole thing was a waste

Monitoring: The perfect addition to a security system is BOCS – running a single COAX from the DVR location to the monitoring location (reception or security area) allows both full monitoring and control while not jeopardizing the security of the DVR by having it located out in the open.

Local codes: Some states/municipalities now require proper licensing even for low voltage installations like security – frankly it has nothing to do with safety or security, just another way the government can get a few more dollars out of your pocket, nevertheless – follow the rules. Keep in mind that commercial applications are much more stringent and frequently require even special cables rated for above ceiling applications.

Cabling: You absolutely must plan out each and every run before you set anything in stone. How will each wire get from the DVR to the camera location. If you are going more than 100’, consider powering the camera remotely and running only video cable (RG6 coax works well for longer runs and ends are simple to get). Suspended ceilings are a blessing if present and normally prevent a lot of drilling.

Camera Types (Will cover in detail in a later section): Consider for each location how much IR light you need, how wide of an angle you need, and how much quality you need. For small spaces that just cover a single door don’t buy the $200 camera. For an outdoor application covering a large area at night, spend the money required or the image you record will do you no good later. Consider ceiling mount dome varifocal lens cameras for most indoor and hallway applications to maximize each camera’s usefulness. This sounds trite, but don’t buy more or less quality than you need – plan, plan, plan.

Actual Installation:

You will normally find that a good installation will be 15% planning – walk the site multiple times, find out from the customer (even if that is your wife) exactly what they want and need, plan each camera and each cable run – 60% running cables, 10% programming and setup, and 15% cleanup/tidying/training.

Specific considerations:

• For pre-terminated cables provided with cameras – many (if not most) must be installed in a specific direction – one end is male and the other female. If you get it backward (speaking now from brutal experience), you will either need to pull it out and start over or go down to the electronics store and buy expensive male-male and female-female adapters for each end and your error will be immortalized.
• For any run over 100’ consider ditching the normal provided wires (that include a video and power cable bundled together) and just running a single coax for video back from the camera location. If you do this (to keep video quality as high as possible) make sure you get the proper adapters (Coax-F female to BNC-male) and find a way at each camera location to power the camera. Note that outlets in ceilings are generally against code. If there is not a convenient (and secure – you wouldn’t want a potential thief pulling power from your camera) and within-code method of locally powering the camera – make sure you run a power cord all the way back to the DVR location.
• If you have a lot of unused Cat5 ports wired back to a central location, there are excellent balun systems that allow running both audio/video as well as camera power over those same wires. Consider an On-Q system (more on this later)
• Consider a full week test before the system is permanently put on line – connections can be tested, motion detection perfected, and remote access tweaked before you give a lot of people access
• Do not plug your DVR into your home/office Ethernet until you have properly configured its network settings – failure to do this can take a whole network down (yep experience again :0)
• Running over suspended ceilings? A 15’ sectional fiberglass rod (available at Home Depot nationwide) for about $35 is an excellent tool to keep you from having to remove every other ceiling panel – now only every 5^th one… Another option is a small crossbow – most electrical suppliers sell small plastic ones with a nifty fishing reel line attached, but I got a “semi-toy” one from an online shop that shoots metal tipped plastic darts (around which can be tied lead-line or mason’s twine) – It is strong enough to shoot across almost 50’ of ceiling and stick in drywall on the other side… Everything has risk, but you are adults – use your own judgment not mine.

This specific installation – detailed layout:

As you can see from the floorplan below, while there are many outside access locations, there are some clear security “softspots” that needed to be addressed. Most specifically, the office staff is located in a central location with no view of the rest of the building – no idea of who is coming in toward the office, or even if they veer off to another part of the building, and at night there are some clear blind spots not visible from the street that periodically attract “campers”. It would be good to know if anyone is in one of those blind spots before one heads to ones car after dark.

So… specific goals and location map(follow along):

1) Receptionist needs to be able to see who is coming in the front and back doors, needs to be able to see that anyone coming in heads to the office and not into any other part of the building

2) Motion detect recording of office area (not triggered by normal office personnel if possible) and main entrances

3) Remote viewing of the auditorium (both for security – lots of electronics in there) as well as running that same feed through a BOCS system to allow remote viewing of any service in progress from anywhere in the building (more on this in a later chapter as well)

4) Simple remote viewing from any computer if the receptionist is not at their post – in these cases, a simple motion alarm (kind of door-bell like) is preferable for anyone coming or going out of the monitored entrances

Locations:

1 – Office

2 – Main entrance

3 – Main hall

4 – Back door

5 – Side door

6 – Auditorium

Location Details…

1 – Office reception:

What/Why – Kind of like a “point-of-sale” camera at a bank, this is the primary camera that is visible to all coming into the office (they know they are on camera – actually very important), and the key need here is quality during the day. IR illumination is not necessary here as this is primarily a daytime usage area, and there is an always on security light providing nighttime illumination.

Camera – Initially, I chose the smaller camera XXX, but after installation realized the quality was not adequate enough so I switched to an On-Q bulletcam – exceptional daytime quality and easily recognizable as what it is without being intrusive

Cabling – within 50’ of the DVR so used one of the included cables run in the ceiling

Monitoring – Ran a single COAX to feed a flat screen 15” TV for monitoring at the security area – a BOCS remote provides full control and is Velcro-ed under the desk for easy access.

2 – Front entrance:

What/Why – For now, viewing of everyone coming and going through the main entrance doors (glass) and future use to identify who is there to buzz them in during off hours.

Camera – All exterior lights in this area are on photocells so they come on at night, but in the event of a power outage, IR self-illumination is required here (DVR is on a large UPS in case of power outage). Quality is important, but due to the relatively close quarters – 6-20’ viewing range, even a lower end camera is adequate.

Cabling – as this location is about 150’ from the DVR, a single COAX was run in the ceiling and power for the camera was pulled from a wall wart transformer in a nearby closet.

3 – Main Hallway:

What/Why – Within a second of leaving the view of the entrance camera, you appear on this hallway cam giving the receptionist more of an idea of who is approaching as well as having full visibility of all possible directions from the entrance.

Camera – Quality is important, but more so is the ability to have a specifically chosen width of view and focus. Night vision is important here as well as the security lights are not in the direct field of view of this camera. Quality at 30’ is important as this camera covers two computers.

Cabling – within 80’ of DVR so included cabling was used – simple

4 – Back Entrance:

What/Why – This is actually what started it all, as there is a large picnic area/open area that is completely invisible from the street. It also happens to be the main parking area for staff and presents a safety hazard as there are lots of places not visible until you have already exited the building and locked the door.

Camera – Need a long reach, excellent night viewing, and good quality to cover such a large area. This is probably the most difficult camera application of them all. My initial note was to budget high for this particular camera as the requirements are stiff. Mounting location was also critical as during summer, the trees in this area block a lot of the view.

5 – Side entrance:

What/Why – Seldom used during the week but the furthest entrance from the main street, monitoring this entrance is mostly for safety.

Camera – The small entryway is cramped and at night it is pitch black so IR illumination is a must. During the week, this camera can be put in alarm mode as any activity there is unusual.

Cabling – At about 200’ from the DVR, running a single RG6 coax and locally powering the camera is the best choice. A janitor’s closet provides an excellent power point, and one long hallway was begging for my crossbow.

6 – Auditorium:

What/Why – This one, uniquely, has three uses – security of course, there is sound equipment in there that needs to be protected – remote monitoring, nice to have the picture available in a few of the offices so ministers know when they need to head over there – and overflow, A good view and audio from the auditorium feeding a BOCS unit provides full A/V to a variety of TVs mounted around the facility.

Camera – Quality is the key – night vision only necessary within 10’ of the camera for the security aspect, but also need audio brought back to the DVR location

Cabling – Due both to quality concerns and the need for audio, an On-Q bulletcam was again used here run over cat6 cable plus a coax for a single channel of audio.

Pastor’s Office:

No camera here – bad form normally to put cameras in people’s private offices, but a simplified viewing location was a priority. An attempt to keep the usage model simple meant not requiring computer use but some kind of dedicated monitor. Again the On-Q monitor was a good fit – it can handle a selection of two cameras and can easily be switched off. It is small enough to fit on a desk and not appear as if the minister is in charge of security – he can help watch out for the office ladies as he is in the office more than any other and can see the auditorium as well.