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I received yesterday two nice shiny Axis 221 cameras Having given them a quick test I need to find the ideal location for fitting them. My main aim is to monitor the area around the back door and the patio doors plus the front door. If you take a look at https://www.splatnix.net/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=443 you will see some pictures of my house. I thought for the back garden I would mount one just below the satellite dish, and for the front door just to the right of the room that is sticking out (slate covered). That is also where the server is, so I shall run the cables up to the attic, and then back down into my office. Will be using PoE to save on cable runs.
It's some what hard to answer this type of question, as no one knows but you what you looking to capture. Personally, I look to have the field of view close the the house with a good view of the front and back porch at a angle so that the background is following down the house so that it covers some of the windows as well. Another cam covers just the driveway. a couple other cams on the corners of the house cover other windows that are not covered by the fore mentioned cams, as well as cover the windows that have cover (shrubs) where a thief might try to take advantage of hiding while trying to gain entrance.
But everyone seems to have their own idea of what they want, and what they expect to be able to view. While a 5mm lens might show more area, the usable detail quickly fades with little distance. So I use more focal 25 to 50mm lens that use a narrower field of view and keep it close to the house.
Bottom line, You have to know what you want to be able to see. I do have a cam that does have a 5mm lens that faces out to the street but is only triggered by one of the other cams and just use it to take a peek out side if I hear something and don't feel like getting out of bed. I can just pop on the TV and take a gander.
Hopefuly this helps some as it sounds somewhat like what you are trying to do.
Having given them a quick test I need to find the ideal location for fitting them. My main aim is to monitor the area around the back door and the patio doors plus the front door. If you take a look at https://www.splatnix.net/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=443 you will see some pictures of my house. I thought for the back garden I would mount one just below the satellite dish, and for the front door just to the right of the room that is sticking out (slate covered). That is also where the server is, so I shall run the cables up to the attic, and then back down into my office. Will be using PoE to save on cable runs.