ZoneMinder Forums

I have a new house that I had built before I was aware of zoneminder. I have a linux server in my utility room that has mythbackend running on it and also acts as our file share and internet access point.

I also had a bunch of security wiring run using 4 conductor 22 awg cables for motion detectors and other security hardware. I don't currently have anything hooked up to either end of this wire. It was run by the security contractor who naturally assumed I would use a standard security system, not a PC based system. I didn't know enough at the time to tell him anything different.

I've been searching and searching but am unable to determine if I can use this cable with webcams, either through a direct connection or via an adapter, to connect the cameras to my linux server. It would be a shame if I couldn't use this existing cable or had to repull cat5 cables through my nicely finished house. I'm not keen on using wireless cameras either due to reliability and low light quality.

Can anyone offer advice for this?

Your only real option is using Video Baluns something like this -> (http://store.bluecherry.net/category_s/39.htm)

Otherwise you would have to pull siamese wire (RG59)

mvsjes2 wrote:I have a new house that I had built before I was aware of zoneminder. I have a linux server in my utility room that has mythbackend running on it and also acts as our file share and internet access point.

I also had a bunch of security wiring run using 4 conductor 22 awg cables for motion detectors and other security hardware. I don't currently have anything hooked up to either end of this wire. It was run by the security contractor who naturally assumed I would use a standard security system, not a PC based system. I didn't know enough at the time to tell him anything different.

I've been searching and searching but am unable to determine if I can use this cable with webcams, either through a direct connection or via an adapter, to connect the cameras to my linux server. It would be a shame if I couldn't use this existing cable or had to repull cat5 cables through my nicely finished house. I'm not keen on using wireless cameras either due to reliability and low light quality.

Can anyone offer advice for this?

I wouldn't suggest using the security wire. The reason for cat5 or better is because the pairs are twisted to eliminate noise which the security wire will be susceptible to.
You will need to either string in cat5 or coax to get a good clean signal. Power can be run over both to limited distances. Cat5 you can run 12vdc to around 50 to 75 feet , 24vac to around 100 to 150 feet, and coax can go much farther if just the cam is drawing power other wise you will need to string 18awg power lines as well or siamese wire.

Sorry mate but the existing security wire is probably not going to do very well.

id doubt that intruder cable would be any use but it does depend on the range, you might try it ymmv

jameswilson wrote:id doubt that intruder cable would be any use but it does depend on the range, you might try it ymmv

I agree, before you go ripping out wires try a video balun...if it works great, if not then you need to pull some siamese wire.

Stay away from Cat5 alone...video baluns (active) that use power are horrible and I never trust them.

If you plan to live there forever you might pull cat5 AND siamese...in case network cameras drop down to the price of analog cameras tomorrow (not likely)

Thanks for the help. My house is quite small and square, so the runs aren't very long, so I maybe I will get away with it.

I'm quite new at this and have been reading a lot. I guess the setup for greatest flexibility for a new house would be to run siamese wire along with cat5. This would provide for analog for now and ip when the prices come down, correct? Or would just siamese suffice for both now and future needs?

While CAT-5 is being pulled, you may want to pull 2 runs to each room if you are doing it yourself. It can't hurt too much to have extra wire available...

One more newbie question (I hope). The wiring that is already run seems to be set up for an alarm panel, with motion sensors and possibly detecting exterior doors opening (I'm guessing at this point based on where the wire has been run).

Is there a way to feed the detection from this wire to either misterhouse or zoneminder to trigger events? I noticed in the doc for zoneminder that it is posible (or may be in the future - I couldn't tell) to interface with alarm panels. Is this what I'd have to do or is there some way to get the data to the computer directly (my preference - I don't want to have to spring for an alarm panel if I can help it)?

I haven't so far found a wealth of newbie information on hardware options, if this is documented somewhere don't hesitatte to tell me to rtfm. Thanks!!

alarm input out of the ox is currently x10 only. There are varios scripts on here where people have interfaced with other boxes.