Introduction:

This guide is written for those who do need video security and can’t afford sometimes quit costly
installation services or if the CCTV installer is not available in your area - the later is more common than
one mite think.
We will cover most common security equipment types, as it is virtually impossible to go over such a wide
rang of different security cameras and recording/video processing equipment available on the market.
I assume anyone considering do-it-yourself CCTV installation has basic knowledge of wiring techniques
and practices. I am not to be hold responsible or liable for damages to the equipment due to mishandling
or misuse. Remember during the installation always pay attention to safety. Working at heights and using
tools can be dangerous please follow all safety practices.
Lets jump right to it now.
Planning:
First step of any camera installation is to plan camera and monitoring equipment locations. When
planning for camera locations please take in consideration light condition, never install cameras in low
light room pointing straight into the sunny area it will add glare to the picture, even if your camera has
back light compensation it will not be enough. Use infrared cameras for very dark conditions and/or B/W
cameras with as low LUX number as possible. I am not going to discuss proper equipment selection, as
this was subject of my previous article. You can read it at www.amazingcameras.com or
www.dvrexperts.com .
Selecting the best possible camera locations is not easy, and will directly impact the camera views.
Besides light conditions, the distance to the monitoring object is equally important. There are many
different types and focal lengths of lenses; your selection will depend on light condition and distance from
the camera to the monitoring object. In small rooms around 500sq. ft. cameras with standard 3.6mm lens
should be OK. Keep in mind that most bullet and board type of cameras come with 3.6mm lens, the
greater the distance to the monitoring object the longer focal length of the lens will be needed. There is no
ease way of judging lens selection, you can either guess or buy professional lens selector tool available at
www.dvrexperts.com. Alternatively you can start with your lens selection and if needed get longer or
shorter focal length lens later. Other option as far as lens selection goes, is to use varifocal lens, which is
very versatile approach and takes the guess out of the lens selection process. For those who do not know
what varifocal lens is, it’s basically adjustable focal length lens that will allow to change the focal length
within specified range, fore example: 2.6mm – 8mm or 5mm - 50mm etc.
To maximize cameras coverage and get the most out of the CCTV system for least amount of money
minimize number of cameras by placing cameras in strategic places, unless complete area coverage is
needed. Avoid overlapping camera views, do not install cameras with source of light directly in front of it
and do not place infrared cameras pointing at each other to eliminate risk of overexposure. These are the
most common mistakes that need to be avoided.
After the initial camera locations are predetermined, lets look at cable placement. Make sure that it is
actually possible and practical to run cable to each camera location, if running the cable to any camera
location is for some reason impossible opt out for alternate camera location.
Wiring:
The most time consuming and important part of any camera installation is wiring.
Plan your installation carefully to minimize cable lengths and insure good quality video signal.
Never run cables alongside high power electrical lines, at least 12” spacing between video cable and
power lines are recommended.
Keep the cable lengths below 400ft and use good quality cable, most people take the cable for granted,
but it is actually very important aspect of any installation.
The CCTV system is only as good as its weakest component.
I usually stick with RG59U with power Coleman cable (YES it is US made) sometimes called Siamese
type cable. It is combo cable and will transmit video and power, as an alternative it is sometimes possible
to use less expensive RG6 standard coax cable with separate run of 18/2AWG for power. The Siamese
cable is less bulky and easer to run, distribution power supply is recommended with this type of cable as
power will be supplied from common place right next to monitor and recording equipment. Using Siamese
cable makes for more clean and neat installation, as only one line is required for each camera. Running
RG6 cable with separate run for power is the likely solution if power outlets are available near each
camera locations. In this case individual plug in power supplies are used to power the cameras with
power cable running as separate and independent line to the camera. Both types of cables are available
at www.dvrexperts.com.
When running the cable it is good practice to leave couple of loops of extra cable at both camera and
monitoring locations. This extra length of cable is needed if in the future monitoring or camera location will
have to be moved slightly.
After the cable is in place, the labor-intensive part of installation is over, now we can get to the fun part of
installation.
Camera mounting:
Most cameras come with mounting screws and bracket included, attach the bracket firmly and remember
that in some cases different brackets than the ones supplied with the cameras mite be needed, for
example drop sealing installation will require T-Rail camera bracket like the one available at
www.dvrexperts.com.
Attach the camera to the bracket and adjust the camera position approximately at this time, we will come
back to it later. Typical security camera is powered by 12VDC or 24VAC and power input type is screw or
push terminals or 2.1mm plug. Power connection will differ for each type of power supply and input style.
Most cameras are 12VDC, in this case it is important to observe polarity or you may damage the camera.
The power cable has two conductors and in most cases it will be red or white and black cable. Use the
red or white for positive and black for negative terminals. If your camera has screw or push terminals
power input connect the cable directly observing polarity, if it is 2.1mm plug, a special 2.1MM Female DC
Plug with Flying Leads have to be connected to the cable again keep attention to polarity. You may get
the power plug from www.dvrexperts.com. The 24VAC connection is very similar, with one major
difference - polarity is not important.
Next step will involve some special tools and accessories.
We will attempt to go over installation process of BNC crimp-on video connector, I will post video
demonstration of BNC crimping techniques shortly so please check the web sites mentioned in this article
often.
Steps:
1. Remove about 1/2-inch long outer jacket from the end of video cable exposing braid.
2. Slide the crimping barrel onto the cable with the larger diameter facing end of the cable.
3. Pull the braid backwards exposing the inner isolator material and remove 3/8-inch of it so you have
now core conductor exposed.
4. The main part of BNC connector has a small hole on one side; push the exposed core conductor of the
cable into that hole as far as it will go.
5. Push all the braid folded backwards in step 3 onto the BNC connector and spread the braid evenly
around connector.
6. Push the crimping barrel onto the BNC connector all the way.
7. Using crimping tool, squeeze the crimping barrel onto the BNC connector, now the cable braid is
compressed in between crimping barrel and BNC connector assuring secure connection.
BNC connector is on, lets hook it up now and repeat the steps for each camera, if you have purchased 16
camera system you may want to get some coffee first.

Monitor and recorder connection:

Cameras are on, its time to make final connections. I will focused on standard CCTV monitor, standalone
DVR recorder and distribution power supply, as this is the most popular and likely solution for most CCTV
installations.
First we have to install BNC connectors on this side as well - its time for that coffee again.
It is good idea to make room for monitor and recorder now and setup some type of desk, shelf or rack to
place all the equipment on.
We need the monitor and recorder in place so we can determine proper power supply location.
Power supply should be mounted within couple of feet from the DVR video inputs.
After power supply is secured separate the power conductors from the Siamese cable, and run it to power
supply. Like we did with the cameras if 12VDC power is used, we need to watch the polarity, each
terminal on the power supply is marked, so there should not be any doubt. Make sure the power supply is
not plugged in to the power outlet yet.
Connect video cables to the DVR video in ports. We need one video cable to connect the DVR with the
monitor, if you do not have one you may cut piece of Siamese cable separate the power conductors from
it and install BNC connectors on both ends, you now have the cable.
Connect the DVR monitor out port to monitor video in.
We are almost ready to power up everything; there is only one more thing to take care before we do that.
We need to protect the equipment from power spikes by plugging it into power conditioner or better yet
buttery backup unit. If the installation location is experiencing frequent power outages, the backup unit is
strongly recommended. To extend the backup time only plug the DVR and camera power supply to the
backup unit and the monitor to regular power strip, this way if we do loose power for some time the DVR
and cameras are still functioning as normal while monitor is off. Turning off monitor will not affect DVR and
cameras in any way; it is actually good habit to turn the monitor of if not used to extend its life.
Power on and final adjustment:
Yes… we are now ready to power it up for the first time, if this is your first installation it may be nerve-
racking experience.
Start with turning the cameras power supply on; turn the monitor on as well followed by DVR system. The
stand-alone DVR after self-test will show cameras or setup menu on first power up depending on your
model.
To setup the DVR refer to the manual for proper settings.
Go over each camera view to determine if the camera view is actually what you want,
very rarely it will be the first time. To properly and easily adjust camera positions the test monitor will be
very handy if not essential tool. Go to each camera location and connect the test monitor to adjust camera
position to your preferences, if satisfied secure camera bracket adjustment screws - we will not go back to
this camera anymore.

Conclusion:
Congratulations!
You have just completed your most likely very first installation of CCTV system.
Visit our store fore more information on surveillance cameras, DVR recorders, tools and accessories.
 Proposed visit of the Director General at Kalinjer Fort

Date: To be decided
9.30 P.M. - New Delhi to Allahabad by Train ( Pryag Raj )

Day -1 – Program Schedule

7.00 A.M. - Arrival Allahabad from New Delhi by Train

7.00 A.M.
To - Stay at Allahabad Hotel (Breakfast)
9.00 A.M.
9.00 A.M. - Allahabad to Kalinjer Fort ( by Car ) Inspection of Kalinjer Fort
(Distance 200 Km)
1.30 P.M. - Arrival Kalinjer Fort
2.00 P.M. - Lunch at Kalinjer
2.45 P.M.
To - Inspection of Kalinjer Fort
4.30 P.M.
4.30 P.M. - Departure from Kalinjer Fort
9.00 P.M. - Arrival Allahabad
9.30 P.M. - Dinner

Day -2 – Program Schedule

8.00 A.M. - Breakfast

8.30 A.M. - Allahabad to Kaushmbhi (by Car) Inspection of Buddhist site
(Distance 55 Km)
9.30 A.M. - Arrival Kaushmbhi
9.30 A.M.
To - Inspection of Buddhist site
12.30 P.M.
12.30 P.M. - Departure from Kaushmbhi
1.30 P.M. - Arrival Allahabad
2.00 P.M. - Lunch at Allahabad
3.15 P.M. - Allahabad to Shringverpur (by Car) Inspection of site
(Distance 40 Km)
4.00 P.M. - Arrival Shringverpur
4.00 P.M.
To - Inspection of site
6.00P.M.
6.00 P.M. - Departure from Shringverpur
6.45 P.M. - Arrival Allahabad
7.45 P.M. - Dinner
9.30 P.M. - Departure - Allahabad to New Delhi by Train (Pryag Raj)