700ft Cat5 run (Fiber maybe? - Need ideas on repeater

[tankman1989]

Here is my setup that I need to design a network for. This is for surveillance of some very expensive electrical equipment.

4-8 Video cameras, one "data station" which would need a Cat5 but it transfers VERY little data.

I'm trying to figure out how I should do this.

Option 1:
-Have my video control unit very close to the cameras - output to a switch or router.
-Data monitoring station @ location - connect to switch or router.
-Run a single Cat5 from switch or router 100 meters add repeater - another 100m Cat5 to the home/base network

Option 2:
-Run all camera cables 100m to repeater another 100m cable to home network and video control unit - connect video control unit to home network
-Run Cat5 for Data Station 100m - repeater 100m Cat5 -> home network switch or router.

Option 2 will have a lot more cable but the Video control station and Data Station will be in-house. This will require a lot more wire.
Option 1 makes me have to locate the video/camera control unit 650-700ft from the house in some locked or underground box with the rest of the electrical equipment.

My question is can I use a router or a switch as a repeater? I don't see why I couldn't. It may not be the best way to do it but I remember at one company I worked for they "daisy chained" 5+ switches off the central network.

What would you do and have any of you set up a long distance run like this or has anyone done video surveillance?

PS - Wireless isn't a very good option. There are a decent amount of trees in the way and a 20-30ft pole would have to be erected which I would like to avoid.

 

[sjlplat]

Do your cameras have coax outputs? You can run RG59/U coax cable almost 700 feet for resolutions of 330-lines or lower. You can maintain 470-lines of resolution at just under 600 feet of cable.

 

[tankman1989]

I was just checking out some pricing of fiber components. Here is what I think is the best bet:

Cameras -> Video controller & Data Center->2 cat5 (1 for Video 1 for Data Center)-> gigabit switch (maybe with optic input) -> If no fiber switch cat5 -> Cat5 to Fiber converter -> 700ft fiber run - Fiber to Cat5 converter -> Cat5 to home network switch.
.

 

[sjlplat]

I think I'm a little confused. Is this surveillance system going to be connected into a computer network, or is it completely separate? I think it might be easier, more durable, and more affordable to install a standard CCTV system with a DVR.

 

[itmgr]

Fiber optic works great

I have used it for a run of about 900 feet, we used 2 belken cat5 to fiber adapters, and belkin fiber optic cable. The hard part was feeding it through pvc for protection.

 

[tankman1989]

I think I'm a little confused. Is this surveillance system going to be connected into a computer network, or is it completely separate? I think it might be easier, more durable, and more affordable to install a standard CCTV system with a DVR.

Yes the surveillance system is going to be connected to a network for IP access. I really didn't want to locate to control box out at the location, but that seems to be the best idea.

 

[sjlplat]

Yes the surveillance system is going to be connected to a network for IP access. I really didn't want to locate to control box out at the location, but that seems to be the best idea.

Have you considered a network-accessible DVR? Run Coax from the DVR to all the cameras, and then network the DVR. It keeps the critical equipment indoors, and provides longer cable runs while retaining the network accessibility. Most modern CCTV DVRs include built-in sequencers, so once you network the DVR all the cameras are accessible to the rest of the network.

 

[tankman1989]

Have you considered a network-accessible DVR? Run Coax from the DVR to all the cameras, and then network the DVR. It keeps the critical equipment indoors, and provides longer cable runs while retaining the network accessibility. Most modern CCTV DVRs include built-in sequencers, so once you network the DVR all the cameras are accessible to the rest of the network.

The location which needs monitoring is 700+ ft from the house. I've decided that the only viable option is to do a fiber run 700ft from the location. I am going to have to locate the DVR @ the distant location along with a switch and the data observation center for the equipment. The switch may have a fiber uplink or I will have to get a fiber to Cat5 converter. Once at home hook into the fiber switch or use another fiber to Cat5 converter and then into the switch.

This will just extend the network to the remote site.

When I originally posted this I had the misconception about the price of fiber equipment. It is no more expensive than gigabit was 5 years ago.

 

[sjlplat]

The location which needs monitoring is 700+ ft from the house.

You can run coax that far. Alternatively, a 900MHz CCTV tranceiver can transmit a signal through tress.

I recommend calling SuperCircuits and talking to them about what you need. They can help you build a system for pretty much anything. http://www.supercircuits.com/