Posted: 4/24/2007 1:02:52 PM EDT
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Anyone here with CCTV knowledge? I want to set up a security camera system at home. I'm trying to see what the drawbacks are to using Cat5 instead of Coax to go to the cameras. I know they make adapters for Coax-Cat5 but do they maintain quality? Thanks |
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How much do you want to know? Cat 5\cat 6 should be used with adapters(baluns). Balun(balanced to unbalanced) The adapters(baluns) do two things. First, the "convert" the 75ohm video signal to the 100ohm cat5 cable impedence and back again. Second, they "convert" the unbalanced video signal to a balanced video signal. This allows a longer cable run with less signal degradation. The term "convert" is simplified for the actual electrical processes, typically passive. Good adapters will not have any measurable signal degradation. For home use, the coax will be fine, use good quality(100% copper braid) RG 59 and you should be OK. You could use RG6, but you should not see any visual benefits. If you use Cat5, use the baluns. If the video were ever used in court, the "correct manufacturer recommended installation" would be questioned. PS. It is not uncommon for cameras today to come with the cat5 balun built in, and we haven't even mentioned IP  . |
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Thanks for the info. I've read that I can run power over the Cat5 cable as well as the video signal. Is this true? If yes, that will save on running separate power cables for each camera. I'm trying to find the most economical way to do this. Cat5 is cheaper than Coax but the Blauns aren't cheap. I've seen some on Ebay for $25 each. Going with Coax, id save on the blauns but then I'd need to run power lines as well. I still haven't found any dual Coax+power cables locally. |