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Posted: 7/27/2011 6:22:01 AM EDT
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I have a pretty decent computer that I setup for HTPC that just sits there. I never use it since I have a browser and music player on my PS3. So I'd like to convert that into a DVR and use my bigscreen for a monitor and DVR playback.
Now my question is, how can I display the live feeds on the other devices as well? I'm fixing to run CAT5 to each bedroom in order to have a wired network. Is it possible to use a CAT5 wired network to distribute the live video feeds to a TV in the bedroom, to my desktop computer in the office, and possibly to a laptop connected to the network via wireless? I currently have an old tube TV in the bedroom, but we plan on upgrading that before long. I'm thinking this isn't possible and that I would need some sort of video switch at my DVR to feed the bedroom TV and into a line-in on the office desktop. But I'd at least like to see what my options are. |
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It is possible to run over cat5, with some extra hardware. Start here: http://www.svideo.com/cctv.html
I've been looking at this myself, but haven't yet pulled the trigger. |
| I don't know much about physical security but one thing that does pop to mind is watch your bandwidth requirements and if possible segregate the live feeds to a different network (or use VLANs) off of your regularly used one (i.e. the one you use to transfer files, print and get to the internet on a daily basis). |
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Quoted:
I don't know much about physical security but one thing that does pop to mind is watch your bandwidth requirements and if possible segregate the live feeds to a different network (or use VLANs) off of your regularly used one (i.e. the one you use to transfer files, print and get to the internet on a daily basis). Yeah, that's a good point. I've been giving it some thought and I think it would be easier and more secure to just have the DVR in my master bedroom and isolate the feed to only that TV. Maybe hook it up to my network in order to get a live stream online, but that's a big maybe. While transmitting my surveillance over a wired and/or wireless network would be convenient, I question how secure it would really be to someone that knew what they were doing. |
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If your DVR has a VGA or monitor output, distributing that over Cat5 is as simple as going to the StarTech website, and picking out your desired hardware.
I use their stuff in my home, and have successfully distributed the VGA output from my main PC-based DVR to several locations in the house over Cat5. |
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