You did all the research, saved up the money, then you purchased the best security camera system you could find for the money. Finally it arrives! This behemoth of a box, 75 lbs of cameras, cables and other accessories. This looks like it is going to be difficult….. Actually, if you just take your time, and follow these steps, it is actually fairly simple. Here is the simplest way to install your new surveillance system:
Step 1:
Remove all the contents from the box. Group similar items together.
Step 2:
Make sure you received everything you were supposed to get.
Step 3:
Decide on the location of the DVR. Be sure to consider your internet connection location because you will need to run an Ethernet cable from the back of the DVR to your router. Also, it will be easier if you keep the power supply near the DVR so consider having a location where you can have both the DVR and power supply together.
Step 4:
Plan each of your security camera locations. Again, consider how you will be running your cables. Make sure you have cables long enough to reach each location. Also, consider how you will be mounting your cameras. If the camera will be easy to reach, you should mount a vandal dome, otherwise a bullet, dome or box security camera will do fine.
Step 5:
Now, it is time to plan your cable runs. Most likely, you will have one of 3 different types of cables. They are CAT5, Siamese Cable, or plug and play BNC cables. All 3 are run the same way in most cases.
Step 6:
Run the cables. If you have several cameras in a single location, you can pull those cables together at once. If possible, run the cables through the attic or the basement. Drill holes large enough to fit the cables through one at a time.
Step 7:
If you ran plug and play cables, skip to the next step. If you ran Siamese, install the BNC connectors and the power lead on the end that has the camera. If you ran CAT5, install the Video Balun on each end of the CAT5.
Step 8:
Mount each camera.
Step 9:
Connect the power to each camera, but do not connect the video cable yet.
Step 10:
Connect the power supply and the DVR to a UPS or surge protector.
Step 11:
Connect the BNC end on the cable to the video inputs of the DVR.
Step 12:
Connect the power end of the cables to the power supply. You may need to use power leads depending on the type of power supply you are connecting to.
Step 13:
Use a small monitor or CCTV tester and go to each camera connecting the camera directly to the monitor. Position and focus the camera to give you the ideal view, then disconnect the camera from the monitor and connect the camera to the BNC end of the CCTV cable.
Step 14:
Turn on the DVR and check that every camera comes up. If none of the cameras come up, check your power supply first. If only some cameras don’t come up, check the cable connections for that camera.
Step 15:
Run one CAT5 cable from the router to the back of the DVR then in the network settings of the DVR, either put in an internal IP address or select DHCP to automatically provide an IP address. Assign a web port.
Step 16:
In your router, you will forward the ports designated for your DVR. If you purchased your system from www.SecurityCameraKing.com, you can give us a call and we can log in to your PC and help you with all the port forwarding and DVR configuration.
Step 17:
Depending on what DVR you have, you may be able to adjust each cameras color, hue, brightness, white balance and more.
Step 18:
Set up your recording schedules for motion, constant etc…
Obviously, there is much more you can do with the DVR configuration, but at this point your security camera system is up and running, congratulations!