Dec 25, 2018

DIY Home Security Camera Surveillance System - Part 1

Updated: Sep 21, 2019

Amcrest 8 Camera Home Security Surveillance System

Have you ever considered the purchase of a good security camera system? If you are like most consumers, there is so much information about the different types of camera systems that it makes it difficult to know where to begin. I can certainly relate to your confusion. I was in your very shoes at one time. However, after implementing my Amcrest system and having more than a year to work with the cameras and software, I can confidently recommend my set-up to anyone who wants the piece of mind that comes with having a reliable, good quality camera system. Read on to see how you can set-up a DIY home security camera system so that you can have the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your family, home and contents have an additional measure of protection and safety.

Surveillance System Series Content

This article is the first in a series of six articles written to give you all of the necessary information to install a good and reliable camera system while helping to remove any uncertainty associated with purchasing the proper hardware. I upcoming articles I will discuss the different types hardware available in an attempt to answer many of your questions. Simply put, the goal of this series is to help you determine the appropriate system to ensure proper protection of your most valued assists. Allow me now to give you an outline of the content in the upcoming articles

Best Cameras for Your Outdoor Surveillance System

In the second article I intend to explain why I purchased Power over Ethernet cameras, (referred to as PoE Cameras), and why I highly recommend that you purchase PoE cameras rather than the various wireless cameras that are often promoted as better solutions for your home.

Surveillance System Design & Layout

In the third article I will talk about the importance of designing and lying out your system to ensure proper camera placement. I will include installation tips and ideas to help you determine the best locations to mount your cameras. Careful planning and proper layout of your cameras is vital in order to achieve maximum coverage of your home’s parameter. While camera placement is important, you also must give consideration to your ability to access your intended mounting points. Easy access these mounting locations will become critical when installing your Ethernet cable runs. With an established layout plan, you can easily determine wire run distances and calculate wire footage and material cost.

System Components & Cost

In the fourth article of this series I will provide you with a detailed overview of my Amcrest system. I will review the specifications, capabilities and of the Amcrest NVR - Network Video Recorder. I will review the 1080p POE Bullet IP Security Cameras. In addition I will discuss the specific size and cost of the add-on Surveillance Hard Drive. I will show you how you can easily install the hard drive via the instructions provided in the Amcrest quick start guide. I will furnish product links so to that you can investigate the details of my system and consider product reviews. Finally, I will list the various components that I purchased and discuss the total associated costs.

System Installation & Setup

In the fifth article I will explain how to properly connect and test your cables to ensure a proper connection and broadcast signal. I will give you information and cost on the tools need to assemble and test your cables. I will also demonstrate how easy it can be to make your own cables with the proper tools.

System Monitoring

In the final article I will demonstrate how to use the Amcrest system to view camera activity either on your PC or Smartphone. I will demonstrate live streams and show you how to search recorded content for specific events.

After reading this series I am certain that you will come to the same conclusion that I did; the relatively low cost and minimal effort needed to install a good and reliable camera system is not only a good idea, it is also a very wise investment. The peace of mind I have gained by after installing my Amcrest system is invaluable to me.

Thanks for reading this intro segment on Home Video Surveillance. We’ll see you in the next segment!