New Home Build - Security Camera Options & What to Tell Builder

• joka on 20/05/2025 - 09:07 Comment score below threshold.
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  Master Bates on 20/05/2025 - 09:11

  +4

  PoE is definitely the way to go, you don’t need power points in the eaves, as the cameras will get both power and data through a single Ethernet cable. Just make sure you have a PoE switch or NVR with built-in PoE to power them.

  The key things to plan now while you're building:

  • Decide where your NVR (Network Video Recorder) will be located, usually somewhere secure, central, and with network access, also consider heat implications.

  • Mark out camera positions, corners under the eaves are typical for wide coverage. You mentioned 2–3, but most NVR kits start with 4 or 8 channels, so consider running extra cables now even if you don’t use them straight away.

  • Run Cat6 cable from the NVR location to each planned camera position. This will be much harder to do after plaster is up, so future-proof while you can.

  • Leave enough cable slack in the eaves for mounting and adjustment, and conduit is a good idea for protection as rodents love to gnaw cables (speaking from experience).

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    Flying Ace on 20/05/2025 - 09:17

    Thanks for the tips! So with PoE and physically running the cable, does the cable itself just come out through a gasket at the camera location, or would they install a data point?

    • 

      Master Bates on 20/05/2025 - 09:24

      +2

      Just the cable, no need for Ethernet RJ45 Outlets.

    • 

      pscac001 on 20/05/2025 - 09:58

      Most of the ethernet plugs on the market are designed to attach to stranded cables, while the cabling that's installed in the walls is solid core. You can crimp a stranded plug onto a solid core cable and most of the time it will work fine, but it's not ideal and it is slightly more prone to failure.

      The proper solution would be to terminate the solid core cable into a jack without an external plate (ideally in a junction box, but a few wraps of tape would be almost as good), just leave the jack inside the eaves and when you install the camera you hook it up with a patch lead like any other device.

      • 

        Boioioioi on 20/05/2025 - 11:50

        I've done plenty onto solid core it has been fine. Especially considering the wires don't move much

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      Boioioioi on 20/05/2025 - 11:43

      +1

      Most cameras have the cable going in through the base. So you drill a hole in the eave, pull out your ethernet cable and plug it into the camera, then shove the cable back into the eave and mount the camera ontop of the hole to cover it up.

      A few exceptions exist such as the Reolink duo cameras, where you want a cover the hole with a plug

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  Paul Atreides on 20/05/2025 - 13:32

  +1

  I think poe is best while you can, will be harder to do later. some more tips from me.
  1. if you want, don't forget a line for a poe doorbell
  2. try and match up the number of locations to a typical camera kit size pack (e.g. 4,6,8)
  3. don't get more than what you need, more lines = more cameras = using more hdd disk space = bigger hdd or shorter history

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    geekcohen on 20/05/2025 - 14:31

    I think poe is best while you can, will be harder to do later.

    Depending on the house, yes it could be harder.

    If it is a double-storey = Harder
    If it has cathedral ceilings = Harder
    If it has no roof space at all = Harder

    It can be better to do it all during the build, but costs can often blow out because nowadays, it cannot be DIY or get a buddy in for it, it has to be done by one of the builder's contractors.

    • 

      Flying Ace on 20/05/2025 - 15:51

      Yep it's a double storey, but the places where the cameras will go will be under eaves that are single-storey height.

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        geekcohen on 20/05/2025 - 15:56

        If you can, get the cables done beforehand. It all depends on whether you can run the cables to where you want them afterwards.

        For a double-storey, try to do as much as you can and overthink your requirements. Think now and the future.

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  narbe on 20/05/2025 - 13:55

  4x Eufy E340 with home base 3.
  Tell builder to do 4x junction boxs for light switches and have the switches in your master or somewhere more hidden. (switches are mandatory these days)

  Hire electrician afterwards to install when you find a good deal. ( I got E340 around $280-300 mark each )

  Pros : you got floodlight, remote alarm, AI tracking , and cross camera auto clip tracking.
  Cons : wifi which means you need good mesh, I mitigate with Deco xe75 3x pack mesh from GGC around $350 for the 3 pack

  Have recommended E340 flood to friends and family . No issues so far.

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  omguleh on 20/05/2025 - 14:21

  I bought the Eufy E330 Pro 4 pack and 2x E340 flood lights. All connect to wifi via a Unifi U6 Pro access point.

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  BewareOfThe Dog on 20/05/2025 - 22:38

  Is their name Bob?

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  Euphemistic on 21/05/2025 - 10:24

  Instalming data points externally seems a recipe for either moisture or bugs affecting the connection or just plain making it easy for a nefarious actor to simple unplug the camera.

  • 

    geekcohen on 21/05/2025 - 10:59

    Instalming data points externally seems a recipe for either moisture or bugs affecting the connection

    Whilst yes, you can get outdoor rated connectors. I did an Install the other day where the inside NBN wall patch was full of ants, had moisture in it and had gone all yellow. So it can happen inside as well.

    just plain making it easy for a nefarious actor to simple unplug the camera.

    Only if it is in reach…… not all would be in reach. All depends on the height of eves.