security system recs for new modular construction

[reality intrudes]

hello all,
My wife and i have ordered a ranch (over walk-out basement) custom modular
home from Simplex in Scranton, PA.
They have a general "cat5 wiring package" but i want to have security with
video monitoring (that i can call up on any tv in the house) & HDTV home
theater signal distribution whole house. My understanding is that cat6 is
required for that kind of (HDTV) bandwith.

I want the ability to check on the home security cameras from my office.
Unfortunately my home has only dial-up internet service- though it is via a
dedicated phone line (out in the boonies with no hope of cable modem or
DSL). I have only found remote-monitoring security systems that need
high-speed access.

1) what security system could fit my needs?
2) can it be run through a cat5/5e/6 setup or is separate wiring needed?
3) any EASY (WifeAcceptanceFactor is significant issue) way to
hardware/software handle the security & TV distribution/end-use on a
day-to-day basis?

i appreciate any help offered,
kurt

 

[Frank Olson]

hello all,
My wife and i have ordered a ranch (over walk-out basement) custom modular
home from Simplex in Scranton, PA.
They have a general "cat5 wiring package" but i want to have security with
video monitoring (that i can call up on any tv in the house) & HDTV home
theater signal distribution whole house. My understanding is that cat6 is
required for that kind of (HDTV) bandwith.

I want the ability to check on the home security cameras from my office.
Unfortunately my home has only dial-up internet service- though it is via a
dedicated phone line (out in the boonies with no hope of cable modem or
DSL). I have only found remote-monitoring security systems that need
high-speed access.

1) what security system could fit my needs?
2) can it be run through a cat5/5e/6 setup or is separate wiring needed?
3) any EASY (WifeAcceptanceFactor is significant issue) way to
hardware/software handle the security & TV distribution/end-use on a
day-to-day basis?

i appreciate any help offered,
kurt

1. You're going to have to chat with your builder and home manufacturer to
determine what they're offering in the way of security pre-wires. You're
going to have to explain the particular security concerns you have and see
whether they deal with someone that can address them for you.

2. Most security systems don't use cat5/5e/6. They typically use 22 guage
four conductor "Station Z" wire. Most alarm manufacturers don't recommend
using cat5 (or similar) cable.

3. There are several manufacturers that offer "modular" component cabinets
that have a very high "WAF". Look into DSC's "Concourse" in the "structured
wiring solutions" section under the "products" button at http://www.dsc.com.

Good luck!!

Frank Olson
http://www.yoursecuritysource.com

 

[Robert Manning]

Well it would be next to impossible to get remote video over a dial up
line, not to mention that if you wanted to do this in real time, the
computer (or video server) must be connected to the internet to be
able to process any commands you send from your office. IOW, you'll
need a line connected all the time just for your internet connection.
Picture transfer would be slow for any good quality pictures.

As far as your home theator HDTV needs, I would *strongly* recommend
you get your contractor to install a "bundle" cable that would include
(2) RG6 coax cables, (2) cat 5 (or cat 6) cables, and (2) fiber optic
cables routed to each location where you might want HDTV, to a
structured cable box where your utilities come into the house. This
will handle just about anything available today and into the
forseeable future for in-home data/video communications.

Expect to pay a pretty penny for the cable, though. And remember, not
all bundle cables are created equal, i.e.not all of them contain fibre
optic cables. One thing that might help you decide what you need is
to take a trip to your home entertainment retailer, and find out what
their requirements are for the equipment you want to buy, and upgrade
from there to "future proof" your home.

As far as the wife goes - I have yet to figure that problem out.

 

[reality intrudes]

thank you all for your responses.
it turns out Simplex outsources this kind of wiring to a local company.
i hope to meet with that person and my independent construction supervisor
very soon.
it is always helpful to know what is possible/practical/desirable going into
such a meeting.

are there a couple of established mfg companies that focus in the direction
i am thinking, who will be around & possibly integrate home
AV/security/mechanicals more in the future?

Simplex is the company that built the house currently being chronicled on
the "Bob Vila's Home Again" series- "Berkshire Mountain Retreat." that owner
readily spent $500k+, and i am trying to keep my expenditure to ~1/5th of
that!

regards,
kurt