The Lorex Setup

         Recently I installed a surveillance system for a family eager to finish the last of their homes security system. Their must-have list was simple, they wanted a complete view of the homes perimeter and access to the footage via the internet. The solution, an all-in-one Lorex that provided eight high definition cameras and a DVR that easily connected to the homes network.

After finalizing camera placement, DVR location, and a few other details the installation was ready to begin. First up, cutouts for the junction boxes. Since the monitor and DVR would not be in the same location the project would need two junction boxes. The first cutout was made behind where the monitor would sit, the other, near the DVR's location.

Once the cutouts were completed holes for the BNC, HDMI, and Romex cables were drilled up through the wall cavity, into the attic. The BNC cables would bring the video from each camera to the DVR while the HDMI cable sent the combined footage to the monitor from the DVR. The Romex cable would supply power for all the equipment.

The HDMI and Romex cables were run from one junction box opening to the other; at the DVR's location the Romex cable was continued on to an existing junction box where power would later be tapped.

Next was the router connection, the Cat5e cable was simply a must in order to access the DVR footage over the internet. Using a nearby wall mounted phone jack we shared the access point and ran the Cat5e cable over from the DVR's location down through the opening. The phone

and data cables were terminated to keystone jacks for a much cleaner look then snapped into a dual port insert. We attached the insert over the access point to close it up and connected the patch cables to their respective places. The Cat5e cable was now in.

Back at the monitors location the Romex and HDMI cable were taken from the wall cavity and placed into the junction box, the junction box was then inserted into the cutout and the corner tabs screwed down until the box was fastened to the wall. Once the HDMI cable was passed through the

insert the outlet was wired-in. The insert and outlet were attached to the junction box and the cover plate installed. On to the next step.

Now for the wall mount. After finalizing height and mount measurements the stud was pre-drilled for the lag bolts that would anchor the base to the wall. Using a 1/2" socket wrench the lag bolts were attached to the mount and screwed down until the base was firmly secured to the wall.

The other half of the mount was attached to the back of the monitor, however there was a problem. Though the mount lined up perfectly to the monitor the mounts solid design prevented the power cord from connecting to the monitor. To fix this we drilled a large enough hole through the mount to fit the head of the cord. Twenty minutes later the mount was reattached and the power cord plugged in. The monitor and mount were latched onto the arm assembly of the base and locked in place. The monitor and all its equipment were now in.

We could now install the cameras and BNC cables. Quick note: before hanging each camera unwind the BNC cable and plug the camera end in first so as not to run the wrong end to the DVR.

Holes for the cable and camera mounts were drilled with either a masonry bit or wood and paddle bit, it just depended on where the camera was being installed. Because the BNC video connectors outer diameter holes needed to be a minimum of 5/8 inch. Camera mounts covered most of the holes, but where they didn't we filled it with 100% silicone.

As each camera was installed the BNC cables were brought back to the DVR, once all eight cameras and cables were in place the second junction box was installed. Just as before, cables were passed through and the corner tabs were screwed down until the junction box was fastened to the wall. The insert and outlet were attached to the junction box and the cover plate finished the look off.

Now that both outlets were wired-in and installed we shut off power to room and connected the Romex cable to the room circuit that it was left in earlier. That junction box was closed back up and power turned back ON, the outlets were tested and now ready to be used.

All the cables to the DVR were connected and the surveillance system turned ON. Adjustments had to be made to each camera until the homeowner was satisfied with all eight angles. The online portion was left to the homeowners since they wanted to do that part themselves; later that evening they called back and let me know that they were streaming the video through their phones via the home network. The project was now complete.

This particular project took a little more than a day from start to finish but if you plan on tackling a similar project there are a few factors to keep in mind.

1) Know how many cameras you need. Give yourself an even coverage of your home if not focus on the key areas like the front door, garage, Side garage door if your home has one, and the backyard door.

2) Know where your equipment will go. Make it difficult to find dont just have the DVR sitting out in the open.

3) The best places dont always have power nearby so figure out how you will get power to your equipment and factor in the extra cost. Running an extension cord is not a long term solution if your DVR is in an isolated location, have an electrician install an outlet for you.

4) And finally, have a backup plan, dont depend primarily on just the DVR to store the recorded footage have a place to store the old footage. This can be a flash drive, external hard drive or even the cloud.

I hope you've enjoyed reading this article if you have any questions or comments feel free to leave them below. Until the next one.