I have a customer that would like to get a camera system installed for a new day care center going up. One of the problems I can see with this is there are 2 buildings that need monitored. A DVR can go in any of the 2 buildings, but they are at least 200 feet apart and we will need to bury a conduit in the ground to connect the 2 buildings. Along with that I will need to get 8 cables from the DVR location to the other building. If the DVR location is 200+ feet away from the farthest camera, will it still function properly? Would the system be more stable if 2 DVR's are set up (1 in each building). If I set up 2 DVR's, will I still have to pull a CAT5 to link the 2 or is there a wireless way? Any input is appreciated? Thanks

VA, 200+ Ft. is nothing. You'll probably have another 200 or so Ft. to the actual camera location.
Still, no problem. I would use cat5 UTP for the cameras and go with 1 DVR. Forget wireless.
You may want to use network cameras although it's not necessary.
Dedicated Micros, Ganz and Panasonic all make a good DVR's. Get plenty of hard drive.
You could view this over the internet, password protect it and parents could periodicly check in.
The daycare center could use this as a selling point.
MrG

VA take a look at this item I have never used them so I can't give you any feedback

Thanks for the input guys. Im not too familiar with the whole security camera scene and didnt know I could get a DVR that could interface with CAT5 ( the only other system I did was all BNC). I was aware of the stand alone Network Cameras, but thought there would be an easier answer than trying to figure out a way to record and have all show up on the screen. Although I have read a few threads on this. SO I could maybe get a 12 channel DVR and 4 Network Cameras(for parental Logon and veiwing) at select area's? Is there an easier way to accomlish this? Thanks.

I would just look for a 16 channel triplex DVR. You actually can get baulans that will convert cat 5 to BNC. I like the muxlabs units. The just configure the DVR for remote viewing, you should be able to assign what cameras can be seen remotely

I would install 3 cat5 and use video baluns UTP-to-BNC, they work great.

Somthing like this Balun

Edit: Opps ...Ive actually used the one metelcom linked to.

I always try to avoid IP cams because i've had bad luck with them resetting from a power surge (and they all default to the same IP). Analog is set and forget till it gets destroyed or burns up.

If you aren't using PTZ/IR camera's then a Balun and Cat5e will get it done. Carry power and signal over the same cable. Just got to watch power dropping over the run (signal is usually good for well over 1K-feet even on cheap balun's).