Network Security System update

This is an update to an older post, here is the link. After a few years of use.  I noticed the network wires were sagging on the outside and making the camera’s disconnect.  I did the yearly inspection and noticed the plastic brackets that were holding the cable were cracking and breaking.  When I pressed on the plastic bracket they would snap instantly.  Granted, this was my first network security system that I ever installed.  I took notes of what I could do different this round with the gained knowledge.

Went to Home Depot and purchased 10 of the 10foot 1/2 inch PVC pipe, 3/4 Metal Brackets, and 1/2in PVC joints.  I still had outdoor rated Cat5e networking cable.  I wanted the cable and pipe to match the outside of the house as much as possible.  Also purchased a Klein 50ft fish tape.  This was a multi day project.  On day one we had to glue the PVC pipe with the joints and wait for them to cure.  While that the pipe was curing.  We replaced the plastic brackets with the metal ones and left them a bit loose.   Then once the pipe was ready, we lifted the pipe onto the bracket and tighten the bracket.  The PVC pipe was secured by the brackets.

The next day we used the fish tape to run the network cable from the camera to the NVR (Network Video Recorder). I terminated both ends of the cables on 4 cameras.  Then finished terminating the rest of the 4 cameras the next day.  It was a hot day and the heat was getting to me.  After terminating each end of the cable.  I would test the cable with my Fluke Network tester.  On the very last camera, I ran out of the white outdoor cable.  I had only enough from the camera to just inside the garage.  I originally decided to use a Cat5e coupler and fill in the rest with my indoor rated cat5e plenum cable.  I kept on getting many errors on the termination ends at the joint.  And I was high up in the garage ceiling were it was getting hot and stuffy.  At the end I used 2 Cat5e keystones and punched each cable end into it.  Then used another small 1foot Cat5e to join both keystones together.  It worked and finally got the last camera to work.  Now all 8 cameras are working flawless no dropping of video feed.

What is next? I am looking into converting my Laview system to a Zoneminder system while using the same cameras just different NVR.  My Freenas server has this capability built in.  Also BlueIris software has this capability as well. I would need to get a small windows pc for that option. Which would be a last option.  I would need to setup the cameras to ONVIF protocol instead of Laview protocol.  I would need to purchase a 16 port POE switch, since an 8 Port POE switch would be short 1 port to connect to the wireless bridge.

The reason I am doing this is due to Laview having reduced their original features.  The original phone app was removed from the Google Play store for a “newer” version which does not work with this system.  The website support documentation, links, PDFs are outdated.  I have emailed their support several times not even the support staff knew of the changes until I had to point it out via screenshots.  Originally, I was able to view the cameras on desktop/laptop/tablet via a web browser with an Laview add-on.  The documentation states Firefox is best. Then Support states “don’t use Firefox use Google Chrome with IE TAB”, then their last response was “We only support Firefox”.  For me to view the cameras I have to disable my WiFi.  Why? The cell phones data plan is technically using outside network to connect to my cameras.  The Peer2Peer mode that would let me view them inside the network does not work. The issue relies on LaView software end.  Your supposed to use the QR scan on the NVR and it will auto configure the phone to view the camera feed inside your network.  Every support article, every FAQ, and emailed support states “It should work”.  I have asked them if there is a port that is being blocked that I need to unblock or a setting changed.  They have no answer other than “no need to unblock ports”.

In addition their Laview DDNS free service website stopped working.  (screenshot below) I had to configure the NVR to my No-IP DDNS settings.  That resolved the remote viewing of the cameras.  I will beta test with one camera on Zoneminder and see if it works.  Then I will convert to the new system eventually. For now the system works with some tweaking.

Here are the pictures of the update.

Velcro and Plastic Tabs

Neat Supported Cable

Supported Cable

Creativity solution – Hey, It works.

Clean Exterior No droop

Before the Re-work.

Clean Exterior No droop

Front Porch #1

Front Porch #2

LaView DDNS