IP Camera PC build

[Anthony01]

Hi,

 

I've watched a bunch of Linus's videos and found them all useful so time to ask for some advice on a new build.

 

It's time to upgrade the security PC. Previously I have been running standard def cameras and recently started switching out to a mixture of HD and 4K cameras. I've already got the storage covered but its become apparent the old PC is not capable of handling multiple 4k cameras. What sort of specs would everyone suggest? In the end it would need to be able to run up to 16 mostly HD some 4K cameras. Currently they all record to an SSD then overnight backup to HDD's. Main issue currently is the CPU maxing out. Whilst on the subject I'm also curious of network limitations, how much data can pass through Cat5 at any one point? However I do it, all the cameras will merge into one Cat5 cable, is this going to be a bottle necking problem? I haven't used them before but have seen dual network cards, does this allow a PC to be connected to two networks at once meaning all the camera's can be isolated from the main network and not wasting bandwidth whilst the PC still benefits using both networks?

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Spakes]

4 minutes ago, Anthony01 said:

What sort of specs would everyone suggest? In the end it would need to be able to run up to 16 mostly HD some 4K cameras. Currently they all record to an SSD then overnight backup to HDD's.

For that I'd say look for Threadripper 1950x (or if you have money, 3950x), some fast RAM like 3200 MHz at least (3600 for 3rd gen ideally) in quad channel, some 10 gig NICs, Samsung SSDs (they have the most rewriting resource) purely for recording (in other words, have a separate SSD for OS), WD Red HDDs (if you plan on upgrading those).

9 minutes ago, Anthony01 said:

I'm also curious of network limitations, how much data can pass through Cat5 at any one point? However I do it, all the cameras will merge into one Cat5 cable, is this going to be a bottle necking problem?

Cat. 5 can only transmit 100Mbit/s through one single 4-paired wire, and that won't be enough even for 3 4K streams with bitrate over 30 Mbps. Let alone, one 4K with 80-100 Mbps...

There are wais to use more than one wire for LAN connection (like if you'll need 40 Gbps you can do so with 4 10 Gbps links), there were videos on LTT YT channel that cover this topic.

 

So, see what bitrate do cameras use to transmit their video feed, add all of those bitrates of 16 cameras together and multiply the result by 1.25 at least to have some room for other stuff from outer world of internet and potential packet losses or packet segregations that will create a huge queue of data that is going to wait for permission to enter your's PC memory.

[Anthony01]

Thanks Spakes, where would I see the lag if the network cable cant keep up? Poor image quality or more strain on the PC trying to deal with the queue? Ideally If I can get dual network then the camera network wont have any external data as there wont be a internet connection.

[Anthony01]

Any other suggestions/thoughts?