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How to Connect a PTZ Camera to a DVR – Viral Believer
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How to Connect a PTZ Camera to a DVR

How to Connect a PTZ Camera to a DVR?

You must identify the physical connectors when you want to connect your PTZ camera to your DVR. Then, you will want to wire them correctly and set up the devices using the RS-485 standard and the correct protocol. Continue reading to learn how to connect your PTZ camera to your DVR and what to do when you have multiple cameras.

ptz camera

How to Connect Your PTZ Camera to Your DVR

There are certain basic steps that you can follow to connect your PTZ camera to your DVR. Take a look at the following steps.

First, you need to find and identify the physical RS-485 connector in your PTZ camera. Locate the physical RS-485 connector in the DVR, and then run your wire between the two. When you use this RS-485 standard and twisted pair cables, you can send commands to your camera as far as 3,937 feet away and use more than one camera in a serial line.

Once the wiring is done, you can set the dip switches on the camera. This allows you to choose the parameters. You need to log into the DVR to set up the parameters for your PTZ camera.

The camera and the DVR need a common protocol, such as Pelco P or D. This communication protocol is made for PTZ cameras. If the same company manufactures your PTZ camera and your DVR, they will have the same protocol, so you don’t need to add a Pelco. However, if they don’t, you can add a Pelco P or D to ensure they can communicate.

How Many PTZ Cameras Can You Connect to a DVR?

You can connect multiple PTZ cameras to a DVR. This is a process where you will take several cameras and connect them so that they use the same joystick. You can connect one, two, or multiple PTZ cameras. If you are using cameras for surveillance of different building parts, you might want to use more than one camera.

You can connect the cameras individually, or you can daisy chain them. If you set up more than one camera, you will need a PTZ block that can take more than one 2-lead RS485 wire from the cameras to communicate with the single connection found on the back of security camera recorders. You need the PTZ block if you plan to connect more than one camera to a DVR because you can only connect one pair of RS485 leads to the back of the DVR. The connection is important because the cameras cannot receive commands from the DVR if they aren’t hooked up properly.

How to Connect 2 PTZ Cameras to a DVR

If you want to connect 2 PTZ cameras to your DVR, you will need a PTZ block that allows multiple 2-lead wires from the PTZ cameras because you can only connect one set of RS485 wires to your DVR. Once you connect them, you will need to configure the RS485 settings on your DVR.

How to Connect Multiple PTZ Cameras to a DVR

If you plan to connect multiple PTZ cameras to your DVR, you can either connect them through a PTZ block or daisy chain them. You can only daisy chain analog PTZ cameras, but IP cameras can use POE switches for a similar effect. You can daisy chain up to 32 analog PTZ cameras up to 4,000 feet.

There are three cables for power, video, and data. You need to ensure that your DVR and all cameras are set to the same protocol. Your manual should tell you how to do this. You will want to assign a distinct ID to each camera using the DIP switch, and you will assign termination to the last camera on the chain. To do this, you can turn it off on all but the final camera.

Final Words – How to Connect a PTZ Camera to a DVR

When you want to connect PTZ cameras to your DVR, you should use the RS485 connection. You can connect more than one. You can use a PTZ block or daisy chain multiple cameras. Make sure that the cameras and the DVR have the same protocol to communicate with each other. It is important because they won’t work if they aren’t connected properly.

Thank you for reading our article on How to Connect a PTZ Camera to a DVR!

Sources:

Pastor Duke Taber
Pastor Duke Taber

Pastor Duke Taber

All articles have been written or reviewed by Pastor Duke Taber.
Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of Life Pacific University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary.
He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988.
Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world.
He is currently starting a brand new church in Mesquite NV called Mesquite Worship Center, a Non-Denominational Spirit Filled Christian church in Mesquite Nevada.