How to Install an Outdoor Security Camera

Perhaps you’ve read a few online security camera reviews. Through your reading, maybe you’ve pinpointed a few equipment pieces with features that match your exact needs. Now, with a little effort, it seems like you could combine them into a completely custom home security camera system.

With today's outdoor security camera technology and web-based video storage platforms, many homeowners can install and configure their own wireless security camera system without the need to hire a contractor. Plus, the mobile control apps that come with modern home security cameras make monitoring and managing a DIY security camera network easy, and convenient. While that's true in the case of most indoor security cameras, the basic guidelines for installing outdoor security cameras present some extra challenges. When it comes to DIY security camera installation on the exterior of your home, special care must be taken, especially on three key points. Those are:

1. Camera height — Mount cameras well out of reach.
2. Power supply routing — The closer the power source, the better.
3. Mounting security cameras to your home's exterior — You want secure and weatherproof attachment.

In this short instructional video, one of our professional installers explains the details of installing outdoor security cameras.

Equipment used:

[pamelahermano]

All this video taught me is that I need to hire professionals lol

[billbarndt]

Chain and magnet didn’t occur to me for fishing wires. Great tip!

[firminorules]

Let me just say that this guy is great. His presentation is solid, to the point, spot on good. Great presentation young man. Thank you.

[ArcadeSchool]

Thanks for the guide, it was very informative. Only thing I don't agree with is the wireless recommendation. Seeing how these cameras are for security, wireless is very insecure. First because it's possible for your neighbors or other people close by to tap into them, and second because it's possible for a burglar to use a simple WiFi blocker to cause interference and cut the signal for the cameras. If you want complete peace of mind, then the best option is to go with a wired system. The installation isn't much different since even with a wireless system you still have to cut the hole for the power, so with a wired system you're just running 2 wires through the hole instead of one. If you're worried about a mess of wires, then just install the cameras up high enough to run the wires into the attic, and keep the DVR up there as well. Then, simply drop your HDMI cable to a monitor on the main floor, either a.) down through a wall and out behind the monitor, b.) down the outside of the wall in an inconspicuous corner and route the cable neatly to the monitor, or c.) straight down to the monitor itself and covering the wires with a simple wall conduit.

[iShming]

Thank you! Finally a video showing physically wiring it! Great explanation. The ugly part! What about stucco? Run a wire through stucco? And what about running the wires entirely in the walls versus stapling? How does one do this? Where does one tap power? How about USB?

[greekboydinos]

clever idea with the glow rod and magnet

[jaimehugo]

I still don't know how to install a system, but thanks anyway. I need a video for "dummies". These videos sure assume alot.

[ChevroletGirl]

I love how he's outside in short sleeves and it looks freezing 🥶 some people handle cold super well, not me!

[miguel-iblgkth]

What i need is a full detail of what kind of wire to use and connexions

[gti]

The owners have great choice in cars. B6 A4 avant ❤

[Kristinapedia]

forget the security cameras... is that backdrop for reals? It's beautiful!

[moondoggie]

Would be nice to see a close up of the chain and magnet you are using.

[gerryd]

Love how wireless doesn't mean wireless anymore 🤣

[mondeusex]

Drill hole and put the screw. Thanks, genius ! Now we know it all

[KaliBlaz]

wireless cameras are very convenient BUT the video quality loss is inevitable, if you can get constant 25fps with no lags then go for it.

[brandonbarnhill]

I just talked to a Vivint rep and they told me that to get the Vivint Outdoor Camera, I had to have Vivint install it (to the tune of $150). That's pretty funny considering Vivint themselves posted a DIY video for camera installation.

[MrRalphF]

Can you explain what is wrong with drilling all the way through? How does drilling through prevent one from being able to "conceal the wire on the other side"?

[ShadySoldier]

You sir make that look to easy, I like the tip about the magnet on the string. I have 2 igeek wireless cameras are they worth me going to the efforts to install them, or should I just get a wired set with the hard drive etc? Cool video

[macster]

wired cameras also have motion.. not just wireless.

[TXRenegade]

So I can buy these third party and install them myself?? (A neighbor had the same system and is moving to a house with a system already installed) I don't see the option under "add device" for outdoor cameras. I only see doorbell, ping, and other devices like nest and Amazon echo....