ology

Definitely go for IP cameras, IMO. Remember you'll need either an NVR with PoE ports, or a separate PoE hub/switch to power and connect the cameras via Cat5e/Cat6 to your NVR (if it doesn't provide PoE). Options include a dedicated NVR like a Hikvision, a NAS box like a Synology or a QNAP running their software or a dedicated PC running BlueIris. This tool can help you with camera coverage, but it may not be any good for off street non-google mapped areas: https://calculator.ipvm.com/ A wide angle camera (like a 2.8mm) will give a massive 90 degree view but will distort when people get close, whereas a 12mm camera will give a very narrow view (25 degrees), but give excellent close up shots. You'll need to decide whether to record constantly = eats up lots of disk space for multiple cameras, or record when movement/trigger is detected. Also consider the frame rate and resolution obviously too. Tool to help here: https://www.cctvcalculator.net/en/calculations/storage-needs-calculator/ If you want to backup the storage from the main recorder I'd personally either network to a PC, or a NAS and backup from their on a schedule. Or RAID it...

Thanks for the advice, I think I'll at least try and get the SAB to the main panel to avoid any power drops. Should be fine for total zones, will be well within the panel's maximum for the design. Will also look at battery capacity for running over a period without mains.

Hello all, I'm just designing a new Texecom Premier Elite (24 or 48) to replace an old disconnected alarm, plus lot of new cabling for an extension and replacing all PIRs, keypad and sounders. Currently the central point most cables come into is a hot boiler cupboard which I'd rather not install the new panel. Could I put 1 or 2 Premier 8XP expanders in this cupboard, wired to most of the zones, and then just cable these expanders to the control panel sited in a more sensible place? It'll be easier to run a single/2 cable to a new cupboard in extension from the expanders. Any issues with have virtually no main zones wired direct to the control panel and everything on expanders - or shouldn't you do this? Can a SAB sounder be wired to an expander, or does it have to come direct from the main panel? It'll also have a couple of remote keypads, with door sensors using their zones to save on cabling. New to these alarms (previously one was an old guardtec).