Are All Cat-6 Cables Created Equal?

Are All Cat-6 Cables Created Equal?

Cables are not all created equally. As your business grows, it is important that your technology supports it. You will want to ensure that your cables are set up for speed, easy organization, and effectiveness.

This article and chart explains more of the technical differences between Cat-5 and Cat-6 cables.

spec-chart cat 5e cat6a cables

Qualities of Cat6 Cables

There are basically 4 things that are differentiators for our preference in cables:

  • Gauge
  • Megahertz
  • Shielded vs Unshielded (shielding can be wrapped around either all 4 pairs or around inner pairs, individually shielded to prevent cross-talk.)
  • With spline vs without spline (splines allow cables to run at higher speeds over longer distances)

In a perfect world, we would prefer:

  • shielded
  • with spline
  • with thicker gauge
  • color coded

The cables we choose are Cat6e, 550 Mhz, and each pair is twisted individually to prevent cross-talk and maintain speed of network. We also are careful to color-code our cables so we can work fast, make upgrades easily, and keep things organized in the cable room. It makes it much easier and to plug into switches and network when each color cable matches a particular function.

Cat-6 Variations

Within the last several years, some installers have been choosing a newer cable that is really more like an “older” cable. It is confusing because it is a Cat6 cable, but it’s quality is actually not the same. Installers sometimes like it better because it is seemingly easier to work with. It is thinner, so you can fit more cables within a certain area, and it bends easier which can make installation a bit faster. But this is not better for customer, the business owner. It is a thinner gauge, and so you will be regulated to one gigabit for the life of the cable, not allowing for the most speed. The cables are not usually shielded, and so the cross-talk also causes interference and can limit speed of technology.

Networks Installation and Structured Cabling For Business Owners in Texas

Business owners just want their technology to function smoothly so that they can get work done and give their customers a great experience with products or services. San Antonio Camera Installation is hired by businesses around Texas for all of a company’s IT needs. We offer network installation and structured cabling, in addition to security camera installation.

Because we work across an entire IT network, from hardware to software, we are able to see things systemically. It’s important to us to keep the end in mind so that technology can grow with a business when new needs arise.

Security Cameras for Storage Facilities

Security Cameras for Storage Facilities

Self-Storage Facilities are upgrading their security camera systems during this global pandemic of COVID-19. We recently installed security cameras at 5 different locations for a security self-storage business in the Austin and San Antonio areas. They had many cameras that needed updating from the 1990s and early 2000s. Technology has advanced greatly since then.

security cameras for storage facilities

This is an excellent time to ensure that your cameras are working effectively. We are able to trouble shoot to find out which technology should be updated, and make any recommendations for upgrading systems. Contact us today for a free quote.

 

Trouble Shooting Old Technology for Security Camera Systems

It took quite a bit of trouble-shooting to determine exactly where the root cause of some of their complications. There were a couple other companies who had opted out of the job because they had preferred a simple installation. We do not mind spending time to understand and remedy a complex problem.

We replaced old cameras with IP based systems, ran new cables, changed the conduits, and changed the recorder in order to get better resolution from their screens. Each property had different issues, and we were able to resolve each one. We also installed new Uniview cameras where needed.

 

Contact Us for a Free Quote for Your Self-Storage Facility or Business

We install security cameras for commercial businesses all around San Antonio and Austin, Texas areas. Businesses with multiple locations especially appreciate that they have just one login to see all of their cameras on different properties.

Install Cameras For Your Billiard Room

Install Cameras For Your Billiard Room

Have you tried live streaming your pool tournaments with friends? How did it look with your phone cameras? Were you able to collect any donations from viewers?

Imagine if you could drastically increase the quality to make it an amazing experience for viewers, livestream on your favorite platform like Twitch, YouTube or Facebook, and then collect donations from anyone who is watching.

San Antonio Camera Installation can help.

We make sure you have everything you need with the hardware and software, and then train you on making it a fun and quality experience for everyone.

Live streaming has become even more popular this year as we were not able to gather in groups for a while due to the pandemic. Pool halls were closed, and so many people played at home and started streaming even more on social media platforms or watched countless hours of media, past or current.

This growing trend can be something you can participate in from your home.

Live Stream Your Pool Tournament

Here are a few things that make it a great experience:

  1. Position several cameras well throughout the room so that you can capture all the best angles. One camera is not enough.
  2. Mount the cameras properly. San Antonio Camera Installation makes sure they are mounted safely and correctly.
  3. Download OBS App to stream to your favorite platform.
  4. Have a microphone setup for quality commentating.
  5. Set up your computer to be able to manage OBS and coordinate the camera views and the commentating.
  6. Use Social Media to invite friends to watch.
  7. Include a payment option like PayPal or Cash App in case people would like to donate for viewing.

Contact Us Today for a Free Quote

Let us know if you have any questions. We love playing pool and have helped set up many homes with this equipment and training. We are even available for hire to help commentate on your next event if you’d like! Contact Us Today.

 

Upgrading Security Cameras in Essential Businesses

Upgrading Security Cameras in Essential Businesses

It’s a great time to consider installing or upgrading security cameras for your “Essential Business” during this COVID-19 season.

Security Cameras in Essential Businesses

The coronavirus is affecting business around Texas and the nation. Some businesses are forced to close temporarily if they are not considered an “essential business.

Essential businesses may vary from state to state but generally include those who offer food, shipping or medical supplies and attention.

Many of our clients at San Antonio Camera Installation company are Essential Businesses like pharmacies, banks, nursing homes, and freight companies. They continue to need close monitoring of their facilities, and they remain busy and active.

Essential Business are critical to the infrastructure of our society in the midst of a crisis. Without security about food, medicine and shipping, we would move into a panic state as a society. It’s important that we keep them monitored from employee theft, vandalism, and any other suspicious activity.

Security Camera Installation in San Antonio

Fortunately, our business can also still thrive as our installers work independently and do not need to interact within close distance of others. Social distancing is a natural characteristic of our process.

If your cameras are not offering high quality resolution viewing, seem to be pointing in the wrong direction or do not offer as great a range as you’d like, it’s time to upgrade. If you are not sure you’d be able to download footage from your older cameras, now is the best time to consider an upgrade for your security systems.

You can call us for a quote over the phone. We will ask you about your property and can even videoconference with Facetime or Google to see your area. We order the equipment, schedule a time to install the upgraded security cameras, and then perform the professional installation. We can meet again for a separate virtual meeting to go over how to use the new equipment effectively.

Call today at 210-201-2754 if you are an Essential Business still in operations and looking to upgrade your Security Camera or IT Systems.