[chaostheory]

Yes, wiring is the most complicated part of any outdoor video security setup. Since you can't avoid wires, even with wireless cams (unless you opt for battery operated cams like Arlo), it's just easier to use PoE so you won't need an electrician.

[dhimes]

For anybody else like me out there, PoE means Power over Ethernet.

http://www.veracityglobal.com/resources/articles-and-white-p...

[Mister_Snuggles]

I kind of cheated for my cameras. I simply put them in the window next to the front door and hid the power cable in the adjacent closet.

Because they're behind glass, using the built-in IR illumination is out of the question. Instead I use an LED bulb outside to provide light for the camera to see even in day mode.

It's not ideal by any measure, but it works OK enough.

If it were an option, I'd run PoE to proper outdoor cameras.