IP Camera Long Distance Ethernet Test

Author: John Scanlan, Published on Aug 12, 2016

Many often ask about running Ethernet beyond its standard distance of 100 meters for UTP, especially when cameras are 400', 500' or more away.

Will it fail? 

How We Tested

We tested lengths of Category 6 and 5e cables starting at 1000' (~300m), down to 300' (~90m). Plugs were directly connected to both ends, with three tests performed:

  • Camera test: We first tested whether cameras would power up and maintain link with a switch, whether pings were received reliably, and whether we could access the web interface/live video. Cameras tested included: 720p, 1080p, 4MP, fixed, PTZ, integrated IR, 802.3af and 802.3at.
  • Laptop test: Next, we connected two laptops together via the length of cable to see if they maintained link and check connection speed using iPerf.
  • PoE test: Finally, we measured voltage and wattage using a PoE tester at the far end of the cable to see if power over Ethernet was being properly delivered over the length of cable.

Cat 6 (yellow, below) and 5e (blue) were both used to check for differences in performance due to category rating or simply larger gauge (23 AWG vs. 24 AWG).

See our results inside.

**** ***** *** ***** ******* ******** ****** *** ******** ******** ** 100 ****** *** ***, ********** **** ******* *** ***', ***' or **** ****.

**** ** ****? 

How ** ******

** ****** ******* ** ******** * *** ** ****** ******** at ****' (~****), **** ** ***' (~***). ***** **** ******** connected ** **** ****, **** ***** ***** *********:

  • ****** ****:** ***** ****** ******* ******* ***** ***** ** *** ******** link **** * ******, ******* ***** **** ******** ********, *** whether ** ***** ****** *** *** *********/**** *****. ******* ****** included: ****, *****, ***, *****, ***, ********** **, ***.*** *** 802.3at.
  • ****** ****:****, ** ********* *** ******* ******** *** *** ****** ** cable ** *** ** **** ********** **** *** ***** ********** speed ***** *****.
  • *** ****:*******, ** ******** ******* *** ******* ***** **** ******** *** *** *** ** *** ***** ** *** ** power **** ******** *** ***** ******** ********* **** *** ****** of *****.

*** * (******, *****) *** ** (****) **** **** **** to ***** *** *********** ** *********** *** ** ******** ****** or ****** ****** ***** (** *** **. ** ***).

*** *** ******* ******.

[***************]

Key ********

** *** ***** ** ****** **** *** ******** ***', ** found ******* *** ********:

  • ******** ***** ********* *** ******** ** ***' ** ******** ******* of ******* **************.
  • **** ******* *** **** ** **** ******* *******, ** *** properly ********** ***** * ***' ***** ******.
  • ********* ******* *** *********** ********* **** ***** **** **** ****** *** standards-compliant *******.
  • *** *** ******** ********* ** *,***' (*** ******* ****** ******), but *** ******.
  • **** *** ** *** * ********* ********* ** *** *****, with ** ********* *********** ******* **** ** *** ********.

What ********* ***

****** *** ** ** ** ****** **** **** (~***') ********* to ******/***-*** ********. **** **** ** ********* ** ******* *** ********** ***** (installed *****, **** ***** ***** ** ******) ** **** ** up ** *** ** ***** ******, ****** ** *** **** of ** ******* ** ****** ******* ******, ***** ****** *** often *** ****, ********* ******** ******** ** *** *****. *** **** ******* ** ***** ******, ******* ****** *** ********** **** ********* ***** *** ***** *** ** ***** ************ *****.

Note **** ** ******** ********* ********** ****** *** ***/*** ******** *** ******* *** **** ******** **********. This test was performed to see maximum distance possible, but by violating standards you assume risk of potential future performance issues. Distances over 100m are not tested for longevity, interference issues, etc., which have been properly tested in <100m cables.

*** ***** ******* ****** ***** **** **** *** ***'/**** *****, see *** ******: **** ** ****** *** *******: *****, *** ********* *** *** Examined.

PoE ** ****'

** *** *****, *** ********** **** **** * **** *,***' box ** *****. ********** * *** **** ***** ** **** with *** ****** ** **** ******, ** *** *** **** voltage ******** *** ****** *** ***** (**-*****), *** ******* *** the **** ** ******* **** ** *******, *********-********* *********.

**** **** *** ******* *** ******** ** ******** ******* ** longer ***** ****, **** *** ** *** **, ** ***** to ********** *** ******* **** *** ** ********. ***** ******* were ********** ** **** ****, **** ******* ********** **** *** at ***' ** ** ** *,***', ***** ** *** ***** below:

******* *** *******/******* ***** ******** ********, ** **** ****** ** maintain * **** ** *,***', ****** *** ** *********** ** data *******. ******** ***** **** *** ********** ***** ***' *** shorter (see *****).

Video ******** ** ***'

************, ** **** **** ** *** ******** ********* ** ***' on *** ****** ******, ************ *** ******(**-*********-*).

***** ******* ** **** ****** *** *******, *********-********* ******* *** nearly *********, **** ** *** ********** *****. ** *** ** frame ****, **********, ** ***** ****** ** **** ******, *** or *****.

*******, **** **** **** *** ******** ** **** *** ******, with ****** ****** *** ********** (**** ** ***'). ************, ****** resolutions *** ********** *** ********* **** ****** ** ********** ******, as ********* ****** *** ** ***** **** ******* *** *******.

Reliable ** ****** ***** ** ***'

**** *******, ** **** **** ** ******* ******* ******* ******* ***** at ***' ********. **** ******** ******* *******: ****, *****, ***, fixed, ***, ********** **, ***.*** *** ***.***. *** ******* ****** at **** ******** **** ** ******* ***** *** ** ****** on ***** *******.

PC ** ** ***** ** ***'

** **** **** ** **** *** *** ** ***' ******* on **** *** ** *** *, **** ** ******* ***** and **** ********* ******* ******** ******* *** ***. *******, ****** were **** *******, **** ***** * **/*, ****** **** *********** for **** ***** *** ** **** *****.

Cat * **. *** **: ** **********

******* *** ****** **** ***** *** ****** *********, ** *** no ********* ********** ******* *** * *** ** ** *** tests. ** **** *****, *** * ******* ***** ***** **** Cat ** ** **** ********* (***'+), *** ** ** **** did * ****** ** ** ******* ** *** * *** not **.

Comments (34)

Undisclosed Manufacturer #1

08/12/16 12:17pm

*** ***. **** *** ** *** *** *** *** *** Camera **** *** ********* ** ** **** *********. * ** not **** ******* **** ****** ******* **** ******

Furong Qiu

In reply to Undisclosed Manufacturer #1 | 08/13/16 03:05am

*** *** (*******) ******** *** ******* ******** *** ********* ********* to ********* *** *********** ** *** **** *** **********. **** IPVM *** **** *** *** (*******) ****** ********* **** *******.

Undisclosed Integrator #6

In reply to Furong Qiu | 08/13/16 02:42pm

******* **:

***** *** *** **** ******* * *** ** ** ** the ***** (***** *******) *********? * **** **** **** ***** things **** **** ******* **** ** ** ****** ******.

***** ********** ** ** ***** ******* *** *****/******* *** ** a *********.

Undisclosed Manufacturer #1

In reply to Undisclosed Integrator #6 | 08/13/16 04:21pm

* ****** **** ** *** ******** ******* ** *** *** usa ******* ******* ** ** ******** **** ******* ** ***** to **** **** ******* ** * *********.

@****. *** ****** ******* *** ******* *****? ** ** ** competition ** ** ******** *** ** **** ***** ****. *** me ****.

John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to Undisclosed Manufacturer #1 | 08/13/16 06:52pm

**** ** * **** ** ******* ********. * ***'* **** this ** **** **** * ********** ** ******** ************ *********** implementations.

*****'* *** ** *********** ********* **** ****** *** ****** ******** runs.

*, * **** ***** *** ******* **** ******** ******* *********** for *******. **'* *** *********** *** **** ****.

Undisclosed Manufacturer #1

In reply to John Honovich | 08/14/16 12:11am

* **********. ****** *** *** *************. :)

german bravo

In reply to Undisclosed Integrator #6 | 08/26/16 02:41am

***.*******.** ** ***** *** ****

Undisclosed Manufacturer #8

In reply to Undisclosed Manufacturer #1 | 02/03/17 08:24am

***** ******* ****** ******* **** **** ********** **** ** * good ****.
********* **'* **** **** ****** **********. ********** ***** ** ******* cables ** ****.

Paul Charles

08/12/16 12:19pm

***** *** **** ***** -*- **** ******

Undisclosed Integrator #2

08/12/16 01:17pm

***** "**** **" *****. * **** * *** **** **** to ** ****** **** **** ******. **** ** **** **** look **** ***** *********** *********.

Thumbnail inpicture gert molkens k2

Gert Molkens

IPVMU Certified | 08/12/16 01:57pm

*** ******* ** **** ***** ****** ***** ***** **** **** and ********* **** ***'*. *****'* ** ********* **** ** **** work ** *** ** ****** ******.

****'* *** ******* ** *** *********: ****** **** ** ***** reliably ** *** ***** ** ****.

* **** **** **** ****** **** ******* ******* ******* **** fine. *'** **** **** * *** ** **** ****, **** time ** **** ** *** *** ****. ****'* *** *******, you ***** **** **** ** **** ** *** *** ** the ******

Thumbnail profile pic

Ethan Ace

IPVM | In reply to Gert Molkens | 08/12/16 02:20pm

*'** **** ****** ****/*** ****, ** ****, *** * ***** it's ********** ***** ** *** ********** ******.

**** ** *** ** **** **** **** ** *** ******:

Note **** ** ******** ********* ********** ****** *** ***/*** ******** *** ******* *** **** ******** **********.**** **** *** ********* ** *** ******* ******** ********, *** by ********* ********* *** ****** **** ** ********* ****** *********** issues. ********* **** **** *** *** ****** *** *********, ************ issues, ***., ***** **** **** ******** ****** **

Undisclosed Integrator #3

08/12/16 02:30pm

**** ***** ** ***** **** *** ***** *** *** *****?

Thumbnail scanlanprofile

John Scanlan

IPVM | IPVMU Certified | In reply to Undisclosed Integrator #3 | 08/12/16 02:50pm

**** *** **** ***** *******, **** *** ***** ********** (*** stranded), *** **** ** ** *** / ****** *** *** Cat5E ** ***** / *** ***.

Thumbnail profile pic

Ethan Ace

IPVM | In reply to John Scanlan | 08/12/16 03:53pm

**** **** ** ************* *** *** *** *** ** *** bigger ****** ** ****** (*******: ** *** *** ***** **** *****?) ** ** ****** ** **** ** * **** ** average ** ***** ******* **** ***** ***** *******.

Undisclosed Integrator #4

08/12/16 03:07pm

***** *******! ***** **'** *** **** **** ** *** *****, it ** ***** ** *** * ********* ****** ****** **** of **** ** **** ** *** *****. * ***** ********** that **'* ********* *** ***** *** ****. **** ****, ***** have **** * *** ***** ***** ** **** * ***' run *** **** ******* ** ****** ** ******* *********.

Undisclosed #5

08/12/16 03:19pm

****** *** *** ****. *** ******* ** **** ***** ** my *****, *** ******.

*********** ** *********** ******** ********* - *** **** ** *** Distance?

***** *** **** ******** **** *** ***** * ******'* **** been ** ***********.

*** *** *** * ***** ********? ** ***** ** *********** to *** **** * ****-*** *** ***** ***.

*** *** ****, *** ******* ********** *** ******** **** ******* out **** ***' ** ********* *** ***'* ******* *** ****** by ***.

****** *** ***** **** ** **** ****. ****'** ****** ********* to ****** ***** *********, ***** *** *** ****** ** ****** each **** * ********* ***** ******. **** ****** ********* ** left ** ** *** ***.

********* ******* ** **** **** ***** ********* *******, ***** **** point *** *********** ******* ***** ******* ** ***** **** *** interface *** ** ****** **** *** ******* ****** *** *** link *****.

**** ** *** ** *** **** ****** **** ******** ********* either *)********** (** ******) ** *) ******** ** ** *** ends, ***** ***** *** **** *******.

Thumbnail profile pic

Ethan Ace

IPVM | In reply to Undisclosed #5 | 08/12/16 03:55pm

** *** *** *** * ********.

Undisclosed #5

In reply to Ethan Ace | 08/13/16 08:42pm

**** ** ***** ** ** * ******** ***** *** ******* much ***********, ** ******* ** * ********* **** ***** ******** push ******* *** *** *** **** **.

*** ******** ****** ** ***** ** **** **** ***** **** on ** ***** *** ****** *** ******** **** ***** ******* as ****. *** **** ***** ******* *******, ** ** ******** legally ******** ** ****** *** ****. ;)

Bruce Cisne

IPVMU Certified | 08/15/16 02:17pm

**** **** ***** ******* **** ****** ***** ******* **** **** though *** ***** ** *** ****** ** ****** ******** *********. Our ***** ********** **** ********* **** ** ***** ** ******** cameras ********* ** *** **** *** ******. ** *** * junior ***** ******** ** ******* **** *** ****** **** ** a ******** **** ******* ******* ******** *** ***** ******* ****** of *******. *** **** ******* ** * ****** ********* *** draw ***, ** ****, **** *********** ****** ********.

*** ******* ** **** ** ************* *********, ***** ******* * report **** *****, ******* *** ********* *** ****** **** ** can ********* ****** ***** ****** **** ********** **** ********. *** TIA/EIA ******** ** ***** *** * ****** *** *** *** to **** ******* **** ** *** ** **** *****'* **** it ******.

Thumbnail usa shield

Luis Carmona

IPVMU Certified | In reply to Bruce Cisne | 08/15/16 03:21pm

******** **** *** ******, *****, *'* **** ** ******** ** your ******* ***** **** **** ***** ***** ************** ** ******* exceeding ***** ****** *****. ** ** ****** ** ******* ** there **** ****** ****** "****** ******** ********". ******* **** ** a **** **** **** *** ****** ***** *** *** ****** know. ******* ***** * *** *** *** ******* ****'* ****** always ** ******** ******* ********* ***** ***** ** **** ******* of *****, ** **** ********, ********* ** ********** ** *** technician/engineer ****, *** *** ***** ** * ******* ***** * test. * *** **** *** *** *** ******* ********** ***** without ***** ****** ****, *** ** *****'* ****** ******* *** is ******** ** ** * ******** ******* *** ******** *********** from *** ***** ****** *********.

**'* *** **** ***** ** **** **** ********* *** **** beyond ***** ***** *** ******* **** **** ** ****** ** always ** **. **** **** **** ** ****** ***** *** as * ************ **** ****** **** ****** ** ** **.

Robb Larsen

In reply to Luis Carmona | 08/15/16 04:21pm

******. * ***** *** ******* *****, "*** ********, ** **** you're *******, **** *****; *** ********** *******'* ** **** ********."

*** *******, ****** *** *******.

Undisclosed #5

In reply to Bruce Cisne | 08/15/16 05:25pm

*** ******* ** **** ** ************* *********, ***** ******* * report **** *****, ******* *** ********* *** ****** **** ** can ********* ****** ***** ****** **** ********** **** ********.

**, *** *** ******* ** **** *** *********** ** *** there ********** ** ****, ** ** ******* **** ** * question ** *** *********** ******** **** ** **** ******* **** if **** *** ** **** ** *** **** *******.

*****'* ****** **** **** ****** **** * ****** **** "*********" (and * *** **** *********** ** **** *** ****) ***** to "*******" ****** ** *** ************** ******, **** **** ** considered. ****-**-**** ******** *** ** ***** ** ******.

*** ************* ***** *** ********* ******* ***** **** ******; ******** yourself ** **** * ***** ** **** *** ******... ********, some ***********, *** **** * ****** *************** (******** **-*****), ** a **** **** ** ** ********** **** *** ********, *** something *** ****** *******.

******* ********** ** ***; *** ******** **** *** *** ****** agree **** ***, ** **** ******* ***, *** *** **** confidence **** *** ****** **** ** ******, **** ****'** ** their *** *** ***** **** *** ********** **-**** **********.

******* **'* *** **** *** **** ** **** *** *** properly ******** ** *** ************, ** **** **** *** ** there ***** **** ********** ******* ****, *** **** * ****** down *** **** *** *** *** ******** ****...

** **** **** "****" **** **** ***** *****,************** **** ****, *** ** *** ***** ******* **** **** factual *********** **** ******* **** ****.

***'** **** *** ******** ** * **** **** *** ********** relationship **** **** ****.

Undisclosed Manufacturer #7

08/15/16 05:41pm

*'* **** **** ****** *** ******. **** ***'* ****** ** answer ** *** ********.

** * ************, *** * *** **** **** ** ************* * ******** ************, ***** ******** *********.

* **** *** * **** ** ***' ** *****'* **** because * *** * *** ******* * ****** ** **** distance ******* ************* ***** ** * ******** ********** ** ********.

He **** ** ****** **** ****** ******** ********* ** *** ******* ***.

justin kozak

08/16/16 03:00pm

********* **** **** *********, *** ***** **** ** **** ******* with **** ****. *** *** ** **, *** **'* ******** not * **** ****.

Thumbnail mecontrolxxlusertile

Brandon Knutson

In reply to justin kozak | 08/16/16 03:45pm

**'* **** ***** ***** ** * ***** ****, ** ***** until ** *****'*

Undisclosed #5

In reply to Brandon Knutson | 08/16/16 04:49pm

**'**, ** **** **** ******* *** *******?

Undisclosed Integrator #6

08/17/16 09:32am

**** ** *** **** ** **** ***** ** ** ***** one ******* ******** **** ***** ***** ** (****** *** ***) geared ** ****** *** *** ****** **********.

*** ***** ** ** ****** (*** ****** **** ) *** this **** *****. *** ************ ** ********* ** ** **** the *** ***** ********** ** *********** ** *** *** *****: These *** *** ***** *** ***'* ****** "**** ****" **** switches.

** *** **** ** *** ****** **** **** ** ** way ********** >*** ***** *******. *** ********** ** * **** one: **** ***** ** **** **** *** *** ***** **********. If ******* ** ***** *** ************* ****** ** *** *** article *** ** *********** ** ****** ** ********** ** ****.

Thumbnail craig.portrait

Craig Mc Cluskey

08/17/16 06:35pm
***** *** *** ***** *** ****, *** ********* **** ** links ** *** *******. **** ***** *** * **** ********* for ****** ** *** ******.

Geoff Collins

11/08/16 05:56am

**** *********** *****/**********.

** *** ******* ***** *** ********* *** ********* ** *** only *** ** **, ** *** ** ** ******* * recently ********** ** * **** ********** ***** ******* ** *********, 4 ** *** ******* **** ***** ***** **** ** ****+ that **** *** ******* ** ***. ***** ******* *** ********* been ******* *** * ****** ** ****** **** * ** one **** *******.

Thumbnail img 1014

David Johnson

11/08/16 02:46pm

*'** **** **** ** **** ***** * **** ************ **** marginally ******** **** (***+) ****** **** *** * ****** ** months *** **** ******* **********. *'* ** ********** ** ****** out **** ******* ****** *** ******* ** ***** ** *** physical ************ ******** ****. *** ***/*** ***** ****** **** **** a ***** **** ****** *** ********* *** ******* ******* ** work ** *** *****. *** ** ******* * ***** ****** to ******* ********.

Robert Shih

SavvyTech Security | In reply to David Johnson | 11/08/16 03:19pm

******* **** ** ******** ********** *** **** **** ***** ******* have **** **********, * ***** **** ** ******* ** ****** to **** **** **** ****** ******* **** ******* *** *** distances *** ****** ** ***** ****.

Undisclosed Integrator #2

02/02/17 07:17pm

**** ** ***** ****** **** *** *** *** *** **** an ********* ******* ***** **** *** *** ********, *** ******** developed *****. **'** *** * ****** ***** ** ******* **** occasionally ******** *** *** ** **** ****** *** ****'* **** up ***** * ****** ****** **** ******** ** *** ******. We **** ******** * ****** *** * ****** ** *** instance.

** ******* *** * **** *** *** **** **** **** were ***** *** ** *** **** *** ***** *** ****** 360ft *** *** ***** ****** *****.

Undisclosed Manufacturer #8

02/03/17 08:59am

****** *** *** ****.
***. ******* ******* ******* ******** ** **** ****?
****** ***** **** ****** *** **** ***** ***** **** *****??
**** ******** ****** ** **** ***** *** ******** ******* ** theory.

Login to read this IPVM report.
Why do I need to log in?
IPVM conducts unique testing and research funded by member's payments enabling us to offer the most independent, accurate and in-depth information.

Related Reports

Startup Strops Completely Wireless Surveillance Camera Examined on Jul 28, 2017
European startup Strops has developed a surveillance camera that offers up to 6 days of runtime and cellular communications to create a fully...
$8 Billion Utility Georgia Power Enters Surveillance Business Offering Avigilon And Genetec on Jul 19, 2017
Utilities are typically considered major customers of surveillance integrators but one utility, Georgia Power, with $8+ billion in annual revenue...
Power For Burglar Alarms on Jul 14, 2017
In order to operate, alarm panels require the high voltages found in electrical outlets be converted to the low voltages they run on. In this...
Batteries For Alarm Systems Tutorial on Jul 11, 2017
Alarm systems use backup batteries in order to continue working if an intruder attempts to disable the alarm by cutting power to the building. In...
Smoke Detectors Guide on Jul 06, 2017
Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors add a life-safety component to burglar alarm systems. As intrusion detection sensors are used to...
H.265 / HEVC Codec Tutorial 2017 on Jun 30, 2017
For years, video surveillance professionals have talked about the potential for H.265. Now, in 2017, H.265 is starting to gain mainstream...
HID Edge EVO Tested on Jun 07, 2017
HID Edge controllers have been one of most common offerings in IP door controllers for years. The new generation is called Edge EVO. We tested...
Access Control AHJ Nightmares on Jun 01, 2017
For access control jobs, a single person can be the difference between finishing a job, costing thousands in extra dollars, and being profitable...
Arlo Go Cellular Cloud Camera Tested on May 23, 2017
Totally wireless surveillance cameras are growing but almost all typically depend on a hub and local Internet access. However, many outdoor...
Technician Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Guide on May 12, 2017
Technicians encounter multiple hazards when running wires and installing security devices. Wearing personal protective equipment, or PPE, helps...

Most Recent Industry Reports

Competing Against Tyco IS / JCI on Jul 28, 2017
Mega-integrator Tyco Integrated Security has gotten even bigger with the 2016 merger with Johnson Controls. 110+ integrators told us what they...
Startup Strops Completely Wireless Surveillance Camera Examined on Jul 28, 2017
European startup Strops has developed a surveillance camera that offers up to 6 days of runtime and cellular communications to create a fully...
Babel Street Global Threat Monitoring Tool Examined on Jul 27, 2017
Intelligence on potential threats and terrorist attacks can often be found online hours, or days, before an actual event, particularly in obscure...
Canon Sues Avigilon on Jul 27, 2017
Canon, owner of Axis and Milestone, has sued Avigilon for patent infringement in US court. This is a highly atypical move for Canon, pitting 3 of...
Anixter - Falling Video Prices on Jul 26, 2017
Falling video prices are such a concern that it has become a notable topic for Anixter's financial results and Anixter's executives. In this...
Bosch G-Series Intrusion Tested on Jul 26, 2017
Bosch is one of the biggest names in intrusion, and the company's G-Series panels are their most advanced commercial and high-security panels. But...
Healthy Skepticism for Deep Learning Is Prudent on Jul 26, 2017
The hype for deep learning in video surveillance is accelerating. Between the race to the bottom and dearth of a 'next big thing', certainly pent...
$28M Drone Detection Startup Examined (Dedrone) on Jul 25, 2017
Dedrone has received ~$28M in funding to build what they call an "automatic anti-drone solution", a system to detect drones, and then automatically...
Dahua Suffers Second Major Vulnerability, Silent [Finally Acknowledges] on Jul 25, 2017
Less than 3 months ago, Dahua received DHS ICS-CERT's worst score of 10.0 for their backdoor. Now, Dahua has received another 10.0 score for a new...
Hikvision H.265+ Bullet Tested (2035) on Jul 24, 2017
Continuing our tests of Hikvision's new low cost Value Plus line, we bought and tested the 3MP DS-2CD2035FWD-I, now including H.265+. We shot the...

The world's leading video surveillance information source, IPVM provides the best reporting, testing and training for 10,000+ members globally. Dedicated to independent and objective information, we uniquely refuse any and all advertisements, sponsorship and consulting from manufacturers.

About | FAQ | Contact