Cat5e is pretty much a commodity item and plenty of brands sell perfectly adequate cable.
The main thing to watch out for is the wire material. You want "Pure Copper" also known as "Bare Copper" wire. Avoid cables built with "Copper Clad Aluminum" (CCA) wire.
There are also options of:
solid versus stranded wire (solid is generally less flexible, but easier to crimp on an RJ45 connector).
wire gauge. 24 AWG is normal for Cat5e.
jacket ratings. Read about Plenum rated cables if you aren't already aware of that. The gist of it is, Plenum rated cables let off less toxic gas when they burn, and it can be a legal requirement depending on where the cable is installed.
Yeah im going to run 23awg cat6 unshielded incase I change any of the cameras to ptz and want the extra headroom for power needed. Cat5e is way more than whats needed for almost any case except a very power hungry ptz. However, with a $30 difference ill just stick with the cat6. Shielded seems useless for residential use from my research. I do have 30 wifi lights etc but doesnt seem it will help having stp.
In a pinch you can use a cable with the more expensive CMP (Plenum-rated) jacket where a CMR (Riser-rated) jacket is called for but NOT vice versa.
If you buy cable with 23AWG conductors insure you get RJ-45 connectors that are definitely made for 23AWG. If the connectors you buy are for staggered wiring (to place them closer together in the CAT-6 connector) I highly recommend the 2 piece type (insert + connector).
If you do go the 2-piece route, I suggest after straightening and arranging the colors in order, that you cut them in a 45° fashion so that you can place them in one-at-a-time into the insert which is a LOT easier than trying to put all 8 in at once. Then put that into the connector, check for corrrect order and depth and then crimp as I documented at the end of this post.
Many on IPCT will suggest the pass-thru type RJ-45's. I can't bad-mouth the pass-thru, just never needed them or used them, been doing the old way for so long I'm OK with the non-pass thru type.
A little something I posted a few days ago on another thread ==>> here. I've been using Monoprice's 2-piece (Insert with lip and RJ-45 male) for my CAT-6 lately. Like anything, the first couple are not easy, but then you get the hang of it.
I have even better luck by using the non-serrated, flat part of my needle nosed pliers to gently flatten the wires, one at a time, in one plane then rotate the pliers 90 degrees and flatten in another plane. They then lay closer to each other, go into the insert easier, and allow the insert to get closer to the outer jacket, all the way up...
After shipping it costs what true cable costs so im just going with true cable.
I don't like pass through. I use to install low voltage and have done thousands of ends. Ill stick with the standard ends.
Im being impatient an md want to throw blue cable up but I'll be happier having seperate colors so ill wait for the box of purple for cctv to arrive.
Ill run regular data in blue and APs in something else like yellow. Just doing a very small home network setup.
I ended up finding new Trucable Cat6A for $125 per spool. Its yellow. I got one and kinda thinking i should go back for the 2nd at that price its more than half off. I wanted purple for cctv but it doesnt really matter.
I've used TrueCable for probably around 7 years with zero issues. That being said, I've only used their outdoor/burial cables and not the standard indoor stuff.
I ended up finding new Trucable Cat6A for $125 per spool. Its yellow. I got one and kinda thinking i should go back for the 2nd at that price its more than half off. I wanted purple for cctv but it doesnt really matter.
If your purchase this... please show pictures of the copper.
I am HIGHLY skeptical about any Cat6A 1000' cable box for $125. Cost alone would be near $200'ish.
I wonder if bait & switch. 1000 feet? Oh...typo... they meant 100' !
Or it's actually Cat6e, or regular Cat6.
Or...it's actually 900' of Cat3, with just 100' of yellow Cat6A wrapped ontop of the cat3 so you cant see it Wouldn't surprise me.