Hello SJHart,
Yes, you need the connecting block, and also a 12 V alimentation. Like everybody till here said, these items are extremely reliable. I use 12 pieces of this equipment and they never went out of syns.
If you wich a less expensive solution, look for NILES CV12V. They only have current sensing modules, no video or audio sensing.
For the connection, see this thread :
[Link: remotecentral.com]Hope it will help