Home Security Surveillance Thread

[R_Bert]

Lately, a number of threads & posts have been centered around events are related to a need for surveillance of property.

 

I myself am becoming increasingly concerned about surveillance and monitoring at my house.

 

 

SO - given a modest homeowners budget, what are good ideas and options for stand-alone video security surveillance systems that can be self installed and operated?

 

Needs:

 

-a remote camera capability for some video channels (solar or battery powered at remote points)

-some of the cameras will need outdoor capability or protection

-digital capture & editing

-infrared capability (~100' to property lines)

-can interface with house alarm system, but not required 

-ability to expand (8-16 cameras or more)

-does *not* have to be a "kit"

 

-other ??

[MississippiBoy]

If you are a Sam's club member they had some items that match most of your points. That might be a place to start research and go from there. I helped install one if the wired 8 camera systems a couple of years ago and it was easy once you got the wires pulled to set up. I think you would need a separate editing software for most of the brands that I have seen.

[R_Bert]

If you are a Sam's club member they had some items that match most of your points. That might be a place to start research and go from there. I helped install one if the wired 8 camera systems a couple of years ago and it was easy once you got the wires pulled to set up. I think you would need a separate editing software for most of the brands that I have seen.

I looked on-line at the Sam's website this week.  They have dozens of choices.  I hope to narrow down, or at least weed out the bad ones.

[Tncobra]

I have Kguard that i got from newegg. Ill edit the model number later $380ish to the door.

 

Its a 4 camera but has 8 channel to expand. 500gig. Rolls over in about a month at 24 frames/sec. Its might say 240 FPS but divide that number in cameras and resolution. Mouse & Remote, Safari browser, windows etc web & smart phone support. Supports sound too. Motion activated or stream record. Event notice as well/email etc.

 

Daytime the video is great, nightime the subject need to be close to see features. The model I have supports a panning zooming camera is another reason I got it. Im still looking for a good camera for that. That way I can look around, or just point it where needed.

[R_Bert]

question - do any systems allow stream record (for maximum capture sensitivity on review) simultaneous with scene change detection for alarms?

[Dolomite_supafly]

If you get power over IP cameras you can extend the range substantially. They are the cameras that use network cabling for both power and video signal. You can extend the range a lot farther than with a wireless system and you also do not have to run seperate power lines. Sams does have a lower end system that uses these cameras.

 

Dolomite

[Guest Mad4rcn]

About a year ago I got a Diesel13,I now have a Diesel102.

 

A year ago we got a Blue Pit and he weighed 13 pds,now 102.

He is a house pet and he is an excellent inside dog. Wouldn't trade

him for gold.

[Guest CCI]

Lots of camera, surveillance stuff.

 

http://www.brickhousesecurity.com/

[Sam1]

Most of the systems you buy are all the same, made in China stuff with different stickers and logos on the outside of the parts. With that said, I would suggest getting a system from anywhere that has a good return policy so you can set it up and see how it works for a week or two. Actually seeing the system in place and working is the only way to know if it will work for your needs.

 

<edit> to specifically answer the capture and editing, you won't want any system that can edit the tapes for data integrity reasons in case it is needed for evidence. 

Edited December 14, 2012 by Sam1

[Jesse]

im confused on how the recording works.  i knothey use a dvr type thing. but does it record 24/7?    what happens when it runs out of room?  i see a 500 gb kit on amazon.  can they be set up to record over old footage so it keeps going?

[glowdotGlock]

Once full, it will just start recording over the oldest footage

[R_Bert]

 

<edit> to specifically answer the capture and editing, you won't want any system that can edit the tapes for data integrity reasons in case it is needed for evidence. 

 

Understand the thoughts on edit capability and data authentification. Good point.

 

So, on most (or even some...) of these systems can one select and save short segments to file ?

[Tncobra]

im confused on how the recording works.  i knothey use a dvr type thing. but does it record 24/7?    what happens when it runs out of room?  i see a 500 gb kit on amazon.  can they be set up to record over old footage so it keeps going?

That's what I meant by "rolls over."

[Tncobra]

Understand the thoughts on edit capability and data authentification. Good point.
 
So, on most (or even some...) of these systems can one select and save short segments to file ?

Mine does, saves them to thumb drive or any external storage via USB. Also will email an event to you.

[Guest CCI]

http://www.safemart.com/articles/security-camera-tips.htm

[10-Ring]

I've been out of the game for about 3 years now but I used to install CCTV in retail stores.  I'm sure the technology that I was using is still in use but probably a lot cheaper now.  Here are a few suggestions off the top of my head.

 

1)  DVR is the way to go.  Get a big hard drive.  This is the heart of your system.  You should be able to select between recording all of the time or recording for a set period of time upon motion detection.   If you are just set up for motion detection you should be able to get a very large time frame before you are rolling the old stuff off.

 

2)  Stay away from wireless stuff unless there is no other way.  I've used it, you can get it to work.  Obviously the closer the camera is to the receiver the better.  Although many units claim they have 100+ yards of capability those units under real world use have an effective range of about 30 feet for a crisp picture.  These are best when you need a hidden camera. and can position the receiver in an adjoining room or the attic or basement directly above or below.  Sometimes if you are using a wireless it may be easier not to route it in with the DVR, an old TV/VCR combo with and RCA input and built in timer is all you need sometimes. 

 

3)  Hide your DVR.  Ideally in a safe.  It will not do you any good if you record the people coming in your house and they take off with the DVR.  You do not have to have a monitor hooked up to it all of the time, only when you need to review footage.  Long RCA cables that will reach from your safe to a monitor would be ideal. 

 

4)  A couple of good sources for stuff a)  Flea bay, yeah I hate it to, look for casinos liquidating their stuff.  They get the new top of the line stuff all the time and sell off their old stuff.  These are high quality cameras and usually go cheap.  b) Supercircuits.com I used to do a lot of business with this company.  They carry quality merchandise, have fair prices, and provide great customer service.  

 

5)  If anyone has any more specific CCTV questions feel free to PM me and I'll do my best to help you out.

[Jesse]

Im looking at a cheap unit that will email you a snap shot if it detects any movement. Thats pretty cool.

[gnmwilliams]

If you get power over IP cameras you can extend the range substantially. They are the cameras that use network cabling for both power and video signal. You can extend the range a lot farther than with a wireless system and you also do not have to run seperate power lines. Sams does have a lower end system that uses these cameras.

 

Dolomite

And you can get a ton of cat5 networking cable on monoprice.com for cheap. This is how I plan to do mine once we find a house to buy.

[Fourtyfive]

https://www.dropcam.com

I have 3 , love them , view from phone , iPad , Internet , off site recording. They will alert you if they hear sound or movement. Edited December 28, 2012 by Threeeighty

[glowdotGlock]

I think I'm about to pull the trigger on a complete set. Got some Christmas money burning a hole...

[R_Bert]

https://www.dropcam.com

I have 3 , love them , view from phone , iPad , Internet , off site recording. They will alert you if they hear sound or movement.

How are these powered ?

[Fourtyfive]

[quote name="R_Bert" post="871866" timestamp="1356838575"]How are these powered ?[/quote] They plug in the wall outlet (110v) with a 10 foot cord and AC adapter , they are WiFi to your wireless router.

[R_Bert]

How are these powered ?

 

 

They plug in the wall outlet (110v) with a 10 foot cord and AC adapter , they are WiFi to your wireless router.

 

What is the voltage output of the wall-wart ?

[Fourtyfive]

It is much like a I-charger , it takes a cord supplied with it and is USB at the charger and mini at the camera , you plug it into your computer first to sync with your router and then place it where you want and plug to the charger. The charger says it's output is 5 v.

[Guest Kamikaze]

I just installed a Swann 4 camera system from lowes. So far I am very happy. They make them in 8 and 16 camera units as well.
The cameras have night vision and motion detection. I have mine set like we do at work to only record when there is movement. It makes it much easier to review film that way. Another nice feature is a motion grid on each camera that you can set. For instance I have one camera that the main road is visible from. I can pull up the grid and turn off the squares that the road is in so every car that drives by doesn't set off the motion sensor. As soon as you hit my driveway though it starts recording.
Each camera comes with 60' of cable and extensions are cheap. They also have wireless cameras.