F--K'n Vandals..home Security!! Tech guys..

[MotoSook]

So I get up this morning, open the garage door and go..hmm, that's odd. What's that brick doing in the driveway. I stand in the garage staring and turning the the wheels in the my head. Then I see where the brick came from. I thought one of our kids might have been playing with it in the drive, but I don't recall seeing it there when I came home last night.




Notice the scratch on the window.


F#@K! Some mother F&^Ker walked up my driveway, picked up a brick from my yard, and throw it at my Jeep! F*&Ken idiots! The brick bounced off the driver's window and hit the side mirror housing and cracked the mirror.

I know it's not major, but the thought that some P. of S. would have the balls to walk up my driveway, pick up a brick from an interior part of my yard and throw it at my vehicle has me in Rambo mode.

I grow up in some pretty sheety parts of my hometown and have always been vigilant about crap like this, but we moved to a nice hood a year ago. I never expected this here.

So now, I need some security tips. I'm planning on a few things, including CCTV to cover the yard, but I also want something I can tie into my PC (central home server).

Any of you techies have advice on how to rig up motion detectors to a CCTV circuit that's tied to my PC to record when motion is detected?

Mother F**Kers are going to hurt if I catch one of them. In the old hood, this sheet would have been handled by the right people...cop came by and took a report for the record, but I'm not satisfied. My yard and all that's in it is my domain. Anyone F**K with it will pay old school Souk Fu style!

SO! How do I build a CCTV system with motion sensing that's monitored by my PC? Seems I need some PC interface and software...anyone?

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Minefield. Kill the f*ckers.

I hate this *****. Sorry to hear this happened to you.

There's some new video software from MSFT that does "surveillance" mode on a USB webcam. I'll have to talk to one of my coworkers to find out about it.

[Moses]

www.X10.com

Lots of stuff. Relatively cheap. Works well. They have everything you need.

[350HP930]

If they threw it at the car window they were probably trying to break into the car.

After all the noise of doing so and not gaining entry into the car they probably bolted.

Valdalism is one thing, robbery is another.

Good luck on the system. Considering the amateurish break in attempt its probably just some juvinile delinquents that live in your neighborhood.

[bell]

yes that sucks .........but you may have gotten lucky.........merry xmas

[MotoSook]

Thanks guys.

My lady's car was in the driveway unlocked! The only thing visible and worth anything in my Jeep was a cheap Uniden radar detector. That's the only thing I can think of that they might have been after if it was a robbery attempt.

So I've been checking out surveillance systems, and it appears, smarter people than I have been working on a PC based system such as the one I asked about.

For relatively cheap, I can get a DVR card with cameras, set up a PC/Server, and BAM! With software I can program it to recorder on a timed basis or by motion detection. I can cover every corner of the yard and then some. And when I'm away...internet viewing! Pretty cool gear!

So anyone use one of the DVR card and digital camera's that would hook into a DVR? I'm really only looking for a 4-channel, but maybe 16 will allow for expansion if I need it for monitoring the garage too.

What about fps rates? Seems 20 or 30 frames per seconds are the lowest available (i.e. cheapest). With digital cameras, will it make much difference? Say between a 30fps and 60fps card?

[MotoSook]

Hmm. ..that could be good temporary solution. Thanks Wayne. I already have a network set up for just somehting like that.

I'll ultimately buld something with outputs to various devices, but that Linksys camera will be a fun toy.

[LeeH]

Easiest thing would be motion sensing flood lights. Lights on and they're gone.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

No, no...easiest thing would be motion sensing machine guns. Lights on and they're gone.

For good.

[LeeH]

After looking at the photo more closely I bet it was going to be a "smash & grab" to get the radar detector. When the rock hit the mirror they feared somebody heard the noise and took off.

[makaio]

I think you're right Lee. Probably needed something to trade for dope or sell to get dope money.

[jyl]

One of my friends has a crazy lady neighbor who, among other things, likes to cross into his yard and curse at him, the house, the cat, whatever.

He set up some of those X10 cameras in hidden locations. The next time crazy lady was in his yard ranting away, he called the police. Naturally she was in her home when the police arrived and denied everything, calling him a racist liar. He brought the officers to his house and showed them the recordings. Crazy neighbor had a very unpleasant conversation when the officers returned to her house . . .

I never asked too much about his setup but I recall the cameras needed AC power but connected to his network wirelessly, and everything worked quite smoothly.

[MarkP]

Side note - X10 filed bankruptcy recently, use caution.

[JavaBrewer]

Originally posted by Souk
My lady's car was in the driveway unlocked! The only thing visible and worth anything in my Jeep was a cheap Uniden radar detector. That's the only thing I can think of that they might have been after if it was a robbery attempt.

I had a window busted out of my old VW for some cassette tapes. The situation sounds like they were just running and grabbing. I think you're overreacting with the surveillance stuff. LeeH has the most sensible advice - motion floodlights - though I hate those too. My ex neighbors had them and they would go on everytime we pulled into our driveway.

[cstreit]

MarkP, that can't be anything but a good thing. I installed my pop-up blocker just for those ad's!

[Hugh R]

I have a wireless infrared motion sensor on my driveway. It sends a signal to a base unit in the house. Cost is about $75, I think its called "The Reporter" do a search and you'll find lots of them.

[RickM]

I bet it's kids on your street or the next street. Next time you see a couple loitering pull one over and offer $20 to find out who it was.

[MotoSook]

Originally posted by dmoolenaar
I think you're overreacting with the surveillance stuff.

Well, the incident is minor, but I don't think having a surveillance system can be considered over doing it.

I work out of my garage a lot and, and there may or may not be something that can "walk" off if I happpen to run inside to grab a quick bite or something. In the summers my garage door is open a lot, and the kids will leave it open sometimes.

For less than 300 dollars I can build a PC based system that will record any mofo in the act. If I'm away for an extended period of time, I can monitor via the net or receive alerts.

We have a Brinks system in the house, but nothing outside. I'm going to wire it up for full Hal-9000 mode, integrating the PC system. The same mad scientist view I take toward modifing my car has spilled over to the house!


Rick,

I like that idea...maybe 50 bucks, applicable toward the bill I'll send to the punks' parents.

In the end, I just want to catch the fool that dares to be so ballsy with my stuff...

You think if I hang him from the street light, the rest of the punks in the neighborhood will get the message?

Although Blue's landmine idea would be fun, the landscaper bill would be too much.

[jyl]

One word for you, Souk.

D-O-G.

[MotoSook]

John, I had a dog, and he was a great guard...situation changed..got rid of the then two dogs...maybe I'll get another one soon.