Talk to me about Home Surveillance Systems

[jarrodblake]

I'm looking to buy a home Surveillance System or build one. However I don't want to spend a lot $200 to start out I can always buy more cameras later. I only need three cameras but would like the option to add more. I have done a lot of reading on them. At first I was going to buy a set of IP wireless surveillance cameras. But I would like to have a DVR and not have to use my laptop to store the data. So I have read a lot of people buy a cheap DVR with out a hard drive and install a 1 or 2 TB hard drive then buy a nice set of cameras. Can I use any DVR with any camera? I am looking at a few 8 channel DVRs.


At the moment I'm looking at the 700TVL SONY CCD Effio-E cameras.

A Western Digital 2TB hard drive.

And a cheapo DVR AR 8CH Channel CCTV DVR Recorder for Surveillance Security Camera System H 264 | eBay

Any thoughts on this set up?

[Bugsinrugs]

I don't have much knowledge in this area but I have been looking at this setup
http://www.costco.com/security-surveillance.html

[jarrodblake]

Thats a really good deal, I may have to get it any others I should look at? or thoughts?

[RSBob]

It's too bad you have to run cables with that model. Wireless transceivers would be the way to go but probably not at that price point.

[jarrodblake]

They make a 2.4GHz Wired to Wireless CCTV Camera 4CH BNC Converter

Amazon.com: 2.4GHz Wired to Wireless CCTV Camera 4CH BNC Converter: Computers & Accessories

[jarrodblake]

Well I went and ordered it. Will update after its installed.

[petrolhead611]

I just bought a Foscam 18910 Wireless IP camera, and by opening two internal doors it covers my lounge,my morning room, and my kitchen, all the back rooms of my house.I can also pan the camera remotely, from office PC or my Blackberry, so as to look at my garage through the rear windows or out of the front window of my lounge. Works well in the dark too. It emails me with photos whenever anything happens, eg light on timer switches on or off, curtains on timer draw or open, hence wouldn't recommend an outdoor version ( which they have a selection of ) which would probably email you if a few leaves fell off a tree in its field of view.
It was not easy to set up for a semi-computer literate like myself, so I rang their helpline, and bingo, it was done. I would recommend this unit, it was about $80 including shipping. Thinking of buying a second one for my business premises. There are cheaper cameras on eBay that seem identical to the Foscam but I valued the technical helpline as worth much more than the price difference.

[Bugsinrugs]

I am more in the market for an outdoor system. Since I have been away a lot for work I would like to monitor who comes down my driveway from my computer. I am still in the planning stage.

[petrolhead611]

With an outdoor system, expect plenty of false alarms. I've just de-sensitized the motion detection from a 9 to 7 on my camera so will see what happens this afternoon.It can also be set to switch routinely on/off twice a day, but at different times each day incidentally

[A930Rocket]

What wireless system would work for a detached garage to verify the door is closed?

[porsche4life]

I would like to do a camera set up as well. Thinking 4 cams would be plenty. Problem is I'm not to hot on dragging all the cables. Even power would be tricky in all the spots I would need.

[911_Dude]

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

What wireless system would work for a detached garage to verify the door is closed?

Ive been thinking about getting the Nest Drop Cam for this task. Has some nice features. One feature I would like that this product does not have is to be able to record the video, for say a week, onto some of my 3 TB local hard drive I dont use. The drop cam only offers Cloud storage for a fee. Weak sauce But I still might get it.

https://www.dropcam.com/dropcam-pro

[jarrodblake]

I don't have much of an update but I installed the Q-See 8 Channel 960H Security System with 1TB HDD and 4 900TVL Cameras. In the costco link above, so far I really like it the video quality is really good! You can set timer and alarms and motion sensors and set it where it only picks up motion where you want it to. I have it so it only records motion in the areas I want it to. I just ran a preview and it works great. The phone app works great however the PC app does not work on windows 8.1 and it will not work in compatibility mode.

Here is a night vision screen shot, sorry for the cell pic with out the PC app I cant up load a screen shot, it looks better in person then on my cell. I have it hooked up to a 32' TV as you need a computer monitor there is 19'' or bigger to work. I will take a day time pic tomorrow the color is true and looks really good.

The cell pic also makes it look washed out.


I have also ordered a cheapo Wide Angle Lens 1000TVL Indoor Dome Camera for the garage. It should be in, in a week or two.

[jarrodblake]

Day time, its raining in the pic.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Hard-wired is the way to go. Avoid anything that depends on batteries other than as a temporary backup or it'll be a pita within six months and they'll never get replaced soon after. Upgradeability is key - more capacity is always better. PTZ cameras typically aren't worth the money - get better high-res static cameras. And 360° cameras are useless. 180° max. FOV.

Remember, cameras are only one part of a whole security approach and they're only as good as your local PD since you'll be going to them with footage of the bad guys after they've already broken in, stolen, done damage, whatever in the hope that maybe they can actually be bothered to try and find / arrest them. Increasingly not the case anymore.

Best of luck. I deal with security consultants a lot and this is a lot of what I hear these days.