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AR15.COM
12/29/2011 11:01:35 AM EDT
Im moving into a new house in houston texas soon and would like it to be monitored by a good alarm system and possibly some security cameras that i can monitor from my cellular phone and use that vitamin D video processing software.

Can anyone recommend a quality alarm installation company for a good price or a camera system that i can setup myself which would suit my needs?
12/29/2011 11:10:55 PM EDT
[#1]
Wow, im surprised that With the size and wisdom of arfcom, no one can help me!
12/29/2011 11:33:52 PM EDT
[#2]
Quoted:
Wow, im surprised that With the size and wisdom of arfcom, no one can help me!


Hang on.. Everybody is drunk or watching porn..

Call 1-800-Get-Help
12/30/2011 12:48:02 AM EDT
[#4]
For the last week I've been working on installing and networking my security cameras.  I have a Digital Watchdog 4 channel DVR hooked to some HIKVision analog cameras around my perimeter.  I also installed 2 wireless ip cameras to play with.

I have remote viewing of my DVR and satellite cameras not connected to the DVR.  The DVR cameras will record on motion to a 1TB hard drive.

Inside the home I have 2 satellite cameras (Edimax IC-3030wn 1.3mp).  I got them off Amazon for $100 each and flashed the latest firmware when they arrived.  One is in my child's room, the other is in the room where I store my guns.  The camera in the gun room is set to record and email me when motion is detected.  Since my gun room has a biometric lock on it, and it's dedicated for guns and reloading, if I get an email that I don't expect I'm able to access the feed from a computer or my phone immediately.

In order to get remote viewing to work I had to create an account at dyndns.com to use their DNS server since I have a dynamic ip.  After that I had to setup port forwarding on my home router.  I downloaded the IP Cam Viewer Lite app from the Android market to be able to view the feeds on my phone.

With my system, Internet Explorer is required to have advanced control of the cameras.  Firefox will allow me to view and do basic operations.  I wish Firefox could do everything since it's my default browser.  I also struggled with IE9 x64 because the 64 bit version won't run ActiveX properly.  I have to run the 32 bit version in a 64 bit environment to get ActiveX to work properly.  If you're running a 64 bit computer IE will install both 64 bit and 32 bit.  You have to navigate to the 32 bit version and run that when remote viewing through the browser.

Later I plan on installing an Ademco Lynx Plus security system.  I won't have my service monitored since the police response in my neighborhood is slow because home systems are common and they have false alarms.  I'm mostly interested in having a system that makes noise so that system will be pretty basic.
12/30/2011 6:43:06 AM EDT
[#5]
Quoted:
For the last week I've been working on installing and networking my security cameras.  I have a Digital Watchdog 4 channel DVR hooked to some HIKVision analog cameras around my perimeter.  I also installed 2 wireless ip cameras to play with.

I have remote viewing of my DVR and satellite cameras not connected to the DVR.  The DVR cameras will record on motion to a 1TB hard drive.

Inside the home I have 2 satellite cameras (Edimax IC-3030wn 1.3mp).  I got them off Amazon for $100 each and flashed the latest firmware when they arrived.  One is in my child's room, the other is in the room where I store my guns.  The camera in the gun room is set to record and email me when motion is detected.  Since my gun room has a biometric lock on it, and it's dedicated for guns and reloading, if I get an email that I don't expect I'm able to access the feed from a computer or my phone immediately.

In order to get remote viewing to work I had to create an account at dyndns.com to use their DNS server since I have a dynamic ip.  After that I had to setup port forwarding on my home router.  I downloaded the IP Cam Viewer Lite app from the Android market to be able to view the feeds on my phone.

With my system, Internet Explorer is required to have advanced control of the cameras.  Firefox will allow me to view and do basic operations.  I wish Firefox could do everything since it's my default browser.  I also struggled with IE9 x64 because the 64 bit version won't run ActiveX properly.  I have to run the 32 bit version in a 64 bit environment to get ActiveX to work properly.  If you're running a 64 bit computer IE will install both 64 bit and 32 bit.  You have to navigate to the 32 bit version and run that when remote viewing through the browser.

Later I plan on installing an Ademco Lynx Plus security system.  I won't have my service monitored since the police response in my neighborhood is slow because home systems are common and they have false alarms.  I'm mostly interested in having a system that makes noise so that system will be pretty basic.


If you call dispatch and tell them that your house alarm is going off you will probably get a soa response time. If you call and say that your alarm is going off AND you'rs looking at the intruder live from tour phone or computer remotely and give location and description of them in your house, then we're going to HAUL ASS to get there.
12/30/2011 6:43:56 AM EDT
[#6]


A whole subforum dedicated to this, some good info there too.
12/30/2011 6:48:44 AM EDT
[#7]
I have heard ADT sucks .......other than that



Costco sells wireless cameras you can access and look around on from a smart phone
12/30/2011 6:53:05 AM EDT
[#8]
I've got a wireless setup that is monitored by Front Point Security. Easy to install, and great response time.
12/30/2011 9:33:24 AM EDT
[#9]
Quoted:
If you call dispatch and tell them that your house alarm is going off you will probably get a soa response time. If you call and say that your alarm is going off AND you'rs looking at the intruder live from tour phone or computer remotely and give location and description of them in your house, then we're going to HAUL ASS to get there.


My thoughts exactly.  Because of that I don't feel I need to have my noise making home security system actively monitored by a company.  I hope to use the noise making system as a deterrent so if an entry is made the intruder will leave quickly.  I plan on adding more cameras in the home to be able to view different rooms.  I started small just to make sure I could get the cameras networked and functioning the way I wanted.

I'm wavering on adding a LAN port to be able to have the noise making system also send me emails.  However, my wife works from home so I may end up getting a bunch of emails for door alarms when the system is active for "at home" use.

Also, thanks for the tip on Vitamin D.  I was struggling to get MileStone, Luxuriot, and Blue Iris software to find my satellite ip cameras.  I could manually enter the ip address, port, UN, and PW but the video feed wouldn't come through.  With Vitamin D I had no problem getting a feed and having it save to my second hard drive.
12/30/2011 9:37:52 AM EDT
[#10]
After fooling with security and camera systems for years,
I have found nothing is better and more reliable than a mean dog.
12/30/2011 9:42:14 AM EDT
[#11]
Can someone recommend a good wireless IP camera?  

I just want one to point towards my long driveway to see when someone comes here and sends me an email.
12/30/2011 10:12:52 AM EDT
[#12]
Quoted:
Can someone recommend a good wireless IP camera?  

I just want one to point towards my long driveway to see when someone comes here and sends me an email.


What's your budget?

There are bunch of camera makers like Vivotek, Dlink, Mobotix, Acti, etc.  Some will be for indoor use only, others may be for indoor use but can be applied outdoors through the use of a heated/cooled camera housing.  The camera housing will need either 12v or 24v power.  You'll want to take measurements to figure out the lens size that will work best for your monitoring area.  It can be tough and pricey to find to good outdoor rated wireless ip camera.  If you accept a power over ethernet (POE) camera things get easier.

Also, going with a wireless camera will still require you to run a power cord to the camera.  You will want to do a site survey and see what the wireless signal strength is from your router.  If the signal is too weak you'll be disappointed with the results.

In my home I have a gateway router in the basement then a repeater bridge router in my garage.  I'm playing with a POE camera made my Cisco in my garage monitoring my back door.  The POE supplies power over a cat5e/cat6 cable so there's only one cable to run since data also runs over the cable.  That cable then feeds into my repeater bridge router where it's sent wirelessly to the gateway router.  With POE you can do up to 100m runs which would allow you to get a camera way out there then deal with burying the cable.  By using a wireless bridge you can avoid having to fish a network cable to the gateway router.
12/30/2011 10:15:30 AM EDT
[#13]
Quoted:
After fooling with security and camera systems for years,
I have found nothing is better and more reliable than a mean dog.


How about three mean dogs?  



12/30/2011 10:17:59 AM EDT
[#14]
Quoted:
I've got a wireless setup that is monitored by Front Point Security. Easy to install, and great response time.


Me too, great company to work with.  Very responsive and setting up the system could not be easier.  Adding additional sensors is even easier.
12/30/2011 10:30:21 AM EDT
[#15]
http://www.smarthome.com/_/index.aspx?src=WG1000547&gclid=CNfw-6HDqq0CFcNdTAod-HP_mg



I'm a big fan of Z-wave technology. It all works wirelessly and seamlessly together and can be configured to notify you or allow your control via smartphone or the internet.



I have Vivint as my security company and they installed all my z-wave stuff....but I only have a few months left on my contract and then I'll be monitoring it myself and adding some stuff like ore remotely controlable lights and more camera coverage.



Here's a link...if you decide to go with Vivint, IM me so I can get credit for refering you.



http://www.vivint.com/
12/30/2011 12:01:37 PM EDT
[#16]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Can someone recommend a good wireless IP camera?  

I just want one to point towards my long driveway to see when someone comes here and sends me an email.


What's your budget?

There are bunch of camera makers like Vivotek, Dlink, Mobotix, Acti, etc.  Some will be for indoor use only, others may be for indoor use but can be applied outdoors through the use of a heated/cooled camera housing.  The camera housing will need either 12v or 24v power.  You'll want to take measurements to figure out the lens size that will work best for your monitoring area.  It can be tough and pricey to find to good outdoor rated wireless ip camera.  If you accept a power over ethernet (POE) camera things get easier.

Also, going with a wireless camera will still require you to run a power cord to the camera.  You will want to do a site survey and see what the wireless signal strength is from your router.  If the signal is too weak you'll be disappointed with the results.

In my home I have a gateway router in the basement then a repeater bridge router in my garage.  I'm playing with a POE camera made my Cisco in my garage monitoring my back door.  The POE supplies power over a cat5e/cat6 cable so there's only one cable to run since data also runs over the cable.  That cable then feeds into my repeater bridge router where it's sent wirelessly to the gateway router.  With POE you can do up to 100m runs which would allow you to get a camera way out there then deal with burying the cable.  By using a wireless bridge you can avoid having to fish a network cable to the gateway router.


I wish I could run CAT5 here and have a real setup.  But it's only temporary and way out in the sticks.  So one or two wireless cams will have to suffice.  I have two G routers though.  Plan on putting one on channel 1 and the other on channel 6, and only use one of them for the cams.  The cam will also be inside looking out a window overlooking the driveway and front door with a plug in really close.

I realized it was Friday and I want something setup for when I go back to work, so I ordered a Foscam fi8918w and it will be here tomorrow.  It pans and swivels and also has a microphone.  I think it will work out alright.  Some guys on here were happy with it and I saw a bunch of videos on Youtube that were recorded with it.  

The only thing is I'm worried the IR lights will cause a glare on the window, so it will be worthless at night.  However, I have a light that is always on so I hope that will be good enough.

Do they make bulbs that only put out IR light?  If so, that would be ideal.
12/30/2011 12:05:22 PM EDT
[#17]
FrontPoint Security/ALARM.COM

Self-installed, wireless system.  Best reviews on the net––look into it.
12/30/2011 12:27:34 PM EDT
[#18]
Alarm.com is da bomb. Sell it every freakin day and folks love it.
12/30/2011 1:39:41 PM EDT
[#19]
Quoted:

I wish I could run CAT5 here and have a real setup.  But it's only temporary and way out in the sticks.  So one or two wireless cams will have to suffice.  I have two G routers though.  Plan on putting one on channel 1 and the other on channel 6, and only use one of them for the cams.  The cam will also be inside looking out a window overlooking the driveway and front door with a plug in really close.

I realized it was Friday and I want something setup for when I go back to work, so I ordered a Foscam fi8918w and it will be here tomorrow.  It pans and swivels and also has a microphone.  I think it will work out alright.  Some guys on here were happy with it and I saw a bunch of videos on Youtube that were recorded with it.  

The only thing is I'm worried the IR lights will cause a glare on the window, so it will be worthless at night.  However, I have a light that is always on so I hope that will be good enough.

Do they make bulbs that only put out IR light?  If so, that would be ideal.


There are IR lights.  They vary wildly in price.  Start here to get an idea of what's available.  Some will be spot lights and others will be flood lights.

You should be able to crack open the camera and undo the wire connection for the LED lights.  Then you can use a outlet adapter for the light socket and run a 12v IR LED light outside to supplement the visible light.