Posted: 9/7/2014 4:17:10 PM EDT
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I haven't done a search since tech changes so fast. After living in a crime free neighborhood for 35 years all of a sudden I had a burglary. Not too bad yet, and caused by complaisance on my part. We left our gate to our back yard unlocked and my guest house also unlocked. Someone walked in and stole the TV from our guest house.
The dog now has to stay outside while we aren't home plus we now lock everything. I'd like to get a camera system that can be monitored remotely via my phone or computer and has built in motion sensor. I see this system at Cosco and it looks like a pain to install. Anyone have good luck with wireless cams? Or is cabled the way to go? Since the dog will be setting it off when he's not laying down I want to be notified not the cops. I don't want a monthly service, I just want to be notified of movement and I can look and see if it's the dog or something else. After reporting the burglary to the local Sheriff I found out there are a couple of deputies that live close by and they keep an eye on the area best they can. I forgot to mention after the initial break in the burglars took two empty propane tanks, worthless but still disturbing. That day we left the gate open for the exterminator. Thanks in advance for the input. |
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I would go with wired. What's your wire run like? Attic? Need to go down any walls? I really want it put them outside. So I'd have to drill at least one hole to put whatever I need to keep inside like a drive or DVR. If I could cover my backyard and face the back of my house( I have a covered porch for mounting) and just one or 2 more to cover the front. We don't have an attic so it's going it's a pain. That's why wireless would be nice but last I looked at them a few years ago they weren't reliable. |
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Thanks, most if that's way over my skill level. Looks like to do this right it's going to be expensive 
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Use a quality DVR software. The good ones can have "motion detection" alerts sent to your phone via text (or email) and are also viewable from your smartphone. If I get an alert, I just click over to my app and pull up the cameras to see what's going on. Also, independant of the alert settings, you can set them to only record if there's motion. If you're ever reviewing recordings, this makes life MUCH easier. No motion, no recordings. You can check on an entire weekend that you were away in about 10 seconds (assuming there was no motion)
If the dog is a problem, aim a couple of the cameras near entry points (or other concerns) too high for the dog to set off (but high enough a burglar would walk right into view). Then, have the DVR send motion alerts for only those cameras that are above the dog's height range. And I would go with hard-wired if at all possible, no interruption or interference with the signal - streaming video needs some bandwidth if you're using decent resolution. Also, you want to make sure that the cameras are quality. Nowadays, you can get a good digital surveillance camera with good resolution (not like the crappy convenience store ones) for about $175. Whatever you buy, they're just like firearms and accessories (you get what you pay for). If you won't put a NCstar scope on your AR, don't put a $50 camera in your home. The field-of-view is also important to consider. Since most cameras only have about a 45 degree field-of-view, you can't be too close to whatever you're trying to watch. Get a wide-angle lens if possible, more expensive, but increases the space that you can be scanning for motion. As far as the DVR, you can just use a computer and put DVR software on it. You'll have to network the cameras and the computer, but that's easy enough your kids can probably do it if you can't. So, all you need is an old computer (but not too old), cameras, and your dvr software. I use Video Insight's DVR software, and it works great. ETA: PUT THE DVR COMPUTER OUT OF SIGHT (hidden in the attic is the best - makes the wiring easier). You wouldn't want the FSA running away with your "computer" |
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Thanks, most if that's way over my skill level. Looks like to do this right it's going to be expensive Quoted:
Thanks, most if that's way over my skill level. Looks like to do this right it's going to be expensive Don't be discouraged. There are a lot of folks on Arfcom who do this as a hobby and seem to look down on the packaged systems. The thing is, not everyone here has the time or desire to make it a hobby, and some of the all-included DVR kits are actually not that bad. Personally I prefer the stand alone DVR's over the PC approach. I've tried the "make a DVR out of an old computer" approach and hated it. Despite my best efforts, it was just high maintenance, seemed to require constant attention and was not really reliable. The DVR I replaced it with has been low maintenance and 100% reliable. I've been eying this system as an upgrade because my current system is a 4 year old 4 channel unit and I should have bought an 8 channel to begin with. That's the other thing - plan for more cameras/channels than you think you will need. That number always seems to go up once you get everything up and running. Some of the packaged systems do really suck though. You just have to pay close attention to the specifications of the systems you are considering, and separate the good from the bad. Don't just pick one blindly from the shelf of a box store without doing some research online first. As far as installation goes - yes, it is the hardest part, but not impossible. You will have to climb up on a ladder and drill a few holes in your house in order to mount the cameras. Running the wiring is usually the most challenging part of the job, but it is also usually a one time thing. It would be easier if you had attic access though. I'm not sure what to tell you there since I've always lived in houses with unfinished spaces that made running cctv wiring easy. Finally, a DVR lock box is not a bad thing to have if you experience a break in. Good luck! |
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I got a Lorex system from Costco. It's just like this one: http://huppins.com/lorex-lh1581tc8-8-camera-security-camera-system-with-1tb-dvr-and-stratus-cloud-connection#.VAzt2_ldXTo 700 TVL is nice, but I kinda wish I went with more. I can always update it. I wanted a system, I was out of the house for 10-16 hours a day, and money was tight. Mine is set up to save to a cloud and the DVR is small so it's easily hidden. I can even stream it on my phone using the Stratus network when I'm at work. People on this site HATE box systems, and they can go fuck themselves. They are 10x worse than BCM/Larue/Colt/DD snobs. Burglars want an easy hit - seeing cameras sticking out of every corner of the house will not be easy. |
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I've got two 8 camera systems (16 cameras total) currently running purchased off EBay. Buy the highest line camera system you can afford and at least a 1 terra HD and you will be good. My previous 4 camera system ran 24/7 non stop for 6 years with zero issues. Still works but I just decided to upgrade to better resolution and many more cameras with the 2 systems being split for redundancy should a thief break in and steal the DVR.
ZModo brand. |
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I really want it put them outside. So I'd have to drill at least one hole to put whatever I need to keep inside like a drive or DVR. If I could cover my backyard and face the back of my house( I have a covered porch for mounting) and just one or 2 more to cover the front. We don't have an attic so it's going it's a pain. That's why wireless would be nice but last I looked at them a few years ago they weren't reliable. Quoted:
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I would go with wired. What's your wire run like? Attic? Need to go down any walls? I really want it put them outside. So I'd have to drill at least one hole to put whatever I need to keep inside like a drive or DVR. If I could cover my backyard and face the back of my house( I have a covered porch for mounting) and just one or 2 more to cover the front. We don't have an attic so it's going it's a pain. That's why wireless would be nice but last I looked at them a few years ago they weren't reliable. If you got any construction skills Home Depot sells glow rods and flex bits to try and fish wires through walls / ceiling space but yeah it is a pain in the ass. Another option is wire mold. I would do wireless before wire mold. Hate the look of it. |
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Quoted: If you got any construction skills Home Depot sells glow rods and flex bits to try and fish wires through walls / celling space but yeah it is a pain in the ass. Another option is wire mold. I would do wireless before wire mold. Hate the look of it. Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: I would go with wired. What's your wire run like? Attic? Need to go down any walls? I really want it put them outside. So I'd have to drill at least one hole to put whatever I need to keep inside like a drive or DVR. If I could cover my backyard and face the back of my house( I have a covered porch for mounting) and just one or 2 more to cover the front. We don't have an attic so it's going it's a pain. That's why wireless would be nice but last I looked at them a few years ago they weren't reliable. If you got any construction skills Home Depot sells glow rods and flex bits to try and fish wires through walls / celling space but yeah it is a pain in the ass. Another option is wire mold. I would do wireless before wire mold. Hate the look of it. Drill your hole where you want the wire to go. Go into the attic and run a metal wire with a hook. Push it through the made hole. Go back outside, and connect the wire to the metal wire hook. Go back into the attic and pull the metal wire with the camera wire through and push it in to where you want your DVR. Instead of running back and forth, I got my dad to help connect the camera wire to my metal draw wire. Took us 2 hours to plan exactly where I wanted cameras to go to the finishing wiring. Took a few hours to construct my hide-a-way spot, and done. One day, 8 cameras at 100%. Even if you did "wireless", you still need to connect it to a power source - thus a wire. I liked my kit because the power and data ran through the same cord, hidden by the drilled in camera.
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If you got any construction skills Home Depot sells glow rods and flex bits to try and fish wires through walls / celling space but yeah it is a pain in the ass. Another option is wire mold. I would do wireless before wire mold. Hate the look of it. Quoted:
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I would go with wired. What's your wire run like? Attic? Need to go down any walls? I really want it put them outside. So I'd have to drill at least one hole to put whatever I need to keep inside like a drive or DVR. If I could cover my backyard and face the back of my house( I have a covered porch for mounting) and just one or 2 more to cover the front. We don't have an attic so it's going it's a pain. That's why wireless would be nice but last I looked at them a few years ago they weren't reliable. If you got any construction skills Home Depot sells glow rods and flex bits to try and fish wires through walls / celling space but yeah it is a pain in the ass. Another option is wire mold. I would do wireless before wire mold. Hate the look of it. In my case camera wires up through a small hole in a closet ceiling into the attic and out to the eves which are vinyl siding. Quite simple to run though vinyl soffit. |
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This might end up as the first *locked* security camera thread I've ever participated in. And I have to say, I never saw it coming. 
ETA: Really... who would have ever thought that spending thousands of dollars and thousands of hours on testing/system-changes/DVRs/illuminators/etc/etc, and sharing that knowledge, would be treated with such utter contempt? |
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I did this: Drill your hole where you want the wire to go. Go into the attic and run a metal wire with a hook. Push it through the made hole. Go back outside, and connect the wire to the metal wire hook. Go back into the attic and pull the metal wire with the camera wire through and push it in to where you want your DVR. Instead of running back and forth, I got my dad to help connect the camera wire to my metal draw wire. Took us 2 hours to plan exactly where I wanted cameras to go to the finishing wiring. Took a few hours to construct my hide-a-way spot, and done. One day, 8 cameras at 100%. Even if you did "wireless", you still need to connect it to a power source - thus a wire. I liked my kit because the power and data ran through the same cord, hidden by the drilled in camera. Quoted:
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I would go with wired. What's your wire run like? Attic? Need to go down any walls? I really want it put them outside. So I'd have to drill at least one hole to put whatever I need to keep inside like a drive or DVR. If I could cover my backyard and face the back of my house( I have a covered porch for mounting) and just one or 2 more to cover the front. We don't have an attic so it's going it's a pain. That's why wireless would be nice but last I looked at them a few years ago they weren't reliable. If you got any construction skills Home Depot sells glow rods and flex bits to try and fish wires through walls / celling space but yeah it is a pain in the ass. Another option is wire mold. I would do wireless before wire mold. Hate the look of it. Drill your hole where you want the wire to go. Go into the attic and run a metal wire with a hook. Push it through the made hole. Go back outside, and connect the wire to the metal wire hook. Go back into the attic and pull the metal wire with the camera wire through and push it in to where you want your DVR. Instead of running back and forth, I got my dad to help connect the camera wire to my metal draw wire. Took us 2 hours to plan exactly where I wanted cameras to go to the finishing wiring. Took a few hours to construct my hide-a-way spot, and done. One day, 8 cameras at 100%. Even if you did "wireless", you still need to connect it to a power source - thus a wire. I liked my kit because the power and data ran through the same cord, hidden by the drilled in camera. Yeah it's nice having a attic. OP said he doesn't have one. 
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True I don't have an attic. I do appreciate all the advice. Try this page for a couple of reviews on probably the best bang-for-your-buck cameras currently on the market. They are in the high $200's-to-300's each, but have the kind of performance you'd have paid $1000 for just a few years ago. I have installed several, and their motion-detection and alarm functions are good. Very good night performance, and 3mp. |
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I setup my own and ran all the cables. Not super easy, but careful planning and you can place them just about anywhere. Below is a short list of what you will need:
1: IP Cameras. I went with mostly Acti IP Cameras. I like the easy setup. Another option that I have been looking at that is cheaper is Hikvision but the user interface does not appear to be user friendly. 2: POE Switch. I went with a Netgear Gigabit POE Switch that I got a good deal on. Just make sure the one you get has enough POE slots for the number of cameras you will be running. I recommend getting more POE slots as you will more than likely add cameras as time goes on. 3: Cables. I bought a bunch of Cat 6 Ethernet cables in all different length for my camera runs. You can make your own, but I just bought the lengths I needed and went from there. 4: Computer. Get a good computer, but nothing too expensive. I just repurposed one and added a Gigabit network card, a couple of terabyte hard drives and some hard drive coolers 5: Software. Lots of options out there from top end Luxriot to more affordable Blue Iris. 6: Tools. Mainly Electrical Fish Poles to run the cable through the walls. 7: Depending on how nice you want your setup to look when it comes back out of the wall to the computer/switch, I went with a nice wall box.. This is just a small list. I did read a lot of reading in the Safes and Home Security forum, the CCTV camera thread, and from the guy posting above "TheGrayMan". He has all the answers when it comes to doing these cameras. |
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This might end up as the first *locked* security camera thread I've ever participated in. And I have to say, I never saw it coming.
ETA: Really... who would have ever thought that spending thousands of dollars and thousands of hours on testing/system-changes/DVRs/illuminators/etc/etc, and sharing that knowledge, would be treated with such utter contempt? Quoted:
This might end up as the first *locked* security camera thread I've ever participated in. And I have to say, I never saw it coming.
ETA: Really... who would have ever thought that spending thousands of dollars and thousands of hours on testing/system-changes/DVRs/illuminators/etc/etc, and sharing that knowledge, would be treated with such utter contempt? I kind of understand where it comes from, although I certainly don't share in the contempt. I'll try to explain. It seems like box systems and stand alone DVR's are heavily frowned upon on Arfcom, despite their overall popularity and there being quite a few people here who seem to utilize them. The information available on this site, while excellent, is heavily slanted toward complex PC based projects and systems. There are many informative tacked threads in the home security forum, but as far as I know, there is not a single one for people who are interested in box kits and/or stand alone DVR's. I understand that you or others may think they are boring and substandard, but they are still popular choices for a lot of people and businesses. I submit that they may even be better choices for certain people for one reason or another. I like this subject a lot, but I'm not a hardcore enthusiast, and I don't want to go the PC route. I just want a reliable system that works. My stand alone 4 channel DVR has been running 24/7 for roughly 4 years without a hiccup. It's video output is fed to my living room TV and my bedroom TV. Aside from routinely viewing my cameras on those two TV's, if no security issues arise, I may not touch the system for months or even longer, and I like it that way. I think there are a lot of people here like me that feel like we don't have a place as far as this subject goes. There are plenty of members that are quick to jump in to these discussions and bash the systems we like and insinuate that they are all cheap garbage and we should all be building PC based systems instead. And yeah, I get that some of the box kits are crap, but that doesn't mean they all are. Some get the job done just fine. I understand the plethora of options available with PC systems, but that doesn't mean I have the time, money, or patience for them. I like simple, reliable plug and play systems that provide decent resolution and don't break the bank. That's it. To be honest, I've been looking at new stand alone DVR's lately, but my personal feeling is that I should make damn sure that I avoid posting about them here, because all I'll do is draw hate from the pro-PC crowd. Or I'll be treated like a newb (I've been doing this for 15 years) and told that I should forget about stand alones and go into Safes & Home Security and read all the threads there. I'm not saying it's you, TheGrayMan. I certainly don't mean any of this to be offensive, so please don't take it that way. There is no hate here. It's just my opinion as an Arfcom member who prefers "the wrong kind" of cctv equipment and has to go elsewhere for information on it. |
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Look, I've always said that while I am not a fan of systems-in-a-box, they are certainly better than nothing. Some people are on a budget, and simply CAN'T afford more than that... And I certainly recognize the limits of everyone's household budget. However, I do look askance at people who have thousands of dollars in guns-and-gear (some have tens-of-thousands, or even more) and don't have even a basic safe, or a home alarm. Cameras are an extra layer to be sure, but you can now get impressive capability for the cost of one EBR+optics.
I've also said that you shouldn't spend too much on a system-in-a-box in case you upgrade (and some do) to an ip-based system. It would be a shame to spend $1500 on an analog system, when you can now get a MUCH better IP-based system for the same coin, with several times the resolution. People get what they can afford, and I've never mocked or ripped on a poster for putting up details of their analog system. In fact, posters like Speargun have their analog-system-reviews included (and credited) in the master CCTV thread, along with my thanks. So I don't get the angst. |
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With the box systems you are still running cable. I felt like if I was going to go through the trouble of running the cable I wanted a setup that I could upgrade and have more options. The pc based options are very easy and again customizable with options. Yes. And while you can run some HD video over coax (like the HD-SDI stuff), you are usually running analog. Whereas you can run everything over cat5/6... Including analog. |
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Hikvision makes some awesome ip cameras. http://i.imgur.com/FIxEwK0.jpg http://i.imgur.com/h8GEDFl.jpg I have a "parking-place cam" for my car too. 
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I have a "parking-place cam" for my car too. Quoted:
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Hikvision makes some awesome ip cameras. http://i.imgur.com/FIxEwK0.jpg http://i.imgur.com/h8GEDFl.jpg I have a "parking-place cam" for my car too. Great minds.... |
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Great minds.... Quoted:
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Hikvision makes some awesome ip cameras. http://i.imgur.com/FIxEwK0.jpg http://i.imgur.com/h8GEDFl.jpg I have a "parking-place cam" for my car too. Great minds.... Considering how often cars are hit, broken into, vandalized, or stolen, it just makes sense. |
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12 years ago after testifying against my neighbor at a felony trial ....
I have four analog cameras and a DTR which is hidden in the attic. The four cameras feed RF modulators that put their signal onto the home's cable system meaning I can see the cameras in every room in the house with a TV. I put microphones on the three cameras in the front - the side gate, the front door, and the one that covers the garage door and front yard. Only the one in the backyard doesn't have microphone. |
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12 years ago after testifying against my neighbor at a felony trial .... I have four analog cameras and a DTR which is hidden in the attic. The four cameras feed RF modulators that put their signal onto the home's cable system meaning I can see the cameras in every room in the house with a TV. I put microphones on the three cameras in the front - the side gate, the front door, and the one that covers the garage door and front yard. Only the one in the backyard doesn't have microphone. *nodding* Mine was a deadbeat, domestic-abusing violent felon as a next-door neighbor. Prior to that, I never gave a serious thought to cameras. |
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I hate the Lorex box systems. The cameras tend to be shit.
Find a dvr then buy the cameras you need. Plenty of recommendation in the security camera thread. I've got about $250 invested in mine, the monitor sits by my bed and at any time during the night, I can roll over and look at my yard and cars, and know it's all secure. My wife works nights and sleeps days. She does the same thing. No need to get out of bed for the UPS truck or LDS. |
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If you decide to go the analog DVR-in-a-box route, HERE is one that I've been recommending, for several reasons:
1. It's 960H capable, which means that it has 960 horizontal lines of resolution - and thus can record with better resolution than conventional 720 horizontal line "D1" recorders. This is a feature that can mean the difference between able to identify a person or vehicle in an image, or not. Don't settle for an analog DVR that isn't 960H capable, even if you don't have any 960H cameras yet - It'll give you some future camera upgradility. 2. It includes 960H cameras with the Sony "Super HAD-II" chipset. They work better than earlier-generation stuff - Better resolution and color fidelity during the day, and a MUCH sharper, less grainey B&W image at night. IMO, Sony's current camera chips are superior to anything out there that sells for anywhere near the price. 3. Aposonic's user interface is quite good - easy to set up, and easy to operate. With a lot of competing models, searching for any particular recorded event is difficult - even frustrating in some cases. As with most DVRs nowadays, it is IP addressable - You can use a smart phone or web browser to view "live" video from any of the cameras, or search for and play back recorded video. Most DVRs allow you to specify which portions of a camera image will trigger the record function and/or alarm. Typically, the alarm can either be a beeper built into the DVR, or a set of relay contacts on the back of the unit that can be connected to a doorbell, siren, etc. The video image from every camera can have its own alarm trigger settings. In some cases, this avoids the need to install separate motion sensors, door/window switches, etc. Example system: 
Each "block" in the image can set to either ignore or trigger on any motion occurring within it. |
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Here's the day crazy neighbor #1 discovered the cameras, http://youtu.be/GO0BrDEfZzA at this point they had been up for about 8 months. If I uploaded all of his antics we would be in the 10-12 hour range. *I don't know why the quality is so poor on YouTube. No link. Did you forget to cut/paste it? |
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No link. Did you forget to cut/paste it? Quoted:
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Here's the day crazy neighbor #1 discovered the cameras, http://youtu.be/GO0BrDEfZzA at this point they had been up for about 8 months. If I uploaded all of his antics we would be in the 10-12 hour range. *I don't know why the quality is so poor on YouTube. No link. Did you forget to cut/paste it? Maybe I did, does this work? http://youtu.be/GO0BrDEfZzA |
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Maybe I did, does this work? http://youtu.be/GO0BrDEfZzA Quoted:
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Here's the day crazy neighbor #1 discovered the cameras, http://youtu.be/GO0BrDEfZzA at this point they had been up for about 8 months. If I uploaded all of his antics we would be in the 10-12 hour range. *I don't know why the quality is so poor on YouTube. No link. Did you forget to cut/paste it? Maybe I did, does this work? http://youtu.be/GO0BrDEfZzA Funny how his neighbors appear to ignoring him when he's out there trying to engage them. Like they're thinking "Please go away and don't talk to me Mr. Crazy Meth-billy"
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Question for cams that use a DVR...what happens if someone breaks in and steals the DVR? In my case although I have not used the feature or figured out how for that matter, the DVR can also upload to the Cloud. I do not have mine connected to the net currently and have two separate DVRs running hidden in different parts of the house just for that reason. A lot of people put out a dummy DVR for this reason also. |
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This might end up as the first *locked* security camera thread I've ever participated in. And I have to say, I never saw it coming.
ETA: Really... who would have ever thought that spending thousands of dollars and thousands of hours on testing/system-changes/DVRs/illuminators/etc/etc, and sharing that knowledge, would be treated with such utter contempt? Quoted:
This might end up as the first *locked* security camera thread I've ever participated in. And I have to say, I never saw it coming.
ETA: Really... who would have ever thought that spending thousands of dollars and thousands of hours on testing/system-changes/DVRs/illuminators/etc/etc, and sharing that knowledge, would be treated with such utter contempt? that thread is *epic* and I refer to it constantly. Appreciated to death by tons of us. 
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