Armory Sponsor
Posted: 6/6/2013 9:11:13 PM EDT
|
There's been a rash of meth heads stealing stuff in our area, it got me thinking about some type of video surveillance system. I have some challenges though, both in budget and power availability.
The MS Paint below is my place. We're out in the country, about 350' from the road. The house has power and internet but the outbuildings (shed and barn) do not. 
I'm less concerned about covering the house as the common meth head thief would be plenty happy taking parts and equipment out of my barn and shed. There's a few trees in the way but I think there's enough line of site to locate the cameras at the house where there is power and internet to cover the outbuildings but I have no idea how to turn the cameras on and off. My first thought was a few trail cameras, but there must be something better I can use that can take advantage of the wifi and power in the house. Also, I'd like the ability to be notified via text or email when the cameras turn on but that would also mean notifications when I or my wife are coming and going. How can I setup a system that would only be recording when one of us isn't home? I currently have nothing for equipment other than the wifi setup and a laptop. Budget is an issue too. I have some funds for this project but not a lot. Something that could be done in phases would be a plus. Suggestions? |
| Use a bridge to suppy LAN to your out buildings via Engenius with the steel mesh parbolic type antennas. Works well for me over a distance of about a third of a mile. All you need is a supply of power, cat 5 run to each camera or go wireless. Wired is better, IMHO because its more reliable. This, of course, depends on how expensive your cameras are. I have been able to do quite well with Loftek 3200 and Foscam f18910w. I have 8 cameras I can access via my Samsung Android using NetEye wireless cam viewer which is free or an ad free version for four bucks. I can also view these cameras on my laptop using the supplied software in Windows XP or 7. You can use a timer or just leave them on all the time, which is what I do. I also have infra red illuminators strategically placed that automatically turn on when its dark. Both brands of cameras seem to work very well for my needs. They can be set to be motion activated at certain times or continuously, and to also give an email alert to your smart, or feature phone. |
|
I'd like the ability to be notified via text or email when the cameras turn on but that would also mean notifications when I or my wife are coming and going.
Look at Pysoft software; it turns your computer into a wired or wireless camera server. It'll do exactly what you are saying here. It's very nice software, very configurable. Also: there's an archived thread about home surveillance by TheGrayMan. Link 1 Link 2 Link 3 Link 4 |
| Seems the OP's larger problem might be the lack of juice to the barn/shed to run the cameras. You might be able to use a Power Over Ethernet solution... D-Link makes some inexpensive adapters. An alternative may be solar-powered WiFi cams. Google is your friend (in this instance). |
|
Everything you need to know
If your tech savy this is for you. I am not however and my head starts to hurt when i start reading it. I am to the point where i am going to send him a arial photo and say "this is my budget, this is what i got. Now tell me what to do." |
|
My $.02 ...
Rent a trencher. Dig a trench. Run conduit for power and ethernet for IP cameras. You can add them singly, or start with inexpensive ones and swap them out over time to say within a budget. Its a short term major hassle, but it'll save the forever minor hassle inherent to wireless networking. |
Armory Sponsor