Home security camera system suggestions?

[Jeeebus]

Hypothetically speaking, I know this handsome, strapping fellow who has at least one pervert criminal of a neighbor (currently awaiting trial on things that could send him away for many, many years), the pervert's younger brother who is following in his brother's footsteps, and lord knows who else.

Notwithstanding the guns, two great danes, hurricane windows, etc. - I'm feeling paranoid today and am thinking about some sort of camera system for outside the house. At minimum, something that lets me see who's at the door (no peephole in our door for whatever reason), driveway, etc.

Suggestions? Experience?

 

[Phoenix86]

Hypothetically speaking, I know this handsome, strapping fellow who has at least one pervert criminal of a neighbor (currently awaiting trial on things that could send him away for many, many years), the pervert's younger brother who is following in his brother's footsteps, and lord knows who else.

Notwithstanding the guns, two great danes, hurricane windows, etc. - I'm feeling paranoid today and am thinking about some sort of camera system for outside the house. At minimum, something that lets me see who's at the door (no peephole in our door for whatever reason), driveway, etc.

Suggestions? Experience?

Hypothetically.

 

[highland145]

I know this handsome, strapping fellow

Stop stalking your neighbor. You gonna get kilt.

 

[SandEagle]

i'd consider a samsung dvr system. sams club carries them.

http://www.samsungsv.com/Model/Detail/10/Samsung-SDE-4001N-8-Channel-DVR-Security-System

 

[Cerpin Taxt]

I recently set up 5 IP cameras connected to my Linux server running Zoneminder. They're WiFi, so it made installation pretty simple. They don't have very high resolution, but they do the job well enough for me. I also don't have any "exterior" cameras, these just blanket my interior and cover the entrances in the event of a break-in. I like that I can monitor them from literally any internet connection, and there's an integration add-on for XBMC so I can monitor them from my HTPC pretty simply. The only drawback I've found is that they require Java to monitor, so I have to use hokey workarounds to monitor from an Android smartphone/tablet.

I do know that Costco offers some relatively robust CCTV-type systems, but you have to run a bunch of cables. Not familiar enough to know what -- if any -- internet access they could offer you.

 

[Jeeebus]

I recently set up 5 IP cameras connected to my Linux server running Zoneminder. They're WiFi, so it made installation pretty simple. They don't have very high resolution, but they do the job well enough for me. I also don't have any "exterior" cameras, these just blanket my interior and cover the entrances in the event of a break-in. I like that I can monitor them from literally any internet connection, and there's an integration add-on for XBMC so I can monitor them from my HTPC pretty simply. The only drawback I've found is that they require Java to monitor, so I have to use hokey workarounds to monitor from an Android smartphone/tablet.

I do know that Costco offers some relatively robust CCTV-type systems, but you have to run a bunch of cables. Not familiar enough to know what -- if any -- internet access they could offer you.

ya, ease of setup would be nice. Definitely need some type of screen/monitor to see who is at the front door.

 

[spacejamz]

Installing a peep hole is very easy if you have drill and the right size drill bit....Most front doors are hollow so drilling through it is easier than you think. Once you have the hole drilled, just insert the peep hole through from the outside and then screw the eyepiece on the inside...

When I was shopping for cameras a few years ago, I stayed away from ones with CMOS sensor (CMOS - cant make out shit) and got ones with CCD sensors...not sure if that has changed or not...

I think you will be happier with higher resolution cameras (520 lines IIRC)...

 

[Jeeebus]

Installing a peep hole is very easy if you have drill and the right size drill bit....Most front doors are hollow so drilling through it is easier than you think. Once you have the hole drilled, just insert the peep hole through from the outside and then screw the eyepiece on the inside...

When I was shopping for cameras a few years ago, I stayed away from ones with CMOS sensor (CMOS - cant make out shit) and got ones with CCD sensors...not sure if that has changed or not...

I think you will be happier with higher resolution cameras (520 lines IIRC)...

front doors aren't wood. Some sort of metal and opaque hurricane glass, so I'd rather defer to someone who knows what they're doing for a peephole if I went that route.

 

[gamefreakgcb]

Get this one. I just bought a bunch for my place and they're awesome. These are rebranded dahua's but they come with 2 year warranty from the store. (Not affiliated with them, just discovered them a few weeks ago.) For reference go to cam-it.org. Nice website for IP Cam guys.

http://empiresecuritycameras.com/p-...llet-ip-poe-camera-36mm-fixed-lens-onvif.aspx

I can't find the 2.8mm lens one. It has a wider field of view.

 

[Kaido]

I put in one of those cheapo Zmodo systems at a friend's shop the other day (they're always on Woot for cheap):

http://www.zmodo.com/

Worked fine. Run the wires, hook it all up, done.

 

[Kaido]

Notwithstanding the guns, two great danes, hurricane windows, etc. - I'm feeling paranoid today and am thinking about some sort of camera system for outside the house. At minimum, something that lets me see who's at the door (no peephole in our door for whatever reason), driveway, etc.

Suggestions? Experience?

You also might want to put in some fake security cameras. You can get one with a blinking LED for like ten bucks:

http://www.amazon.com/OUTDOOR-SECURI...dp/B004D8NZ52/

Then hide the real security cameras, or just use the fake ones as deterrents. A lot of jewelry shops do this...fake VCR and fake security cameras, then hide the real ones so the bad guys steal the wrong one :biggrin:

 

[Kelvrick]

This one looks interesting. 600tv lines, 4 cameras, just hook up and go and only $300.

http://www.costco.com/Swann-8-Chann...igh-Resolution-Cameras.product.100028117.html

 

[jpeyton]

Foscam on Amazon. Read the reviews.

 

[Sluggo]

Do some or all of the cameras have proprietary connectors that make it difficult to run longer lengths?

Or a standard type of cable that is easily extended.

 

[KK]

I got 2 indoor foscams powered up, not doing much more than being able to play with the cats. They have two way audio. I also got one foscam outdoor POE camera watching the drive way. I got that recording to a synology setup. I like their camera software that is loaded on the diskstation. Only bad thing is it's only good for one camera unless you buy a license for another camera or three cameras. One issue with the outdoor foscam has been the camera flickers between brightnesses causing triggered events.

 

[skyking]

Do some or all of the cameras have proprietary connectors that make it difficult to run longer lengths?

Or a standard type of cable that is easily extended.

cam cable is coax and power in one cable. Usually the coax is BNC connector. The power you splice with soldering, etc. Maybe crimp on some bullets.

 

[sdifox]

ip camera? You can usually stream to your phone.

 

[Stifko]

cam cable is coax and power in one cable. Usually the coax is BNC connector. The power you splice with soldering, etc. Maybe crimp on some bullets.

don't some cameras use Ethernet cable too? I saw a kit at costco last weekend that did. It was a 1TB drive DVR with 16 inputs with 4 outdoor bullet style cams and 4 indoor dome cams by samsung. I was gonna get it, but passed. It was about $738 I think. There were not many left and I saw some pretty good reviews somewhere for it.

Do IP cams hook up to a DVR?

How do wireless cams get power?

 

[skyking]

Most cheap DVRs do not have IP cam capability. Most do have the ability for remote web viewing.
Wireless cams hook up via a wall wart. I have extended the power cable by soldering on simple speaker wire when necessary.

 

[mrrman]

Ive got the Swann DVR system and its great, 4 cameras up to 8 can be installed, a 500 gig self contained DVR. You can access these cameras live off the web and I have an app on my Nexus 7 that allows me to see the cameras. Frys and Costco sells these and I bought mine for $299 after $100 off.

 

[Jeeebus]

Ive got the Swann DVR system and its great, 4 cameras up to 8 can be installed, a 500 gig self contained DVR. You can access these cameras live off the web and I have an app on my Nexus 7 that allows me to see the cameras. Frys and Costco sells these and I bought mine for $299 after $100 off.

How are they at night? Thinking I might spend the extra money on a 1080p setup, but from what I've seen, most camera footage is terrible at night.

The pervert's younger brother was out smoking pot with his loser friends the other night. Their next door neighbor, who is a cop in another city, saw them and went inside without saying a word. He called the cops. Woke up next morning, and all 4 tires were slashed on the wife's car.

 

[thekobyring]

I don’t think a Swann is a better option. I’ve read reviews and believe me, it’s not at all reliable.

 

[Midwayman]

http://www.networkcameracritic.com/?p=1444

Here's info on the swann 1080p.

 

[Doppel]

http://www.networkcameracritic.com/?p=1444

Here's info on the swann 1080p.

That is superb low-light for that price point.

 

[jaydenkintore]

Looks like a Swann is a reliable tool after all. :3