Security camera solutions - what do you guys use?

[Doppel]

I'm guessing that setup wouldn't have the motion sensing/email video function of the IP based cameras or is there some option for that I don't know about? Of course that would also require an always on computer too I guess...you can get the 932L for just over $90 and I know the image quality on those are good plus you get the other options

As I mentioned, I think Mobotix is the only IP camera line that has autonomous motion detection and ability to do something with the events it records (like send to FTP) and they're $700+ cameras. Most if not all other IP cameras require a PC running anyway to interface with the camera's website. Without that PC it's simply running to little purpose, and some will record to microSD, or you can log on from a smart phone or other website to see what's going on, but that's a waste of time; without intelligent recording (preferably not to a card on the camera, at least if the camera is accessible) you need a PC and software running. Chances are you won't be watching the camera when/if something happens, so it has to happen eyes off, requiring a PC.

ok, wow. You are one of those I was mentioning that review products poorly that they do not understand.

ok, wow. You bought some entry level IP cameras (running on wireless, to suck in residential users--funny how when you spend a little more the professional IP camera manufacturers drop that gimmick and go to wired) and now you are the resident expert. If you're ok dropping $150 on sub-VGA picture quality it's your choice, but I aspire to something that doesn't remind me of the first web cams that came out in the 90's.

The multiple streaming low bandwidth of an IP camera hardly matters if you're not scaling up.

It's hardly reinventing the wheel. Plenty of people use webcams for security and if you're not paying to play (getting a good IP camera instead of straight-from-China to ebay level gear), you can get a quality camera with good picture quality. FWIW I want picture resolution that will let me get a plate on a car on the street, though. Even an entry IP cam would get a person's face pretty well up close.

 

[skyking]

There are dozens of cameras that do motion detection in-camera. The entire axis line does, from ~$150 up to the high dollar units. The axis cams can send a TCP message to a server, an email, ftp, you name it.
In the zoneminder application, they send a tcp message to the server telling it to record a motion event.
I have a dozen or so in the field.

 

[alkemyst]

wireless is used commercially as well, the problem is wireless doesn't scale well so you don't see a lot at the higher end.

For home use it's more than adequate unless you are adding many cameras.

My wireless cameras can also be wired should I want them to be...most wireless cams are wired/wireless.

Also the video quality is comparable to most of the kits of similar price you'd find in the big box stores.

As far as 'qualifications' I have a CCNA-Wireless and deploy these kinds of things. Obviously I am not deploying consumer grade cameras like these, but spending hundreds of bucks on a single camera when one doesn't even have a security system is a waste.

I also don't know what the F you are talking about as far as Mobotix being the only solution. All of my cameras do motion detection, all can send output to anything running FTP, all can email snapshots, all are remotely manageable...I think you spend an evening looking at IP cameras and think you are some kind of expert now.

If you are serious about home surveilance something like a NUUO or dedicated server which would run about $1500 with 4-6 cameras is the entry level.

Plates from the street is a whole different market, you will usually have to pair those up with a server that can do the video manipulation to keep the plate in focus.

 

[sportage]

I've tried a lot of webcams. All were unreliable, especially any from D-Link. They freeze up easily, needing recycling. Not good when you are away from home.

Then I came across and gave the VUEZONE camera system a shot. Have been using them for months and have found them 100% reliable. Since they work thru the vuezone website, you must rely on your internet connection being up and running. And vuezone does charge a fee for using their website, a must for camera operation, however vuezone has a limited free access plan also.

What I like about the vuezone cameras, they are very tiny, totally wireless and operate on a battery, and come with a magnetic mount. So they can be stuck up most anywhere. Vuezone claims the camera battery lasts a year. So far my cameras are still at full battery level, after 3 months of use.

The cameras have motion detection. They can be set to auto-record video when detecting motion, or to take snapshots, and or emailing you notice that motion has been detected with photos attached.
And, vuezone has an iPhone app so camera video can be monitored using a smart phone.
This feature has never failed. I have been able to login the vuezone site with the free vuezone iPhone app, and monitor camera video live. Very reliable.

Drawbacks, they do not work well in very low light, they rely on operation using the vuezone website, the number of cameras are limited. I think the free subscription is limited to 2 cameras, the pay service is limited to 5 cameras and they have a premium paid service with up to 15 cameras. (Something like that.)

The 5 camera subscription was $49 a year or $5 a month. However they sent me an offer for $19 yearly service instead of the usual $49, so I went on that plan.

But for quick camera monitoring, 100% reliable, from my cell phone, vuezone does that extremely well.
Cameras are battery operated with long life, so no wires at all. Cameras are very small. Cameras magnetically snap onto wall mounted half golf ball sized mounts, This makes it very easy to adjust the viewing angle at will. The cameras have a flat bottom so they can sit on a shelf or table (any flat surface).

Two different camera versions available, one with motion detection and another without, that costs less. Cameras can also be viewed from a computer. But all photo capture and video capture is sent and stored on the vuezone website under your account. Then you log into your vuezone account to view camera(s) live or access photos and recorded video taken by the camera(s).

Speaking for myself, I finally found a 100% reliable monitoring system where i can use my cell phone to monitor the cameras live from anywhere. And get email notifications whenever motion is detected. And battery life great, and not an issue. Got my system from Amazon, and have purchased additional cameras since.

 

[Doppel]

There are dozens of cameras that do motion detection in-camera. The entire axis line does, from ~$150 up to the high dollar units. The axis cams can send a TCP message to a server, an email, ftp, you name it.
In the zoneminder application, they send a tcp message to the server telling it to record a motion event.
I have a dozen or so in the field.

What level of function do these cameras have without that PC, though? Can the $200 axis cams run autonomously and upon events record to a hard drive and FTP without a PC helping them along? No, because it is not a decentralized camera like the Mobotix line. There are no inexpensive decentralized IP cameras and thus all require a PC to do anything meaningful with the information.

I also don't know what the F you are talking about as far as Mobotix being the only solution. All of my cameras do motion detection, all can send output to anything running FTP, all can email snapshots, all are remotely manageable...I think you spend an evening looking at IP cameras and think you are some kind of expert now.

Yes, it's quite clear you don't know what the F I am talking about, but that doesn't dull the edge of your aplomb. You don't even know what a decentralized IP camera is; your cameras are doing nothing without a PC commanding them. I've already told you the preeminent manufacturer of decentralized IP cameras so that you can do a little reading but you can't be bothered to educate yourself.

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Those VUEZONE have been very well rated on Amazon. Surprised they can go that long on a battery running without a wired power source! Concept is pretty good, automatically records everything off site. I see they have an outdoor shell, though not sure if the camera is rated at super low temps.

 

[alkemyst]

What level of function do these cameras have without that PC, though? Can the $200 axis cams run autonomously and upon events record to a hard drive and FTP without a PC helping them along? No, because it is not a decentralized camera like the Mobotix line. There are no inexpensive decentralized IP cameras and thus all require a PC to do anything meaningful with the information.Yes, it's quite clear you don't know what the F I am talking about, but that doesn't dull the edge of your aplomb. You don't even know what a decentralized IP camera is; your cameras are doing nothing without a PC commanding them. I've already told you the preeminent manufacturer of decentralized IP cameras so that you can do a little reading but you can't be bothered to educate yourself.

---

Those VUEZONE have been very well rated on Amazon. Surprised they can go that long on a battery running without a wired power source! Concept is pretty good, automatically records everything off site. I see they have an outdoor shell, though not sure if the camera is rated at super low temps.

Wow...it's clear a little information is a dangerous thing.

You should probably be looking at $25,000 cameras Doppel, I mean you are probably going to want to pick up heat signatures 1/2 mile away at your need level.

 

[Doppel]

Once again I have backed myself into a corner but instead of admitting it and that I was wrong I'll go with my typical MO which is distract and hope nobody notices.

FTFY

 

[alkemyst]

Doppel, if you have issues with wireless cameras; why would you want a solution that has to be sent out over a home WAN link?

Having a local 'PC'/storage device in a secure area is the proper method inside a home and most places.

Why don't you admit you learned some buzzwords and are playing fanboi to a camera lineup?

You should give a 'pro' a call, but you know they'd just chuckle a bit at your arguments with them.

 

[Doppel]

Doppel, if you have issues with wireless cameras; why would you want a solution that has to be sent out over a home WAN link?

Having a local 'PC'/storage device in a secure area is the proper method inside a home and most places.

Wired > wireless, when possible. Local storage + remote storage > either one by itself.

Why don't you admit you learned some buzzwords and are playing fanboi to a camera lineup?

You sound like a hick deriding an educated person's education. If you don't know the terminology (what you derisively refer to as "buzzwords"), it's ok to admit that. It's part of the learning process.

You should give a 'pro' a call, but you know they'd just chuckle a bit at your arguments with them.

Ah, the appeal to authority, for certainly a professional if he were here would see things your way, not mine, even though you haven't even tried to explain how I'm wrong (because you're already in over your head, as usual).

 

[alkemyst]

Wired > wireless, when possible. Local storage + remote storage > either one by itself.

Thanks, I think we all have that down. The same in the security arena when it's absolutely mission critical...guess what though, wireless sensors > wired for many home uses and will never let that home user down.

You sound like a hick deriding an educated person's education. If you don't know the terminology (what you derisively refer to as "buzzwords"), it's ok to admit that. It's part of the learning process.Ah, the appeal to authority, for certainly a professional if he were here would see things your way, not mine, even though you haven't even tried to explain how I'm wrong (because you're already in over your head, as usual).

When everyone in authority sees things in counterpointe to you chances are you are either a genius or idiot. I don't think you qualify for the former, except perhaps with on-line testing you took 20 times to reach 160+ IQ.

 

[Doppel]

Thanks, I think we all have that down. The same in the security arena when it's absolutely mission critical...guess what though, wireless sensors > wired for many home uses and will never let that home user down.

The Foscam mentioned earlier in this thread has many reviewers reporting its wireless simply not reliable or not even functioning out of the box. And it's not the only camera with that complaint. Running lines is a hassle, of course, which is why wireless is attractive.

When everyone in authority sees things in counterpointe to you chances are you are either a genius or idiot.

If only you could apply this wisdom to yourself.

 

[alkemyst]

Few things at play with that...one there are a ton of foscam counterfeits, two people can't even connect to comcast yet alone deal with port forwarding.

 

[alkemyst]

The Foscam mentioned earlier in this thread has many reviewers reporting its wireless simply not reliable or not even functioning out of the box. And it's not the only camera with that complaint. Running lines is a hassle, of course, which is why wireless is attractive.If only you could apply this wisdom to yourself.

The beauty of the that last statement is I sort of am a genius professionally tested even. :awe:

 

[Doppel]

From the cctvcamerapros site: http://www.cctvcamerapros.com/Wireless-Network-Camera-p/zavio-f3106.htm I like this look of this one, it's a $220 megapixel camera, which is among the cheapest.

Is there any reason to think it wouldn't work in sub-zero temperatures if boxed in? I've seen a lot of people use indoor cams in a weather proof case without issue, but some electronics don't like low temps.

 

[corwin]

What level of function do these cameras have without that PC, though? Can the $200 axis cams run autonomously and upon events record to a hard drive and FTP without a PC helping them along? No, because it is not a decentralized camera like the Mobotix line. There are no inexpensive decentralized IP cameras and thus all require a PC to do anything meaningful with the information.

You haven't done your research...even the lowly Dlink camera I just bought does motion detection and emails video clips to up to 3 emails, records video real time to my NAS, and can be remotely monitored...all without a PC "helping it along"...you really need to give it up

 

[skyking]

Can the $200 axis cams run autonomously and upon events record to a hard drive and FTP without a PC helping them along?

Yes, they do indeed.
I posted what I know and my background on the subject in an earlier post. I posted to be helpful to others on the subject. I have nothing to prove, my clients are quite happy with the systems I have in place for them.
I don't know a thing about the mobotix cameras so I won't make any assumptions on what they do or don't do.

 

[corwin]

Yes, they do indeed. I posted what I know and my background on the subject in an earlier post. I posted to be helpful to others on the subject. I have nothing to prove, my clients are quite happy with the systems I have in place for them. I don't know a thing about the mobotix cameras so I won't make any assumptions on what they do or don't do.

And helpful it was, well, helpful to those of us who don't have anything to prove either

 

[alkemyst]

They make heated and cooled enclosures normally you don't put a lower end camera in them though as the wiring and enclosure itself are pricey

 

[skyking]

If you put a cheap webcam close to the window glass and draw a curtain behind it to reduce backlighting, they work pretty good just looking out a window. I have several axis 207's running that way. Just another low cost solution that does not involve a lot of wiring and a housing.
doppel did hit on the most important subject with cams, especially the more high definition cams: On camera motion detection. Without it you are really in a bad place.
One of my clients could not wait for me to put together a system, and decided to "let the electrician do it".
He knew nothing and went to his supply house, who sold him bosch software and some massive megapixel arecontvision cams and housings and a high dollar POE switch. Arecont makes the cam that bosch rebadges for high dollars. The guy at the supply house had the bright idea to get the cheaper arecontvisions.
Guess what? the bosch software does not do motion, it relies on the cam. The cams he installed do not do motion. Different firmware. Different hardware. Can't flash to the good firmware.
It all got dumped in my lap to sort out

 

[Raincity]

I don’t understand all the hostility. If one wants to hook up some low end web cams or low grade consumer CCTV cams IP or wired to a PC/DVR or even a surveillance grade VCR through a quad or muck then be my guest. The old adage of you get what you pay for applies to CCTV equipment also. I would personally prefer something more robust and compatible than Zoneminder. Also cheap CCTV cams coverage may look great for the first couple of years. Once the iris control diminishes over time. They are not worth sh&t.

 

[OutHouse]

Buy ADT sign and stickers from ebay, you will be better off.

lol i did that like 10 years ago after my neighbors house got robbed. put stickers on all windows and a sign in the front yard. cost like 10 bucks.

 

[skyking]

I don’t understand all the hostility. If one wants to hook up some low end web cams or low grade consumer CCTV cams IP or wired to a PC/DVR or even a surveillance grade VCR through a quad or muck then be my guest. The old adage of you get what you pay for applies to CCTV equipment also. I would personally prefer something more robust and compatible than Zoneminder. Also cheap CCTV cams coverage may look great for the first couple of years. Once the iris control diminishes over time. They are not worth sh&t.

robust? Compatible with what?
It is absolutely true that a dedicated off-the-shelf is far easier to set up. It is only as robust as the hardware itself, and I have seen many in the scrap heap of after failed caps or power supplies or whatever kills them. Once anything is out of the warranty period that is all on you so robust is really a roll of the dice.
As far as compatibility, systems like zoneminder will accommodate cameras from many manufacturers. I rolled that big system into an existing setup with sony analogs. It was on a dead mux and VCR. I was able to integrate the old cams, new analogs, and IP cams into it. It has run 4 years now with two dead hard drives along the way, but it is raid 1 and it was never down.
I would not recommend it for anyone who is not already a linux user though.

 

[OutHouse]

Can the $200 axis cams run autonomously and upon events record to a hard drive and FTP without a PC helping them along?

link to the 200 AXIS buck cameras? i looked but the ones i see start at 500 and im interested in a outdoor network POE camera.

 

[skyking]

Outdoor without a housing will cost you big bucks. With a housing, medium bucks. You do get what you pay for as stated by Raincity.
The low end axis indoor cams are less than 200.
http://www.axis.com/files/datasheet/ds_m10_40705_en_1009_lo.pdf
Don't let the VGA resolution put you off. The image quality is very good.
It has sophisticated motion detection, and I have not tried the PIR sensors on these new cams yet. I am ordering a cam or two for a client today so I get to try that out
http://store.bluecherry.net/products/Axis-M1011%252dW--Wireless-Network-Camera-%28Axis-Part-number-0301%252d004%29.html

Here is a fixed cam that would be suitable for a housing outdoors, with POE:
http://www.axis.com/products/cam_m1103/

Those are around for $320~$350

http://store.bluecherry.net/product...,-SVGA-resolution,-Fixed-2.8mm-Lens,-PoE.html

 

[alkemyst]

lol i did that like 10 years ago after my neighbors house got robbed. put stickers on all windows and a sign in the front yard. cost like 10 bucks.

Most crooks know to at least to look for the alarm permit sticker.

Signs are better than nothing, but houses get nailed with signs and stickers all the time.