Security Camera Surveillance PC DVR

[Shaotai]

I'm looking to build a Security Surveillance system based on a PC with DVR capabilities.
I've got a Fry's locally where I can pick up some parts, but I also noticed Newegg with a bunch of cards, camera and misc hardware.
Anyone build one of these before? Advice/Suggestions needed!

I think I'm going with a 4 port Apec card (30fps) and 4 cameras.
I'll build the DVR box myself.
Newegg Link

 

[sygyzy]

What an interesting project!

 

[Shaotai]

Originally posted by: sygyzy
What an interesting project!

It's for a friends shop.
They have some equipment that want to keep close tabs on.
They also had a break-in in one of their trucks at night.


Budget is about $1500, I'll be setting up 3 cameras indoors with 1 outside with nightvision...

 

[sygyzy]

Are you going to set up dummy boxes? You gotta think of backup. If you make it obvious where the VCR and lines are, thieves will just steal or break the tapes/machines.

 

[Shaotai]

yeah, we may keep the dvr box in the main office in a locked cabinet. it's hard to say how we'll end up setting it up.
or build a cabinet off the ceiling...

 

[sygyzy]

Make sure to make at least one of the cameras not readily visible and the others very visible. One will deter them and the other will catch them if they are not deterred.

 

[Rubycon]

The USB device looks interesting.

We have a system onboard made by Honeywell and there are cameras everywhere. Neat stuff.

 

[Looney]

The DVR capture cards for these are pretty damn expensive though... like $500+

EDIT: wow, newegg has them for dirt cheap, compared to when i looked at them last year.

 

[Shaotai]

Originally posted by: Looney
The DVR capture cards for these are pretty damn expensive though... like $500+

EDIT: wow, newegg has them for dirt cheap, compared to when i looked at them last year.

Some are pretty pricey, especially the high fps type. (120fps?) Of course, the more ports, the more $$ too...

We're looking at something basic, but reliable and will just plain work...

 

[sandmanwake]

What happens if someone steals the computer where the video captures are saved to?

 

[AlienCraft]

My webcam came with software that did motion detection with ftp upload, email notification, which I made into a cell phone call.
maybe some creative use can help you out as well.

 

[Zipp]

I'm in the process of building a 16 camera PC based DVR system for a club that I run. I think I'll be going through Palmvid.com.

I just spoke to them the other day and they seem to know there stuff. I still have more research to do though before I buy one of there systems.

There 4 cam systems are pretty reasonable priced depending on your needs.

Check them out.

 

[quakefiend420]

i'm planning on setting up a 4 cam system for my house sometime in the future...i'm gonna use something i saw oline a while ago and build my dvr box into an old ups or something like that...hopefully if my place does get broken into they won't bother to take it