web based surveillance

[foshizzle]

I need to setup surveillance cameras for a business(We can't get a professional to because they would be WAY to expensive, so I would like to be able to do it myself). I was wondering if any of you have had any experience in this and would be able to offer any advice.

The main features I want are computer/hard drive based recording(that way there's no tape to deal with, it will only record when there's motion) And I need to be able to access it remotely over the internet. Any other features are just gravy.

I did some research using google, and found out that I pretty much have 2 options( I think). They are both pretty much just a computer. On option is to purchase a stand alone unit, this unit would be deicated to surveillance. These would pretty much work out of the box, but they are generally a crapload more expensive($2500+ not including cameras/wiring).

The other option is for me to build a computer, and purchase an addon card that can run from about $500-$1000+. The brand of pci card that I'm looking at now is Geovision. I figure I could make the whole system for about 1200-1500. The advantages to this are that I would also be able to setup a very low use webserver(which we need to do), I could put in a cd burner in this for any backup that needs to be done on it( I don't think I can do that in the stand alone ones), upgrading, in case I need more cameras in it, is very easy. However, since I'd be putting it together, It might not be simple plug and play, like the stand alone unit. But I'd really like to build the system myself, if only for educational purposes. So I was just wondering if there's anyone that's had experience with this type of thing that could offer any advice.

 

[Pudgygiant]

Buy the X10, dude. For all the popups and crap they give you, I've heard it's a pretty good product.

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

I've tinkered with the X-10 stuff, and it's not bad, especially for the price. It's also pretty cheap to pick up a starter kit and try it out to see if it meets your needs.

 

[foshizzle]

haha, I don't think that would work for me. I need to be able to hook up between 4 and 8 cameras.

 

[Pudgygiant]

They have kits of 12, so 4-8 is no problem.

 

[foshizzle]

maybe I underestimate the power of those pop-up b@stards. Looking at their ads, I always just assumed that the only thing they were good for was to setup a camera to spy on people doing it, j/k. How is the video quality on those(can you easily see someone's face from 20 feet away?). can you set the camera up about 75-100+ feet from the computer? and does it have the ability to monitor it remotely from a distance. I'll go read up on it some in a few hours.

 

[foshizzle]

OK, I just took a good look at the X10, it won't accomplish quite what I need. They have a "live chat" thing there, and I asked the guy about what I need. It's all mainly software limitations though. In order to only record when there's motion, I would have to purchase a separate motion detector and set all that up. And I can only view still pictures over the web, no live stream. And I think it would all have to connect to a USB port, which might pose bandwidth limitations, unless they're using USB 2.0.

edit: I just read a little something about ethernet cameras. You can basically connect via an IP address. Does anyone here have any experience with those.

edit^2: nm, looks like the ethernet cameras cost about twice as much, and have inferior picture quality. The extra cost of 4 ethernet cameras over 4 regular cameras, is much greater than the cost of the pci card.

 

[foshizzle]

Is there anyone that can offer me any more advice on this. I would greatly appreciate it.