Wireless Home Surveillance System

[skulkingghost]

Cliffs:
-4278sqft house
-Need 4x Wireless Outdoor Cameras With Night Vision at least 40-60ft
-May need an indoor camera or two depending on price.
-Budget: $1500 or less, preferably around $1000.
-Would like to be able to log in from work to monitor the cameras.


I hope some of you are security gurus because I have looked all over and its hard to find what I want. The four outdoor cameras will be on different sides of the house:

-Camera Facing pool
-Camera from front door to see who's at the door
-Camera monitoring front lawn.
-Camera facing driveway to see cars/etc.

I would also like to be able to have a receiver or two for tvs in the house so if someone rings the doorbell while we are watching tv we can see who it is / etc.

Resolution is not super important, but I would like them to be decent.

Also needs to be able to plug in the network so they can check the cameras on the home LAN if the doorbell rings / noise is heard, and they want to be able to login from work to check the cameras.

Would like a suggestion for an indoor camera too as they have 2 doberman puppies they want to monitor if possible.

Finally, If it fits in the price, I would like the outdoor cameras to have an internal battery incase someone triess to unplug them.

 

[theflyingpig]

FYI, cliff notes go after the OP. After. Not before. Everyone knows this.

 

[zerocool84]

Paranoid much?

 

[caspur]

Ok first, wireless cameras don't work. At least not the consumer ones most people buy. The optics are terrible, the ccd isn't that great,and the housings don't last. It serves no purpose because you can't identify faces or license plates.

In your requirements alone, (front lawn, door, driveway) you've already specified the need for multiple focal lengths. It doesn't exit on the low end cameras.

Do you see the IR emitters on those wireless cameras? 40-60ft? Go measure the real world range. It's terrible...you get maybe 10ft. You can't see shit in the dark. Its like watching an episode of ghost hunters while drunk. So your options are either motion activated lights and shitty cameras, or a good night vision camera with an IR floodlight.

Be honest with yourself, if you want to spend $1000 on a toy, then fine. It will have little/no security function.

A 4k sq foot house has so many angles (and distance) to cover that you need at least 8 static cameras, or maybe even 4 fixed with 2 PTZ cameras. You should have a camera budget of $2000 minimum, and that is for just basic stuff. The DVR/network integration + install should run you another 2-3k. So budget at least 5k for the package.

For vandalism prone areas, they do have those "secure" domes you can mount. However, the best place is to put them in a discrete location where they can not be reached without tools....even better if they can not readily be seen. It will make co-existence with the neighbors a little less threatening.

Furthermore, all of my cameras and DVR server run off a UPS in case of a power outage (or if my power lines were cut), I can still monitor and record the exterior of the house. Obviously in a home invasion scenario where you are dealing with a possible perimeter breach, the longer you can maintain situational awareness, the better your chances of repelling an attack. In this case, the camera system is used as a tactical augmentation to an armed response should the perimeter be compromised.

 

[alkemyst]

The main problem with wireless is bandwidth. Having 4 of these will be problematic.

I like the website http://www.cctvcamerapros.com/ they are local to me and I have been to one of their seminars with the company NUUO.

I'd check out them for a good solution for your need.

 

[Zebo]

How you gonna transmit to your in ground safe with HDD inside without wires? Either do it right or put $30 dummies up.

 

[skulkingghost]

Ok so the wirless cameras are terrible, It seems I would have to go wired then, the garage camera should be easier then, should I hire an electrician to run the wires, or who I would I contact?

 

[dainthomas]

You could get a couple Dobermans/German Shepherds for less than $1k. They would certainly be more effective against a "perimeter breach".

 

[Modelworks]

You can use outdoor ethernet cable as wiring for the cameras if you like. It is covered under the low voltage rules. Wireless works fine but you have to have a power source at the camera, so usually best to run the wire.

 

[Modelworks]

You could get a couple Dobermans/German Shepherds for less than $1k. They would certainly be more effective against a "perimeter breach".

Dogs are a terrible solution for home security, too many issues and ways to get around it.

The cheapest and very effective means is to put up fake security cameras. Some even have a blinking LED to make it more realistic. They sell for about $20.

 

[alkemyst]

You could get a couple Dobermans/German Shepherds for less than $1k. They would certainly be more effective against a "perimeter breach".

Not necessarily.

 

[alkemyst]

Ok so the wirless cameras are terrible, It seems I would have to go wired then, the garage camera should be easier then, should I hire an electrician to run the wires, or who I would I contact?

It's low voltage so you'd be better off looking for an A/V company or dedicated camera company.

 

[aigomorla]

You could get a couple Dobermans/German Shepherds for less than $1k. They would certainly be more effective against a "perimeter breach".

LOL... cost of maintenance is a lot higher tho.

 

[skulkingghost]

Dogs are a terrible solution for home security, too many issues and ways to get around it.

The cheapest and very effective means is to put up fake security cameras. Some even have a blinking LED to make it more realistic. They sell for about $20.

They already have 2 dobermans!

 

[Red Squirrel]

I want to eventually setup a surveillance system on my house as well, but I'd strongly recommend to go wired. I've only done basic research, but if they make POE ethernet cameras that's probably the best bet. That would be awesome as that way it's just one wire and you can plug the POE switch in a UPS with the rest of the system.

Wireless is not that great as range is an issue, but also some burglars might carry scrambling devices that would just kill the signal. You can't stop a wired signal if the camera is well hidden and no exposed wire. Coax cameras seem to be the most available though, so I'm guessing they also need their own power source.

Also, don't go and label the breaker for it. A robber will see that and just laugh and shut off the whole security system. If you can UPS protect the cameras even better, and remove the beeper from the UPS(s). In fact you could have a dummy breaker labeled as the system, make sure it has a nice shiny handle that can keep a finger print. Most smart robbers probably go straight for the electrical panel/security panel to try to disable it.

Cameras wont stop a robber from going in, but they will sure get the evidence, just want to make sure they are not easy to stop and if they're out of sight, then they might not even realize they're being watched.

 

[StageLeft]

As other said, go wired. I have five wired cameras for my home, one actually IN the garage pointing right down on the Lambo.

 

[Miramonti]

As other said, go wired. I have five wired cameras for my home, one actually IN the garage pointing right down on the Lambo.

Does it look like this...(except fractionally smaller?)

 

[StageLeft]

Does it look like this...(except fractionally smaller?)

yes, but I have the $59.95 model, has a bit better detail for the cockpit!

 

[Miramonti]

yes, but I have the $59.95 model, has a bit better detail for the cockpit!

Holy crap, I'd guard that baby with 2 surveillance cams!

 

[alkemyst]

As other said, go wired. I have five wired cameras for my home, one actually IN the garage pointing right down on the Lambo.

I haxored your camera.....