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Need a little input. I know it's not a computer related question but should fall under the techie category. I want to install security cameras on my property. I currently have on the back side of my house, wires run through conduit to the shed overtop my well and to another storage shed across the yard. I ran coaxial cable out there to both. Both cameras would be facing just the house and watching the driveway. Since I have a horseshoe driveway I want 2 cameras. 1 camera would be roughly 25 feet from the driveway and the other around 50 feet or so. Camera locations would be roughly 200 feet apart from each other. This is what I need/want. Weather proof(obviously), capable of seeing 50+ feet clearly, hd picture, night vision, and recording. What would you all recommend? I'm sure someone here is an expert on security surveillance systems. |
The question has been closed for the following reason "The question is answered, right answer was accepted" by HasNoOutlook May 06 at 16:36
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I currently use this system for my house http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16881339054 It was $200 on sale, came with 4 cameras, a 500GB DVR, mouse, remote, and 8 inch LCD display The video quality is decent but the cameras do not have an IR cut filter so during the day, the camera cant see the color green so you get a mixture of gray scale and color. But it is enough to see details and people (each camera comes with a 60 foot cable but they can be replaced with longer ones One thing to keep in mind. SD security cameras cant show facial detail past 15-20 feet. And higher resolution cameras (megapixel cameras) are significantly more expensive (around $500-1000 for a single 1080p security camera High end security cameras are always overpriced. for example, for about $79 you can get a logitech c920 and get 1080p @ 30FPS with auto focus, (all thats missing is a weatherproof housing, and a USB to ethernet adapter) http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Widescreen-Calling-Recording-960-000764/dp/B006JH8T3S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335752341&sr=8-1 I currently use my c920 to supplement my security system the DVR and the SD cameras record 24/7 and the c920 records to a PC in HD when motion is detected to get facial detail Keep in mind that from a legal standpoint, the effective range of a security camera, is the max range in which it can show identifying facial detail that can be used to identify someone. Just think about this when you want to use the footage, can the video show enough detail to give a description such as " the individual had a mustache, a scar on his left cheek, glasses, brown eyes, lower cheek bones, etc..." just the overall profile of someone is not enough for a video to stand in court unless it is paired with a reliable witness testimony. I was worried about the camera not showing enough detail over a certain distance. Basically just looking for it to get color, make, model, and license plate of a vehicle that pulls in. I was thinking about mounting a camera inside on my glassed in porch that would be motion activated. That should be close enough to get good detail of the person coming in. Plus the ceiling is roughly 12' I believe. I'm 5'8" and I can jump and not touch the metal rafters. Another question. Legally do I have to put up a sign or something that says the property is under surveillance? I don't want anyone to know the cameras are there. No signs are required since it is your private property. You can also monitor public areas around the home, The only time where some legal issues can come up is if you are pointing the camera into someone else's yard. For proper color, you need a security camera with an IR cut filter, without one, colors will be a bit off and certain colors may not be visible at all. If you need night vision then you cant have the camera behind unless you take additional steps which include disabling the IR lamp that is built into the camera, then guying a replacement IR lamp and connecting it to a 12V adapter then sticking it onto the glass at least 6 inches away from the camera (since the glass reflects some of the IR light, if it is too close to the camera, it will flood the field of view of the camera with the reflected light and provide you with an unusable image. To make out a license plate number, you need a megapixel camera, (resolutions in the range of 720P to 1080P. At 1080p the range of seeing a license plate number may only be around 30 feet (if the camera will be too far, then you will need a zoom lens for the camera) A dedicated megapixel night vision camera system can run you well over $1000 for just a basic setup with 2 cameras (PS you can save money on the DVR by getting 2 IP cameras and then using a cheap netbook as the DVR (with a netbook you can install a 500GB internal hard drive, or just use some external drives. then there are programs such as vitamin D video or one of the many other security camera applications I was looking on craigslist and came across a complete system. Honeywell Ademco Vista-20p with remote, 3 professional outdoor cameras with IF night vision and Pentax lens, 1 indoor camera, Triplex 4 channel DVR with 200GB and internet connection |
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The 4 camera DVR and 8 camera DVR are very little different in price, so go with the 8, and add to it as you need to. I use a 100GB HDD which gives me almost a month of recording. Remember, you are recording AFTER something happens so "prevention" is not the nature of the system. Hidden cameras? Maybe, but noticing that soft pink light may discourage an intruder. If not, then make SURE that your DVR is cleverly hidden and not easily removed, something that a house invader would look for first. Also, you can put in "hidden" cameras of the smoke detector or clock type INSIDE the house and record those. I have not seen a penal case yet where the thief was convicted on ONLY what the camera showed... it is only a "lead" to who it may be and requires corroboration by witnesses. I have pairs of cameras... from each position the usual IR $25 camera PLUS a 120 degree wide angle non-IR one that shows 10x the area... look hard and you can find some good ones for as low as $80 but first look will show $200. Also make sure that at least a couple of the cameras have a microphone so that you can hear cars or people arriving and then turn on the monitor to see who it is. I can easily understand a conversation from across the street. Altho they say indoor-outdoor, I always make a small thin aluminum box for the cameras to keep the sun and rain off of them and they last much longer. I had a cheapo Magnavox black and white with mic that worked my front door for 15 years until I replaced it with a more complete system. Have fun. |
