Do you have a home surveillance system?

[jsfinn]

Do you have or know about home surveillance systems?

If so, when shopping for them, what should I look out for?

I think I want a 4 camera system that records to a DVR but I really don't know much about them.

All cameras will be outside.

Things I desire are:

Record to a DVR
Be able to access live AND recorded content over the internet
Have the DRV located remotely to the TV that can display content
Be able to save the DRV content offsite in real time - in case someone breaks in and steals the DVR (this one may be far fetched)
at least one camera that pans on it's own that will follow motion
alert me by cell phone or email if any camera detects motion
Cameras must be able to see at least 50 feet at night to keep an eye on a vehicle

It would be ok if there were computer software that did this and all of the cameras terminated either in to the computer with some hardware capture device or if the cameras were some sort of network cameras.

I'm handy and technical - I can install everything myself.

Thanks for your input!

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Do you have a home surveillance system?

I have 2 mobile systems. Both have 4 legs and make a lot of noise before any camera system would pick anything up.
Can't think of a better system.

 

[ne7800]

Re: Do you have a home surveillance system?

wow you either have a lot of really nice stuff or are really paronoid lol

 

[jsfinn]

Re: Do you have a home surveillance system?

wow you either have a lot of really nice stuff or are really paronoid lol

haha..not really either. I just take care of what I've got.

We live on a corner and I keep my truck parked on the side street next to the house... 2 years ago it got a window broken out of it but nothing stolen. Last year it was used as paint ball target practice ..... and I mean like HUNDREDS of paint balls... this past week it was the victim of a dog-poo-smearing.

It's a good neighborhood but there are some unchained kids running around.... I'd really like their folks to know what their kids are up to....

I figure if I'm going to have one camera, I might as well keep an eye on everything....

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Do you have a home surveillance system?

If you're technical then check out ZoneMinder. I've been wanting to play with that for awhile.

If you have an old machine lying around, you could have a test machine up and running for very little.

This software can be configured to "sense' movement within the images and then begin the recording at that moment and it is all accessible via your browser.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Do you have a home surveillance system?

Lots of products out there. Samsung makes some good DVR products and you can configure them for remote access.

Also for cameras, check out Speco Technologies (specotech.com) They have some great outdoor cameras including IR technologies. Easy to install and setup.

 

[triumphrick]

Re: Do you have a home surveillance system?

You are talking some really high end stuff. I just sod my security business and the video was a big part of it. My final years were as a subcontractor installing bank security, and you are talking about rivaling their systems at several thousand dollars.

Most suppliers want you to be licensed to sell to you, however Sam's club sells a dvr based system with night vision (led) cameras that are effective. Some of the dvr recorders have an ethernet connection that allows you to dial into an IP address and access your system remotely. Also with the right dvr all cameras are being recorded, not necessary to have motion detection input.

Installing the coax and power can be done with a siamese cable or just use the standard length cables that come with the Sam's systems. Find a closet shelf up high or a garage location that allows for the cable installation. That will be the hardest part. You may even want to power up the cameras and monitor before final mounting to ensure proper coverage.

Also, when shopping for spare devices, I have found ebay has a bunch of video suppliers with adequate systems. If you are technical and handy as you say, this should be doable.

My exterior cameras are pole mounted with housings, very prominent and obvious. After our first break in 3 yrs. ago and installing everything, no more problems. Just the fact they are there will be a deterrent. Good luck, you can pm me if need some more feedback. Rick

 

[jsfinn]

Re: Do you have a home surveillance system?

Thanks for all the great information so far!

rogerwa - ZoneMinder looks like a perfect utility. It does everything and more. It seems like you can really configure some complex monitors (like, trigger an alarm if a defined section of a camera detects motion).

I'm researching compatible hardware now to see if cost-wise it makes sense.
....I've got a spare computer that's begging to be useful!

Triumphrick - your post made me nervous - my intent isn't to rival any bank's security system - I don't need anything that high end but it seems like there is software out there to do these things that a normal homeowner (with some computer skills) can take on ... or even some of these cheaper home DVR/Camera combos do a lot of the functions too.

I also have my eye on this - http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11284467&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&eCat=BC|79&N=4001405&Mo=15&No=10&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&cat=4802&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&topnav= which may do the motion/alerting too...

 

[Xcusme]

Re: Do you have a home surveillance system?

All good info....

If you consider building a PC based system, a four port video capture card is needed. Be aware that those cheap 4 port cards on Ebay record at a TOTAL of 30 frames per second. So, 30 frames divided by 4 cameras equals 7.4 frames per second for each camera. Not exactly smooth playback, but perhaps good enough for your needs. BTW, 2 cameras would be 15 frames per second, which isn't bad...you get the idea. Capture cards with higher frame rates can be had too. A PC based system could easily be networked to allow off-site monitoring, assuming a high bandwidth Internet connection. Additionally, a bit of configuring will be needed to open a couple of ports through your router etc.

BTW, there are camera systems that will auto detect an intruder within a cameras frame While It's Panning and zoom into the guy, but the price will be more than you might want to pay.

For software, check out:
http://www.pysoft.com/activewebcammainpage.htm

 

[Pierutrus]

Re: Do you have a home surveillance system?

Totally agree with Xcusme.
If your gonna spend the money, get the video card with at least 120 fps.
That way you'll have smooth video from all 4 cam's. And having audio is a plus.

 

[Adjuster]

Re: Do you have a home surveillance system?

Check this place out. I have bought a few cameras and other electronics from them. Excellent pricing and never a problem with any of my transactions.

http://www.geeks.com/products.asp?cat=VID

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Do you have a home surveillance system?

A good dog would be cheaper and more fun to play with.

 

[mthieme]

Re: Do you have a home surveillance system?

Totally agree with Xcusme.
If your gonna spend the money, get the video card with at least 120 fps.
That way you'll have smooth video from all 4 cam's. And having audio is a plus.

Think IP video switch.
120 fps is not realistic much less 60 fps unless he spends megabucks on SANS storage.
We push 5 fps over a Ghz LAN and record at 1 fps onto a 2 TB SANS.

 

[modernrocketry]

Re: Do you have a home surveillance system?

I have one on my house. The TV/Recorder device is hidden in a closet. It's connected to a UPS that will run the device and all cameras for 4 hours.

It works great during the day, but the night vision is mediocre.

I ended up purchasing a couple of high powered LED day/night cameras and they made a huge difference for outside.

The unit I have also allows me to login remotely via the internet and see what is happening. Right now I can tell you my schnauzer is on the couch -- BAD DOG!

 

[Pierutrus]

Re: Do you have a home surveillance system?

Think IP video switch.
120 fps is not realistic much less 60 fps unless he spends megabucks on SANS storage.
We push 5 fps over a Ghz LAN and record at 1 fps onto a 2 TB SANS.

Even if it only records when it senses motion?
And also, wouldn't duration of how long you keep the recording dictate storage?

A lot of variables you can play with to keep costs down.

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: Do you have a home surveillance system?

A good dog would be cheaper and more fun to play with.

..........I'm with you on this one Bob!

BP

 

[j_martin]

Re: Do you have a home surveillance system?

Vid capture cards are rated by frames per second they can record. A good system will buffer the camera input and if a motion event occurrs, record from a preset time before the motion (like 5 seconds) till a preset time after the motion stops.

Best bet is to capture at a realistic feed rate, like 15 - 30 fps, and record only the motion. That's untennable across most lans. That's why most systems have their cameras hard wired. A $100 750 GB disk will record all the motion 4 cameras see in a small retail setting for weeks.

The other thing to consider for a PC based system is it takes considerable processing power to handle several channels of video. For instance a 16 channel GeoVision card requires the full attention of a 3.0 GHZ, dual channel 800 mhz memory pentium or better.

The best I've seen so far is Geovision. Card seems steep, but the software comes with it, and it is top shelf.

hope it helps
John

 

[jsfinn]

Re: Do you have a home surveillance system?

Wohhhh.. Geovision looks nice but it's ex-freaking-spensive! All I want to do is catch some brat-kids smearing poo on my truck!

Thanks for all the input everyone. I'm pretty sure I'm going to go with either a 4 or 8 camera Q-See DVR system.

I wish there were a 6 camera version, but for whatever reason, there isn't. There also isn't a HUGE price difference between the two. Now I just have to figure out if my wife could live without cameras being indoors also so she can keep an eye on the cat ALL DAY....

The computer systems are neat but they cost a lot more (maybe 3 or 4 times more) in the end after you put hardware in the computer and buy cameras and wire. The DVR can be viewed remotely over a network so a computer based system doesn't have too many other advantages to me.

By the way - I like the dog idea except the cat is pretty ferocious - I'm not sure any dog would stand a chance.