Home Security Cameras

[JRJ]

Don't know if its the season or what, but some burglaries here in the hood, including my pickup have me considering outdoor cameras.
I don't know anything about them and any ideas or tips are appreciated.
Wired, Wireless, DVD, WiFi?
We have local company's that do alarm/camera installs, I'm just trying to learn a little before I spend the money.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Home Security Cameras

Sorry to hear JRJ. I've been hit numerous times, out in my driveway, in unlocked cars/vans. One time even in the garage that my son left open when he came in at 11:30pm. Nothing has ever been broken into, only targets of opportunity when things have been left unlocked.

I have wanted to go the camera route as our broad three car driveway is not visible from our living quarters in the house. I have decided that I would consult an expert for the capabilities of the equipment, the type and the placement. If I am going to put cameras in, I want them to produce usable images under the circumstances that they would be employed, specifically nighttime.


There is so much junk out there that I wouldn't even know where to start. Presumably, a professional would know.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Home Security Cameras

I also am looking into this, not so much for security, where I live, they would have to make a hell of an effort to rip me off, but I would like to have one to attach to my weather station, and it could do double duty to watch what is going on while I am away.

Hey Boom, I am going to be in Vancouver in about a week, through the end of the year, for the holidays, perhaps a beer is in order?

Dp

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Home Security Cameras

......Hey Boom, I am going to be in Vancouver in about a week, through the end of the year, for the holidays, perhaps a beer is in order? Dp

Love to, MT!

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Home Security Cameras

1:45 a.m. today, someone drove through my daughter's front yard and t-boned her new Honda Accord sitting in her driveway. It was a hit and run.

The neighbor across the street has 4 video cameras, and identified the truck. They walked 2 blocks, and found the truck with hardly a scratch. Called 911--and the police took a stinking drunk 16 year old into custody for DUI and Leaving the Scene of an Accident.

It's not clear if the Honda is going to be a total, but it's a major lateral collision.

Recorders and cameras are not very expensive, and are probably a good investment if you live in a big city. This happened in a suburb city outside Memphis.

Me personally, my eyes are a 4' long, 100 lb. Rottweiler in guard mode. He doesn't miss anything, and is on duty 24/7.

 

[JRJ]

Re: Home Security Cameras

Same here Boom, targets of opportunity when things are left unlocked. Like the old man that parked my pickup :embarassed: They didn't break anything and even left the garage door opener. Didn't have anything real valuable for them to take. They went in a neighbors open garage and his wife had left her purse in her unlocked car. A pain for them.

The State is saving money by kicking a variety of thugs out of prison early. Been a rise in crime everywhere :facepalm:

Glad the cameras helped catch the drunk driver Bamaman1, that's what interests me, ID the yahoos.

 

[Summer Fun]

Re: Home Security Cameras

I have this setup at my house. $169 with free shipping

Camera Feature: Infrared Night Vision,Outdoor/Weatherproof

ZMODO 4CH DVR Indoor Outdoor Home Video Surveillance Security Camera System 500g | eBay

 

[Bill3434]

Re: Home Security Cameras

JRJ, I haven't been in the field in years but your first choice should be the camera quality itself. Cameras mounted alone may serve as a deterent. Good quality cameras will speed up the identiy and provide greater details. That stuff you see on crimes shows either don't exsist or takes days to do if the police have an interest in your case. As far as transmission of signal goes they all have their advantages and disadvantages. Wired system can handle more data, if you have a company managing your system make sure they do wire and system monitoring, continious is best but you will pay for it I'm sure. If you do it, you will need storage capicity and you will need to conceal it. It does no good of the crooks break-in and steal your storage device with the evidence of their crime. You will also have to decide to you want the system recording all the time or when some event (motion) activates the system.

The first thing you might want to consider are simple physical security measures first. Motion sensing lights, good locks, properly trimmed vegatation around your house, thorny bushes don't require as much. You will have to address these issues even with a camera system, cameras don't work to well if the crooks can hide and skirt the vegatation and if they can penatrate a lock in just a few seconds.

When I was at the MP School years ago I got to test cameras at night you'd be surprised of the ways a camera and camera systems can be defeated.

If the local security company doesn't tell you the weak points of a system, go somewhere else; they all have weak points there is no such thing as a perfect system. You can bet someone has figured out an easy way to defeat a system. If you know a police officer in your area asked them the best system they have seen in use. They will also tell you the ones that don't work. Some departments have experts that can tell you what is best for your area based on the criminal threat. The police and the security company should have or do a threat assessment for your area. If not they are wasting your time and money.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Home Security Cameras

I am convinced that my driveway contents are canvassed regularly for any easy opportunities. Even though I am more likely these days to go out before bed and double check the locks, I would like to be able to 'capture' any such episodes. The times that I have been hit, the front of the garage (maybe 30 feet from the street) is swathed in lights that burn all nite. There is nowhere to hide to sneak up to the cars and if they were able to get in one, it would be in full light.

A couple of the reasons that I have not purchased a camera setup, is because I have not been able to see how to camouflage the cameras so that they would not be seen AND I have not been confident that the cameras that come with some of these setups are of the detail quality that I want and that they may not be able to deal with the complexity of light in the area, ie, aiming from a well lit wall of light, out into the dark of the street. I would also not want the system to trigger every time a car goes by on the street.

This is all why I figured a professional would be better to help choose the equipment.

 

[PiratePast40]

Re: Home Security Cameras

I don't see how a camera system in itself is actually a deterrent. It could collect data to identify the bad guys but all of that is after the fact and not actually proactive. I think that Bill3434 has some great ideas. I haven't actually done it, but have been thinking about motion activated lights that have a visable blinking red light indicating that a security system has been activated although I don't think that you're going to deter a deterimed robber. You can only slow them down with good locks and difficult access or convince them that law enforcement is on the way or that they are being recorded.

 

[Summer Fun]

Re: Home Security Cameras

I also have signs posted in plain view that say this.

and this

 

[JRJ]

Re: Home Security Cameras

I appreciate the reply's and ideas. In another home, we had a fairly detailed alarm system that included all doors and windows, plus motion sensors inside, motion activated floodlights all around the outside, and called the police or fire dept. as needed. After a couple years and a few accidental trips, we quit setting the thing except on extended vacations.
We don't exactly feel threatened, just aware that there are opportunistic thieves about, and it seems like it would be sporting to catch (photograph) them in the act.

 

[Bill3434]

Re: Home Security Cameras

Pirate most criminals don't like cameras at all; they will go to the next house that has no cameras given the choice. Lots of places install fake or non worker cameras for this very reason. Criminals don't know if they are working or not. If they want to hit a place they still have to take the time to disable a camera system whether it's working or not. This time spent dealing with camaras working or not increases the chances they will be detected. There are some key elements in preventing crime: detection, delay and identification.
Alarm systems detect, good locks and lighting, barking dog(s),signs deter, and cameras aid in the identification.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Home Security Cameras

Interesting this subject has come up. My interest is less security than other monitoring. I am interested in putting a camera above my house in Tahoe so I can let prospective renters see what the area my house is in and what the views are like. It will also allow me to monitor snow on the driveway and other things.

Was thinking about this camera:
Amazon.com: Axis 214 Ptz Network Camera Pan Tilt Zoom Day/night 2 Way Audio: Camera & Photo

...and the dome enclosure that goes with it.

It may be more money than what I want to spend although one additional renter in the summer would pay its entire cost. Basically, I want a Pan/Tilt/Zoom camera that can be used outdoors in a climate that will reach 0? in the winter so the enclosure needs a heater and a fan.

 

[JRJ]

Re: Home Security Cameras

Neat unit bruceb58. Looking forward to what others have to say about it.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Home Security Cameras

Neat unit bruceb58. Looking forward to what others have to say about it.

Well, I bought one of these off Ebay for $425. Now I need to buy a housing which wil be more than the camera unless I can find a used one. Will let you know how it works out.

http://www.amazon.com/Axis-Network-Camera-night-Audio/dp/B000E1Z0E6

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Home Security Cameras

I also have signs posted in plain view that say this.

and this

That's what I do too. The signs have been noted by every kid in the neighborhood, a couple have asked where the cameras are because they can't see them. My response is EVERYWHERE! That and an ADT alarm sign in the front yard, no problems in 7 years. It also helps that I have about 275lbs of dogs behind the fence...
A yippy mini aussie shepherd is the best alarm EVER. And two bulldozer sized labs to back her up don't hurt.