Reviews:
 ·Time Warner Cable
| Home Security System A friend has asked me about high-end home security systems. He wants to put some hi-res, low light level, pan/tilt/zoom cameras out in front of his house, several more cameras in the back, a couple inside the house looking at outside doors, motion sensors in the garage, and switch contacts on windows, etc. He would like the cameras to be inconspicuous.
He prefers using a wired setup. He's doing some remodeling so there is access to run wires. He would like recording capability for about a week. Remote access from a cell phone (or remote computer) to check status of system, view camera views, etc. He's going to put it on a UPS.
Anybody have any suggestions? At this point, cost is not an over-riding issue. |
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 leiboldPremium,MVM
join:2002-07-09
Sunnyvale, CA
kudos:2
 ·SONIC.NET
·Pacific Bell - SBC
| I don't have any good suggestions for outdoor cameras with the features your friend is asking for, but for indoors the Astak Inc. Mole meets most of the requirements (wired and wireless network connection, browser based remote control, ability to record to local flash or network share, pan and tilt, motion detection, IR light for night vision) and the only thing missing is an optical zoom. My only complaint is that the IR light is not aimed very well and leaves part of the view area too bright and other areas too dark. It was however by far the cheapest pan/tilt network camera I was able to find at the time and I'm otherwise happy with its capabilities.
I'm doing the outdoor monitoring with cameras (installed indoors) looking out of the windows. Depending on where your friend lives, outdoor cameras may require heaters to prevent condensation and icing.
Inconspicuous cameras may be required if the home exterior is nicely decorated and the cameras would spoil the appearance or where an overly restrictive HOA prohibits them. Otherwise mounting security cameras in such a way that they are clearly visible is a good deterrent (it is better to prevent crime then to collect evidence of it having occurred).
In addition to switch contacts for doors and windows I suggest to include glass break sensors (available as combination sensors that are ceiling mounted and also perform motion detection and fire alarm).
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 macsierraBaby NewfoundlandPremium
join:2003-11-30
Minden, NV
·Charter
| reply to blasher
I've been using two of these for about 2 years. (link below) These have sold for much more, Sony insides etc..
»www.ebay.com/itm/140358136660?ss···2wt_1180 |
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 dandemanPremium,MVM
join:2001-12-05
Chapel Hill, NC
·AT&T Southeast
| reply to blasher
Digital Watchdog is one of the best cost/performance systems I've run across.. I used 2 generations of their DVRs and very pleased with them.
»dwcc.tv/product_dvrs/dvrs_main.a···%20Alone
Regarding cameras, you get what you pay for Samsung CCTV cameras also offer very good cost performance... Camera choices will vary depending on area to be covered, but for a fixed area, IR illuminated camera, this is my favorite..
»www.samsung-security.com/product···80R.aspx |
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tcopePremium
join:2003-05-07
Sandy, UT
kudos:1 | reply to blasher
Perhaps off topic but cameras don't provide security. They record your home being robbed or vandalism being done. This is not "security". Security would be announcing to the world that the entire home is wired with cameras. |
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| There's a car dealer around here that has a fake camera on their lot. Big flashing red light, but no camera in the box. |
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Reviews:
·Comcast
1 edit | reply to blasher
We have an Avtech CCTV video surveillance system at work and it has worked flawlessly. Video can be viewed from a computer, iPhone or Android device with EagleEyes software. When the lights are off indoors, the video often shows in B&W otherwise the colors are OK. The outdoor cameras always show vibrant color during the day and faded color at night.
However, I suggest your friend should call a few professional surveillance companies for a free consultation so they can tell him what they think he needs. I originally wanted 16 cameras but ended up with 6 and an 8 channel DVR. We thought we needed pan/tilt/ but with the cameras covering every square inch of the property inside and out we didn't. We do have digital zoom because it was standard on the camera/dvr setup.
»www.eagleeyescctv.com/about_1.aspx
For an alarm system we went with DSC and there have been zero problems with the setup. The newer setups use wireless sensors and detectors.
»www.dsc.com/index.php?n=enduser
Good luck!
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Charlie Rangel/ Gov. Rod Blagojevich 2012 Dem Ticket Honesty is the Dem policy!
"Anyone making under $2 billion is not rich!" Poverty is the Rep policy! |
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 tmh
@verizon.net | reply to leibold
Re: Home Security System said by leibold:I don't have any good suggestions for outdoor cameras with the features your friend is asking for, but for indoors the Astak Inc. Mole meets most of the requirements
Also look at Foscam. Does both wireless and wired. There are apps available for Android that will interface with this device. In reality, it doesn't take too much work to develop a custom page to do pretty much everything you want on your phone. The API is readily available online.
This camera is indoor rated, but I have two mounted under the soffit for going on 6 months now without any problems. The temperature right now is 15 F but the PT mechanism still works without any problems.
One word of advice. The PT servos draws a fair amount of current. The supplied 5V wall wart won't go very much beyond 20 ft. before the voltage drops too low. The unit keeps rebooting when this happens. I'd recommend you run a higher voltage DC supply to the camera, then use a regulator to step down to 5V.
The R/C world has miniature switching regulators that can supply 5V at up to 3A, plenty of power for your camera. They are very small, lightweight, and can accept a wide range of input voltages. Hobby King has a selection (e.g., »www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/stor···put.html) for a resonable price. I use a 70W universal laptop power supply at 24V to feed six cameras around the house (»www.amazon.com/Universal-Adapter···027BUS0M). |
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 FronkmanAn Apple a day keeps the doctor awayPremium
join:2003-06-23
Saint Louis, MO | reply to JukeBoxHero
said by JukeBoxHero:... I originally wanted 16 cameras but ended up with 6 and an 8 channel DVR....
perhaps a better question would be, why in the world do you need a bank level security system? perhaps moving to a safer area would be a better use of your money?
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Everyone should own a Mac! Go Bucks! |
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Reviews:
·Comcast
| said by Fronkman:said by JukeBoxHero:... I originally wanted 16 cameras but ended up with 6 and an 8 channel DVR....
perhaps a better question would be, why in the world do you need a bank level security system? perhaps moving to a safer area would be a better use of your money? You must have missed this part of my post:
said by JukeBoxHero:
We have an Avtech CCTV video surveillance system at work
Key word was work.
In my wonderful city of Philadelphia there have been over 40 murders since the New Year and countless burglaries. Everyone who lives and works near my work has security bars on doors and windows, burglar alarms or video systems.  |
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| reply to JukeBoxHero
said by JukeBoxHero:I originally wanted 16 cameras but ended up with 6 and an 8 channel DVR. What happens when the thief steals the DVR?  |
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macsierraBaby NewfoundlandPremium
join:2003-11-30
Minden, NV Reviews:
·Charter
| said by aannoonn :said by JukeBoxHero:I originally wanted 16 cameras but ended up with 6 and an 8 channel DVR. What happens when the thief steals the DVR? I normally ignore anon posts but this needs some attention. The DVR used on any of the above work security installs usually relay the captured video via network to an offsite monitoring station. By the time the "thief" gets to the nearest DVR the activity has already been sent to another monitoring station.
I have an acquaintance that owns a pharmacy. He recently watched a "thief" getting into his store drug cabinets in the middle of the night due to motion alarms on the CCTV. Before the subject left the cops were lined up outside.. That subject now is a 3rd time loser in jail for life.
Does that answer your question?
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Jimmy Hoffa’s dad was the last shovel-ready job..
Will Rodgers never met Harry Reid..
Why was I Anti-Obama before it was cool?
Saul Alinsky was also a community organizer & Marxist..
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 Channel OnePremium
join:2010-04-16
Fort Lauderdale, FL
kudos:2
 ·Connexion Techno..
| said by macsierra:He recently watched a "thief" getting into his store drug cabinets in the middle of the night due to motion alarms on the CCTV. Before the subject left the cops were lined up outside.. That subject now is a 3rd time loser in jail for life. What the common man not having gone through the meat grinder that the Justice System is, fails to understand the value of a bargaining chip like video.
The defense will demand their client be set free, while the prosecution wants life.
Then the bargaining begins, yea the statements prior to Miranda will get tossed and maybe some after as well, but those damming videos are something a good defense attorney doesn’t want nor need.
It is hard to disprove the reality of the reality on video.
Wayne
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"It is sobering to reflect that one of the best ways to get yourself a reputation as a dangerous citizen these days is to go about repeating the very phrases which our founding fathers used in the struggle for independence." - Charles A. Beard |
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macsierraBaby NewfoundlandPremium
join:2003-11-30
Minden, NV Reviews:
·Charter
| Very true.. Some defense attorneys are hammering on digital video successfully having to do with a certain action by the defendant, IE; doing harm to someone, assault etc, as digital video can be altered in certain instances like the Superbowl commercials..  |
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 DaarkenRara AvisesPremium
join:2005-01-12
Southwest LA
kudos:1
·Cox HSI
| Our video is digitally watermarked and has been used in multitudes of cases, we provide the actual database file, along with checksum verification when an attorney requests a file. We do not provide AVI conversions of the video.
Also as a side note, offsite video monitoring is great, however it is a rather expensive service.
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Getting it Done. |
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| yeah.. digital video security really good thing to home Security. its have very successfull. |
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macsierraBaby NewfoundlandPremium
join:2003-11-30
Minden, NV Reviews:
·Charter
| reply to Daarken
I heard some were doing that.. Sounds like a great way to overcome a sharp defense attorney..
The guy that owned the pharmacy has 8 to 10 employees and a high volume business. He averaged 2 break-ins a year.. I believe he's using DSL to his home.. |
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| reply to macsierra
said by macsierra:I have an acquaintance that owns a pharmacy. He recently watched a "thief" getting into his store drug cabinets in the middle of the night due to motion alarms on the CCTV. Before the subject left the cops were lined up outside.. The same thing would have happened with a traditional security system. Pharmacies need cameras to keep their own employees from stealing. That's not needed in a residence, and is simply an added expense with little benefit. |
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macsierraBaby NewfoundlandPremium
join:2003-11-30
Minden, NV Reviews:
·Charter
| said by aannoonn :The same thing would have happened with a traditional security system. Pharmacies need cameras to keep their own employees from stealing.
You just destroyed your main point, inside job?. "Traditional" security system was already in place. The thief apparently disabled it or got by it with a key. The hidden security cameras were put in place just for that reason. I'd call call that 100% success for the good guys..
said by aannoonn :That's not needed in a residence, and is simply an added expense with little benefit.
If that's true I have to wonder why video surveillance in high crime neighborhoods is growing tremendously. Think about the arrest of Philip Markoff, also known as the “Craigslist Killer,” who allegedly murdered Julissa Brisman. The recent family murders solved in Florida..
"Perfectly Executed Murders" -- But Suspects Failed to Turn Off Surveillance Camera
Read more: »www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,532···loCsnBNK
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Jimmy Hoffa’s dad was the last shovel-ready job..
Will Rodgers never met Harry Reid..
Why was I Anti-Obama before it was cool?
Saul Alinsky was also a community organizer & Marxist..
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