Home Security/Home Automation

[YeOldeStonecat]

I'd like to dig into some home security and automation...for myself.

I'd like 2x things.
*Camera/DVR system...to cover the perimeter of my house, exterior...so night vision is important. Motion activated to record. I'm not worried about interior...but figure on 5x cameras...front entrance, garage, rear entrance, remaining 4th side, and pool area.
*Guess I have to define "home automation"...but at least some thermostat control, have 2x HVAC systems...first floor, second floor. Be able to control temp/cooling, including when away. I see some systems that allow you to control lights 'n other stuff..that's neat.

The garage door opening (we have 2 garages), and push button code front door locks are neat features...but not must-haves.

Actual door and window alarm features aren't a priority. I have way too many windows and other ways into the house, plus with cats...I don't feel like dealing with false alarms all the time. I figure visual external cameras to be a good deterrent.

I've seen the nice Honeywell, Bosch, Samsung high end units that business alarm guys install...I don't have the budget for those. I don't want super cheap 60 dollar cameras either...I realize their image is poor quality.

I see Lowes "Iris" stuff....
Vivint
SimpliSafe
alarm.com

I'd like something that has good support/remote viewing/functions from smart phones....iphone and 'droid.

 

[smashedbotatos]

Do you want to go with a surveillance setup, or buy ip cams and have them ftp images/video to a remote location?

For IP cameras, Foscam is a decent ipcam. Most of what you will find around the 100-130 dollar range per camera is 640x480 300k pixels.

Look in to blueiris or some sort of software for the PC that can handle multiple cams and do what you want.

For home automation, you can't go wrong with honeywell. You can even get a raspberry pi to do the things you want, but it will be a "project" not plug and play.

If you really want something that you can just install and have it work, you will have to go with a mainstream "package". If you really want a DIY solution. You need to do a lot of research. There are really a TON of different options out there. From and entire OS built around home automation, to building your own devices with beaglebone and raspberry pi.

http://lifehacker.com/how-can-i-get-started-with-home-automation-510246491

 

[LifelineIT]

I'm in the same approximate boat you are.

If I had the system to support it, I'd be buying Ubiquiti AirCams and running an IP cam system, PROBABLY with iSpyConnect. I'd probably ebay some IR blasters to give be better night vision. iSpyConnect is awesome software regardless of the cameras you use though, I'm currently using it to monitor a problematic neighbor using just a HD webcam. I've also used VitaminD but in free mode it won't let you use more than 1 camera and it won't let you record in HD.

Since I don't have the system to do all that, it's old-fashioned cameras for me whenever I get around to buying them. Look for 960H (D1) rated cameras. Before christmas I almost pulled the trigger on a good set on ebay that was 8 cameras and a 16 channel dvr w/o hdd for something like $500. I've got hdd's out the yinyang. You also want IR-Cut if you can, it makes everything look better when the led's are on.

Here's a generic ebay search for you.

You can, fyi, use cat5 cable and add-on baluns to give you your coax and power runs, it's a LOT cheaper than buying the chimera wire or whatever it's called.

As for home automation, that's what raspberri pi and arduino are for, as far as I'm concerned, depending on your degree of electronics expertise.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

For home automation, you can't go wrong with honeywell. You can even get a raspberry pi to do the things you want, but it will be a "project" not plug and play.

If you really want something that you can just install and have it work, you will have to go with a mainstream "package". If you really want a DIY solution. You need to do a lot of research. There are really a TON of different options out there. From and entire OS built around home automation, to building your own devices with beaglebone and raspberry pi.

http://lifehacker.com/how-can-i-get-started-with-home-automation-510246491

I'm not sure if I want to tackle a "do it yourself" project....but perhaps since it's winter, might be good to pass the time. I'll dig into that link, thanks.
I was mostly thinking of combining the two...but I suppose in reality....it's fine to have separate units...home automation, and security cameras done by another brand.

 

[JustInspired]

That iSpyConnect looks great. Never knew about it before. The dev says he made it for ghost and UFO spotting.

 

[smashedbotatos]

Do you want everything to be managed via an always on security workstation?

The advantages of a DVR surveillance system is it is all one package. Usually minus a HDD though. It can be monitored via tv or monitor and it has all the features you are looking for built in.

Ipcam way, you need a workstation and software if you want to monitor the feed. A place to ftp or save video captured via motion detection. Which can be a lot of stuff. From people to cars driving by, even wind blowing trees. An ipcam is normally 640x480, there are some out there that are 720p, but they are as much as half a dvr system. 4 decent ipcams will run you $400-600. Then you still need a workstation, but you may need a central home automation workstation for home automation anyway.

I would start with a camera system. Get it tweaked how I wanted it and then start the home automation task one thing at a time.

For thermostat out of box solution. Something like this.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00FLZEQH2

Home brew option. Something like this.
http://wyattwinters.com/rubustat-the-raspberry-pi-thermostat.html

The end, the out of box solution is more expensive. Then again you have customer support, and it works out of the box.

Garage door opener. Not sure if they make an out of box solution for this.
Here is what I dug up, and it looks cheap and simple.
http://m.instructables.com/id/Raspberry-Pi-Garage-Door-Opener/


You should also look at this page and book. http://www.minervahome.net

 

[Thoera]

I have 3 of these ip cameras for indoor surveillance: http://www.ipcamprice.com/wansview-hd-indoor-wireless-security-camera-p-287.html

It's a Wansview model which supports direct recording with sd card, no need for dvr.

 

[brandonkick]

Some advice as I've looked into this a lot for one of my jobs.


Consider very much WHY you want these cameras and WHAT you want them to do. That may sound like a stupid statement to make, but it is essential.

If your really wanting surveillance footage that you would be able use in identifying people/items/objects/whatever then you need to make sure that:

The camera(s) have a reasonable range

The camera(s) have a reasonable resolution

The lighting is adequate and or the cameras perform well in dark/changing lighting conditions

The cameras are not easily defeated, as of it items blocking their view or being vandalize so that they do not serve their purpose.

As far as the "security" part of it goes, just having the system doesn't scare most thieves. The good ones know to cut the phone and coaxial lines going into the house.

Making sure your property is well lit at night will help a lot, as people aren't as likely to attempt breaking into a house that is well lit.

Make sure that you do put window / door monitors on at least the first floor windows.

I recommend monitored smoke / carbon monoxide monitors. You can buy them yourself, install them yourself and pay a company to monitor them for a small monthly fee. I think the piece of mind alone is worth it.

Go with at least DOUBLE storage space of what you figure you will need and leave your self the ability to add in the future (both storage space and cameras)

One of the companies I consulted with even offered monitoring services on the linux based DVR machine. They would get instant reports of a failing drive, of a power outage, of a signal loss to a camera and so on. The system automatically emails us, them and they call us to let us know whats going on.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Agreed on the cameras...I realize those 99 dollar ones you get with "ez setups" cheap systems can't make out a cat on the ground 20 feet in front of them.

My goals:
*Be able to record what came in driveway, and yard, and up to perimeter of house
*See arriving cars/trucks in driveway
*Visual deterrent
*Cover all 4 sides of house, possibly 5th to pool area.

As for home automation, would like a growable system. I like the idea of monitoring electrical usage, the HVAC system, and smokes. I'm still sorta interested in Lowes "Iris" system for that.

I have first floor HVAC and second floor HVAC...not excited about spending 500 bucks on a pair of NEST thermostats.

Getting to realize that I'll probably be happier with two different products, 1x for camera system, 1x for home automation (possibly grow into security)...than a Jack of all trades all in 1 kit.