Security Camera - Waiting Room

[donte10]

I have a client with clients that come in and out of her office all day and some days are busier than others. She is looking to have a surveillance camera installed in the reception area that will overlook her waiting room/reception area and be viewed in a back 'break' room. There are occasions when the employees may be back in the 'break' room or even with a different client and have an in-coming patient waiting in the reception area that has yet to be 'checked-in' or becomes unnoticed.

Does anyone have a good security surveillance system they would recommend for this situation. Currently, she does not need a DVR and only needs 1 camera. However, I would like to be able to deliver a system that is expandable should she decide for more cameras or would like recording features. She is looking for something that is 'aesthetically pleasing to the eye' to have in a reception area. I would prefer WIFI enabled (or wireless cameras) with stability. Being able to view from the Internet and Mobile devices is a plus.

 

[thejustchad]

I've set up a few customers with wanscams from ebay this is a new versions they have out, I haven't tried it yet but it looks nice and the price is right.
couple that with something like netcam studio. you will have a pretty dang good monitoring system.
Heads up though! the cam listed has a microphone so you would be required to at the very least to post signs warning of audio and video surveillance and recording. go here for more info http://www.msk.com/news/article.cfm?id=847&type=Alert&aid=56
I would suggest you have your client speak with a lawyer b4 installing ANY surveillance.

 

[Knightsman]

The cheapest solution is hook up a Computer to a monitor to the backroom, setup a Tenvis IP camera $54 one and find a good free IP program to use. O Blue Iris, $40 I think. Then your done.

If you want more expensive, go with a Good HD Camera, foscam has some. If clarity doesn't really matter, any cheap IP camera will do this job well.

 

[frederick]

Not gonna knock you knightsman, but not just any IP camera.

First off, stay away from the tear drop shaped ones, for some reason that shape always seems to cost an outrageous price. Second, go to http://www.cctvcamerapros.com. They have everything you ever wanted for a good IP camera setup. Looking at roughly $200 (for a cheapo desk mounted that can easily be put on the cieling) to the $$$$outrageous$$$$ teardrop shaped. Get whats going to get his face when he tries to steal, not what gets his shape (I swear it was the blob that robbed us, the camera says so). My personal favorite is the Vivotek PZ8111W Pan Tilt Zoom IP Camera, we have a nerf launcher on ours, and it's been zeroed for added accuracy.

But they will have everything you will need, and last time I talked to them for a residential customer I had, they were nice folks and got me what I wanted, to include the hardware within my budget.

And that camera I like, amazing video quality, amazing optical zoom, and you can set it up, with the zoom set up, lock it all down, point it at your door, with a nerf launcher, and it's wireless....I personally use it to shoot my wife when she comes through the front door, but due to my partner telling her of my plans after the first time, she now comes through the back door.

You can also add dummy cameras, they have more influence than you would think and cost around $20. Be surprised what people wont do when they see the dummy.

 

[rsarceno]

Try Foscom. It's an IP camera with built in server and IR. Available for Wired and wireless and H.265. It comes with a software that can be use similar for DVR.

You can have as many Foscam and you want

When your ready for a true DVR, check on BlueIris. It works on any computer but once you have 5 or more active camera, you might have to invest on I5 or I7 processor. with lots of memory.

For Android / Ipad, check the apps IP Cam View Light. Supports unlimited camera for $5 - $15. Compatible with Foscam.

Since the camera is also a server, you can use any browser. Work on Active-X and Java with PTZ support.

 

[acscva]

I have installed quite a few different security cameras over the years. One of the easiest and inexpensive solution for your client would be the Logitech Alert that are $299 for the whole kit and work through your electrical outlets.

http://www.logitech.com/en-us/video-security-systems/master-systems

I have 6 of these cameras at my house around the whole parameter using the outside versions. I also have 2 of the indoor units at my office.

 

[Knightsman]

Not gonna knock you knightsman, but not just any IP camera.

First off, stay away from the tear drop shaped ones, for some reason that shape always seems to cost an outrageous price. Second, go to http://www.cctvcamerapros.com. They have everything you ever wanted for a good IP camera setup. Looking at roughly $200 (for a cheapo desk mounted that can easily be put on the cieling) to the $$$$outrageous$$$$ teardrop shaped. Get whats going to get his face when he tries to steal, not what gets his shape (I swear it was the blob that robbed us, the camera says so). My personal favorite is the Vivotek PZ8111W Pan Tilt Zoom IP Camera, we have a nerf launcher on ours, and it's been zeroed for added accuracy.

But they will have everything you will need, and last time I talked to them for a residential customer I had, they were nice folks and got me what I wanted, to include the hardware within my budget.

And that camera I like, amazing video quality, amazing optical zoom, and you can set it up, with the zoom set up, lock it all down, point it at your door, with a nerf launcher, and it's wireless....I personally use it to shoot my wife when she comes through the front door, but due to my partner telling her of my plans after the first time, she now comes through the back door.

You can also add dummy cameras, they have more influence than you would think and cost around $20. Be surprised what people wont do when they see the dummy.

I never said just any IP camera will do. I gave him 3 reliable options to use. A cheap version, middle and High end. Depending on the budget.

Vivotek is a great camera, but I highly doubt a small office, whom just wants a camera to see if someone is in the front, is going to pay that much for one.

 

[frederick]

Forgive me knightman, I wasn't trying to be offensive, and my post was somewhat incomplete. I had a wife peering over my shoulder asking me a million questions about chemistry, I do apologize if I came off rude to you.

Don't break your bank donte (or the clients). Present them with a dummy/real camera setup. Draw up the room as well, and where the camera's would be and what they are looking at. I say this, because so many people walk in to a room, and notice those cameras peering down at us. Have it so the dummies have an amzing line of site, don't watch anything important. Have the real camera's watch what is. Using this method, and keeping in mind the cameras all for the most part need to look the same, you can achieve more with less.

I'd get a dome shapped one, with the tinted window, and a few dummies. This prevents them from seeing where the camera is looking. When I was taking one of my DoD Security classes, if they don't where the camera is looking, they are less likely to act. It's that whole more with less. By using dummies, that look like the real ones, and if installed correctly, again, same thing. Go to the liquor store, walmart, etc, and see if you can spot the fakes, doubt you can.

Wireless isn't bad, but if they have a nuke making some popcorn, you have no security cameras. Also cell phones, nokia's turn mine off, i mean like off...as in it just turns off...it angers me.