Security Cams - Outside Building, Inside or Both

[allanc]

For those members here who currently have security cameras ....
Do you have them outside the building, inside or both?
Is a system that is professionally installed for $3,500 really any better than a system that is $1,500 from Costco?
Lastly, do the WebCams that act as motion sensors and sends pics to the Internet work properly and provide good quality images? Which hardware/software is recommended.

Thank you in advance.

 

[vdub12]

I have installed a few Lorex systems they work great.

 

[Benchtech]

I'm going to be installing an IP based PVR 4 cameras:

1 outside back door
1 in tech room
1 in lobby
1 at front door

There was a good one on newegg for $299

 

[allanc]

I'm going to be installing an IP based PVR 4 cameras:

1 outside back door
1 in tech room
1 in lobby
1 at front door

There was a good one on newegg for $299

Link, please ...............?

 

[PhantomTS]

Check out http://www.homesecuritystore.com/ - That's where I usually buy my cameras from. :-\

We have cameras inside and outside.

There is some quality that you pay for but security pricing in general is all over the map. You can get a great system without spending thousands of dollars. The best thing you can do is read as many reviews as you can find or find a brand you trust.

I've been happy with Nuvico, LTS, Kaltech, and lorex.

Hope that helps.

 

[PR Tech]

I purchased a 4 camera system (Q-See) from TigerDirect. The cameras are located only in the shop with one pointed at the front door. However, I wish I had a couple outside. If you are not looking to dump a lot of money, this kind of system will do the job. I can access my cameras from the Ineternet or my Droid X phone. Tech support has been pretty sparce though.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6714324&Sku=Q300-2780

 

[allanc]

I purchased a 4 camera system (Q-See) from TigerDirect. The cameras are located only in the shop with one pointed at the front door. However, I wish I had a couple outside. If you are not looking to dump a lot of money, this kind of system will do the job. I can access my cameras from the Ineternet or my Droid X phone. Tech support has been pretty sparce though.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6714324&Sku=Q300-2780

How do you prevent someone from lifting the DVR?

 

[allanc]

Check out http://www.homesecuritystore.com/ - That's where I usually buy my cameras from. :-\

We have cameras inside and outside.

There is some quality that you pay for but security pricing in general is all over the map. You can get a great system without spending thousands of dollars. The best thing you can do is read as many reviews as you can find or find a brand you trust.

I've been happy with Nuvico, LTS, Kaltech, and lorex.

Hope that helps.

I am not very familiar with what to look for in terms of features, etc.
Can you please 1 or more models that you would recommend as a starting point for my reading and research?
Thank you in advance.

 

[Appleby]

How do you prevent someone from lifting the DVR?

That is what stopped me from buying a $300-$400 system a month or two ago. I couldn't figure a place to "hide" or lock down the DVR. If the guys see the cameras and still break it, if they have an ounce of common sense they will look for the DVR.

 

[PR Tech]

I have all the cameras mounted to the ceiling and the cables are run in the attic area, so an intruder would most likely not even begin to know where to look for the DVR. The DVR is well hidden and mounted down, but accessible so I can get to it when I need to. I also have an alarm system in place. If a "perp" (my new favorite word) has enough time to locate the DVR, unmount it and get the goodies they seek, more power to 'em. My business is about a block from the police station, so it would only take them 10-15 mintutes to arrive vs. the standard 20-25 minutes. Just kidding. Our local police are fantastic and I have the utmost respect for them.

 

[Benchtech]

Link, please ...............?

they no longer carry it that is why I said "there was" sorry

 

[allanc]

they no longer carry it that is why I said "there was" sorry

Any suggestions as to a set of features and/or specs to look for would be very much appreciated.

 

[Eddie]

That is what stopped me from buying a - system a month or two ago. I couldn't figure a place to "hide" or lock down the DVR. If the guys see the cameras and still break it, if they have an ounce of common sense they will look for the DVR.

Surely some sort of upload system would be the way to go? So if it's dropping photos/video in to a folder you could link that to an online backup system?

 

[bitbucket]

Surely some sort of upload system would be the way to go? So if it's dropping photos/video in to a folder you could link that to an online backup system?

I have been looking for a similar solution for the video or pics to be automatically uploaded to an online backup. Zoneminder seems to have the ability to backup to an External FTP I have not gotten the chance to test it though. Does anyone else have any experience getting that to work?

 

[Alan22]

For those members here who currently have security cameras ....
Do you have them outside the building, inside or both?Both, but it depends on the location and what the client wants to record.

Is a system that is professionally installed for $3,500 really any better than a system that is $1,500 from Costco?
Yes and no. In my opinion it all depends on the end user, what they're looking to accomplish with it and what type of environment it's going into.

I've installed the cheap 4 channel Q-See & Night Owl DVR's that sell for under $200 as well as more expensive brands that cost $1,500-$3,000+ for the DVR alone. I've used PC based and embedded. I've also used cheap $30 cameras and cameras that cost in the hundreds. Is there a difference? Absolutely. However, I will say (in my experience) that some of the cheap DVR's these days can produce some decent video quality if used with decent cameras. The inexpensive DVR's also lack many features, but you may or may not be interested in them.

allanc, you also mentioned that you're not very familiar with what to look for in terms of features. The best advice I can give is to start looking at the spec sheets of different brands & models, then create a spreadsheet with the features that are important to you. Once the sheet is created you can start comparing systems to each other. Also, become familiar with the different types of compression technologies (H.264, MJPEG, etc.), framerates, and what CIF, 2CIF, HD1, 4CIF and D1 means. Note: HD1 does not mean high definition

Also do some research and learn what the specs mean with the different cameras that are available. There's some real overpriced crap out there, as well as alot of low priced crap. Lately I've purchased a couple dozen cameras made by CNB and have been very happy with them.

Take a look at Avermedia DVR's. They recently came out with a couple of value DVR's that I'm going to purchase within the next week or two. They look perfect for an upcoming project I have. Avermedia EH1004H (4 channel) & EH1008H (8channel).

 

[allanc]

For those members here who currently have security cameras ....
Do you have them outside the building, inside or both?Both, but it depends on the location and what the client wants to record.

Is a system that is professionally installed for $3,500 really any better than a system that is $1,500 from Costco?
Yes and no. In my opinion it all depends on the end user, what they're looking to accomplish with it and what type of environment it's going into.

I've installed the cheap 4 channel Q-See & Night Owl DVR's that sell for under $200 as well as more expensive brands that cost $1,500-$3,000+ for the DVR alone. I've used PC based and embedded. I've also used cheap $30 cameras and cameras that cost in the hundreds. Is there a difference? Absolutely. However, I will say (in my experience) that some of the cheap DVR's these days can produce some decent video quality if used with decent cameras. The inexpensive DVR's also lack many features, but you may or may not be interested in them.

allanc, you also mentioned that you're not very familiar with what to look for in terms of features. The best advice I can give is to start looking at the spec sheets of different brands & models, then create a spreadsheet with the features that are important to you. Once the sheet is created you can start comparing systems to each other. Also, become familiar with the different types of compression technologies (H.264, MJPEG, etc.), framerates, and what CIF, 2CIF, HD1, 4CIF and D1 means. Note: HD1 does not mean high definition

Also do some research and learn what the specs mean with the different cameras that are available. There's some real overpriced crap out there, as well as alot of low priced crap. Lately I've purchased a couple dozen cameras made by CNB and have been very happy with them.

Take a look at Avermedia DVR's. They recently came out with a couple of value DVR's that I'm going to purchase within the next week or two. They look perfect for an upcoming project I have. Avermedia EH1004H (4 channel) & EH1008H (8channel).

Will do.
Thank you for the detailed information.

 

[goldmercury]

I've got a cheap solution that cost around £20!

A webcam and a bit of free software http://www.yawcam.com/get.php

The software allows you to set up email alerts/ftp uploads and can stream live to the net when motion is detected. You can even schedule it to detect motion.

If there is motion detected I get an email with attachements sent down to my blackberry.

 

[RegEdit]

Does anyone video tape the work they do on a PC? I was thinking what if someone's computer caught fire and they tried to claim that you did something wrong, or some other kind of accusation of negligence? Video could protect you if you actually have to open the PC.

 

[goldmercury]

I'm planning on taping computer repairs and uploading them to my site (see sig below)

The main issue I've found is getting the correct camera angle. Hands seem to get in the way quite often and if it's a laptop then the screen can obscure the camera.

I'm planning on purchasing a headset and attaching a small bullet camera to it, similar to what some riot police wear.

I'll post back with some videos once I've got it up and running.

 

[4ycr]

The location will be dependent on local laws, in the UK you are not allowed to record property or a street that you do not own or rent. So the main door to a shop that is on a street cannot have an outside camera.

I am thinking about it even though I work from home