Video surveillance

[pc-rebuilders]

I have a friend that has a need for some video surveillance in his factory. He thinks he needs about 16 cameras. He's trying to solve a dispute with employees, and harassment in the workplace. Does anyone have any suggestions to an affordable solution?

 

[MikeLierman]

You could set him up with an IP camera system. $60 a camera. I think 16 is way too many for even a professional setup. What does he own? A freakin hotel? Lol.

 

[pc-rebuilders]

This is a metal refinishing plant. I'm not sure of the number of cameras he really needs. I wonder if he should go wireless or cat5? If he uses an ip setup, what software is recommended? Etc. He needs the the whole works...

 

[Markverhyden]

Have they checked with their legal counsel regarding signage and notifications?

 

[Moltuae]

For that many cameras, depending on factors such as budget, required image quality and whether or not it's practical to run cables, I'd suggest a CCTV DVR and regular coaxial (composite video) cameras rather than individual IP cameras.

 

[Knightsman]

hard to really say without seeing the site.

I normally push hard for the HD cameras, because the quality is so nice, and it ends up impressing the owner. It does cost more, around $150-200 on amazon.

I get foscam IP 1.3 megapixel IP Cameras. I also install a server (we like the Lenovo D20 line), put in two 2gb red nas drives (raid 1) and 1 os drive, utilize blue iris for software. Blue iris also has an android and iTunes app that your customer can use offsite.

This has been a great setup for us.

You can go with the $60 cheap cameras, but the quality is poor, and you will not be able to make out someone's face most of the time. We have used DVR's that were $300 and some that were close to $1000, and they all seem to be crap. haven't found one DVR, that was made well, that gave you all the options needed for your customer, and was reliable.

 

[Knightsman]

This is a metal refinishing plant. I'm not sure of the number of cameras he really needs. I wonder if he should go wireless or cat5? If he uses an ip setup, what software is recommended? Etc. He needs the the whole works...

Only go wireless if you have a hard spot to get to. Hard wired is the best way to go with cameras.

 

[HCHTech]

This sounds like a job for a specialist. Do you have / can you build a relationship with a security company? They would have access to proven equipment and knowledge of best practices, etc. I would imagine you might get some return business out of this kind of relationship, too. I knew a guy for a couple of years that sold alarms - I got quite a few calls to do the initial hookup of DVRs to customer networks. Easy money, they took over once the DVR could see the network and the internet.

 

[brandonkick]

I second consulting a professional installer, a local security system company.

They might charge you a little more than you'd pay to DIY, but the pro will be faster and have more experience in setting up that kind of system.


It would probably be a much "easier" process for the increase in cost.

 

[pceinc]

We install IP cameras. Decent ones start at $200 cost, better are a little more. The $200 camera comes with 1920x1600 resolution, audio recording, alarm input, and variable focal lense. These have plastic housing but work really well. 16 channel IP DVR will run $600-$700. There is a lot of markup in CCTV. Plus you have the cable end of it. Cabling for IP cameras is much cheaper than coax.

At this point, going IP would be the way to go unless you need PTZ, then it gets cost prohibitive for larger deployments for most small businesses.

 

[Knightsman]

We install IP cameras. Decent ones start at $200 cost, better are a little more. The $200 camera comes with 1920x1600 resolution, audio recording, alarm input, and variable focal lense. These have plastic housing but work really well. 16 channel IP DVR will run $600-$700. There is a lot of markup in CCTV. Plus you have the cable end of it. Cabling for IP cameras is much cheaper than coax.

At this point, going IP would be the way to go unless you need PTZ, then it gets cost prohibitive for larger deployments for most small businesses.

The foscams have a steel shell and mounts.