Home serveillance systems?

[Piper2022]

Like alot of you guys we live off the beaten path. We got broken into last year and even though they caught the thief they couldn't prove he stole the goods and just got nailed with possession of stolen property.

So the dumb kid who broke into the garage is back living down the street. We need to setup some real camera now. I have 2 trail cams setup at the moment but want to install a hard drive with some cameras. Anyone care to chime in or point me in the right direction. On amazon there are camera kits with hard drive that range from 200 to 2k.

Thanks

 

[Industrial Toys]

I don't know if things are the same in the States as here in Canada.

I have been a self employed security "professional" for twenty years.

Every week I get calls asking about CCTV systems to "CATCH" someone.

It is a waste of time, effort and money!

The POLICE and legal system has no interest whatsoever in prosecuting such minor infractions. Anything less then homicide is totally ignored.

 

[Cat_Driver]

Signs. Lights, Cameras are what you need. HUGE signs warning that cameras are all over. Next motion lights that go off everywhere a crook might go. Motion cameras that go on at the same tome the lights go on. Some night vision cameras that will not be notices. They also have motion detectors that will trigger sound effects like a dog barking, of a recorded sound saying STOP THE POLICE HAVE BEEN CALLED.

These things wil help scare them off BEFORE they steal anything. A crook wants to get in and out clean, if there is the slightest chance they are viewed of are noticed they move on to easier tartgets and there are plenty more to get after they are scared away from your place.

 

[YardBikeBob]

We use these: GeoVision Inc. GV-MFD130 1.3MP H.264 Mini Fixed Network IP Dome - PoE, WDR, ONVIF Profile S

Installed a dozen to watch 8 different retail stores. They have an SD card that can hold a month's worth of video. They also include server software that allows monitoring & storage of footage. During store hours, they're on continuously, over night they use motion detection. These are all 'indoor' cameras to be used in conditioned space. Outdoor rated cameras require heaters/fans to keep at reasonable temps. Outdoor rated ones are a lot more money. Captured two break-ins. Some shoplifting. What we learned:

• Break-ins happen at night. Cameras have some night vision capability. But all you have on video is a guy in a hoodie making a fast, blurry pass through your store. That is, not enough detail to identify a person.
• Added motion sensing light. 2nd break in with light. More detail but still couldn't identify person.
• Camera has to be close. Looking down from 8' ceiling rarely catches full facial image of bad guy -- they keep their head down.
• Camera at chest height w/lighting would be ideal. But where to mount them? And, of course, bad guy will steal that, too, so then you need that remote server.
• Camera's use a lot of bandwidth! Don't expect to stream video from remote cameras over internet to off-site location without very high speed internet.
• Having a central monitor/server is just another PC you have to maintain and have on all the time.
• Software is good but quirky. It takes awhile to get good at using it. And then you have to relearn on an event.
• Cameras are not very reliable -- they just break after awhile. Like a year. Some last forever.
• Police are useless. Perhaps you'll get lucky and the crook will hold ID up to camera. Otherwise police make a report and are on their way.
• Our break-ins; the guy was in an out under a minute.
• Maybe outdoor, lighted space, on drive hoping to shoot pic of vehicle with license plate your best hope -- and a trail cam can do that.

Seriously, in the country? Get a dog.

Bob

 

[MoKelly]

Seriously, in the country? Get a dog.

Bob

Agree 1000%. The more fearsome the bark the better.

MoKelly

 

[farmer2009]

Agree 1000%. The more fearsome the bark the better.

MoKelly

There is a saying around here. If a dog barks at you he is afraid of you. So if using a dog as security, you want one that doesn't bark. Just stroals up to there door and sits no barking no grouling no wagging tail. Most won't get out of the vehicle as that dog isn't afraid of them. Most barkers can just be walked by.

 

[michael.white]

There is a saying around here. If a dog barks at you he is afraid of you. So if using a dog as security, you want one that doesn't bark. Just stroals up to there door and sits no barking no grouling no wagging tail. Most won't get out of the vehicle as that dog isn't afraid of them. Most barkers can just be walked by.

I've been bitten by enough of those barkers growing up to know better than that. Between biking and door-to-door sales, barking dogs do bite.

 

[psj12]

I agree with Industrial Toys, our justice system is drowning in what they consider petty crime. If the justice system can make money off it then they are all over it such as traffic citations and DWIs support a large number of jobs within the community.

Prosecuting a scum bag with no income or property is an expense to the system with no return. Unless it is a publicized crime or happens to a celebrity or someone politically connected nothing is done. You are told "here is your police report. If you find out who did it, let us know". Even then you will be asked if you saw them do it and if you did not, again nothing is done.

 

[DennisArrow]

Posted this in another Forum a couple of weeks ago........Still valid



Video Surveillance 101

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For Christmas my very significant other, Susan/Wife, was wanting a camera or baby monitor down at the barn that she could use to check out sick goats, mommas bearing, breeding, and what they are doing in the barn overnight. Okay, this should be easy.

First the choice of broadcast type. Wireless or hard wired. That was an easy choice as if I was getting her a video cam surveillance sytem then it was gonna be more than just a goat cam. So, just to go to the barn is 250' and not gonna run wire/cable.

It would be necessary to have the cams perhaps 300 or 400 feet or more from the house to cover goat/livestock barn, vehicle barn, main entry gate, back way in-never used road gate/cable, and the path/route that trespassers are most likely to use.

The system would need to be 12V so I can power it with solar and recharge thecar, tractor, small tractor, or motorcycle battery.

The system would need to function as an alarm so that movement would set it off and it would integrate with current alarm systems. It would also need to be able to be "triggered" by movement or noise and record whatever set it off; but NOT record, record, record all the time constantly. In addition it needs to be able to be monitored from my PC, lap-top, a "smart" phone, or additonal TV monitor.

Inra-red capability and range is a totally required item on the list with at least a range of 100' feet or more.

Ok......So need at least 4 cams with a DVR, good warranty, customer service,tech service/help, and most of all.....GREAT PRICE.....

Dream on Sherlock............

So after a lot of research, phone calls, talking with sales folks, and other users I selected a Lorex system that is built for outdoors and all of my above requirments and more. Yes, COSTCO, Walmart, Sams and others sell their systems; but I went directly to Lorex because of their outstanding customer service, fast delivery (we were getting down to the wire for Christmas), warranty, and knowledgeable AMERICAN techs on the phone.

OK..........Got it and have been setting it up for several days now with NO hurry...........

Had to :
get a solar panel
battery

Build a box for those hanging on a tree or telephone pole to protect from weather

Try out distances and hook up extra extender antenna or not

Figure out the size of battery I needed. Ends up being a small tractor/lawn mower is just right. Got a 10W 12V solar panel. This charges the battery and provides enough power for cloudy days. The Cameras use 325 miliamps..................

Ok........NOW to use them...............More later. God bless........Dennis
__________________

 

[Piper2022]

I think he is 21 now. And I am not a big guy but in good shape and 190lbs. He looks like he is 13, must be 5'5" 130lbs. I have really tought about scaring the crap outa him. Except he has nothing to live for and never graduated highschool. I am a mechanical engineering and no need for a criminal record.

The local cop should not have told me the but when I asked what my rights were if he came back when I was home. He told me basically if i were to pay him a visit at his place just don't get caught lol. Not food advice from a cop.

There is a restating order against him with terms being he can't step foot on our property. I am 99.99% sure he rode his snowmobile down out driveway today but can't prove crap because there are many sleds who get lost because the trail splits off right near our driveway. There are plenty of no snowmobile signs but people don't seem to notice them lol

 

[Industrial Toys]

It's always dicey when you have more to loose then the other guy.