Security Camera pays off

[Defective]

Maybe so, but we wouldn't be able to ridicule the putrid pink purloiner.

jb

You've convinced me...

I'm saving up for a colour camera to replace the one on the front of my shop!

 

[mjncad]

Maybe the Pink Perp escaped from Sheriff Joe Arpaio's jail in Phoenix, Arizona and just loves his pink prison togs so much that he kept them. After all, he got them for free at tax payers' expense.

 

[bialecki]

Although I did not read the entire thread on the subject matter. I recently installed Linksys wireless cameras; Linksys.com - Products/Wireless/Home Control

Here I can be at work and monitor my home. You do not need a PC, but you do need a wireless modem connected to the Internet. I have gone to the local computer shows and picked up a few of the linksys cameras with software for less than $50 each. I placed them strategically around my home looking outside (cameras are not weather proof). They have worked out nicely, I know when the UPS guy comes etc.

 

[Savagepike]

I ended up purchasing this system:

Costco - Q-See 4 CH Remote Monitoring Digital Video Recorder with Pre-Installed 250GB HDD

Not the cheapest, but still a good deal for the amount of features it includes...

 

[woodlandfarms]

Savage. I want to see all your results. Please post some pix if you get a chance.

Yesterday all the toys finally arrived.

I had ordered one camera with 54 LEDs
Lot of 100 Sony HAD CCD 420 TV-Line 54-LED Infrared Camera Varifocal 3.5-8mm

and 2 with 12 LEDS GadSpot.com GS306

And this DVR GadSpot.com GS1800

I had the hard drive allready. I also ordered a microphone and a few cables.

Well, the 12 LED cameras are good. I am happy with the purchase other than the mounting bracket is not what is pictured (a bit bigger).

The 54 LED camera is a bit of a pill. it has a zoom lense, and a focus ring. Saddly, you have to take the whole thing apart and so far I cannot get it to focus sharply. Taking it apart is not difficult, just a PITA. Also, the 54 LED camera is HUGE by comparison. And at the moment it is slipping in and out of focus so I have to figure out what is next with it.

Also, the DVR is a royal PITA to set up. It has lots of features. But man it is totally Chinese. The manual is terrible and the interface is horrible.

Anyway, here are some pix. -- First is of my original camera. Second is of of the new cameras and size comparison. Third is rough install pictures and the last is of my DVR and the quality wiring job I did.

Once i get the focus set I will show some day and night images.

 

[CTW]

Nice new setup woodlandfarms, I guess there are no racoons were these cameras are because they'd have those wires unplugged in a second. In Texas we have to hide our wires and lock up the power supply on our deer feeders or they will completely trash the whole thing. A great solution to monitorshops and barns in remote location. Thanks for the great posts.

 

[Savagepike]

I have to say, that large camera is a beast. And all those wires on your dvr wow Hopefully after some tweaking, it'll step up to your expectations. I should be getting my components late next week, I'll be sure to post pictures and answer anything I can. The cameras are supposed to have an IR range of 60', but we'll see how accurate that is. I just wish they didn't look like flying nuns...

 

[myyaz33]

For my .02, if it is a security camera, a B/W camera has the edge. Most color cameras shift to BW mode in low light when you use the IR lighting anyway, unless you have a lot of light geting to the camera. A pure B/W camera will be sharper than a color camera operating in B/W mode.

I have found the best solution for getting a higher quality picture at night is to not use the LED cameras instead try to provide an adequate light source for the area you are trying to monitor and just use a good quality color or b/w camera. I am sure their are much better quality low light cameras than I have used, but I personally don't think it is worth it in most residential applications.


WoodlandFarms,

Unfortunaltey you have run into the major problems with the lower cost DVR's which is the terrible instructions and interfaces. Once you get it all figured out, you will likely find it is still a pretty good value. With the loopout feature of that DVR you are still able to run an input into a computer capture/dvr card and do the advanced network functions if your find the dvr is too cumbersome or unable.

Others who want to view remotely via internet,

Most of the dvrs that use embeded web servers only allow access via the Internet Explorer broswer. I know most computers have this, but good to know if your work dosen't use it.

If you want live streaming, your internet connection must be able to get a public ip address. It doesn't have to be static just public. Unfortunaley my ISP gives me only a private natted address which really limits me from viewing my cameras from home. My ISP is kinda the exception, so most of you will probably be ok. I end up using LogMeIn.com to connect to my home computer and can then see my cameras remotely.

Remember it is much better to deter theives from committing the crime first.

A great resource on camera stuff is the CCTVForums or Cocoontech Forums. Cocoontech is more home automation, and boy can it be addicting like TBN..

The attached picture is my mailman bringing me a gift yesterday. Thanks Jerome for the great EZ-Hitch...

 

[RonMar]

Woodland farms
A dab of silicone grease in those outside RCA connectors will help keep the moisture out and keep them and the wiring inside the insulation corrosion free. Also tapeing these up and gettignthem out of sight would be good as if they can be approached froma blind side, it is a simple matter of someone unplugging the connections. For this reason, I like cameras placed WAY up high, and very out of sight(people rarely look up).

 

[woodlandfarms]

Absolutely thankyou all on the advice. The pictures I showed were of the first install. I have found that no matter what I do, the first time something goes up it is always wrong so I left the wire hanging out.

Intend to silicone it all up and tuck it away once I am happy with my setup.

Carl