Security Cameras? | FerrariChat

Security Cameras?

Discussion in 'Technology' started by TexasMike, Feb 22, 2008.

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  1. TexasMike

    TexasMike F1 World Champ

    Feb 17, 2005
    10,485
    Austin, Texas
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    Michael C
    Does anyone here have any recommendations for a decent home security camera system? I can't afford to spend too much money but I want the quality to be decent enough that I could actually ID the suspect(s) if they come back. Something with 2-4 cameras would be ideal for my situation. Possibly something with a DVR or Internet access.

    Also, I need to be able to see my driveway so I'm wondering if I need a night vision camera or if a normal camera with a spotlight illuminating the area would suffice?

    Any help would be greatly appreciated.
     
  2. agup48

    agup48 Two Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 15, 2006
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    Just a suggestion, I'm not sure on how much this will be, but, try your security company, call them up and ask for an estimate. I'm pretty sure they know what they are doing, way better than us F-chatters.
     
  3. TexasMike

    TexasMike F1 World Champ

    Feb 17, 2005
    10,485
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    Michael C
    :) That's a thought but I already tried that. ADT isn't the cheapest route... After doing some research I guess I'm going to get one of those DVR cards for my PC. They sell complete packages with multiple cameras, the DVR PCI card, the wires & the software for a pretty inexpensive price.
     
  4. agup48

    agup48 Two Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 15, 2006
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    Actually, try Fry's Electronics, I remember them selling the package, but not sure how much again. There is one on Parmer and MOPAC, probably one closer to you.
     
  5. GTHill

    GTHill F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 1, 2006
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    Sams and Costco usually have some kits that are reasonable.

    Gene
     
  6. ChunkyMonkey

    ChunkyMonkey Formula 3

    Feb 27, 2006
    1,582
    Texas, duh
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    Chad
    you don't need a true night vision camera for the driveway, rather just a low light one. I'll try finding a link for you, I was looking into the same since wife and I are moving into a house and I'm restoring my Rx-7. That and the fact my motorcycle seems to be a favorite for theft attempts, lol. I even priced some on ebay(130) for wireless and 3 cameras with an adapter to record straight to my external hard drive or a vcr.
     
  7. ADON

    ADON Formula 3

    Feb 8, 2007
    1,059
    If you just put some flood lights out on the driveway that should be fine. Get some of those motion detectors that have the floodlights on them to really light them up when something comes around.
     
  8. Night life

    Night life F1 Veteran
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    Dec 1, 2007
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    Roberto
    Try Costco they have three different types relatively cheap, colour, night vision, up to 8 cameras I use one of the systems in my nightclub.
     
  9. TexasMike

    TexasMike F1 World Champ

    Feb 17, 2005
    10,485
    Austin, Texas
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    Michael C
    Thanks Roberto! I'll check those out.
    Did you get the Spider yet. I think Franc told me it should be shipping out soon. :)
     
  10. Night life

    Night life F1 Veteran
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    Almost here it is being picked up on Fri or Sat they still have not confirmed yet but I should know by tomorrow, I should get it by Tue and I can't wait Franck has been a great person to deal with and very helpful with all my silly questions I'm sure I pestered him enough...;)
     
  11. fjb

    fjb Formula Junior
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  12. yoda

    yoda F1 Rookie

    Sep 27, 2004
    2,598
    UT
    I have been impressed with Axis (axis.com) cameras. Built-in web server that can be viewed from any web browser. They are also powered over ethernet so you don't need to run a separate power line. It can also be setup to store on your harddrive. It's great to be able to have somebody ring the doorbell and whip out your wireless PDA and see who's on your doorstep.
     
  13. Night life

    Night life F1 Veteran
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    I just bought some of these for our outdoor patio at my clubsomeone kept stealing our patio lights and rope lights and any kind of light they could get there grubby little hands on

    they look really good very realistic blinking light and one that was motorized and someone stole them all,

    that's all I have to say about that life is like a box of chocolates...:p
     
  14. the head

    the head Karting

    Mar 6, 2008
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    Des Moines IA
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    J. Hedden
    for good low light you want a Low Lux rating check the spec sheets...the lower the number for lux rating the better the camera sees in low light also look for a low recovery time...this is the time it takes for the transfer from dark to light to occur.
     
  15. wingfeather

    wingfeather F1 Rookie

    Feb 1, 2007
    3,653
    rock bottom
    Someone stole the cameras? That is brave!!!

    Here is an idea... put REAL cameras inside the fake housings!

    They'll be close to the camera while stealing what they think is fake... you'll get a good face ID :)
     
  16. Night life

    Night life F1 Veteran
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    Good advice but I'm sure the cops are not going to care about kids stealing cameras and have you heard the saying they all look alike I'll leave it at that, what I need to do is catch the MOFO'S
     
  17. Challenge64

    Challenge64 F1 Veteran
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    Jul 28, 2004
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    I have installed CCTV at my house..so just a few thoughts

    - Ive got daytime color/nighttime B/W 480p cameras w/ IR emitters. The cases are all weather. I dont remember the brand..but they are hard wired with RCA cables and use no power. Have yet to have 1 fail after 5 years now.
    - I use a 16 channel sony DVR that captures images with jpegs. The player can backup on to memory cards that can transfer to a computer. Has 300gb drive and internet card
    - The system uses an interface to be broadcast on all the tvs in the house on certain channels
    - DVR's resolution can be adjusted using 6 levels as well as to record only when cameras sense motion.

    IMO get the best DVR you can. Its more important than the cameras in alot of ways.
     
  18. WilyB

    WilyB F1 Rookie
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    Feb 23, 2007
    4,272
    AZ
    I use Axis as well: two 213PTZ and two 221 night and day cameras, all in external protective housing. I added three IR illuminators and dedicated a PC to run the sotware/record all events. Cams, IR, network hub and PC are all on back-up batteries.
     
  19. ANCOTRONIX

    ANCOTRONIX Karting

    Apr 16, 2005
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    alex
  20. Pcar928fan

    Pcar928fan Formula 3

    Jan 21, 2008
    1,702
    Austin, TX
    I run a 4 channel color system that is on rotation mode. So it is full screen of each camera, but not all the time. I record with a VCR and have it programmed to do that. I have a monitor screen in the vault room where all the cameras feed. Then I output that signal to each TV in the house so you can pull up the cameras whenever you want to. I am thinking about switching to a DVR for the recording vs. the VCR, and I would like a couple of low light cameras too. All of my cameras connect via S-video cable.

    Any thoughts on S-video cameras that can do low light OR DVR suggestions would be appreciated. Also wondering how I could output the signal over the web so that I could pull up my security cameras on a iPhone... Sling box? Something else??? Something cheaper??? Something wireless would be best even I think...

    Thanks,
    James
    Austin, TX
     
  21. Jedi

    Jedi Moderator
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    Mar 18, 2008
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    Dave
    I just installed a Lorex DVR (with USB out to computer, and included software), and 4 Lorex
    high grade (hi-res) cameras with IR lighting. All hard wired. Works GREAT. I like the Lorex
    160-gb DVR because unlike many others it has a VGA output, so I use an old 15" flat panel
    monitor I had laying around and keep an eye on all 4 cameras. 160 gigs is enough to record
    full-frame, 30 FPS from all cameras for almost a week. I use the motion detection mode,
    and find it catches everything that moves. Great system!

    Jedi
     
  22. Pcar928fan

    Pcar928fan Formula 3

    Jan 21, 2008
    1,702
    Austin, TX
    Thanks Jedi...btw, I like your name abbreviation, that is AWESOME! Big Star Wars fan here!

    Best,
    James
    Austin, TX
     
  23. Jedi

    Jedi Moderator
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    Mar 18, 2008
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    Dave
    Thanks! And no, my real name is NOT Jedediah Isaiah! I think I was Dave #3,742 so
    figured we just had too da*m many Dave's on the board :)

    Jedi
     
  24. Pcar928fan

    Pcar928fan Formula 3

    Jan 21, 2008
    1,702
    Austin, TX
    LOL! That is FUNNY! You could be Jedi Dave... For those of us Star Wars aged folks that would be pretty good...

    James
     

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