Home security cameras.... anyone have a system setup?

General Lee · 12-18-05, 07:15

I want to install a camera system to record outdoors, to view the front of my home and possibly the back. Mainly the front though. I know you get what you pay for but I'm on a budget with this thing. I've seen cheap systems, and expensive ones, just not sure what would be the best way to go.

Can anyone recommend a decent sytem that they have and what works for them?

It has to be able to record. Thanks for any help.

Accumulator · 12-19-05, 06:11

Wish I could be of more help with this as we *really* like our home CCTV system. But ours doesn't record, was installed as part of our security system, and was pretty overpriced.

Still- a few tips:

Get the best you can afford. Consider IR illuminators if your outside areas aren't well lighted. Get more than one camera- cover what needs covered. Get more than one viewing station, you'll never be in the right room when you need to see what's going on out there. We have about 8 viewing stations and I wouldn't mind more.

More like what you're considering, I got a recording CCTV system installed at a local mausoleum (long story). This was a couple of years ago and my memory is prety foggy, but anyhow...They used a control lunit to work with two cameras and hard-drive type recorder instead of tape, and IMO that's the way to go. Since you'll hardly ever actually *look* at the recording, you want the least hassles possible. You record a lot, only view it when something needs looked at, and that takes a lot of time if you're using tape. Plus the hard drive setup works better with multiple cameras. Plus, it has resolution quality that's been accepted as courtroom evidence

These systems also work with the multiple cameras in a split-screen type of way. This was an indoor system, and IIRC it cost $2-3K. Call a few security companies and get quotes. The one I got for the mausoleum was the same basic system everyone was selling, but I was able to get it for a fraction of the cost that some guys were asking.

But this stuff isn't cheap...a guy I know has an "inexpensive" system in his house and I thought it was pretty crappy.

Bill D · 12-19-05, 06:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Accumulator

More like what you're considering, I got a recording CCTV system installed at a local mausoleum (long story).

I'd love to hear about that one some time!

SK2003TypeS · 12-19-05, 10:01

I've been looking into the stuff available at smarthome.com. Just not sure exaclty "what" I want. These systems get pretty pricey when you start adding the kool features.

mausoleum ? maybe to keep unused bottles of polishes, waxes, etc.

Accumulator · 12-19-05, 02:03

Heh heh, it was a real mausoleum; this was back when I was Board Pres of the Cemetery Association, I took care of all the security-related concerns. There were vandalism issues that needed resolved.

I have the SmartHome catalog somewhere, but I've never checked out their camera systems. Just remember that their catalog makes it all sound *so* easy and fool-proof. Every system I know of that was installed by pros took a fair bit of tweaking to get right (hint hint).

General Lee · 12-19-05, 08:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Accumulator

Wish I could be of more help with this as we *really* like our home CCTV system. But ours doesn't record, was installed as part of our security system, and was pretty overpriced.

Still- a few tips:

Get the best you can afford. Consider IR illuminators if your outside areas aren't well lighted. Get more than one camera- cover what needs covered. Get more than one viewing station, you'll never be in the right room when you need to see what's going on out there. We have about 8 viewing stations and I wouldn't mind more.

More like what you're considering, I got a recording CCTV system installed at a local mausoleum (long story). This was a couple of years ago and my memory is prety foggy, but anyhow...They used a control lunit to work with two cameras and hard-drive type recorder instead of tape, and IMO that's the way to go. Since you'll hardly ever actually *look* at the recording, you want the least hassles possible. You record a lot, only view it when something needs looked at, and that takes a lot of time if you're using tape. Plus the hard drive setup works better with multiple cameras. Plus, it has resolution quality that's been accepted as courtroom evidence

These systems also work with the multiple cameras in a split-screen type of way. This was an indoor system, and IIRC it cost $2-3K. Call a few security companies and get quotes. The one I got for the mausoleum was the same basic system everyone was selling, but I was able to get it for a fraction of the cost that some guys were asking.

But this stuff isn't cheap...a guy I know has an "inexpensive" system in his house and I thought it was pretty crappy.

I definitely would like a hard-drive type recorder. I have been looking around on-line, alot of products out there and not having much knowledge in this stuff doesn't help

I was going to try and install it myself, but I think I will go with a company that does installations.

Accumulator · 12-20-05, 05:41

General Lee- Yeah, I think that going with a pro installation is the smart move.

SK2003TypeS · 12-20-05, 06:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Accumulator

Heh heh, it was a real mausoleum; this was back when I was Board Pres of the Cemetery Association, I took care of all the security-related concerns. There were vandalism issues that needed resolved.

I have the SmartHome catalog somewhere, but I've never checked out their camera systems. Just remember that their catalog makes it all sound *so* easy and fool-proof. Every system I know of that was installed by pros took a fair bit of tweaking to get right (hint hint).

LOL....I misread the post. I thought you had a masoleum on your property or something.

Looking at the Smarthome products, it does sound too easy. Makes me a little skeptical. I'm afraid of the price tag when I start to really add up the goodies. I really want a few outdoor PTZ cameras with a wireless monitor. Tweaking out systems would probably be the fun part for me. I'm into computers, home theater, electronics, techie stuff in general. I once spent 4 hours straight adjusting gray levels for my home theater. Only I was able to tell the difference. My family and friends think I have issues. Some people just don't understand.

Accumulator · 12-20-05, 06:57

SK2003TypeS- Yeah, you might enjoy tweaking the system. But I think you're smart to be suspicious about those "too good to be true" ease of set-up claims. Remember that it's all just ad-copy

Wireless transfer huh? I'd sure check into what will/won't interfere with the signals...

SK2003TypeS · 12-20-05, 10:04

Yes ! The infomercial type products these days are pretty amusing. I will proceed with caution.

Wireless will probably be tricky I'm sure. Even tricker with a "reasonable" budget. I'm a stickler for high picture quality too.

I do have a problem with buying and trying things for the sake of science from time to time. It doesn't help that I have a friend who is the "pioneer" type consumer with new technology. I tend to be the laggard. Which is why I gladly take his "old" stuff. Maybe I'll tell him to look into wireless security systems.

Accumulator · 12-20-05, 12:43

Heh heh, yeah, I wouldn't want to be the guy breaking new ground with a system like that. When something goes wrong with our system, and now and then something does, it's nice to be able to just call somebody.