Home video surveillance advice. Need a techie

[joshb]

I'm thinking about adding video cameras to my system, maybe independent of the alarm system. I've been reading about resolution quality and I have a headache because I don't know what they're talking about. I want good quality, high resolution cameras. If the worst happens, I want faces and license plates. Cameras inside and out. Any help for this Dinosaur would be much appreciated. Thanks, Josh

 

[NONEYA]

Pm sent.

 

[dickn52]

Don't know it all, but in that field you will get what you pay for. Are you tying this into your computer, phone or both? You will want the highest resolution possible, and that's probably 1080P right now. 4K is there but at triple the cost almost. If night vision is wanted, then you'll need IR LED lights around the camera lens for lighting. Motion, add more money. Storage for all the video captured. How long do you want to store video before it loops and records over the older stuff? Business or residential. IF business, then I would pay to have it done. Let your insurance company know you have it for a possible discount. IF residential, then if possible have a security company put it in for you. Wires and power to run etc... DO NOT let some company monitor for you though as that is expensive too.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I have went every route there is on video and security and now i just use nest. I can add a camera in about 45seconds and put one anywhere i want plus i use the doorbell, security system with key fobs (all wireless) light controls and thermostat. I have no problem with video quality day or night as long as they come close but my cameras that were the best a security co could muster had the same image. Seeing somebody at 50’ at night is a task no camera can do if theres no lights only ir. I couldnt be happier with nest.

 

[jepp2]

I have experience with Amcrest web cam and my weather station webcam (can be seen on this link, just click on the Webcam tab at the top of the map) https://www.wunderground.com/personal-weather-station/dashboard?ID=KCOLOVEL18

Both have very good instructions to lead you through the setup, step by step. One question you need to ask, how long do you want to keep your images? And where do you want to keep them?

I installed the Amcrest inside, so the glass defeats the night time capability. My weather cam is outside, and as per the specifications, is good to -4 degrees F. Neither is PoE (power over ethernet). For me it was just easier to set them up using wireless. One on my modem, one on my router.

The prices just keep dropping. I find 1080P to very adequate for excellent quality images. If you look at my weather cam, it is 720P, mostly due to the site I FTP my images to.

If the terms like PoE and FTP are foreign to you, don't worry. The instructional videos really help a lot. You will be an expert before you know it, or at least capable of setting up and monitoring your webcams.

 

[geraldgee]

I have an Arlo Pro system. Easy to setup and great quality video. The systems go on sale about monthly. They are worth a look.

Good luck
Gerald

 

[Texas10]

In setting up your system, you might think about how the system will work in the event of a power failure. I suspect the weak link in many home security systems is the breaker box on the outside of the house. Flip a switch and everything without battery backups or a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) goes dark.

One other thing to know about the value of what your system might capture is when to use what you've got, and when hold it close. Just the threat of a video capturing say, hookers urinating on a bed (just to use a current example), can be a more powerful weapon than the actual video. Once it's published, there is no more leverage to be used.

 

[bsekf]

I've been look too. but I have concerns. Anything hooked to the internet or cloud storage can be hacked. I would think anything that hooks to your phone can be hacked. I suppose somebody could monitor your cameras and know when you left home. Nest and Ring can be hacked and the hacker could give some interesting information to people ringing your doorbell. Cloud and off premise storage are going to have a monthly fee.

Old fashioned wired cameras and DVR may be the safest way.

Please keep us informed about your search.

Bill

 

[joshb]

Keep the ideas coming. Thanks. I am thinking a hardwire, storage onsite system would be best. Battery back up, too, even tho I have a whole house auto generator. I spent 35 years building houses. I think I can still run the wiring.

 

[riverwolf1]

If I were going to install anything right now, I would install the Ring system. The doorbell an 1-2 extra camera/light combo’s.
I think their web site is Ring .com, they also offer offsite storage of the video feeds.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

If you store it on site its up for the taking once they spot the cameras. Mine is stored in the cloud with cellular backup. No amount of wire cutting will take the evidence. Not concerned with hacking on this particular application

 

[snert]

If you run wireless cam and hide the reciever in an interesting place, then they spend a bunch of time on cam finding the reciever, if they do. In the mean time they trip the OC grenade.

Worth the time to watch....

If you use an internet served system, anyone with a cutter can pop your line and you go dark.

If you use non-backup powered system, shutting off the main box makes things go dark.

 

[wvlongshot]

I'e been thinking about camera system upgrade also.
Why not run both styles. A hard wired system with data held onsite, and a digital system with cloud storage for convenience of cell watching and storage space.
Couple of cameras on each system

 

[linekin]

Keep the ideas coming. Thanks. I am thinking a hardwire, storage onsite system would be best. Battery back up, too, even tho I have a whole house auto generator. I spent 35 years building houses. I think I can still run the wiring.

I caretake for a house that has a generator & security system. The monitoring company called me & had me go there as they had no contact with it. Apparently the split second that it took for the generator to kick on was enough to "trip??" the modem...I think. I unplugged it & back in & it was good to go.
I didn't think to highly of that.
Don't know what the answer is as I don't know anything about this stuff. Just passing it on.

Keith

 

[mr45man]

I suspect the weak link in many home security systems is the breaker box

Iv got a padlock on mine.I know it can be cut
but then the bad guy has to walk around with bolt cutters. Battery backups will run a modem and camera.All my cameras are on backups and protects them from power surges .

 

[gunnermhr]

I'm getting ready to install a system at my house, it will be hard wired, with the wires concealed finding the storage device will be very difficult. I can disable a wireless camera in a shorter amount of time than it takes me to write this. I can assure you a criminal will research it enough to do the same.

My thought so far is a 1080 IR system with a 4 Tara bite hard drive. Sannnce has a couple decent looking systems on ebay that are affordable. buy it without the hard drive, you can find a 4T hard drive for less than a $100, and monitors are a dime a dozen.

A friend of mine bought one and is real happy with it, does anyone else here have that system? If so what are your thoughts

 

[liljoe]

The other issue is living in the sticks and not having internet so the wireless stuff doesn't work.
The wireless cameras still need a power cable to them.
Putting your recording unit in your safe makes it just as hard to get as your guns.
Joe Hynes

 

[Dusty Stevens]

The nest cameras have batteries in them. The cord keeps it charged. Also have a magnetic ball mount so theyre easy to point- shaped like an egg.

 

[#40Fan]

The best advantage to cameras is the person knowing they are there!