[adapt_today]

Hello, looking at doing a self install of a video security set up on the exterior of my house, mounted under the eaves. If you guys can help out with any advice or links please let me know, I would really appreciate it!

I have looked on the web and seen stuff at best buy/sams club... but want to not miss the best product for the job. Here are my wants for the job...

- cheaper is good, but i want something that will last ( would love to stay in the base 400$ price range though). - but i dont like cheap stuff.

- has to be weather/water proof - notice alot say "weather proof" - we have 4 seasons here.

- want it to record so i can view it later - be awesome to sync it to my smart phone to see it real time.

- want it to have infared or night time visability - as this could be the worst time for problems.

- want 4 cameras now in the set up... maybe more in the distant future.

- need a decent picture quality - I am near a road, i want one or two cameras able to get clear shots of say a license plate say 100' to 150' away if possible...



Any explination or reviews of set ups would be great... especially weatherproof durability, picture quality, how to connect it to the web/or set up that is the best - all the lingo jargen...

Thanks again guys and gals!

 

[goliath4407]

I've used q-see ,lorex'first alert make sure you eaves are high enough so no one can tamper get them the color of yoour eaves many infared lights on camera an 8 or 16 set with internet access with alarm to smart phone get something better than 420 lines and try to hide some of them tigerdirect for research or amazon for feedback

 

[BoycottTheDay]

The hard drives usually crap out right after the warranty runs out, just an fyi.

 

[ScreaminGigabyte]

I currently work surveillance for a corporate property. We mainly use Everfocus cameras (http://www.everfocus.com/products.cfm). You can find them and others at B&H (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/browse/Surveillance-Video/ci/3496/N/4293342959).

Not sure how much you are looking to spend, but a decent DVR setup probably won't be too cheap. Though, Everfocus makes a real good outdoor dome camera that is all weather AND has a built in heater for around ~$240. It is the EHD525 (two versions, one has IR I know for sure, we don't use the IR one).

Your DVR and Software is what is gonna be more costly.

 

[ScreaminGigabyte]

The hard drives usually crap out right after the warranty runs out, just an fyi.

If he really didn't mind spending the money, he could get an NVR on a stand-alone network and use Raid 5, therefore if one HDD goes out, he could just swap another in and let it rebuild. Though NVRs are usually way out of the price range for the normal consumer.

 

[BoycottTheDay]

Anythings better than a cheap chi.com hard drive thats for sure.

The camera's i have had better luck with, only one has crapped out on me so far.

 

[adapt_today]

hmm, yeah i am not super tech savy, but do work behind a desk... I would like a package setup, but i dont want crappy cameras that wont hold up in weather. Is there something you all recommend buying as a set up with decent cameras but say maybe can i switch out the hard drive with a Western Digital portable HD say that is 1TB or something???

I dont want to get too much into loading my own software and installing a bunch of seperate components... I am sure that would be the way to get the best hardware and doing in all for the cheapest price.

I guess i need something simple/stupid for me but i just want something decent.

do most of these cameras that come from say Lorex and other companies last outside? i have seen some people complain they didnt hold up.

- thanks for the B&H idea, didnt even think about them!

 

[ScreaminGigabyte]

The Everfocus should, not sure about those other brands. The ones we have seem to be watertight. We get them because some of the cameras the pressure wash people like to spray and it ruins the standard cameras.

I looked on B&H and there are a few cheaper DVRs that have 8 channels. This one got four good reviews and you can view via webpage and some smartphones: Night Owl Poseidon 8-Channel

Software SHOULD come with most DVRs and it seems as though the one I mentioned is a GUI so all you should need is a keyboard, mouse and monitor.

 

[adapt_today]

thanks, so i could get say this night owl dvr... then get the everfocus cameras and cables and hook it up?

I have extra flat screen and mouses/keyboards...

Also this maybe a stupid question but i see there are 4 power adapters - those get hooked up to the cameras? How far do you have to run power to them...

 

[ScreaminGigabyte]

We use wall-mounted power supplies with fuses. Two power wires (+ and Neutral) run and connect to the power supply boxes and the power supply runs off a standard AC outlet.

Running wire really isn't difficult at all, you can make the video cables yourself and the power wires just hook underneath a screw that tightens down.

 

[adapt_today]

thanks again!

yeah or i guess i could just run extension cords to the power adapter... and i would just buy the video cord/wires...

I would have to run this stuff up into the attic area and run it over to the eaves...


- we do have high eaves no one should mess with...

Thanks for all the input, i look around a bit more but at least i know a few more options.

 

[ScreaminGigabyte]

I would still put a power supply in a closet somewhere, not sure if they will work without one. The power supplies we use also require fuses and it's much better to blow a fuse if the two power wires touch than to have to replace equipment. Power supplies on B&H are under $100 I think for like 8 or 9 cameras.

I know getting this stuff set up will run you several hundred, but it's way better than just setting up one of those camera systems that run off your computer.

Also, you might want to consider a decent APC Battery Backup to run this stuff on, therefore if power goes out you will still be getting coverage.

 

[renegadebuck]

I hope this isn't hijacking, maybe just expanding. What about solar powered wireless cameras? I have a large area and would like advanced notice of visitors.

 

[ScreaminGigabyte]

I hope this isn't hijacking, maybe just expanding. What about solar powered wireless cameras? I have a large area and would like advanced notice of visitors.

I haven't seen them, though we wouldn't use them either. You would run into issues with weather not allowing a recharge. We cannot allow any loss of coverage and having a solar powered camera seems a bit too risky. Now if you possibly setup solar panels and run the cameras off of DC power. Most cameras (that i know of, and all the ones we use) can run off of DC power along with AC power. Though I know next to nothing about solar setups, but I would think getting some batteries hooked up to some outdoor solar panels may be sufficient.

 

[Sooner_Will_Survive]

there is another thread just like it thursday night. i posted some footage of the zmodo. you can buy an 8 cam setup on amazon for 199. the cams arnt the best but they work well enough.

 

[ScreaminGigabyte]

there is another thread just like it thursday night. i posted some footage of the zmodo. you can buy an 8 cam setup on amazon for 199. the cams arnt the best but they work well enough.

I think one of his main issues were them being outside in all seasons. I live where it is mostly hot all year and the winter doesn't get very cold. Not sure how well a standard camera would hold up to a harsh winter like some here may get. The all weather one I mentioned should hold up through anything, especially the winter, as it has a built-in heater.

 

[Sooner_Will_Survive]

I think one of his main issues were them being outside in all seasons. I live where it is mostly hot all year and the winter doesn't get very cold. Not sure how well a standard camera would hold up to a harsh winter like some here may get. The all weather one I mentioned should hold up through anything, especially the winter, as it has a built-in heater.

mike work fine from 0 degree's to 120 without an issue. there are some that doesnt work. in that case the price of the dvr itself and the cams to work inside and the upgraded cams for outside.

this is also why i thik buying the 8 cam setup is the best allowing you to expand later.

 

[bayez]

Don't know if this applies,anyway I received a catalog from Sensaphone Remote Monitoring solutions...I like the idea of bein aware of what's goin on if I'm not there...even if all I can do is observe at the moment...