cctv surveilance system

[angrymime666]

I live in a shady area and I was going to purchase a cctv system.

there are several packages available that include outdoor cameras and stand alone recording units. I know tigerdirect sells few types. Im not sure whether to buy a complete system or build one from the dvr card up.

Im also not sure how weather proof the outdoor cameras are. as well how good the definition will be from the camera.

Im basically would like 4 cameras that are outdoor, wired, view twenty feet away, black and white and preferably with night vision of some sorts.

under $600?

your thoughts?

 

[club69]

saw a similar system selling at Costco awhile back, you might want to check it out.

 

[papasmerf]

you will get what you pay for

Night vision is grainy

you need a lens designed for all light conditions and that lens sells for around 200 bucks add another 200 for a quality camera and 150 for a good 4 cam power supply. the DVR sold with the 600 unit will record well enough for your needs.`

 

[onehunglow]

$600 is way too low. Think about 2 to 3 grand for a top of the line system to give you the results you are looking for.

But first i would suggest you do some serious homework and contact a pro. Tell them your needs and ask to see a system up and running. I MEAN UP AND RUNNING!!!!!!!!! Any reputable company will have something set up to show off to potential clients. See the resolutions, coverage, weatherability, recording method and capacities. SEE IT IN ACTION. You may be surprised how crappy some expensive systems are.

If you want to set something up yourself, SEE the system you want UP AND RUNNING. SEE IT TO BELIEVE IT!!!!!!!!

Last year was hired to extract from a hard drive photos taken of a theft. Camera was only 15 feet away, light was perfect, super expensive system and you..........couldn't even make out the perps face. The perp was I.D.'d by his sweatshirt! (An employee)

Good Luck Perhaps there are some pro's here on TERB who can advise further.

 

[Never Compromised]

Go see Panos at the Beam and Alarm Superstore in Mississauga. Don't bother talking to Walter, ask for Panos.

 

[angrymime666]

three grand is a bit high. I do understand you get what you pay for though.

the surveilance system is for outside an apartment building. mostly a deterant for vandels and to keep an eye on the place.

thanks for the tips all. Ill be checking out the suggestions.

 

[papasmerf]

you will get what you pay for. High quality recording that is admissable in court for fixed cameras will eat up your budget.

 

[onehunglow]

you will get what you pay for. High quality recording that is admissable in court for fixed cameras will eat up your budget.

Bang on!

I have installed about 50 high quality systems over the last few years and as many cheap ones. In every case where a cheap one has been put in (by customer request) and an incident has taken place, i always get a complaint that the video is not good enough to identify anyone or for use in court.

The high quality system i talk about a few posts above was installed by a well known security firm for $15,000 plus. Piece of shit at 15 grand. Covers an industrial complex of 8000 sq ft, 1100 sq ft office space, 2 doors and 2 docks.

My home system is just over 2 grand (self installed/concealed) and not even my good neighbor next door knows the my entire home (in and out) is totally covered both with video/audio/motion sensors/ night vision and is all recorded.

 

[thewheelman]

...not even my good neighbor next door knows the my entire home (in and out) is totally covered both with video/audio/motion sensors/ night vision and is all recorded.

Very good point...last thing you want in a "shady" area, is to have an obvious security system c/w cameras, barred windows etc. Might as well just put your stuff out on the front lawn before you go to work.

 

[The Bandit]

My home system is just over 2 grand (self installed/concealed) and not even my good neighbor next door knows the my entire home (in and out) is totally covered both with video/audio/motion sensors/ night vision and is all recorded.

What are you so paranoid about?

 

[tegR]

"Monitor" your perimeter with jingle bells on strings across every access point. (~$20, Dollarama.) Then some surplus NVG's for about 100 bucks. And a shotgun with shells. Problem solved.

Seriously though, what you buy might depend on what its purpose is. If you intend for your system to serve as an observed-surveillence / early warning system, with no court usage etc, then the $600 shit system might do just fine.

If you are looking for an actual defensive measure against home invasion then skip the CCTV and invest in fortified access points (barred windows, steel door, high-quality locks... and in all seriousness the shotgun.)

If you want deterrence-by-presence for non-pro nuisance/mischief crime then there are some excellent mockup cameras for cheap cheap.

And if you want a system that will capture a criminal act and lead to a conviction you should probably not waste your money. No night vis system within any remotely reasonable cost will take court-admissible face images. Very few systems can do this even in broad daylight with the subject staring directly at the camera from 50 ft. Also, Police priority on smash and grabs is very very low and even a perfect face shot of a perp does not neccissarily mean they will ever be found or convicted. Their mugshot will NOT make the 6:00 news because they stole your TV.

Invest the money in no-deductable insurance on house contents instead.

 

[onehunglow]

What are you so paranoid about?

35 years ago my bro & sis went to school with a guy who turned out later in life to have a severe mental illness. He has over the last 20 years broken into several of our homes, assaulted my Dad. Threaten all of us with death yadayadayada. You know what i am getting at. He's OK when he takes his meds but then he feels he does not need them and he transforms into Jekyl.
Restraining orders don't work, cops won't do anything pre-emptive and we have to wait till he does something to get them to act. Video has sent him back to medical care on many occasions.

House is high-end in a good neighborhood and the discount on insurance has paid for the system. Ring my doorbell and your face comes up on my TV. Great for Jehovahs Witnesses. Alarm covers fire, carbon monoxide, intrusion etc. Mom in granny flat feels safe, i sleep well and because....I CAN!

And I'm not PARANOID!!!! just because everyone is out to get me.

Tons of good reasons.

 

[papasmerf]

35 years ago my bro & sis went to school with a guy who turned out later in life to have a severe mental illness. He has over the last 20 years broken into several of our homes, assaulted my Dad. Threaten all of us with death yadayadayada. You know what i am getting at. He's OK when he takes his meds but then he feels he does not need them and he transforms into Jekyl.
Restraining orders don't work, cops won't do anything pre-emptive and we have to wait till he does something to get them to act. Video has sent him back to medical care on many occasions.

House is high-end in a good neighborhood and the discount on insurance has paid for the system. Ring my doorbell and your face comes up on my TV. Great for Jehovahs Witnesses. Alarm covers fire, carbon monoxide, intrusion etc. Mom in granny flat feels safe, i sleep well and because....I CAN!

And I'm not PARANOID!!!! just because everyone is out to get me.

Tons of good reasons.

every professional security installer I know agrees that the best home alarm system is 2 slightly under-fed German Shepards

 

[svtcobra]

Bang on!

I have installed about 50 high quality systems over the last few years and as many cheap ones. In every case where a cheap one has been put in (by customer request) and an incident has taken place, i always get a complaint that the video is not good enough to identify anyone or for use in court.

The high quality system i talk about a few posts above was installed by a well known security firm for $15,000 plus. Piece of shit at 15 grand. Covers an industrial complex of 8000 sq ft, 1100 sq ft office space, 2 doors and 2 docks.

My home system is just over 2 grand (self installed/concealed) and not even my good neighbor next door knows the my entire home (in and out) is totally covered both with video/audio/motion sensors/ night vision and is all recorded.

Sound like my home/property also, but it wasn't a 2 grand jobber. It does pay off in the end but you have to know the right people to get the job done. The less people know about what type of security you have is better..

What are you so paranoid about?

LOL. I can't speak for him, but for me and my invested hobbys toys and the business on my property. The paranoid is nothing it is more of the insurance companies saying you have to do this because the equipment you have is not cheap, so do this or we will not insure you. Also it is personal preference, as I have people coming and going Staff bringing people over etc etc. I will give the benifit of the doubt but when something happens it is there to easy the mind. I did have a attempted B&E a couple of yrs ago and the security video was an extremly help in catching 4 guys and 1 female who tried to break into my place.

every professional security installer I know agrees that the best home alarm system is 2 slightly under-fed German Shepards

LOL until they kill their prey and you go to court for a few yrs because the family is suing you for everything you have in you're bank account's.

 

[angrymime666]

hmmm.....

how can I put this. I live in a ghetto area. some hookers and crackheads. I dont have anything worth stealing but I value the building I purchased. I dont propose using the surveilance system to record for court purposes. mostly to monitor the coming and goings of people around my building. also I have tenants who have vehicles on site and would like to be able to monitor who goes near them and any vandelism that may occur to the building.

I would like to be able to identify and to deal with the person(s) in an appropriate manner