Need info on Home security systems!

[KEVINS]

My home was broken into yesterday while at work so I need to know what home systems you have and what is good.
YES, The car and the garage is fine. =) They stole my two computers and $800 in coins that were in a jar but artwork and tv, etc were never touched. Computers are my home business computers and they are backed up every night and I still have the backups so that's good! I never stored any perosal info on them and all passwords are now changed.

On with my question - Here's what I'm thinking:
IR/color cameras
16 cameras minimum
I would like to record at a minimum of 2 weeks 24/7.
Wireless
Anything else????

What's out there that you like?


Thanks guys!
Kevin Slaby

 

[BARRACUDA1968]

I can tell you what not to get, EZWatch Pro. I bought this system for my car dealership and it is garbage. I upgraded to the better IR cameras and unless you know the person ( ie, how they walk or dress etc ) you won't be able to identify them unless they walk up to the camera and smile. The software is terrible and I could never get anyone on the phone for support.

If you want a good system be prepared to spend some serious money, especially on cameras. I would also recommend buying a system with a devoted hard drive to the security cameras and not what I did which was install a special video card in my tower computer I had built for the system. I'd get a terabyte minimum if you get quality camera's.

Recording a person you won't be able to recognize is not the way to go. I have some friends in law enforcement and they say the video surveillance the average person can afford is usually not helpful. I have seen it for myself and agree.

You're better off installing something to make some noise and turn the lights on etc. Granted you won't catch the thief most of the time but you will still have your stuff unless you live in a remote area and then it would still take some balls to steal from you. If they do then you know it's someone that knows you and your security system.

If you do decide to go with surveillance make sure you see how the equipment works first hand and not over the internet.

 

[KEVINS]

Thank You! Great info..
This will be a standalone dedicated system and I would like to have an alarm also..

ks

 

[GNocide]

dedicated micros-very effective i retail loss prevention
16 cams avail
2 week back up
ip remote/ home /phone viewing

 

[KevinB]

Just like everything else.... You get what you pay for.

Look for a min of 1 tb hard drive in the dvr.
Min of 500 tvl for the cameras
Camera placement is key. You will want different size lenses or verifocal lenses would be ideal. Get close up shots for identification, like coming through doors and what not. Also get overview shots. Make sure overview cameras have a good tvl or megapixel (ip cameras.)

Remember most wireless cameras will still need power run to them.
An alarm system is a good idea too.

My experience in all this? I worked for a big company that installed and serviced cameras and alarms in the major banks and buildings in the country. I still do a small alarm business on the side.

Posted from the TurboBuick.Com mobile app

 

[KEVINS]

Just like everything else.... You get what you pay for.

Look for a min of 1 tb hard drive in the dvr.
Min of 500 tvl for the cameras
Camera placement is key. You will want different size lenses or verifocal lenses would be ideal. Get close up shots for identification, like coming through doors and what not. Also get overview shots. Make sure overview cameras have a good tvl or megapixel (ip cameras.)

Remember most wireless cameras will still need power run to them.
An alarm system is a good idea too.

My experience in all this? I worked for a big company that installed and serviced cameras and alarms in the major banks and buildings in the country. I still do a small alarm business on the side.

Posted from the TurboBuick.Com mobile app

Thanks Kev!
What brands are good? If you have any recommendations or links to equipment it would help a lot!

ks

 

[Phoneguy]

As everyone has said , you get what you pay for. IP cameras in 3 megapixel with varifocal lenses 2-8mm work very well. As Kevin B stated , a minimum of 1 TB hard drive, 2 is better. Also set the DVR to record motion only with 10 second pre and post alarm so you see what happened 10 seconds before and after an event. DVR placement is something to consider as well, you do not want someone to break in and take the DVR with them. I have done cameras in 26 states for WalMart (350 cameras each) , Lowes and Target as well as many local businesses, been in telecom/security since 1990. Security systems can be done relatively cheap these days, I would suggest this first while you decide on a surveillance system. Good luck.

Bryan

 

[chopped39]

See my Avitar? 140lb Rottweiler works very well.Even better if there is two of them. The best deterrent you can get. I have an ademco that rings my phone first and then the cop shop. A good friend of mine has a ademco up north that he can connect to via modem and check all cameras and sensors with his cell phone.All wireless

 

[KEVINS]

Are the wireless cameras good?
Can I do both wired for the inside cameras that I get wires to and wireless for outside?
How long do batteries last in the wireless versions especially being outside in the winter?

ks

 

[GNocide]

Are the wireless cameras good?
Can I do both wired for the inside cameras that I get wires to and wireless for outside?
ks

with dedicated micros as posted above- yes

 

[KEVINS]

What's a dedicated micro?

ks

 

[Grumpy]

See my Avitar? 140lb Rottweiler works very well.Even better if there is two of them. The best deterrent you can get. I have an ademco that rings my phone first and then the cop shop. A good friend of mine has a ademco up north that he can connect to via modem and check all cameras and sensors with his cell phone.All wireless

That is one of the best alarms. Just don't say "who wants to go for a ride" or "Go fishing!! (for HOURS at a time)" Back to the thread. I am watching this to.. I need good video (I want to see them!! Not like crap they post on TV from someone's $19.99 system)

 

[GNocide]

is the system- you dont need hd - camera placement is key
http://www.dedicatedmicrosus.com/?id=68
you ever see a bank or service station robbery video and wonder how did they catch them?
not with this system
use this $5 phone app to tie in on the go

http://hit-mob.com/ip-cam-viewer-android/

 

[chopped39]

That is one of the best alarms. Just don't say "who wants to go for a ride" or "Go fishing!! (for HOURS at a time)" Back to the thread. I am watching this to.. I need good video (I want to see them!! Not like crap they post on TV from someone's $19.99 system)

Holy cow! Is that Hunter? I remember seeing the puppy pics a few years back.Im in the air about a German Shepard or another Rottweiler. The Hair is a killer they say on the GS. Sorry for the hijack. Back to leaks

 

[OhioC5]

A guy at worked turned me onto an 8 camera system that you can view from you computer or phone and it will record 24/7 up to 30 days. There's a local guy under investigation for creeping around my house one Saturday night. Nothing like video and eye witnesses, my neighbor saw him too. The wireless cameras still need power, at least the ones I'm familiar with. PM me if you need info.

 

[Grumpy]

Holy cow! Is that Hunter? I remember seeing the puppy pics a few years back.Im in the air about a German Shepard or another Rottweiler. The Hair is a killer they say on the GS. Sorry for the hijack. Back to leaks

hair IS bad !!! but NOT AS BAD AS HUSKY'S !! they are walking hair bombs !!

Ok keep this thread goin !!! Like to see all the "good" stuff. So how much (about) does a wiz bang system go for ??

 

[scot w.]

See my Avitar? 140lb Rottweiler works very well.Even better if there is two of them. The best deterrent you can get. I have an ademco that rings my phone first and then the cop shop. A good friend of mine has a ademco up north that he can connect to via modem and check all cameras and sensors with his cell phone.All wireless

I agree! No One is going to chance coming into a home with a Large barking dog.... Our Brazillian Mastiff & Boxer do a Fine job of keeping people at bay! To those members who have been at my place, they can vouch we have a couple "Big Boys" walking the house...

Cameras & alarms are the next best thing.... Kevin B. knows what he's talking about, can't go wrong taking his advice!

 

[groumoutis]

I thought about going with a camera system but there is a problem I have with that. They already have your stuff and all you have is a picture of them. Not a fair trade in my opinion. I have an alarm system from Simplisafe! It works very well! I have forgot to turn it off before pulling the car into the garage and the alarm went off and before I could hit the off on my keychain remote I was getting a call from the Simplisafe rep and she had the local police on the phone.

Hope that helps.


Posted from the TurboBuick.Com mobile app

 

[Heisenberg]

The cameras will work good for catching the good-for-nothing next door neighbor kid who just broke into your house after he watched you drive down the street.
Not so much for any of the semi-pros -who are just visiting the neighborhood for the afternoon.

Silly as it sounds - I bought QTY 2 - 8 channel Nighthawk 1TB DVRs from a Big box - BrandsMart.
One for the front of the house, and one for the back.
Reasonably cheap.
Easy to use and set up.
Didn't want to string miles of camera cable.
Not the complete set / starter kit - those come with crappy cameras.
Then I tried out, one at a time, cameras, - both wired and wireless - until I found ones that I liked the clarity, resolution, and nighttime IR capability - and oh - the price.
Buy one - take it home - try it - don't like? Return aisle. Repeat process.
Funny thing - sometimes the more expensive cameras had the crappier resolution.
Found several types of wired cameras in that $20-40 range that look great on monitor
Found them at places like Frye's, Brandsmart, MicroCenter - where ever.

You can really only go with max about 4 wireless cameras in that setup due to - whatever- discrete ID signals.
Also - no no - not battery operated wireless cameras - they're junk - but good quality- AC powered wireless unit - where running signal cable is impossible.
But they require at least an AC outlet.
But I have more than enough outlets around the exterior to accommodate a few AC powered wireless units.
The rest get power from the AC -> DC adapters.
Dome type, Nightvision, LED activated camera on the front porch ceiling.

I also bought QTY 3 - D Link Web Cameras and positioned them strategically.
Strategic to me means - 1 focused on the "car" in the garage, 1 on the mailbox post aimed back at the house, and the other on the front porch focused on the driveway / incoming.
Live SmartPhone app viewing, motion alerts, sound etc.
They're awesome, quite inexpensive, and super, super easy to set up.
But strictly for viewing.
A few models do have SD card storage, but to me - that's a pain.
I let the master DVR system record the other 16 cameras.
These are strictly for my quick view pleasure on my iPhone.
Amazon.com for the best deals.

WebEnabled cameras w/ DVR are all the up and coming hot ticket now - but more expensive and trickier to set up.
I like my low cost and easy to set up system.

 

[Phoneguy]

As cheap as SD cards are these days you should actually load the cameras with them. They may be the only video you get...

Bryan