Camera systems you find at the big box stores are fine when the light is good and distance is short. The lense may not let you see the area at good enough resolution to make out much detail. They are easy to use and fit many situations.
When low light and specfic areas need to be covered a camera with better low light performance or lense options is needed. Cost goes up and complexity is increased.
Mine are mounted right out in the open for the most part. I have them under eves and awnings and one is built into a wall they are open no housings. Weather is not an issue here. Cameras are Sony ExVision with a low lux rating about .0003 lux very good low light performance. Lenses are suited to the area of coverage. SuperCircuits is good with camera info and equipment.
Recorder is a GeoVision 800 on a dedicated computer. Record is motion activated. I can go about 12 average days before it overwrites.
I also have a Swan 4 channel system it is low priced ($69)and on a dedicated computer it works great. My son is using it now with one camera to get a feel for the area he lives in.
Here is the rub with video systems. To be effective as a info device/warning system you should review the motion around your area often. Most systems let you fast forward the motion to speed the process up but it can take time. I am religious about it. Get up early to look at the overnight activity and anytime I am away I review the motion from 4 cameras at once.
Here is some video of a fellow trying to break in. If I had not reviewed I would not have known he made an attempt as he didn't get in he wasn't noticed otherwise.
http://s77.photobucket.com/albums/j50/BSlacker/?action=view¤t=1RedwallZombie.flv
Which brings up another issue. If you don't know who the person in the video is then it is useless. If you know this dude pm me.
A nice system can cost 3k easy. Get as much as you can afford. If you have any questions pm me.
