Can anyone recommend a good security camera. I would need something that can stand up the elements outside and usuable at night. Basically I need to watch my front steps, driveway and front walk. I have not idea what is good quality and what is a waste of money. Thanks.
Security Cameras
- Thread starter Sharpdogs
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cassandrasdaddy
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- Jul 1, 2006
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i have harry home owner
type experience used a wireless 2.4 unit with infared illuminator and sound for under 150 bucks color unit
as well as a unit that disduises as a flood light bulb screws into a regular lamp fitting transmits over house wiring to box that plugs into any house outlet within 300 feet or so . rca output jacks no sound ifared water proof 300 bucks both from smarthome .com
type experience used a wireless 2.4 unit with infared illuminator and sound for under 150 bucks color unit
as well as a unit that disduises as a flood light bulb screws into a regular lamp fitting transmits over house wiring to box that plugs into any house outlet within 300 feet or so . rca output jacks no sound ifared water proof 300 bucks both from smarthome .com
I have been researching them lately, I have found ebay to be a fairly good source. Also, recording when the camera is activated by motion? DVR card Look that up at ebay as well, there are many pricetags depending on what you want....Hope your up for a little research!
Try this place I got mine there.
http://www.supercircuits.com/
Most cheap cameras are limited in their low light performance. LUX is a measure of the low light performance of a camera. If you want to see reasonably well at night with normal street/porch light you want lower than .01 LUX and should go to the .003 LUX Sony ExView CCD camera if cost is not an object. Most cameras bodies/electronics can take a beating it is the lense that eats it. Most cheap lenses are plastic and the sun and weather damage them over time. I live in a reasonable climate and mine are out in the open underneath cover but not in an enclosure.
If you want a sample video taken at night PM me.
http://www.supercircuits.com/
Most cheap cameras are limited in their low light performance. LUX is a measure of the low light performance of a camera. If you want to see reasonably well at night with normal street/porch light you want lower than .01 LUX and should go to the .003 LUX Sony ExView CCD camera if cost is not an object. Most cameras bodies/electronics can take a beating it is the lense that eats it. Most cheap lenses are plastic and the sun and weather damage them over time. I live in a reasonable climate and mine are out in the open underneath cover but not in an enclosure.
If you want a sample video taken at night PM me.
EasternShore
Member
There are a lot of questions that you need to answer when considering installing a camera.
Where are you going to locate the camera?
Will that location have a clear field of view?
Will a wide angle camera be needed to view the area you want to cover?
Do you want an ip camera or a regular video camera?
Do you want to record video? If so...
What type of device do you want to record the video?
Do you need a vandal proof camera?
Most importantly...
What is your budget?
When it comes to cameras you are going to get what you pay for. Cameras come with all kids of features including zoom/pan/tilt at the high $$$ range and fixed with no IR at the low $ range.
I install CCTV and security systems for a living PM me if you have any more questions...
Where are you going to locate the camera?
Will that location have a clear field of view?
Will a wide angle camera be needed to view the area you want to cover?
Do you want an ip camera or a regular video camera?
Do you want to record video? If so...
What type of device do you want to record the video?
Do you need a vandal proof camera?
Most importantly...
What is your budget?
When it comes to cameras you are going to get what you pay for. Cameras come with all kids of features including zoom/pan/tilt at the high $$$ range and fixed with no IR at the low $ range.
I install CCTV and security systems for a living PM me if you have any more questions...
MrTwigg
Member
Try a deer or trail camera.
If you're not looking to monitor live action try one of the deer cam's with infra-red night vision / flash. The "flash" isn't visible to the human eye and some of these units will do video. They come in weatherproof housings and can lock to a tree or pole.
I've been using them to keep an eye on the pot heads who party on my land. Some of them are in for a big surprise when mommy and daddy get pictures of their precious darlings poking around the back of my shop ...with a warning of an arrest if they return.
If you're not looking to monitor live action try one of the deer cam's with infra-red night vision / flash. The "flash" isn't visible to the human eye and some of these units will do video. They come in weatherproof housings and can lock to a tree or pole.
I've been using them to keep an eye on the pot heads who party on my land. Some of them are in for a big surprise when mommy and daddy get pictures of their precious darlings poking around the back of my shop ...with a warning of an arrest if they return.
Thank you for all the information. I defnitely have my research cut out for me. The camera will most likely be protected by the roof that covers my steps. I will have it angled so I can see down my steps, walk and the end of the driveway where I leave the trash. I have had people leaving bags of trash next to my trashcan late at night and I am concerned about packages being stolen off my front steps. I would prefer a camera that is good in low lighting even though I have a motion light and a street light near by. I would also like the camera to be wireless. I have picked out a few cameras but I have I am not sure about the recording the device and monitor. I am wondering if I can have it all go to my PC. My budget is $500 or less, if possible and it does not need to be descreet or hidden. I am in NJ, so I can wind, rain, snow, hot, cold and corrupt politicians. I would like the ability to record things, but I am not sure what is the best type of recorder.
don't know about cameras but...
I don't have much experience setting up cameras but some guys at work have recommended zoneminder. To take the pictures. It runs on linux (so it may need a tech friend if you're not familiar with linux) but it supposedly has some nice features. You can tell it to take a picture when it senses movement in a certain area of the camera and store the pictures or email it to you, etc...
http://www.zoneminder.com/
They have a list of supported hardware here: http://www.zoneminder.com/wiki/index.php/Supported_hardware
Also they list capture cards which would imply that any camera that outputs to a coax/s-video/RCA jack should work with the capture card.
I haven't set one up yet but it's on my todo list. (I need to get a camera first) However I do have 2 coworkers who currently use it.
I don't have much experience setting up cameras but some guys at work have recommended zoneminder. To take the pictures. It runs on linux (so it may need a tech friend if you're not familiar with linux) but it supposedly has some nice features. You can tell it to take a picture when it senses movement in a certain area of the camera and store the pictures or email it to you, etc...
http://www.zoneminder.com/
They have a list of supported hardware here: http://www.zoneminder.com/wiki/index.php/Supported_hardware
Also they list capture cards which would imply that any camera that outputs to a coax/s-video/RCA jack should work with the capture card.
I haven't set one up yet but it's on my todo list. (I need to get a camera first) However I do have 2 coworkers who currently use it.
RustyShackelford
member
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2006
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- 4,018
Pep Boys-$99.00USD unit...
I saw a Sunday paper ad for Pep Boys. They sell a security camera system for $99.00USD. It's color, wireless and has 2 camera units. Check it out at Pep Boys.
-Rusty
I saw a Sunday paper ad for Pep Boys. They sell a security camera system for $99.00USD. It's color, wireless and has 2 camera units. Check it out at Pep Boys.
-Rusty
BullfrogKen
Moderator Emeritus
We used these from Harbor Freight Tools and have used them at the NTI to record a Practitioner's run through a shoothouse for debriefs and training. They have sound, night vision, and plug right into a VCR or TV set. For $29.99, its a cheap enough deal to see if its going to provide you what you need for home monitoring. You can certainly see with it, and for about $20 extra you can get it in color, although for night use I think color is a non-issue.
If you need actual recordings for detail such as facial recognition of unknowns for later identification from the feed, these aren't that good. But, like I said, you can certainly see well enough with them to see who's out in the obscured parts of the yard without having to venture out there.
Hope it helps.
If you need actual recordings for detail such as facial recognition of unknowns for later identification from the feed, these aren't that good. But, like I said, you can certainly see well enough with them to see who's out in the obscured parts of the yard without having to venture out there.
Hope it helps.
bigger jon
Member
I have a el cheep o one I bought from Hardor freight it was $39. I live in the moutian/desert @ 4300 feet in the summer it get up to 110 and in the winter we get snow and it will get down to 13 degrees so far it has worked just fine I have it set up so I can use the remote to the TV and turn it on to watch the frount driveway. It`s been under my eve of the garage for 5 years now and has`nt failed.
answerguy
Member
How long do the batteries last on the wireless cameras?
http://store.lukwerks.com/
I just installed this system at my shop over the cash register and one in the office. Plan to Install 4 more cameras.
I set it up on a dedicated PC and can watch video live from pc or cell phone and the system will call. email or Text message me if it detects motion.
I was able to pick it up locally at Radio Shack and the cost was $249 for the starter kit with one camera.
I thought about buying online or ebay but thought I could just return it if it didn't work out. So far it is great and easy to use and set-up. Plan on one for outside the home soon.
I just installed this system at my shop over the cash register and one in the office. Plan to Install 4 more cameras.
I set it up on a dedicated PC and can watch video live from pc or cell phone and the system will call. email or Text message me if it detects motion.
I was able to pick it up locally at Radio Shack and the cost was $249 for the starter kit with one camera.
I thought about buying online or ebay but thought I could just return it if it didn't work out. So far it is great and easy to use and set-up. Plan on one for outside the home soon.
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