Break-in

[H D]

I guess I wasn't clear on the part where a baby monitor is necessary for a baby, not burglar detection. I am in for $250 in a monitoring system no matter what. I'm willing to double that to get a surveillance system; that's the simple breakdown of my thought process.



One each of your $50 wifi cameras for the front and rear door, a 1TB hard drive for $80 and the $40 security software package brings me in at $220 with different systems and the fun of playing with compatibility between a camera, a hard drive and a phone app. Then consider the $250 for the baby monitor and I'm $30 shy of the system I posted above. I appreciate the input but I'm still leaning to the DVR option.



My father and I could wire the security system but I doubt it will add much to the labor in the scheme of the house construction.



BTW, the DVR is in a hidden room. Wires would have to be traced through the attic to even find the room the DVR is in.



Also, Shelby, our loving indoor pitbull is probably our best deterrent.:grin:



<a href="http://s1192.photobucket.com/user/hughdarnley/media/Camping/Blairsville%2011-09/IMG_07132_zpse541ed3b.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa332/hughdarnley/Camping/Blairsville%2011-09/IMG_07132_zpse541ed3b.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_07132_zpse541ed3b.jpg"/></a>

 

[Richard L]

Hugh,

No problem. I did not understand the Baby Monitor part and was not aware that you appear to have already bought one.



As for the DVR...If you have some sort of hidden room/safe room then that would probably work as long as you have easy access or can operate the DVR remotely.



My point about the Hard Drive for recording is that if you have motion detection cameras, the software can be configured to only record for specified length of time when triggered by motion within view of the camera. You certainly don't want to record all your cameras continuously since you will fill up a 1TB drive very quickly. My software allows me to schedule the times when to watch for motion and record and can even target a specific area within the view of the camera. That allows me to view my front yard and traffic on the street, but does not record unless there is movement in my yard or driveway. It also can ignore motions from small animals like squirrels or birds.



If you still want to go with a complete camera/DVR system, be sure it has similar features. There are smaller systems with only 1 to 4 cameras and the DVR, and make sure the cameras a certified for outdoor use...many are not.



...Rich

 

[H D]

Well, I haven't bought anything yet. Just been looking at the options. This isn't something I will likely not buy until the house is closed on, though and will wire it with my father. The baby isn't due until October anyway.



That set does allow you to set the time of recording after motion, is outdoor safe and has night vision up to 100 ft.



In the meantime, I'll put up this sign.

 

[Richard L]

I guess I misunderstood you when you said you were already in $250 for the baby monitor? I just wanted that a baby monitor should not be used as a security camera....very different purposes and functions.



It sounds like you have made up your mind on the 8 camera/DVR system, and it may be the best solution for you.



I recommend wireless WiFi cameras because of their ease of installation and they often have even more useful features than the hardwired systems.



After ordering a WiFi camera and playing with it for a while, I realized that some of the reviews were very biased and from people who probably because they really did not know much about what they were buying or how it worked or what features were important to their application.



Some people expect the Night Vision to be in color...it is not!

Some people expect to easily identify a face from 100 ft away at night...not likely!

Some people want all their cameras to continuously record, and do not realize how much storage capacity is needed.



Even I was fooled when I bought my first camera, thinking it was weatherproof. If it does not say weatherproof or for outdoor use, it will not last long if put outside.



...Rich

 

[H D]

Haven't made my mind up yet. That's just what I've come up with in the first few hours of research I did a couple months ago. I intend to look into more wifi cameras. Most of the wifi cameras I came across had a "disposable" feeling to me, warranted or not. This hasn't been a high priority; just thought it was on topic for the thread.

 

[Richard L]

Hugh,

I have had my WiFi cameras for about a year now and they all still work great. I have 3 PTZ cameras (Pan, Tilt, Zoom) and three stationary cameras like those depicted in the link.



The reality is that the cameras are pretty much identical and probably made in the same factories in China....The only difference in price is usually the resolution and the number of Infrared LED's



There are some really high end security cameras for commercial applications that cost in the Hundreds and even Thousands $$$. That's probably what they use in the Las Vegas casinos because they need to be able to see the smallest details to catch cheaters. They also use those cameras for facial geometry recognition software so it needs to pick up fine details like the pupils of their eyes, etc.



My WiFi cameras do not have the 960 X 700 resolution, but it's high enough to make a positive ID on anyone that comes within camera or Infrared range (30-50 feet) can cover all of my property surrounding my house if I choose to. I only use the cameras to cover my front yard, driveway, front and back doors as well as anyone entering the garage.

 

[H D]

Richard,

Link to the ones that are working well for you?

 

[Richard L]

Don't have a link, but I got them on Amazon.com almost a year ago. The Outdoor cameras are Wanscam model NCB543W. Not sure about the models of the PTZ indoor cameras. All of my cameras were about $45 each from a couple of different sources...I just don'r remember who, except for Amazon.



...Rich

 

[H D]

Thanks, that gives me somewhere to start.