Community Forums

deandec · 09-29-2014, 11:30 PM

OP here.

Thanks to all who have provided great information.

We do not have a big security concern, but do have the desire to remotely see what is going on inside key areas of the house and via our driveway and front entrance.

I think we only need four cameras. Two outside and two inside.

We would like motion activated cameras but also have the ability to just look at the scene from a remote location. Sound is not essential.

So I need to identify a suitable camera.

A dedicated DVR would be best for our purposes. This is more straight forward with the correct software for remote viewing and alerts.

We could live without the UPS back up system for power as long as the DVR self-returns to the "on" function when a power outage is corrected.

So, the idea is taking shape and helped by everyone's comments

focker · 09-30-2014, 02:09 AM

If you want a good system with flexibility to change cameras as your needs change I would suggest looking at IP cameras with PoE. PoE will make setting up your network and power to the cameras just one easy to run cat5 cable for each camera. If you haven't looked at Sharx cameras for lower cost or Axis for higher quality they both offer nice cameras that are IP based and have the option to have a SD card to record right on the camera so you don't need to run a separate computer or DVR to record your events. I have a mix of IP cameras at the house from different manufacturers based on what needs I had for different locations. I wanted the sharpest picture possible for the driveway, something that could read a license plate so that camera is a Mobotix that is capable of 3 megapixel. I generally record events at 1.2mp to save bandwidth and still get a fantastic picture both day and night.
For viewing the cameras from my phone I use an app called Live Cams Pro. I can view any camera I want from the web also. There is no monthly fee if you set your network up like this.

Here is a day sample from that camera:

and night:

Here is the Sharx cam (this is the prior generation, the new ones are higher resolution):

Here is a screenshot of an Axis that I have wired at our office:

JoyalRV · 09-30-2014, 04:22 AM

Great quality picture ^^

I didn't feel like spending too much money as we live in a rather secure neighborhood so I went with cheaper cameras.

However looking at these pictures I definitely wish I had invested a bit more!

FreshAir · 10-01-2014, 10:12 AM

[QUOTE=focker;2249642]
For viewing the cameras from my phone I use an app called Live Cams Pro. I can view any camera I want from the web also. There is no monthly fee if you set your network up like this.

Some of the most asinine things people do are typically preceded by the two words "Watch this."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I like and agree with your comment,"Watch This." It may be the shortened version of, "Hold my beer, watch this."

Focker, I read your post, very helpful, and then did some more reading on the Net. Concerning power outages, some reviews mentioned wireless cameras having to be manually reprogrammed after a power outage. What are you thoughts and experience on this?

I need to set up the camera and leave for long periods of time w/o manual intervention. With today's current cameras, is this possible? Reliability has become a important issue.

Any suggestions?

pat

focker · 10-01-2014, 12:51 PM

I have 3 wireless cameras in the house and one outside (all Sharx), none have required reprogramming or any type of configuring after a power issue, they come right back on and work without missing a beat.
I have a UPS on the PoE switch for the wired PoE cameras so it goes without saying that is a non-issue.

FreshAir · 10-02-2014, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by focker

I have 3 wireless cameras in the house and one outside (all Sharx), none have required reprogramming or any type of configuring after a power issue, they come right back on and work without missing a beat.
I have a UPS on the PoE switch for the wired PoE cameras so it goes without saying that is a non-issue.

focker, what model Sharx wireless cameras do you use or recommend for indoor and outdoor? Sharx's sure have good reviews. I can't find any local retailers, could you recommend a source?
Thanks
pat

focker · 10-02-2014, 12:48 PM

I purchased mine from Amazon.
For indoor:
I have two of these: http://smile.amazon.com/Sharx-Securi...ecurity+camera

And one of these:
http://smile.amazon.com/Sharx-Securi...ecurity+camera

For outdoor I have 3 of the last generation that they no longer sell and I have a SCNC3905 that seems to be out stock on Amazon currently.
http://www.amazon.com/Sharx-Security...=cm_cr_pr_pb_t
Here is the Sharx website to check out some information on it: https://www.sharxsecurity.com/products.html

**Lt Dan** · 10-02-2014, 02:07 PM

I second Foker's comment about PoE cameras. I had an analog, four camera system that required a unitized power and video cable to each camera. I had interference problems all the time with it. I replaced it earlier this year with a Zmodo stand alone digital system. Each camera gets its power over the ethernet cable directly from the DVR, so there is no need for a separate power supply to each camera. Plus, a single Uninterrupted Power Supply for the dedicated recorder maintains power to the cameras. I chose the stand alone DVR system so I wouldn't have to leave my computer on if we're gone for a month or so.

All four cameras have motion detection with selective trigger areas and sensitivity. The quality is much better than analog with 720i high definition. They have PTZ (Pan Tilt Zoom) cameras available, but I didn't need them so mine are fixed. Total cost for the system with four cameras, ethernet cables and DVR was under $400.

As for storage, it has recorded about 4 to 5 months of motion activated video and still has 700gb of a 1 terabyte drive available. Once if fills up, the oldest videos are automatically overwritten.

Zmodo has an Apple or Android app that allows you to view cameras from anywhere with an internet connection.

There are several other systems available that are good, I'm just familiar with this one. I didn't want my wireless router tied up with surveillance video so I went with the hard wired system that I felt might be more reliable. I know others have had great success with wireless, that's just my opinion.

deandec · 10-03-2014, 09:42 AM

Zmodo seems to get some good reviews at Amazon.

But one review indicated that clarity beyond 10' away was not good and ancillary lighting would be needed for night time recording.

Dan, do you experience either of the above problems?

**pasdad1** · 10-03-2014, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deandec

Zmodo seems to get some good reviews at Amazon.

But one review indicated that clarity beyond 10' away was not good and ancillary lighting would be needed for night time recording.

You get what you pay for. For clarity, you need more pixels. 1.3 megapixels
(1280 x 960p) would be the minimum if you want a clear picture. Good lenses,
In focus is also required. Many of the "all-in-one" sets give you cameras
With only 1024x768 or 640 x 480 resolution. This is good enough to see you have
A burglar.....but not good enough to recognize him. Don't you see on the news, they
All the time show video from cameras that are too fuzzy to be helpful!

Also cheaper cameras only give decent pictures when in bright light....
takes a good camera with expensive sensor to take good low light images.

Decide how much money you want to spend.....

**Lt Dan** · 10-03-2014, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deandec

Zmodo seems to get some good reviews at Amazon.

But one review indicated that clarity beyond 10' away was not good and ancillary lighting would be needed for night time recording.

Dan, do you experience either of the above problems?

Dean, clarity beyond 10 feet is good. The below screenshot shows the insignia on the side of the Citizens on Patrol vehicle readable from about 80 feet away. The far side of the cul-de-sac is at least 100 yards away.

Can you read a license plate at that distance, no. Only a super high resolution camera with zoom can do that.

As a previous post said, more pixels better clarity but more cost. These are so much sharper than the analog system I had I'm well pleased with them.

Night vision is not the greatest beyond 10-15 feet with these. Just a little bit of auxiliary lighting makes the night vision good so I have motion activated lighting on the driveway where my vehicles are parked.

Below are two screenshots, one of the street and one of the front porch where you can see my wife's wreath has blown off.

It all depends on how much you want to spend. I've seen the PoE systems for several thousands of dollars.

wa8yxm · 10-03-2014, 05:11 PM

For months on end recording I would recommend cameras that are wired, and accept power over the wire, can be lan or "other" (like the ones I use, they are other) make sure the power supply has a good battery back up system (A large UPS should do it ) (Well medium).

Cloud storage of the files is good because that means you can view them from afar, and even if an idiot swipes your on-site hard drive.. he's .. Toast, when you upload the cloud file to the local PD.

True story: Photographer had her digital camera swipped.. Dumb and Dumber, used it to take each others pictures... Camera had a Eye-Fi card, this means every time it passed an open router it uploaded any new photos..... Yup, That included Dumb and Dumbers.

Police took one look at them and 1: Obtained a warrant (Search and arrest) 2: Retrieved camera 3: Retrieved crooks.

Not the department I worked for but you know.. It's fun working for the cops... (I was a civilian dispatcher) I love it when the plan comes together (The plan: Crooks go to jail)

1ciderdog · 10-04-2014, 03:09 PM

A few years ago I bought a Q-See four camera system from Costco. It has a dvd recorder and it is set up to record and to call my cell when a motion activates any of the cameras. If I get a call I can also record the activity on my cell phone. The only time I have been called was during set up tests - tree branches moving or similar. You can adjust the individual cameras for the area to monitor motion. I don't know if it repowers back on after a power outage. I might try that when I get home. I live off grid and have my own power system that rarely fails but it would be good to know if it powers back up on its own.

If interested this is the website:
High Quality Surveillance Systems for Home and Business Use