Surveillance System Cameras

[Bondo]

Hey Guys,.........<br /><br />As the title suggests,........ I've been seeing things growing Legs lately,..........<br /><br />Anybody have any Insight into setting up a small system thru my computer,..........<br />2 cameras will cover the Important areas.......<br />I can hard wire them with which ever cabling required,.......Don't need wireless.....<br />Don't really need the Pan, Tilt or Zoom,.... A Wide Angle lens would do Just Fine............<br />This'll be for Day time viewing,...... While we're working.......<br /><br />I Just Now started my research,....... Typed in Surveillance System at ebay,.................. <br /><br />I'll be back Later.............

 

[one more cast]

Re: Surveillance System Cameras

Sam's club has some pretty nice security cameras. I had someone stealing my Halloween decorations every year so I bought a cheap wireless system off the net and hooked it up to a motion detector light and then the VCR. The one night I left and forgot to turn it on someone stole my whole grave yard. <br /><br />ps Have fun fishing tomorrow!

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Surveillance System Cameras

Yup, know a little about them, been learning. What do you want to know? Here's some of the stuff you need to decide:<br /><br />Voltage: 12vdc or 24vac?<br /><br />Lens: what focal length? I suggest you use any of the lens calculators online to get a rough idea.<br /><br />CCD quality: Sony (Super HAD or ExView?) or Sharp?<br /><br />CCD size: 1/4-inch or 1/3-inch?<br /><br />Resolution (TVL): 320(std) 420(mid res) 480(hi res) 520(vh res)?<br /><br />Day camera or night camera or day/night camera or infrared enabled camera?<br /><br />Color or b/w or both?!? Many of the cameras switch from color in the day to b/w in low light. What lux do you want the switch to happen?<br /><br />Camera design: bullet, dome, or housed?<br /><br />Weather proofing? Heater? Lens wiper? Defroster?<br /><br />Connect with coax or UTP (unshielded twisted pair, aka cat 5e cable).<br /><br />Will you only monitor the camera(s) live or record the camera output? If recording, do you want to record non-stop or just what you need? For recording, what FPS (frame per second) do you want (1, 2, 4, 6, 10, 12, 15, 22, 30, 60)?<br /><br />I suggest before you decide on the camera you start by installing (motion detected?) lighting in the problem area. Good lighting does more than anything else to deter theft, and it will influence the kind of camera you need if you will be using video in that area at night.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Surveillance System Cameras

We have a rather high tech system at work w/9 cameras. They take a picture every few seconds until they detect motion... then they turn on until the motion stops. The entire system (images and film clips) are stored on a 200Gig HD that lasts a full week at a busy store.<br /><br />Even though it is "high tech" at times it is even tough to identify an employee who is in the picture.<br /><br />What about the new game trail cameras? They have come way down in price and take a nice clear photo. You can re-use them during hunting season or sell them when you are done.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Surveillance System Cameras

Originally posted by One More Cast:<br /> Sam's club has some pretty nice security cameras. <br /><br />ps Have fun fishing tomorrow!

Thanks Steve,.......<br />Unfortunately,... It Ain't Happening....<br />And,... The Reason is somewhat related to this thread,.......<br /><br />(Edit,... Unnecessary Info....)<br /><br />Anyway,........<br /><br />What I'm looking for is a camera to watch While I'm Away,... Day Time Only......<br /><br />I found This,... Which I Think would do what I need... <br /><br />

<br />The 2 camera kits are about $200.+ to My door,... The 4 camera kits are about $300......<br />2 Will work,.. though 4 might be better......<br /><br />I'd like it to run 10hrs a day,... I'll review,+ delete as necessary.... 'ell,.. I'll buy Another Computer to run it if necessary......<br />But I think my Dell can handle the task......<br /><br />18R,...<br />I Don't Care, or Don't Know about the Voltage:,Lens:,CCD quality:,CCD size:,Resolution (TVL):,Color or b/w or both?!?,Camera design:.......<br />Whatever Voltage,+ Cabling requirements there Are,... I can handle....<br /><br />I can mount the cameras Inside looking Out, If I Have too,.. But Outdoors Would be Better......<br /><br />And,.. The Time Line is also Optional,....<br />As I've said,......Lights Ain't going to do it,... It's happening during the Day while I'm away..........<br /><br />I just need something I can Quickly Review,+ Reset for the following day........ <br />And,.... A Computer based system would be Better than a VCR based system.........

 

[Johnshan1]

Re: Surveillance System Cameras

sounds like your getting what you always ask for.

 

[Xcusme]

Re: Surveillance System Cameras

Bondo,<br />Just a small note regarding the recording frame rate for that capture card. The max frame rate is 30 frames per second. If one port is used, you can record at 30 FPS. Since the card has 4 video inputs, you'll have to divide the max 30 FPS by 4. The result is approx 7.5 FPS per channel, if you use all 4 channels at once. If you use 2 cameras, you'll get 15 FPS (30/2=15), you get the idea. 30FPS is full motion video and will appear very smooth on replay. 15FPS is not as fast, but very watchable for what you want to observe.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Surveillance System Cameras

Originally posted by Xcusme:<br /> Bondo,<br />Just a small note regarding the recording frame rate for that capture card. The max frame rate is 30 frames per second. If one port is used, you can record at 30 FPS. Since the card has 4 video inputs, you'll have to divide the max 30 FPS by 4. The result is approx 7.5 FPS per channel, if you use all 4 channels at once. If you use 2 cameras, you'll get 15 FPS (30/2=15), you get the idea. 30FPS is full motion video and will appear very smooth on replay. 15FPS is not as fast, but very watchable for what you want to observe.

OK,.............. I'm a Learnin'............ <br /><br />In reality,..... I Could get by with a stop- action, click every 5 or 10 seconds thing,.....<br />Just as long as I get a Shot, before a person could enter,+ clear the field of view........<br />1FPS would be More than Fast Enough.........<br /><br /><br />I wonder if the 420 Resolution (TVL) would be enough to read a Licence Plate at 50' or less,..???...

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Surveillance System Cameras

Bondo... got a digital camera? The lowest setting is usually 640 x 480 but there are 320 low resolution ones available at wallyworld. This will give you an idea of a plate at 50 feet but I think you would be able to identify the car batter then the plate. If it comes down to law enforcement I believe the vehicle will work.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Surveillance System Cameras

I guess you can See where I'ma Headed.......... <br />I'm pretty sure that vehicle type,+ bodystyle/mannerisms of the perp would Do,.... <br />But I also know More is Better here.....<br /><br />I'm thinking,..... If I don't see some Negatives responses to this set up,+ don't find any Better 1s,.......<br />I'll probably get the 1 above headed My way by tomorrow night......There seems to be enough of them listed,.. It's only a question of when I care to order it........<br /><br />My Kodak is a 5mp camera,..... I'll go out+ See what I can See............

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Surveillance System Cameras

Originally posted by Xcusme:<br /> Bondo,<br />Just a small note regarding the recording frame rate for that capture card. The max frame rate is 30 frames per second. If one port is used, you can record at 30 FPS. ...

I used to think that. The highest dvr frame rate I have seen is 60fps/channel. Common displays are working at 30fps so I presume every other frame is omitted from display during playback unless paging thru frame by frame for 1/60-sec detail...or maybe it has to do with displaying on a progessive scan display at 60fps?!?<br /><br />Fwiw, the capture card's (dvr card) frame rate probably also applies to viewing/monitoring over the internet in addition to recording. I think it basically implies the limit of the DSP.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Surveillance System Cameras

Bondo – I strongly urge you to PASS on the ebay camera/dvr systems. There is a lot of junk/crap out there and a lot of it is on ebay. What makes it even harder is that quality cctv ad dvrs and software is coming out of Korea and China, and so is the plethora of junk.<br /><br />I am going to suggest you slow down a little and do this right. I am going to point you to spytown.com as having some of the better prices, tho saving a couple of bucks shouldn’t be an issue with this project. Let’s get this right so it works for you.<br /><br />I want you to look at cameras made by KT&C (Korean), ILDVR (Chinese) and Speco (USA, tho I suspect really Korean), and Weldex (USA, tho I wouldn’t be surprised if really Chinese). They all got good recommends, reasonable prices.<br /><br />I am going to presume 12vdc cameras because they allow the use of common wall warts for power. 24vac might be a better consideration if you plan a central location for power, ie a single power supply for all cameras. 12vdc also makes it easier if you opt for battery backup, if you get into it that far. Also, you know how dc voltage drop-off works… With 12vdc you are going to be ok out to about 200ft, shouldn’t be a problem unless you get creative like me; over the roof, thru the ceiling, down the wall, under the house, twice around the chimney, once around the dog dish, back up the wall into the ceiling...<br /><br />You are going to need to run cabling for the video. Coax has a better picture but bigger turning radius. UTP is cheaper and easier but picture quality may suffer if run near the power lines over longer runs. Really starts to become a consideration over 250-ft. Consider buying something called Siamese cable. It is coax with a pair of additional conductors bonded to the coax cable. Made for cctv cameras! That pair of add’l conductors is intended to be used as your power (+ and -) for the camera. Now you are running both the video and the power line together at the same time. Disadvantage is the turning radius of Siamese cable is even bigger than coax, but not likely to be an issue for you.<br /><br />I gotta go now but I’ll post more this evening of you are interested, or I can email you my tele number. Might be easier to describe all of the parameters via voice. Besides, the dog kind of looks at me weird if I type too much on the forums.<br /><br /><br />Edit: don’t freak out when I mention this… I want you to consider an armor dome camera near any door ways or anywhere the camera will be within reach. Sounds military but they don’t necessarily look that way. Actually, they can be less conspicuous than other cameras, and they are typically IP66 or IP67 rated (ok outside in weather). Look at the domes by KT&C, Speco, and Sony. Domes are virtually vandal-proof, can take a whack by a 2x4 and keep on working. Cost $200-$300/camera+dome. Many of the dome bases are threaded for 3/4-in conduit for running the video/pwr cables.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Surveillance System Cameras

OK Rabbit,...... I'll hold off,+ continue my research,....<br />The system on ebay is for Sure coming from Tiawan....That's a Fact.....<br /><br />Just to show you the site plan,.... This is a old shot of the compound from down by the road, on the front side,........<br /><br />

<br /><br />This is on an intersection,+ the sideroad is also the north side of the property,....which is to the left of the picture,... there's a company office in the back half of the barn,+ an equipment yard back behind the barn,.....<br />And, of course an other driveway entry off the road you can't see........<br /><br />What I'm thinking is,.... A camera mounted in the very peak of the big barn, above the window will or should cover the back of my house where entry is likely gained,...... As well as most of the driveway visible in the pic....<br /><br />The Guy I work for, Owner of the company,+ brother of the owner of the compound,.... Is willing to help out with this, in exchange for a camera covering the sidelot,... So, A camera mounted in the very peak of the small barn(wellhouse) to the left will do nicely(on the backside of what you see)........That'll cover His door,+ anybody accessing the equipment lot.....<br /><br />I don't see a need for armored cameras,.. weatherproof, No Doubt,....They will be out of reasonable access,+ somewhat protected by the roof overhangs,....I have access to Whatever powering, wiring, etc.... Doing It,.. Is My kinda thing,... I just need to know What to use...<br /><br />Total runs will be under 300',... I've already run a Cat5 line out to Eric's office to feed internet from My broadband network.......I've bundled the Cat5 to the phone line that the phone company ran from the road, to my house, to Eric's office.......1 of the 2 seen in the pic... the other is Power.....<br />Whether it's that Siamese cable or whatever isn't a problem,... or are getting 120V power, or the radis of a turn,.....Both the project,+ Myself are Very Adaptable,...... <br /><br />I appreicate the insight you offer,....<br />Pop me an email to ......<br /><br />Please keep in mind,... I'm Cheap,......And Eric is tighter than Bark to a Tree.......<br />I'm looking for Ease of operation,+ Inexpensive installation.....

 

[Bondo]

Re: Surveillance System Cameras

18R,.....Ya coming Back,..??...<br /><br />I don't mind posting my email addy,.... But,... I want to delete it as Soon as Possible......

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Surveillance System Cameras

Bondo - you should have gmail.