Home CCTV advice
Discussion
Does the search engine ever work on here? Down again. Just skimmed through loads of pages on here but didnt spot the thread I was looking for.
I know there was a very helpful thread, with some links to someone's web page, giving some really good explanations of what I should and shouldn't be looking for when buying CCTV system. Things like compression rates and the right camera's to buy otherwise all you see is a fuzzy image of some chump nicking your car.
Dont suppose anyone has the links or perhaps it saved in their bookmarks do they?
I know there was a very helpful thread, with some links to someone's web page, giving some really good explanations of what I should and shouldn't be looking for when buying CCTV system. Things like compression rates and the right camera's to buy otherwise all you see is a fuzzy image of some chump nicking your car.
Dont suppose anyone has the links or perhaps it saved in their bookmarks do they?
Was it the thread that i started about the topic? Some useful replies on there and a link to a useful CCTV guide on Henrys site
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
A pal of mine has just bought one of these. Points at his drive from inside bay window and emails a picture to his phone if there is any movement...decent quality picture / not fuzzy.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wireless-camera-Pan-Tilt-2...
Vic_S said:
A pal of mine has just bought one of these. Points at his drive from inside bay window and emails a picture to his phone if there is any movement...decent quality picture / not fuzzy.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wireless-camera-Pan-Tilt-2...
I have one of these and they're brilliant for the money.http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wireless-camera-Pan-Tilt-2...
But the image quality isn't that sharp...here are some pics that the camera sent via email today...
The postie:
Some bloke? posting junk mail:
The night vision is very good...but a window between the camera and the outside world will just give you this:
So if you want to keep an eye on the driveway - the camera really needs to be outside.
R8Steve said:
Was it the thread that i started about the topic? Some useful replies on there and a link to a useful CCTV guide on Henrys site
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
That was the one. Perfect. Thanks.http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Dr Doofenshmirtz said:
Vic_S said:
A pal of mine has just bought one of these. Points at his drive from inside bay window and emails a picture to his phone if there is any movement...decent quality picture / not fuzzy.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wireless-camera-Pan-Tilt-2...
I have one of these and they're brilliant for the money.http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wireless-camera-Pan-Tilt-2...
But the image quality isn't that sharp...here are some pics that the camera sent via email today...
The postie:
Some bloke? posting junk mail:
The night vision is very good...but a window between the camera and the outside world will just give you this:
So if you want to keep an eye on the driveway - the camera really needs to be outside.
edition said:
The amazon one looks good.
Please could you explain how it is hardwired? Not really into my computers and the like but am interested in adding abit more security to the house.
Are they weatherproof?
Thanks!
they're wireless other than the power cable.Please could you explain how it is hardwired? Not really into my computers and the like but am interested in adding abit more security to the house.
Are they weatherproof?
Thanks!
They aren't waterproof, but you can buy waterproof enclusures on eBay or amazon.
When you first unpack the camera, you have to hook it up via the (supplied) network cable in order to access the configuration page. Once you've connected it to your wireless router, you can do all the config wirelessly.
To view the camera on the local LAN you simply enter the IP address of the camera and the port number, i.e http://192.168.1.3:81
To view it over the web, you have to open up the port and set a NAT on your firewall. You would also benefit from a fixed IP address, failing that, you'd need to use something like DynDNS to keep track of your public IP.
Here's how I set mine...
Internet port redirect. i.e my internet IP address on port 81 forwards to local IP address of my camera inside the LAN also on port 81.
Then you have to open up the firewall on UDP port 81 and forward it to the camera's IP address...
Obviously your router will have different menu's the the config is the same.
The images are rather flattering the camera. In the real world I suspect most applications won't fare quite as well. The subjects in those images appear to be very close to the camera which is positioned inside a window. I'm guessing they are a couple of metres away. As you move away from the camera detail will trail off dramatically. Most of our customers are wanting cameras to film at distances of 8-15 metres outside, possibly further.
As has been mentioned the camera is for indoor use only and you can not fit it in a weatherproof enclosure because at night the infra red illumination will reflect off the glass of the enclosure producing the same results as the night time image posted.
To monitor a bedroom or other inside room where it will be the only camera, the subject is close to the camera (a couple of metres or so) and you don't need to store vast amounts of data (If you have heavy traffic through the room you're going to end up with a lot of email images) then it is a possible solution. Once you start thinking about multiple cameras, outdoor applications and any distance I'm not sure it is of much use.
With CCTV you have to be really critical of your images. Just because you know it's auntie Maureen in the screen shot isn't enough. You have to be able to identify her to someone who's never met her before using just that screen shot. That means zooming in far further than you think is right. You concentrate your pixels on the subject and collect more information. Each pixel is a bit of information and contrary to CSI on the telly you can't zoom in after the event and obtain any more detail. What you see is what you get.
No two applications with CCTV are ever the same. For that reason what someone sees as acceptable will be rejected by someone else. Distance from the camera is the single biggest differential. I can not stress enough how quickly pixels spread as you move away from a camera with a wide angle lens.
Henry
As has been mentioned the camera is for indoor use only and you can not fit it in a weatherproof enclosure because at night the infra red illumination will reflect off the glass of the enclosure producing the same results as the night time image posted.
To monitor a bedroom or other inside room where it will be the only camera, the subject is close to the camera (a couple of metres or so) and you don't need to store vast amounts of data (If you have heavy traffic through the room you're going to end up with a lot of email images) then it is a possible solution. Once you start thinking about multiple cameras, outdoor applications and any distance I'm not sure it is of much use.
With CCTV you have to be really critical of your images. Just because you know it's auntie Maureen in the screen shot isn't enough. You have to be able to identify her to someone who's never met her before using just that screen shot. That means zooming in far further than you think is right. You concentrate your pixels on the subject and collect more information. Each pixel is a bit of information and contrary to CSI on the telly you can't zoom in after the event and obtain any more detail. What you see is what you get.
No two applications with CCTV are ever the same. For that reason what someone sees as acceptable will be rejected by someone else. Distance from the camera is the single biggest differential. I can not stress enough how quickly pixels spread as you move away from a camera with a wide angle lens.
Henry
BIANCO said:
There are a number of cheep DIY kits out there from places like Malpin but usually they are not very good. They do a job but don’t expect grate things from them.
I would recommend getting a few local CCTV fitters to have a look and give you a quote. With CCTV the price of a system can vary massively a usable 4 camera fitted system can cost from £500. Then you can have systems where each camera can cost £1k + but unless you have money to burn it just overkill.
If you fancy going down the DIY path then TVL gives you a good idea on how good the image will be from the camera. The lens is also a big thing but without knowing what you want to look at and from how far its hard to give advise. And get a descent DVR looking at £200min for a half decent 4 channel one.
We usually use COP CCTV or Vidcom stuff for the installs we do.
Obviously I'm biased given our core business is based around supply of equipment rather than supply and fit. I find people going down the DIY route often end up with superior systems to those supplied by CCTV installers because they take the time to research and understand the products. I'm painting with a broad brush here and so forgive me in advance, I'm aware there are superb installers out there who bring a wealth of knowledge to the table but in many cases the cameras we see specified are woefully inadequate for the job in hand.I would recommend getting a few local CCTV fitters to have a look and give you a quote. With CCTV the price of a system can vary massively a usable 4 camera fitted system can cost from £500. Then you can have systems where each camera can cost £1k + but unless you have money to burn it just overkill.
If you fancy going down the DIY path then TVL gives you a good idea on how good the image will be from the camera. The lens is also a big thing but without knowing what you want to look at and from how far its hard to give advise. And get a descent DVR looking at £200min for a half decent 4 channel one.
We usually use COP CCTV or Vidcom stuff for the installs we do.
I don't place as much importance on TVL as many other people. For one thing the numbers, like most other numbers CCTV related, are often misleading or pure fiction. A lot of people are starting to quote TVL for the black and white night time image rather than the day time colour image for instance. In other cases they are just made up numbers ! Providing the camera is sufficient resolution to match the recording medium ie. D1 resolution then going beyond that serves little or no purpose.
For me the single most important factor is the lens on the basis you need those pixels targeted on your subject, or if you just want an overall view you have to accept there is absolutely no chance at all of identifying people using images from that camera. With varifocal rather than fixed lenses you have the ability to zoom in and out during installation so 1 camera can do a number of different jobs. You still need to buy a camera with the correct lens range for your chosen application though.
With DVRs it's as much about the people who supply it as anything. You are likely to need help and support, can they provide it ?
Once again my broad brush comments are merely that and most certainly not aimed at BIANCO.
Henry
Edited by Henry-F on Saturday 12th January 12:36
Henry-F: So for the average home user under £100 what camera would you recommend?
I can understand you know what your talking about, but this is home CCTV and not many people are gonna pay £300+ for a home camera. I've worked with many shop/petrol station cameras in my time and those images are just as good if not better than the £1500 they install.
I can understand you know what your talking about, but this is home CCTV and not many people are gonna pay £300+ for a home camera. I've worked with many shop/petrol station cameras in my time and those images are just as good if not better than the £1500 they install.
Presently researching this CCTV system, anyone with any knowledge of the same?
http://www.logitech.com/en-us/video-security-syste...
http://www.logitech.com/en-us/video-security-syste...
mattius said:
Henry-F: So for the average home user under £100 what camera would you recommend?
I can understand you know what your talking about, but this is home CCTV and not many people are gonna pay £300+ for a home camera. I've worked with many shop/petrol station cameras in my time and those images are just as good if not better than the £1500 they install.
Slightly cheating as with the Vat you're 8 quid over the £100 but this Day night CCTV camera would be ideal. The electronics have actually been improved since the photos were taken, we use them more to give an idea of lens capability. For the application shown in the photo you would be able to get the person well framed to give good detail, (you would actually move the camera closer to the door so they walked directly towards the camera improving detail with every step).I can understand you know what your talking about, but this is home CCTV and not many people are gonna pay £300+ for a home camera. I've worked with many shop/petrol station cameras in my time and those images are just as good if not better than the £1500 they install.
It can be mounted low down as it is resistant to tampering, metal body, flush fitting so no leverage and you can't knock it out of adjustment. A varifocal lens so you can zoom in and concentrate your pixels on the subject during installation.
You make a very interesting comment, "but this is home CCTV". It might be that some people would simply be better off saving their money and not fitting anything. A CCTV system which doesn't record in sufficient detail is next to useless. It proves someone was there but that's all. Most people think something is better than nothing, it probably isn't.
Henry
Henry-F said:
A CCTV system which doesn't record in sufficient detail is next to useless. It proves someone was there but that's all. Most people think something is better than nothing, it probably isn't.
Henry
The very cheapily installed, ebay sourced, hobbiest system I installed at my home actually did serve a purpose. Granted you couldn't identify the offender but you could see he was 16 years old and like a streak of pee. Made the whole break in a lot less worrying than not knowing who it was.Henry
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