Security help and guidance.
Discussion
Does anyone have any knowledge of home CCTV/outside security systems? I don’t want to spend a fortune, but I am getting pi*sed off with people uprooting plants from my garden. And last night, someone decided to rip the fuel cap off my car (right outside my house, while I was watching TV less than 5 metres away from the car) so I’ve had enough now.
The thing that gets me is that I live on a fairly busy road, the lights in the house were on, and the car was up my drive – I can’t believe they would have that much front!
The damage to the fuel cap alone is going to cost almost £100 to sort out. Not worth claiming on the insurance for, but enough to really pi*s me off.
Any serious ideas? I don’t want to spend 1000s, but I do want my property to be a little more secure. Besides, I’d like to catch the b*stards in the act!
I’m so frustrated!
Rob
The thing that gets me is that I live on a fairly busy road, the lights in the house were on, and the car was up my drive – I can’t believe they would have that much front!
The damage to the fuel cap alone is going to cost almost £100 to sort out. Not worth claiming on the insurance for, but enough to really pi*s me off.
Any serious ideas? I don’t want to spend 1000s, but I do want my property to be a little more secure. Besides, I’d like to catch the b*stards in the act!
I’m so frustrated!
Rob
We bought a small system for our office from these guys: www.y3kcctv.com
They were the cheapest we could find on the net for a good quality time lapse VCR and are very helpful when you call them.
They were the cheapest we could find on the net for a good quality time lapse VCR and are very helpful when you call them.
I had a similar problem a couple of years ago; someone came up my drive and keyed my car. I had a security light which came on as well ...
So, I got a spare PC, bought a GeoVision card and a couple of day/night cameras and not had any problems since. Not cheap, but well worth it. If a job's worth doing ....
RFConcepts sell the GV range. Recommend the GV650 at c.£300. This offers 60fps which is split between all the cameras. Cheaper option is the GV600, 30fps, at c.£160. Cameras are c.£100 each. If you do this, don't skimp on the cameras.
You can set it up so you can view live video over the internet. Quality is superb (depending on cameras!). The software has motion-sensitive areas built-in, that you can block off. I have it setup to record three seconds before and three seconds after any activity. The cameras are small and can be covert or obvious. I have a mixture of both.
Cheers
So, I got a spare PC, bought a GeoVision card and a couple of day/night cameras and not had any problems since. Not cheap, but well worth it. If a job's worth doing ....
RFConcepts sell the GV range. Recommend the GV650 at c.£300. This offers 60fps which is split between all the cameras. Cheaper option is the GV600, 30fps, at c.£160. Cameras are c.£100 each. If you do this, don't skimp on the cameras.
You can set it up so you can view live video over the internet. Quality is superb (depending on cameras!). The software has motion-sensitive areas built-in, that you can block off. I have it setup to record three seconds before and three seconds after any activity. The cameras are small and can be covert or obvious. I have a mixture of both.
Cheers
Hi
The problem with CCTV at night is most cameras need a fair bit of light to operate esp the cheaper ones. If you buy a camera make sure its one with lots of IR leds on it - this will mean the camera will work in the dark as the CCD chip in the camera is very sensitive to IR light and its like shining a flood lamp. I have 4 decent cameras on my house, 2 of which are IR illuminated, they were not too expensive - about 50 quid I think. E-bay is a good source of CCTV cameras.Something like 5996980461 should do the trick. You will prob need to get a PSU but maplin is a good place. If you struggle to see at night then something like 5997267634 will help.
I record all my cameras using a DVR from RF concepts, but this is not that cheap at 200 notes. IMHO its worth the extra cash though as its better to have evidence to show BiB. You could use a standard video recorder for a single camera though, a 3 hour tape on LP will give you 6 hours recording.
The problem with CCTV at night is most cameras need a fair bit of light to operate esp the cheaper ones. If you buy a camera make sure its one with lots of IR leds on it - this will mean the camera will work in the dark as the CCD chip in the camera is very sensitive to IR light and its like shining a flood lamp. I have 4 decent cameras on my house, 2 of which are IR illuminated, they were not too expensive - about 50 quid I think. E-bay is a good source of CCTV cameras.Something like 5996980461 should do the trick. You will prob need to get a PSU but maplin is a good place. If you struggle to see at night then something like 5997267634 will help.
I record all my cameras using a DVR from RF concepts, but this is not that cheap at 200 notes. IMHO its worth the extra cash though as its better to have evidence to show BiB. You could use a standard video recorder for a single camera though, a 3 hour tape on LP will give you 6 hours recording.
Thanks for all the tips! I've sorted out somewhere secure for the car tonight, and I'll get onto the security this evening/tomorrow.
Thanks - really appreciate the help. I just can't believe someone had the front to do it so close to where I was sitting, watching TV.
Now all I need is for someone to sort out my local dealer who are trying to "rob" me while making me wait three weeks to boot for the main part. Deep joy!
Thanks - really appreciate the help. I just can't believe someone had the front to do it so close to where I was sitting, watching TV.
Now all I need is for someone to sort out my local dealer who are trying to "rob" me while making me wait three weeks to boot for the main part. Deep joy!
bluesandtwos said:The only problem with such invisible security measures is that they offer no form of deterrent; hence it won't stop damage to your property. You'll also have loads of hassle tracking down this scum and taking them to court and will likely end up with little more than slapped wrists.
Just to clarify BTW, IR light is not very visable to the human eye so you wont see anything on the street to Mr Screwdriver wont know you are watching..
I think SS2 has the right solution; you could also combine it with a video camera if you so desired.
A bright/illuminated sign like this may also help:
Sorry to say that:
1) using CCTV to film other than your own property (e.g. the road/pavement) can land you in trouble for infringing privacy;
and
2) installing high-intensity lighting that shines outside your property can also land you in trouble and may require planning permission.
There have been cases of both reported over recent years.
Streaky
1) using CCTV to film other than your own property (e.g. the road/pavement) can land you in trouble for infringing privacy;
and
2) installing high-intensity lighting that shines outside your property can also land you in trouble and may require planning permission.
There have been cases of both reported over recent years.
Streaky
streaky said:
Sorry to say that:
1) using CCTV to film other than your own property (e.g. the road/pavement) can land you in trouble for infringing privacy;
and
2) installing high-intensity lighting that shines outside your property can also land you in trouble and may require planning permission.
There have been cases of both reported over recent years.
Streaky
This is one of the concerns I have. I might give the council a bell later to see what they reckon.
Cheers
Rob
Antwerpman said:
Wow that is interesting, psychic cameras, or how else do they know that some activity is going to happen in 3 seconds time??
The camera records all the time into memory but only writes the video to disk when something has happened. If nothing happens then the video recorded into memory is discarded.
theron said:
The camera records all the time into memory but only writes the video to disk when something has happened. If nothing happens then the video recorded into memory is discarded.
<pedantic>The GeoVision system records all the time ... </pedantic> As regards privacy, if you are targetting your property and boundaries, you are not going to attract any attention. If a camera is pointing at your neighbour's house across the road, you could be in some trouble
BUT.....
If they know they are being recorded, they pull their little hoodies up. No identification. No police action.
If they dont' know they are being recorded, they won't pull their hoodies up, but because they are all apelike you probably won't be able to identify them anyway. No police action.
Even if you DO identify them, I wait with eager anticipation (and extreme doubt)for you to say that the Old Bill has charged them successfully and they've been done in court. There's a good chance nothing will come of any video evidence.
For me, the best thing to do is to catch them at it, kill 'em and bury them far far away. However, a more likely option for you is to make it really well lit up, with signs etc., to make 'em go elsewhere. Just don't assume they can read, 'cos they are brain dead. Everybody always says they want to catch them at it...why, what are you going to do when you do. Remember, you crack 'em, you get done (hence the bury them far far away).
If they know they are being recorded, they pull their little hoodies up. No identification. No police action.
If they dont' know they are being recorded, they won't pull their hoodies up, but because they are all apelike you probably won't be able to identify them anyway. No police action.
Even if you DO identify them, I wait with eager anticipation (and extreme doubt)for you to say that the Old Bill has charged them successfully and they've been done in court. There's a good chance nothing will come of any video evidence.
For me, the best thing to do is to catch them at it, kill 'em and bury them far far away. However, a more likely option for you is to make it really well lit up, with signs etc., to make 'em go elsewhere. Just don't assume they can read, 'cos they are brain dead. Everybody always says they want to catch them at it...why, what are you going to do when you do. Remember, you crack 'em, you get done (hence the bury them far far away).
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