Sorry I wasn't trying to criticize you, just making a point similar to that of Singlestack.Quote:
Originally Posted by Irving
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Sorry I wasn't trying to criticize you, just making a point similar to that of Singlestack.Quote:
Originally Posted by Irving
That's kind of funny Irving, and yes, I think surprising your wife could prove dangerous. I'm sure she realized it was you pretty quick? I really like your idea of thinking up possible attack situations and working them out with someone you trust. When I do this stuff with my husband sometimes I am surprised how much stronger he is than me or how fast I would have to draw...but also surprised when I figure out how to flip him onto the ground.
[Coffee]
Due in part to the brazen actions of this robber, coupled with the increased vandalism and attempts at home invasions in our neighborhood, we took the plunge yesterday and shopped around for wired security systems. We finally ended up at Microcenter (we hit both Sam's and Costco first) where we were able to talk with a very knowledgeable young man, who not only was able to answer every question we lobbed at him, but was able to anticipate our concerns and had an answer for them. We ended up purchasing a Night Owl system. It's a bit more old-school as compared with the wireless varieties, but it is weather resistant from 140f to -40f, as long as the cameras are protected by some sort of overhang. and can be viewed remotely through apps. We've got an excellent soffitt that will serve nicely as protection and relative concealment. I'm really excited about this prospect. We're on a corner lot and there have been a number of problems in this neighborhood: not only with overt issues such as petty vandalism and attempts at home invasions while the owner is present, but also problems involving empty houses and absentee landlords.
The cameras come in 780, 960, and 1080 resolution. 960 or higher is best for identification purposes.
Microcenter had a 4-camera setup, complete with DVR with 1TB storage, for $200.00. It's a sweet deal.
Please note that I am not compensated by Microcenter; I am just very pleased to have received such good customer service that I want to pass it on. Our salesperson was David H.; should you go there, ask for him ad he'll be happy to answer questions.
Grey,
Thanks for the report. I look forward to any post-setup thoughts.
Did the necessary wiring come with it or is that extra? Does it have integrated ability to send off-site or is it local storage only?
CavSct1983,
I believe all of the necessary wiring comes with it, but if it doesn't I'll be sure to post and let people know so they can pick it up in the same trip.
As far as storage, I believe that it stores directly to the hard drive (and certain systems can have an external hard drive plugged into it, as well) but then again, you can view off-site on your phone, tablet or computer.
I wish I had better answers for you- I'm still learning about the product. Their website is pretty comprehensive, and has a FAQ.
http://nightowlsp.com/
Grey,
Which res cameras come with the $200 package?
Thanks
crays,
If I'm remembering correctly, it was 960 res. We ended up going with a package with more cameras and higher resolution.
I recently bought the Arlo system. It's wireless, motion activated, and immediately uploads the footage to the cloud. Super easy to install and even change configuration on a whim. I really like that the recordings are uploaded immediately, so a burglar can't just steal the hard drive and take away the evidence. What I don't like, is that there is about a 1-2 second delay before recording starts, and that it only records for a pre-set period per activation. You can check the "library" of recordings from any device anywhere, as well as remotely view through any camera, live. Some folks won't like that the batteries have to be changed in each camera, but only about every 2-5 weeks, depending on how often the camera is activated, duration of recording, and the clarity settings on the camera. I don't mind the battery issue, in trade-off for the ease of install. I'd like to have a wired system that continually records multiple cameras, without relying on motion activation, but I don't want to give up the instant cloud backup. Not sure that there is a perfect solution, but this has been pretty good. I've been surprised about all the shenanigans that go on in the alley behind my house.
Fentonite, we looked at the Arlo system because we'd heard great things about it. In the end, we decided to go with the wired system because the battery changing was an issue for us. I mostly work from home, so uploading to the cloud for back really wasn't a factor for us. It's nice that they have so many camera options!
Update: all the necessary wires (within reason) come with the kit- each camera come with 60' of wire.
There's a good many videos on installing surveillance cameras on Youtube. Wired cameras are a bit more involved than I'd imagined; the spouse wants the wires hidden and somehow run inside the soffitts. I'm not sure that's feasible. We also have to figure a place for the DVR, where it will be wired into our internet router. There's some planning that we need to do here.
Grey,
With a hard wired system locate your hard drive storage in a hidden location, and put a dummy unit in plain sight. A cheap bad unit that still has indicator lights that work and dead ended wires & cabling leading out into a wall or conduit.
For running your camera wiring in the soffit/crawl space above, get several sets of disposable coveralls & dust masks. Then hire the skinniest, lightest weight relative you have to crawl around up there. This time of the year is best for that kind of work.
You could also run the wiring in conduit around the outside tucked up into the corner of the wall & soffit, then paint it to match the house.
This reminds me of something I did in a place I used to live in when I had trouble with my neighbors. I took a few old 90's web cameras, cut the cords off and mounted them up pointed right at their font porch. It worked like a charm.
This has been my hang up with a wired system. I really WANT a wired system for various reasons but install ISNT one of the reasons. Lol. It really seems like it requires a lot more planning up front and making sure the wires are easy to get to their final destination.Quote:
Originally Posted by TheGrey
You won't have to run the wires along the soffits (unless all the cameras are daisy chained or something). You should be able to just drill a hole to run the wire into the soffit, then mount the camera in place from the outside. While laying on your face in insulation at the very end of an eave is less than comfortable, it's not all that bad to reach in for the wire, and pull it back out to a more comfortable area. I would recommend investigating the eave from inside the attic first, just to make sure you have access to where you need before you start drilling.
If you know what you want, it's not super expensive to have a buddy or even a pro come out and pull the wire for you. Usually guys who have done it more than once or twice have several tools you might not have that make it super easy, even if they're crawling around in attics or need to pull something through your wall. Fish tape, glow-in-the-dark ceiling sticks/pull tools, of course the tools needed to properly terminate the ends with either jacks, plugs, etc. I've wired three houses now by myself, pulling either network/cat5 wires, security cams, or other stuff. But at this point, I have a buddy who I'm more than glad to pay to come out and do the wire work for me. If anyone needs a hand, I would be glad to pass on a reference for someone I trust. Send me a PM if so.
Side note, I'm just about done pulling out the old security system at the store with the new one we replaced it with, if anyone's interested in a second hand system. Keep in mind I'm getting rid of it for something I like better, but it might work for someone. I believe they were Northern camera domes, bnc connectors with pigtails that converted it to cat5/rj45 plus a wiring box with a 12v power injector. I will probably not be selling the DVR box given the required remote was broken and it has our old footage on it, but it might work for someone who wanted to expand a system or put up some fake / not-live cams or something.
Big-freaking-ditto.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave_L
I prefer to have a wired system, but with my vaulted ceilings and limited attic space....yuck.
Wow, what a wealth of information. :)
Sideshow Bob, you are my new hero. Those are great ideas!
There is a local electrician that lives in our neighborhood, and he's got an apprentice that might be willing to shimmy up into the attic. Heights horrify me. Anything higher than the second step on a stepladder is concerning, so this is one realm that I will not be personally exploring. I spoke a bit with the hubby tonight, and he was thinking about setting the wires so they go down into the basement, where things are not so easily seen from windows. We've got a beast of a flatscreen down there that would be a good monitor for the cameras.
Another thing of note for those of you interested in the remote viewing capability: you must have an upload speed of about 2.5 MB, and have the DVR plugged into the router via an Ethernet cable (I believe. I have the instruction cards packed away, and I read it this morning- and this morning was a very, very long time ago) so you'll need to look into that. I know the upload speed on a wireless connection is far different than a wired connection, so I'll need to check into what we have available to us.
It always boils down to the planing, doesn't it? We have an idea of where we want the cameras to go on the outside, but I'll admit that I didn't really give the inside layout a second thought!
I'm up to my a$$ in alligators for the next two days at least, so I'm not sure when I'll have time to work out cable placement on the inside, but I'll keep you updated. Brian, I may be PMing you for your friend's information
I can tell you now, that 60 feet of wire per camera will not be remotely enough!
If necessary, you can plug any Ethernet device lacking wifi into a gaming wifi adapter. I'd personally use one of these over a POe setup.Quote:
Originally Posted by TheGrey
I used one of these and a small 5-port switch to get a few older non-wifi HT devices without running CAT5. There are newer models, and certainly loads of off brand and cheap stuff, but this has served me reliably. https://www.amazon.com/Cisco-Linksys.../dp/B001QVQ7JU
ETA: I wasn't thinking this through. PoE cameras would be the way to go. I was only thinking in terms of networking and access and NOT powering the device.
Grey, you might consider proposing to the electrician guy that his apprentice work with you on planning also. It will allow the apprentice to get some experience in planning with customer input and will relieve the weight on your shoulders to dictate placement.
Remote viewing is usually configurable. You definitely have to connect it to a router and usually set up a firewall or NAT rule. But on the bandwidth side, most of the cameras or DVRs are configured by default not to push full quality video over a remote connection. Usually it's converted to refreshing jpeg snapshots or a downgraded video stream appropriate to mobile. But every system is different. Mine's usually fast enough to where I can grab my phone and see who's ringing the doorbell before I decide if I'm home or not. :)
Since this thread is turning into an advice thread, I'll throw out a few more things to think about:
- If you're pulling anything other that cat5/5e/6 cable for cameras, then take the time to also pull at least one cat5e or cat6 cable to future-proof yourself
- Leave loose slack cable in each run, so that you can move it around later if needed (or if you screw up on one end when you're trying to connect something and have to cut it back). Cable is cheap.
- Bulk cable is cheap online (monoprice, amazon, etc.). Make sure to get solid copper cable and not CCA (copper clad aluminum) cable. Solid wire is better than stranded.
- There are regulations for cable that spans floors. Look for "riser" or "plenum" rated cable, it's usually not too much more expensive. That being said, I know some guys skip it, though I wouldn't.
- Label your cables immediately on both ends, even if you're just using masking tape, it'll save you a ton of effort later.
- Don't yank/pull cables too hard (when stuck, etc), or let them bend/kink much when you're running them. This can cause major issues later that will be almost impossible to track down.
- Wiring everything to terminate in a central location (basement, closet, etc.) is almost always the best way to go, if you can. Attics are ok, but are usually not humidity/temp controlled, so that makes them less than ideal.
Tan I've got a spare broken dvr if you want to use it as a dummy
Alligators ??? I thought you lived in Lone Tree........ Not Florida.... [Tooth]Quote:
Originally Posted by TheGrey
If you are needing more wiring, let me know. We, at work, are about to salavage out a metric ton of short boxes (200 ft or less per box of 1,000 ft.)of cat5 and other wiring. I can probably rescue enough to get your cameras wired up.
Brandon and Sideshow Bob, I'm greatly appreciative of your offers! May I bake you my special Army of Darkness cookies in exchange for the DVR and the wire? :)
Brian, what excellent advice and suggestions! I had no idea there was such depth to the care and feeding of cable.
CavSct, that's a great idea. I'm going to do that. I've actually been fretting about camera placement.
brutal- would you believe that we don't own any type of gaming system or adapter? That being said, I've got friends that are also interested in setting up cameras, and they have the whole gaming thing down. I'm going to pass them what you've posted- it's valuable information. Thank you!
Grey,
Someone beat metro the scrap pile and took the bulk of the cat 5 wire. I picked up what was left, three partial boxes, I think the total length is about 350 ft. between all three. I will take them home and we can work out getting them to you.
Thank you, Bob! :)
If Bob's 350 isn't enough I have a box that's been sitting in my garage for a few years.
I've been debating it for a few years, but this thread and recent activity in MY neighborhood is driving me to get a multi camera system myself.
I know myself well enough that I know I won't be getting my @$$ out to buy & replace batteries so it'll be a hard-wired system for me. I've terminated hundreds and pulled tens of thousands of feet of Cat6 cable, at work. Been looking for an excuse to buy my own set of tools (EZ45 crimpers & EZ45 connectors [my personal favorite for terminating Cat6], glow-in-the-dark fiberglass push rods, fish tape, & Cat6 continuity tester...I've got the rest already), this will be the excuse I need.
I've been considering how many cameras I want/need all this time as well. Proper cverage of the exterior of my home/drive will take 5 or 6 cameras; too many protrusions/corners to use less. How to route the cable through existing walls is the tricky part. I'll figure it out.
My neighborhood, which is also formerly WillysWagon and Nogarheli's neighborhood, has seen a huge uptick in car break-ins and home invasions. We have a limited actual neighborhood watch but an active Neighborhood Watch Facebook page. On Thursday morning, at about 0530, a neighbor 1 street behind me and up the block a bit chased down and caught someone who'd tested his car doors and attempted to force entry into his home. The bad guy had broken into and attempted entry into several other neighbors cars that night as well. It took the police over an hour to get there while neighbors kept the bad guy detained. That was Thursday morning, bad guy locked up and neghborhood safe and sound, right? Not so much. Last night, a house on the corner 2 streets behind me (I'm on a corner lot) had someone try to break in. Another neighbor saw this and called the police but the bad guy got away.
I have and actively use a home alarm system (every night at bed time and every time we leave the house unattended) as well as alarm systems on my vehicles. These aren't 100% deterrents, but buy me a little more piece of mind; tthe cameras will help double that.
I've been thinking about this is as well and it seems like it'd be easier to cover all the areas of a home by locating cameras at the edge of the property, pointing toward the house. Not all cameras should be run this way since that presents other problems, but I think it's worth some consideration, especially in the backyard.
Seems like a nice neighborhood too! I understand crime happens everywhere, just a bit surprising to me personally...
While cameras pointing towards a dwelling sound good. the exposure to the elements (even though rated outdoor) can cause issues. Like snow or ice build up on the lens, wind or hail storm ripping them off their mount.Quote:
Originally Posted by Irving
On the dwelling means you're seeing them before they are close enough to damage the camera. Exposed anyone can see as well as access them from a distance...
I would like 2 more added to the ones we have now. However climbing anything is not happening, including crawling around the attic.
^ what he said. Blue iris works great, High Def POE cameras are reasonable and work great.
I've had to extend my recording archive time to weeks because I didn't realize something had been taken until days after the event. Being stored on a PC allowed the space to keep more data.
I run mine on an older high end laptop, easier to find the space to put it.
I have 6 or 8 network jacks wired up in the attic. I can add/move a camera without much trouble if I decide to change what I want to watch. (aside from minor angle changes on the cameras themselves)
Seriously? You rock! If we end up needing it, cookies for you, too. Thank you!Quote:
Originally Posted by jslo
Yikes. Welcome to the club of "Neighborhood Blues." :( I'm sorry to hear your corner of the world is dealing with this.Quote:
Originally Posted by theGinsue
I think the peace of mind cameras can bring, as well as actual deterrence, is worth the price and pain-in-the-butt-edness.
Old Android phones too... Good advice.Quote:
Originally Posted by foxtrot
As an added deterrence, use these driveway alerts from Haborfreight.
http://www.harborfreight.com/wireles...tem-62447.html
One on porch, one on back porch/deck/driveway. I've caught several folks wandering around before. One on my porch has the volume on HIGH and it's outside. Scares the crap out of whomever comes to the front door. Poor UPS guy. It makes them look up and usually right at the camera. Smile.
I've had the doorbell camera since last October, birthday present from my sons. Been very pleased with it's function, haven't added any other cameras yet but will probably by summer.
Quote:
Originally Posted by gnihcraes
You need to put tape over the sides to narrow the "beam" if not it has a tendency to pick up the neighbors cat. or other moving object
Yep, again Blue Iris +9 or whatever we're up to.
And while it might be a challenge to configure for a first timer / non-computer person, I've done several systems now and have my default config changes/settings written down and would be glad to share them as a quick start for anyone going that route that isn't a super computer geek. Pretty simple to set up and be off and running.
Also, next time I'm at the store, I'll try to snag whatever's left from the old system and take inventory.
UPDATE:
I was home alone the other night watching a Walking Dead episode, and at about 10:30 someone starts pounding on my door ringing the doorbell. I get up go to the door, pull open the curtain and there are 2 teens not from my neighborhood, a white male and a black female (who I have never seen before in my life) standing there on my front porch. The girl is covering her face with a hoodie.
I ask,
"What's up?"
And the boy starts talking frantically a mile a minute,
"Let us in man, we need water, she's been pepper sprayed in the face!!!"
(I highly doubt that she was pepper sprayed, she was calm as could be just covering her face)
I tell them both,
"Call 911."
The guy gets more insistent and repeats his earlier demands with the addition of referring to me as "Bro" multiple times, then starts leaning against the glass panes of the door.
I tell them to leave a few times but they both just ignored me. I was becoming increasingly uncomfortable with the situation. After one last command to leave I produced my 9mm Glock 19 and informed them they were seriously not welcome on the premises. They immediately fled into the night.
I called A.P.D. and US Law Shield. I haven't seen the "Yutes" since and the Police never even came to the house.
That night as I was talking with dispatch I watched 5 patrol vehicles drive by with searchlights on, scanning the public spaces.
U.S. Law Shield Defense Attorney Stan Marks called me the next morning to follow up and get the story. After listening to me he said I was 100% good to go.
Tactically I wish I had instead interacted with the idiots from my second story and had my AR-15 & phone on me and gotten pictures of them.
I do not believe the girl had been pepper sprayed, but rather what they had been involved in some form of illegal activity, knew the Police were on the way and wanted to get off of the street.
Velocitas, Opprimere,
Violentia Operandi