DIY Security: What did you do today?

[Lex_Luthor]

Dang Aardvark, keep your eyes & ears open. Maybe try to change up your schedule for the next couple days to be at home a little more.

[rbeau30]

Someone tried jimmying my front door last week. I installed door frame re-enforcement plates on front and back, deadbolt on back (was just barred before), peep-hole. Planning on installing lights and cameras this weekend, probably window alarms also.

Sorry to hear! Anything you gleaned off of the evidence left? What do you think kept them from succeeding in entry?

[Aardvark]

RBeau, pretty sure it was an amateur punk: some damage to the door frame, light damage to the door. Found cigarette ashes in my driveway which make me think it's one punk up the street who's been in trouble ever since I've lived here, but could be two others I've noticed walking around wearing hoodies and small backpacks. From the design of the door frame/door, it looks like a slim bar was used, not a serious piece of metal. I also had a check in envelope under the mat for lawnservice, and 'he' ripped the envelope but left the check; thinking a juvie delinquent was the culprit since he didn't take the check. What stopped him/them? No idea, but it was day time and there are a lot of homestayers around here, so maybe one of them spooked the mooc.

[rbeau30]

RBeau, pretty sure it was an amateur punk: some damage to the door frame, light damage to the door. Found cigarette ashes in my driveway which make me think it's one punk up the street who's been in trouble ever since I've lived here, but could be two others I've noticed walking around wearing hoodies and small backpacks. From the design of the door frame/door, it looks like a slim bar was used, not a serious piece of metal. I also had a check in envelope under the mat for lawnservice, and 'he' ripped the envelope but left the check; thinking a juvie delinquent was the culprit since he didn't take the check. What stopped him/them? No idea, but it was day time and there are a lot of homestayers around here, so maybe one of them spooked the mooc.

That is good that it was probably an amateur.

I can see my cameras from my phone/internet. They record to a hidden DVR on site. However my doorbell, is motion activated, I can talk to the person who rings or is at the door from my phone anywhere I have internet. The video is recorded and stored offsite for $30 / year / device. The doorbell is expensive but worth every penny so far. My wife has really spooked several solicitors from her desk at work by talking to them after they ring the doorbell.

Might be worth it to look into some extra technology to add to the layers of security.

My goal this year is to find a system that I can hook up to my already wired sensors and get a self-monitored system up an running.

[Fentonite]

That is good that it was probably an amateur.

I can see my cameras from my phone/internet. They record to a hidden DVR on site. However my doorbell, is motion activated, I can talk to the person who rings or is at the door from my phone anywhere I have internet. The video is recorded and stored offsite for $30 / year / device. The doorbell is expensive but worth every penny so far. My wife has really spooked several solicitors from her desk at work by talking to them after they ring the doorbell.

Might be worth it to look into some extra technology to add to the layers of security.

My goal this year is to find a system that I can hook up to my already wired sensors and get a self-monitored system up an running.

Can you post some details about the doorbell / video storage system? Sounds like something I need...

[rbeau30]

Can you post some details about the doorbell / video storage system? Sounds like something I need...

Doorbell:
https://ring.com/

It is not perfect. BUT, it works as advertised, and I have had it running for a few months now without a problem. (unpacked it, connected it to my computer to update firmware, removed my old doorbell, and mounted this over it using existing doorbell transformer.


DVR System:

http://nightowlsp.com/
I have had this running for over a year. I have an 8 channel wired DVR system. I am going to get another 16 channel one to add more cameras for inside and more for a layer of coverage further out (walkways and streets, etc).

Note: With the DVR system you have to learn/know how to forward ports on your home router so you can see your cameras from outside your home network. Night Owl provides a DDNS service so you do not have to know what your home public IP address is.

[HoneyBadger]

Hey rbeau, Can you post up a screenshot from your nightowl cameras? I'm interested in the quality.

I want to put up some cameras that will actually be useful in identifying a person or vehicle, and not just show me a "white SUV". It looks like Nightowl offers a 720P option for a bit more $$$: http://nightowlsp.com/products/compl.../ahd7-841.html Should I spend the extra money or is the lower resolution good enough?

[Fentonite]

Doorbell:
https://ring.com/

It is not perfect. BUT, it works as advertised, and I have had it running for a few months now without a problem. (unpacked it, connected it to my computer to update firmware, removed my old doorbell, and mounted this over it using existing doorbell transformer.


DVR System:

http://nightowlsp.com/
I have had this running for over a year. I have an 8 channel wired DVR system. I am going to get another 16 channel one to add more cameras for inside and more for a layer of coverage further out (walkways and streets, etc).

Note: With the DVR system you have to learn/know how to forward ports on your home router so you can see your cameras from outside your home network. Night Owl provides a DDNS service so you do not have to know what your home public IP address is.

Thanks for taking the time to post this info. (I just saw a commercial for the doorbell, and it reminded me that I forgot about this thread).

[rbeau30]

Hey rbeau, Can you post up a screenshot from your nightowl cameras? I'm interested in the quality.

I want to put up some cameras that will actually be useful in identifying a person or vehicle, and not just show me a "white SUV". It looks like Nightowl offers a 720P option for a bit more $$$: http://nightowlsp.com/products/compl.../ahd7-841.html Should I spend the extra money or is the lower resolution good enough?

Sure! I was just re-arranging my port-forwards, so it may not be until tomorrow. I'll be sure to PM you when I post em.

My doorbell still works well. Only drawback is if you wanted to add another system you have to pay an additional $30/year for cloud recording.

[HoneyBadger]

Anybody ever heard of these or have any experience with them? What are some things to consider before buying?

Netgear "Arlo" security camera system:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/netgear-...&skuId=1668003