Dodgy fella... so need to upgrade security

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Dodgy fella... so need to upgrade security

epyscs

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#238224 7-Jul-2018 17:43

We had an unwanted visitor come by our place the other day, then try break into the neighbours. Fortunately / unfortunately she was in and disturbed them which was a bit of a shock. We have a nice long dark driveway with lots of cover and limited lighting. Perfect huh!

So, its time to do some work on security, but I thought I would tap into the collective Geekzone IQ for some advice on alarm systems / products and possibly CCTV.

In our last place we had a paradox system installed that was good, but I wondered if there are any good options out there now that are better than old school alarm systems. We need to do the usual sirens, garage door opening, window/door sensors, but I also want to be able to do remote monitoring (android) and possibly add video at some point to.

I have spent most of the day looking at stuff like arlo pro2, Ring, bluetooth locks (not a fan of bluetooth for some reason), paradox systems etc... so any advice is more than welcome. We will be having a bunch of sensor lights etc installed too.

Ideally, any camera setups I want motion detection, plus ability to do local storage etc. I already have a QNAP Nas sitting here that could be useful, otherwise, limited other home automation in this place.

Cheers guys!

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#2051193 7-Jul-2018 17:52

Have just got a konnected.io but have an existing alarm.

Jon

timmmay

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#2051223 7-Jul-2018 19:54

Door and windows sensors might not be necessary with modern motion alarms. The only advantage is they would detect someone before they even got inside - but if they smashed a window they wouldn't do much.

I'd go for something more modern than Paradox / Bosch old school alarms too, though be wary the features don't make it hackable. My alarm isn't online (other than a dialer) so can't be disabled that way.

epyscs

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2051253 7-Jul-2018 21:39

@jonherries - that looks interesting. Does it allow a keypad to disarm etc?

@timmmay - Any tips on a more modern alarm system than the paradox or bosch?

Cheers for the help guys.

davidcole

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#2051264 7-Jul-2018 22:47

Paradox will do monitoring, but it’s tied to their onsite gold. Unless you can get an old firearm ip150 module (pre v4 firmware) you cant local monitor. But I think their I hold gold cloud platform does have notifications. But won’t hav3 a patch on the full zone notifications I currentl6 have with my paradox an the ip150 script.

While motion detection is good, wired reed switches are even more awesome when it’s hooked into home automation (if door opened and night fine, turn on outside light for 5 mins)

But they’re a pain to get into doors, especially wired.

The konnected.io one seems to be the diy option of choice

Previously known as psycik

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SirHumphreyAppleby

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#2051288 8-Jul-2018 09:43

For CCTV, Hikvision and Dahua seem to be popular camera choices. We use Dahua cameras, less than $100 each from AliExpress, and while the firmware isn't brilliant, they're good enough to get the job done. Got a good image of someone trying to break in to our shed from around 30' away (waiting on sentencing), and the number plate of the vehicle they used (around 25' from another camera).

We use an Intel NUC running Windows 10 and Blue Iris, with iSCSI storage on the NAS (Synology in my case), and record 24/7 at 5fps from multiple cameras. Blue Iris is constantly being updated, and now includes an improved Web interface (UI 3) which is great for monitoring from PCs around the house. I additionally run a Windows service that automatically switches camera modes at sunrise/sunset, so we can clearly read number plates at night... the fiddly part is configuring the cameras to work in a variety of conditions.

Motion detection is nice if you want a quick review of a well-controlled area. We don't rely on it however. The attempted break-in did not trigger the motion detection as it was too far away and in an area where it would trigger too much due to environmental factors if we were to increase the sensitivity.

michaelmurfy

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#2051290 8-Jul-2018 09:49

For the alarm side of things konnected.io is your best bet - I believe the owner (@konnected) is on here so can comment more.

Outside monitoring I recommend Ring for a zero-fuss solution. The Ring floodlight cams + the doorbell are very good. I've personally got a Ring doorbell and it has prevented package theft. @freitasm has got the floodlight cam + a battery floodlight cam along with a doorbell and he seems to like his.

The thing that Ring does well is their cloud streaming / storage. You get the goods, you install them and then set them up via the app. It is a very good solution for people who just want a solution that just works. The floodlight cam also has 2 way voice along with a very loud siren for any unwanted guests.

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freitasm

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#2051305 8-Jul-2018 10:12

Also Ring is launching its own alarm system soon.

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Insanekiwi

592 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2051364 8-Jul-2018 11:03

I am so keen on importing Ring alarm. Only downside is the back up cellular support they get in US. I wonder if we get NZ version similar to it. Only reason for not purchasing at this point. I have 5 products of theirs with satisfaction.

phrozenpenguin

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#2052532 10-Jul-2018 11:40

I can't add anything on cameras but regarding alarms you could look at AAP - https://www.aap.co.nz we have their Elite S system and have been pleased with it. It is a "standard" alarm system - so has a wall keypad etc and high WAF and we can easily sell the house with it. I have added the IP module so can control alarm, garage door, see status etc from iOS app. This works and has alerted me to alarm going off whilst overseas. I've also added an RS232 serial board to bridge to a Raspberry Pi for home automation, and AAP are also meant to be releasing a firmware for the IP module that can interface with home automation. They have also released a touchscreen keypad / photo frame which is kinda smart: https://www.aap.co.nz/shop/Alarm+Systems/Keypads/KP-TOUCH-W.html

I looked at the konnected.io device and it looks cool, but I'm a bit wary of a Kickstarter project with beta firmware for my home alarm system. AAP I understand is NZ manufactured and NZ company, which also impacts my decision making.

nakedmolerat

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#2052572 10-Jul-2018 12:14

Spark Morepork?

mouarg

58 posts

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#2052683 10-Jul-2018 13:55

Very interested in buying a outdoor cam for the same reasons and want to take advantage or Amazon's free shipping

Would something like this be good? YiOutdoorCam or Foscam-1080P-Outdoor

Or am i better off with something like this? RingFloodlightCamera

TIA

SirHumphreyAppleby

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#2052688 10-Jul-2018 13:57

mouarg:

Very interested in buying a outdoor cam for the same reasons and want to take advantage or Amazon's free shipping

Would something like this be good? YiOutdoorCam or Foscam-1080P-Outdoor

Or am i better off with something like this? RingFloodlightCamera

These are all 1080P cameras. If you want detail, you'll appreciate going for something with higher resolution.

mouarg

58 posts

Master Geek

#2052749 10-Jul-2018 14:55

SirHumphreyAppleby:

These are all 1080P cameras. If you want detail, you'll appreciate going for something with higher resolution.

Thanks! Do you have any suggestions for the higher resolution cams? After your comment I went looking for 2K+ outdoor cams and found Amcrest, Lorex, Reolink, Revo America so far. I'm not familiar with any of these brands :S

Amcrest 4K

UltraHD 5MP resolution (2592x1944).

hairy1

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#2052752 10-Jul-2018 14:59

Window sensors I think would be better for checking that everything is closed prior to leaving the house.

I run Blue Iris with a couple of Dahua camera's and the Blue Iris app for camera alerts. I have Konnected.io but have yet to install as it needs to be right first time!

Cheers, Matt

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Insanekiwi

592 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2052757 10-Jul-2018 15:08

SirHumphreyAppleby:

mouarg:

Very interested in buying a outdoor cam for the same reasons and want to take advantage or Amazon's free shipping

Would something like this be good? YiOutdoorCam or Foscam-1080P-Outdoor

Or am i better off with something like this? RingFloodlightCamera

These are all 1080P cameras. If you want detail, you'll appreciate going for something with higher resolution.

I have been very happy with the Ring door bell 2 and flash cam. I have registered and do pay them $13.5/month but for me this was worth it. If I do add on Ring alarm - it won't cost me additional dollars. I just really want to have that cellular back up option.

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