Basic Security Camera Setup

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magicgeoff

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#217748 10-Jul-2017 21:11

Hi,
Im after some ideas towards setting up a very simple security camera system.
Wifi connectivity, remote access are not required.
Ideally Id like to continuously record, day and night. Recording up to a weeks worth of data before copying over the oldest day.
Is it as simple as hooking a camera up to PC? what would the software requirements be?
Id appreciate any ideas you might have
Thanks

shrub

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#1819250 10-Jul-2017 22:45

Yea pretty much. Buy IP cameras and get network power to them via a poe switch. Then there is the issue of storing the footage where there is 2 options.

Cheap camera and an old computer/Laptopas dedicated server thats got something like ispy as the NVR

Expensive camera that has sd card storage and an internal NVR.

richms

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#1819256 10-Jul-2017 23:12

Most cameras will come with some CMS software that can record to the local drive in that computer, but a hardware NVR from the elcheapo brands that support xmeye cameras (most cheap chinese ones) are about $30 so get that, add a HDD and you are good to go. Spend a bit more (100ish) and get a hikvision one that has a POE switch in it to power the cameras and better software.

edit: just be aware that the cheap white hikvisions top out at 1080p, so if you want more resolution than that you have to go for the more expensive models. Same with the cheapo NVRs - check the res. Some only do 8ch of 720p or 2ch of 1080 etc.

Richard rich.ms

magicgeoff

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#1819787 11-Jul-2017 18:59

Cool thanks for the replies. Two things.

"Expensive camera that has sd card storage and an internal NVR."
Can you suggest a model, and where I can find one. Suitable to record minimum 72 hours.
This option would be the easiest for me.

And second.
Ive got an old PC hard drive. What would be a suitable model camera that would meet your suggested requirements. POE, $100ish, records day/night.
Im wanting to record vehicles that come onto my property, so need to see the number plates. 5-6 metres away.
I then install ispy.

Look forward to your further advice

richms

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#1819788 11-Jul-2017 19:01

plates with headlights are hard, as they will overexpose the camera, and in pitch black the reflective plates will reflect all the IR back and make a giant white blob as it overexposes that area.

Dont think you will be happy with a cheapie for plate recognition.

Richard rich.ms

magicgeoff

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#1819819 11-Jul-2017 19:50

Cool thanks R, good advice.
So just to record the coming and goings during the day, and at night would would be the best solution.

"Expensive camera that has sd card storage and an internal NVR."
Can you suggest a model, and where I can find one. Suitable to record minimum 72 hours.
This option would be the easiest for me.

And second.
Ive got an old PC hard drive. What would be a suitable model camera that would meet your suggested requirements. POE, $100ish, records day/night.
I then install ispy.

Look forward to your further advice

G

afe66

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#1819949 11-Jul-2017 21:58

Does it have to be continuous video as opposed to motion activated?

Ie If motion it records if no motion don't record

How far away does it need to record at night? Would it need an additional it lift source?

What are you trying to record?

Azzura

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#1819965 11-Jul-2017 22:42

I'd suggest Blue Iris software (it has a 15 day demo) with Dahua (starlight for good night time) or Hikvision cameras. But everything depends on what your budget is,

Blue Iris is pretty easy to setup and remote access with their app is dead easy and works amazingly well.

One of my cameras is disappointing (Reolink 422) night view (yes, I've tried fixing it). It is going to be replaced with a Dahua.
Also, have a cheapy Foscam down in the shed (eventually being replaced).
And third is a Sunba 601, 20x optical, poe, ptz and night vision of up to 350m (works pretty good). Although... I am quite impressed with the Sunba...it'll be replaced with a Dahua eventually.

Tradepub

Free professional, reference and technical white papers (affiliate link).

magicgeoff

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#1819966 11-Jul-2017 22:43

Hi,
all Im after is an affordable way to record vehicles coming and going from my property.

Motion sensing recording would be fine. Recording distance 10metres. Quality at night not so important.
Is there a product/camera out there, that records to a SD card, maybe 72hours of data.

Watching remotely is not important. However from time to time if I want to view the data, a SD card would work for me.

Would anyone recommend a particular model? plug and play, just stick in an SD card?

Thanks

sbiddle

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#1819968 11-Jul-2017 22:48

There is no cheap solution if you want number plate recognition at night.

My only recommendation would be Mobotix with IR cut lenses. Around $1400 or so per camera.

magicgeoff

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#1819971 11-Jul-2017 22:51

Hi Azzura,

Thats what Im after, remote access nice, but not priority for me. Just recording capability.
Where do you purchase these Dahua cameras? and get more information?

Im after a camera that will view down a long driveway capturing any movement day and night. Just want to record to a SD card, so if the scumbags pinch something, I can refer to the data.

Is there a product out there?

Azzura

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#1819983 11-Jul-2017 23:24

I usually get my cameras via Ebay or Amazon.
I never really looked into cameras with sd cards.

I think a camera with sd card would work for you but for one problem....the long driveway.

This is my sunba viewing the driveway entrance approx 200 or 250m away with a 20x optical at night. Camera was about 750 nzd from Amazon. I mounted it on a pole outside the house... It took a day trenching the ground, running network cable in the ceiling crawl space and mounting it to the pole. Bit windy out tonight so some vibration happens (picture could be sharper). We use it for mainly checking on the horses...

Or you might want to consider some kinda trail camera hunters use.

davidcole

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#1820003 12-Jul-2017 06:30

I had a couple of dahua hdb4300c dome cameras. Nice and small have the sd card but no ir. just been replacing them with ir models but those don't have Sd. Not sure of a model that has both. Tend to cost around 70-100 usd.

Started with one recording to sd, then a couple more recording to pc nvr software. Then later bought a 4 port nvr.

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sbiddle

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#1820010 12-Jul-2017 07:40

magicgeoff:

Hi Azzura,

Thats what Im after, remote access nice, but not priority for me. Just recording capability.
Where do you purchase these Dahua cameras? and get more information?

Im after a camera that will view down a long driveway capturing any movement day and night. Just want to record to a SD card, so if the scumbags pinch something, I can refer to the data.

Is there a product out there?

Having a camera is totally pointless if all you can do is see somebody stealing your stuff but the quality is so poor you haven't got a hope in the world of identifying anyway. If you want quality at night a Starlight at a bare minimum is a requirement. If you want to identify number plates something such as dual lens Mobotix with IR cut is the bare minimum.