Home Security Cameras

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jackk

53 posts

Master Geek

#100437 11-Apr-2012 21:01

Hi guys,

I want to setup a Security Camera system at home, with both day/night capabilities. The majority of the cameras will be mounted outdoor so it will need to be weatherproof.

It can be Ethernet/Wireless base or the traditional tv cable ones.

I was looking at the Ubiquiti Aircam but then I just found out they don't support IR at the moment.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Cheers
Jackson

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#608042 11-Apr-2012 21:50

If you want to go with IP the Geovision cameras aren't bad, around the ~$500 - $700 mark depending on specs.

AirCam at present is very low end gear compared to the Geovision stuff.

Pock

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#608055 11-Apr-2012 22:13

I do security installs for a living and could recommend something for you. What sort of budget do you have? What do you want to get out of having such a system? Do you want to be able to record footage, or just view? If you want to record, how long do you want the images to be available before they are overwritten? Do you want to be able to connect remotely and view your cameras? What sort of detail are you looking for? Would an analogue picture be ok, or do you want something HD?

(I'm not trying to get business or anything, just wanted to let you know where I'm coming from)

Pock

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#608065 11-Apr-2012 22:32

jackk: Hi guys,

I want to setup a Security Camera system at home, with both day/night capabilities. The majority of the cameras will be mounted outdoor so it will need to be weatherproof.

It can be Ethernet/Wireless base or the traditional tv cable ones.

Best to run cat5 anyway. You can use 75 ohm baluns to connect analogue cameras, and if you decide in the future to go for a networked cam, then you have cat5 there ready.

I was looking at the Ubiquiti Aircam but then I just found out they don't support IR at the moment.
...

You can use separate IR flood lights. In fact, I would recommend this over cameras with built in IR. Don't know why, but the ones with built in IR tend to be cheaper and nastier.

jackk

53 posts

Master Geek

#608071 11-Apr-2012 22:49

Cheers sbiddle, will take a look.

Hi Pock, yes I would like to record footage and be able to view it through the web. In terms of keeping the images i guess 2 weeks should do. I guess analogue should do for me but do you have any recommendation for HD? There are so many choices out there. From those Swann system from Dick Smith, to those Ubiquiti Aircam, to a cheap camera connected to a PC video card and uses freeware like "zoneminder". Perhaps around $1k to $1.5k all up? cheers in advance! :)

Zeon

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#608073 11-Apr-2012 22:57

I just ordered an aircam ceiling mount to try out. It's much cheaper at $180. Why can't you replace the lens and put in your own IR light source? Or just put in a motion detector light :)

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jackk

53 posts

Master Geek

#608283 12-Apr-2012 14:51

Hi Zeon,

yeah aircam are definitely way cheaper. I have been using their wifi access points and they are pretty good too so I am quite keen.

yeah I was hoping to get something in without tinkering with lights etc...

From the pic it does seems there's some LED around the aircam itself? what are those for you know?

Cheers
Jackson

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Zeon

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#608291 12-Apr-2012 15:04

My aircam arrived today and have been playing with it. The airvision software seems pretty good, just like unifi (we also have 3 APs from Ubiquiti).

The camera itself is pretty small. There are no lights around it however although they could be attached I guess.

The Airvision software is pretty good although the disk usage is OUT OF THIS WORLD. Like 1 cam has used 2.5GB in 1 hour and CPU is 20% on quad core i5. Not so worried about CPU but apparently there is no delete old stuff feature in airvision

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jackk

53 posts

Master Geek

#608345 12-Apr-2012 16:38

How many aircams are you looking to deploy? you going to switch on motion detect?

For me I really need IR but I don't want to do anything extra for lighting. I think they have a PRO model coming out later on this year, but don't know whether it got IR though. Hard to find info from their forum. :(

sbiddle

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#608348 12-Apr-2012 16:44

Whatever anybody does avoid the Swann gear at all costs. It's cheap nasty rubbish, and a bit like like comparing a $299 10.1" netbook with a Macbook Air.

Zeon

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#608363 12-Apr-2012 17:08

jackk: How many aircams are you looking to deploy? you going to switch on motion detect?

For me I really need IR but I don't want to do anything extra for lighting. I think they have a PRO model coming out later on this year, but don't know whether it got IR though. Hard to find info from their forum. :(

Probably around 12 or so across 3 offices. Yea they are still abit flakey even by my experience so far. I'd say either wait a bit or go with another brand.

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polglase

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#608386 12-Apr-2012 18:12

I've been looking at this as well, preferably HD, IR and WiFi... anyone tried dropcam?

https://www.dropcam.com/

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polglase

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#608409 12-Apr-2012 18:40

Anyone tried these - http://www.geovision.com.tw/english/Prod_GVIPCAMCBW220.asp

HD and WiFi, would need an IR or regular sensor light...

jackk

53 posts

Master Geek

#608618 13-Apr-2012 09:10

sbiddle: Whatever anybody does avoid the Swann gear at all costs. It's cheap nasty rubbish, and a bit like like comparing a $299 10.1" netbook with a Macbook Air.

Cheers for the advice, will rule that out. :)

jackk

53 posts

Master Geek

#608623 13-Apr-2012 09:12

polglase: I've been looking at this as well, preferably HD, IR and WiFi... anyone tried dropcam?

https://www.dropcam.com/

so it talks to the cloud? i wonder how much bandwidth it will use??

jackk

53 posts

Master Geek

#608631 13-Apr-2012 09:31

Pock:
jackk: Hi guys,

I want to setup a Security Camera system at home, with both day/night capabilities. The majority of the cameras will be mounted outdoor so it will need to be weatherproof.

It can be Ethernet/Wireless base or the traditional tv cable ones.

Best to run cat5 anyway. You can use 75 ohm baluns to connect analogue cameras, and if you decide in the future to go for a networked cam, then you have cat5 there ready.

I was looking at the Ubiquiti Aircam but then I just found out they don't support IR at the moment.
...

You can use separate IR flood lights. In fact, I would recommend this over cameras with built in IR. Don't know why, but the ones with built in IR tend to be cheaper and nastier.

Hi Pock,

I prefer ethernet as well as it is something that I am familiar with. With regard to IR flood lights, do you have links to them or a brand name that I can search for? Are there any benefits with going with IR? or a normal sensor light is better?

Cheers
Jack

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