Hey people.. I need some quick advice.. I'm looking to install a fairly reliable home surveillance system. I'm not looking into anything too fancy, just the bare necessities for a single camera setup. I live in an apartment complex that offers me a window view of my truck that's about 50ft away, so I'd like to mount it in the window pane.

I have no idea what sort of equipment I would need.. I'm not looking for an extremely complicated system. From what I've gathered, I think I only need a camera, receiver, and recorder.. There is lighted parking where my truck is, but it still is kinda dim. As far as the recorder goes, I'm guessing I would only need at most 1-2 days of storage space for a contantly recording camera if possible.

I'm browsing a couple websites right now trying to learn what I can, but feel free to chime in with some extra advice or cheap setups I should look into.

 

This is what I would do and what I have done. I'm using more than 1 camera but you can just use one. Stay away from recorders and receivers, use your computer as the receiver and recorder. There are alot of companies out there but I went with Swann. Purchase there PCI card (allows you to connect up to four cameras) and one of there cameras. The PCI card will come with recording/receiving software. You can choose recording time and a drive for the video to be recorded on. PM if you need more info

Here is there website. I can help you with camera selection if your really interested

http://www.swannsecurity.com/region/usa/entry/us

 

yah, i'm with PMASON!

 

Here's the card. Browse there camera's and choose 1

http://www.swannsecurity.com/s/produ...w/?product=379

 

thanks for the link pmason.. I looked into the pci card, and I'd really like to go about using something along those lines.. Only thing is, my computer is halfway across the apartment from where I'd want to setup the camera.. I dunno how the card would act as the receiver without running cable throughout my apartment, which really isn't a preferred option.

From what I've gathered so far is that I should still be able to use the PCI card with a wireless camera/receiver combo.. would that work or am I missing something?

How well do these night vision cameras work..? I haven't got excat measurements, but I need something with up to 50ft of nightvision range if possible to get a clear shot of my truck at night.

I was browsing through their professional security line and came across this camera.. it seems to meet my needs and budget at $129.99, but it's not exactly wireless.. so I guess I'm going to have to keep shopping.
http://www.swannsecurity.com/s/produ...w/?product=717

 

do you get the power threw the card or do you have to plug the camera into the wall?

 

are you supposed to keep your computer on 24/7?

 

I like the idea of being able to use the PCI card, but I haven't found very many wireless camera setups.

Anwyho, as an alternative.. what do you guys think about picking up a portable mini DVR recorder? I couldn't find very many if any DVR recorders for under $200.. and I'm not really looking to spend more than that.. I came across the CVP800 that can record with an SD card. It claims that a 512mb card can record up to 8 hours on 12fps, and I happen to have a 16gb.. would record about 1 week.. give or take. It's listed at $150 on buy.com.. is that a fair price?

I'm assuming I could pair it with the camera I had listed above.. would this setup work well?

DVR - http://www.homesecuritystore.com/ezs...ductID=1447#a1
Camera - http://www.swannsecurity.com/s/produ...w/?product=717
SD Card - http://www.buy.com/prod/kingston-16g...206865168.html

So for bout $250.. I could pickup the Camera/Recorder listed above from buy.com.. is there anything else I'm missing?

 

I'm assuming you would have to.. else the hard drive wouldn't be able to record.

 

Make sure you get a good camera for night recording, they are the heart of any system. To get real good image clarity for 50 ft. go for a camera that can see 100 or 150 ft. if you really wanna see who's outside.

 

I have four Sony outdoor cameras connected to an Avermedia 16-channel PCI card. It wasn't cheap, but it works great. Night vision and all.

 

Buy a cheap $200 computer and put it right by the window, connect it to your wireless network, and access the video files through there.. that way you get an easy solution, but you don't have to run the cable across your apt.

you can get a small footprint computer that won't take up any spce at all.

 

You get the power from the card. I'm sorry I missed this thread. You can also go wireless if you dont want to run wires. If this is the case take a look at the link I sent you and put something together for wireless. The night vision on these camera's are good also. PM me if you have any other questions

 

Yes. I work in IT so I have several pc's or parts lying around. I just put one together for the camera's with and external hard drive that the camera records onto.

 

This is something I am interested in as well. I am nto thread jacking but I do want to say that it is possible to do wireless link to your computer from the cam. Addiitonally I will be taking the viewing a step further. You can buy cameras that allow "remote" control (features such as rotate and record on and off).

Such set ups will also allow you to view the images that appear on your camera from ANY computer in the world, that has an internet connection, including full control of the camera. Now here is the best part. I will be able to view and control the camera remotely from my iPhone! Now that is badass.

Here is a question for you and the OP. If your truck is 50 ft away....and you have a wireless router, would it make any sense to put a second camera inside the truck? At 50 ft away, wireless connectivity is no issue. Cameras also have a "motion sensor" that will detect motion and begin recording and sending images your file server (home computer). So if anything happens to your truck or if a thief breaks into it....the video images will be in your apartment! Pretty cool. Of course the transfer of images will cease if the truck were stolen and it were driven beyond the wireless connectivity point.

Technology is cool!