ajdedo

True, under 'normal' circumstances I would agree 100%, an once of prevention is worth a pound of cure. However, my situation may be slightly unique...... First off, they got in because I left the door open. You see, I live in a VERY small north west coastal town. 2900 people. The nearest cop is at least 20 minutes away, and everyone knows everyone. What I'm protecting is more then just property, it's a way of life. I haven't locked my door in eight years, no one does, and that's what makes it so charming..... Break-ins happen very rarely, but when they do, they take a small piece away from the idealistic lifestyle that everyone here likes to believe they live in...... Chances are it was probably was bored neighbourhood kids. But perhaps not. It's difficult to tell. It could have even been a 'friend', or a friend of a friend. Odds are I would recognize them, If not know their name...... Not much was taken. My MP3 player and some loose change. But it's the principal that bothers me. And safety to a certain extent too...... Everyone here has between 1 and 10 acres of land, there are no street lights, LOTS of trees, and 90% of the time it's pitch black. I can't tell if it a grizzly bear, a deer, or that illusive psycho from the last movie I watched luring in my yard. Odds are it's an animal, but it would still be nice to see what makes those branches break in the middle of the night. I can't really put bars on the window, nor completely secure my house. If i'm not home, and someone REALLY wanted to get in. They could spend hours with a chainsaw cutting through an exterior wall and no one would ever hear them. Though I doubt it would come to that. So my tactic is a bit more stealth. Lock a DVR in the closet, put up some cameras, and hopefully, one day, in the next eight years, satisfy my curiosity...... In the meanwhile, I can watch those bears dragging my trash through the yard at 3 in the morning......

Hi Rory, Can I ask why you recomended the AvTech 4 channel over the G4-4Xcd ?? Thanks.

Hi, Thanks for asking..... I was going to focus on the DVR first, then deal with the cameras later, but since it's been mentioned, My scenario would be.... Camera 1 : Outside : Long narrow driveway through the trees. Little light during the day, none at night. 10ft - 50ft lineal range. To be able to recognize a car/license would be good. Camera 2 : Outside : Yard. Bright during day. Dim to dark at night. 400 - 1000 square ft to observe. No special requirements. Camera 3 : Inside : Must be a small discreet camera. 250 square ft room. Bright during day. A string of approximately 20, 7watt christmas lights on at night. It would be nice to recognize a face/person. Camera 4 : Inside : Must be small and discreet. 250 square foot room. Bright during day. Often, but not always, dark at night. Would be nice to recognize a person. In my head, I allocated $700 - $1000 for cameras, but i may be wrong.... Thanks

Hi, Well those responses weren't too inspirational, but at least it's a start..... I should mention..... 1) My budget of $1000 is only for the DVR, I will pay extra for the cameras 2) I would rather not use my PC, i think it's just too fallible 3) I have a Linksys router 4) And What about the product I mentioned ??? The G4-4XCD ??? Thanks again.

Hi, I thought i had it figured out, but the more i read, the more help i need !! So can someone please help me with my situation..... Thanks a lot I'm looking for a DVR for my home. I've been broken in to twice already. Nothing serious, but it really bugs me..... My budget keep getting higher the more I read, but realistically, i think i need to cap it off at $1000 USD..... I've been looking at the G4-4XCD because of the price and the J2000, but I am no longer sure. http://www.protectiondepot.com/dvmr4xcd.asp Picture quality of course, is important..... The one thing i would like, is to be able to recognize whoever is doing it. Motion detection is also important, because 90% of the time, there won't be any motion on any of the cameras. So it is crucial the when there is, the recorder turns on !!! 4 channels is also important. 6 would be nice too, but not essential. And finally, some sort of basic IP/TCP or remote web viewing. Not really because i need it, but because i 'think' i may need it So can anyone help ??!? Thanks so much if you can