Wizz

Sounds good, any specific recommendations? This is the system I am using: http://www.swann.com/s/products/view/?product=1530 Is it possible to run better cameras than analog with that DVR?? Many thanks

Hello everyone, I'm new here evidently and was hoping to get a bit of assistance as there is only so much I can learn from searching. After having our home heavily 'scoped out' by thugs a couple times I'd like to install a camera system for our home/family to add an additional layer of protection (I work from home and our property is big and I have no view of our gate/property from downstairs). I will be doing the install as I used to do A/V installs and do everything myself to make sure it's done to my liking, I have all the tools needed etc. I was interested in an 8 channel system so I can expand w/indoor cameras later on. I need outdoor cameras that will need to have good IR range and night time PQ, we live in Florida so good weatherproofing is a must. Our driveway is gated with a swing gate (there is an HID street light there as well which helps), so two long range (~100ft) IR cameras would be needed aimed at that location/region as it's the only road access point (we live at the end of a dead-end street). Cameras on the back and each side of the home can get away with ~50-60ft IR range. I also need a suggestion on a DVR...I do not need DVD burning ability. Our budget is ~$2k for hardware, I don't mind paying a bit more more if it means a noticeable step up in quality. I'm also open to packaged systems if you can recommend a good one, I'm overwhelmed by all the packaged systems available online and I don't want to buy junk. So to simplify: 1) Long range (~100+ft) outdoor camera/brand suggestion? 2) Intermediate range (~60ft) outdoor camera/brand suggestion? 3) DVR/brand suggestion? 4) ~19" flat panel monitor brand suggestion? Sorry about the newbie post, just want to make sure I get a descent brand/equipment. Much appreciated.

Thanks Soundy! Now I just need to design some plans to figure out how I want everything setup/laid out and go from there. Thanks again for all the info everyone, I really do appreciate it.

Gotcha Soundy. If it would be a PC based system it would have to run off of our current computer, it was one of the top-shelf units ~2 years ago: Hewlett Packard, Intel Core2 Quad @ 2.50GHz, 8.0 GB RAM, Vista Home Premium 64 bit, Nividia GeForce 9800GT graphics card. Problem is I wouldn't even know where to start for a PC based system after searching through some of these threads the last couple of nights. Is it as simple as buying a board, installing it, and setting up the software? Any suggestions on brands/sizes to consider? You guys are a life saver! Oh yea, if I do use our personal CPU as the recorder wouldn't we have to worry about the CPU (recorded info) being stolen? I was originally planning to put the DVR into our 900+Lb firearms safe...

Thanks everyone, points all taken. We've upped our budget a bit to do things right the first time, we'll just start with a couple of cams now (Panny 484), and add a couple later. Our property is fully fenced and gated, so if anyone is on the property = up to no good. I work from home and the idea is to know what's going on outside while I work at the computer, and as you guys mentioned have review ability. I will add a PIR as well, cable burial for the PIR will be tricky as the house is surrounded by concrete all the way around the perimeter...but maybe they have a wireless solution. Cameras will be house mounted so no issues there w/cabling. Here is what I've 'roughly' pieced together thus far: Cameras- Panny 484 w/environmental enclosures. DVR- Sanyo 2004 (it's expandable to 500gb), still considering a 6ch Sanyo as I'd like to add indoor cams later on. Monitor- undecided between a crt or LCD. Thanks for the info everyone.

Thanks!

I will be using Panny 484 cameras for outdoor residential use. Can anyone please point me towards any good ~17-20" monitors that will take advantage of the Pannys? Picture quality is primary concern so I don't mind CRTs, even though our new computer has plenty of in/outputs/DVI so it would be nice to use LCD...but I've read CRT gives better PQ and that's my main concern. Thanks!

Hello, just curious if the only difference between these two units is the hard drive space (80 vs 160)? I read that the 2004H80 is upgradable, is that also the case for the 2004H16? Thanks kindly

Thanks Soundy, I'll take a look at that camera...I could use it as the gate cam and the other 3 cams can be a bit less expensive models. I'm not so much worried about facial recognition as I am about having advanced notice that someone is about to do something they shouldn't, as long as I have the drop on them is my main goal.

Thank you so much!...that info helped a ton. We have pretty good illumination around the house and there is an HID light on a telephone poll (light is ~15ft high) at the gate which should help, I figured the advertised figures were inflated which seems to be the norm w/most things. I know that many prefer the Sony chip, but is there any 'brands' of camera to stay away from? Thanks!