Quake25

Thanks for your inputs; and I now see that I came across a bit contrite, which was not my intent. However, I was questioning how the install with cameras mounted onto the single story building (with a full attic and access) could cost over $2k -- FWIW the quote we got was for $3465 Anyways, the DVR is an Arm Electronics RT4750DVD: (I replaced "." with "*" in the link)surveillent*com/arm-electronics-rt4750dvd-4-ch-120fps-networkable-dvr-750gb-mpeg-4-dvd-r-w-usb.aspx Prices I found just Googling on the first page of hits: DVR $503 WZ18 $313 @2 19" LCD (also Arm Electronics) $517 Cabeling, brackets and hooks ups ??? - I suspect we will also need lighting, but we have a telephone pole already in postion with electricity wired up to the top. Regardless our main concern/question is will this setup accomplish our goal as quoted; and part 2 of this question is can our goal of reading license plates be done for less b/c in our current situation, at this price, we cannot do this?

Okay, to say I'm a "newb" would be an understatement, but my background use to be in physical security and hardening installations (crash gates, guard huts, etc.) - Of course this was 10+ years ago... Anyways, I work at a year-round outdoor multi-use park. My main mission is flood control, but we allow civilian access 24/7. The issue is that we have periodic vandalism. Nothing major, but occassionally we get damaged property with burning some recreation equipment, or broken windows/building damage and so on. However, there has been a trend towards more destructive behavior and we like to curb this in 2 ways: 1) Deterence and 2) Captue the perps for future prosecution. My supervisor and I both believe that this can be done via CCTVs, the question now is how best to proceed. We have 1 access and exit (same road) that passes immediately in front of our main admin building, that is less than 25' from our front door, before it splits (one branch goes to the dam crest and the other to the recreation areas). We have NO outdoor security lighting, but there is a telephone pole with electricty wired across the road from the admin building. Budget is probably our biggest hurdle as we are a very small park and operate at cost, so this would be something we would have to request for funding as a result we are looking for a system that allow us to read license plates at or under $2500 (total budget including cameras, install, recorder, lighting, etc.) - Can it be done? We had someone come up and offer a quote of $3400 for 2 WZ-18s off our admin building, a 19" LCD, 750GB DVR and installation (no lighting). Incidently, I googled the parts and they came to just over $1,000 retail...($2400 for wiring and install?) I have spent the better of the day reading posts, mostly focusing on the Bosch WZ-18 and Panasonic WV-CP484, but any insights would be greatly appreciated! Ideally we want a motion activated system ($ permitting) and one camera positioned on on-coming traffic (approx. 30-40 feet) and one positioned towards the dam crest as traffic moves away from the building (approx. 40-60 feet). Thanks in advance! - Josh