Birdman Adam

ADT is fine for monitoring, but I would personally put in the system myself. I've done two DSC 1832's 'from scratch' (running wiring to programming) and it really is not hard. I buy it all online and it comes in the same box an actual installer would get. As an IT guy you will get into it quickly as I have! I just don't trust ADT installers because I've seen so many shoddy systems from them, with inadequate coverage in terms of entry detection (motions, glassbreaks). CNB's 24vf's are great. I put like 6 in at a remote cabin and they are just a sweet camera for their price. My go-to vandal dome with good low-light response. For a DVR I personally would use a Qvis, I have the 8-channel Zeus model. Wiring, definitely cat5 with baluns. I use 2 pairs for power (green & orange), one pair for video (brown pair, balun), and the remaining (blue) pair as a tamper loop to be tied into the alarm. That way if they try to get smart and cut the camera cables the alarm will sound (unless they carefully strip the individual pairs and bring a multimeter to find and cut just the power or video pairs). Always go for more shots rather than less. Cover all entries with tight views that will always get good information.

Man, no one mentioned Qvis? I've got the 8-channel Zeus and its great. Got everything you need like 7fps D! on all 8, single HDD connection, alarm/ptz connection, networking and CHEAP.

Oh yea - a good WDR will work very well there. I would stick to only true WDR cameras, as in that slightly more expensive one. It will work better than the 'fake' xwdr. I think Rory tested blue-i, and found that the BLC features and what-not helps lots too - if not better than the WDR.

Well, this is relevant: Hope I'm not dredging up, seems this thread is rather new... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrRknh0K6ww Happened today at 3:42AM! I was sleeping, jumped out of bed and thought a bomb had gone off...! Turns out it was gigantic strike, probably within 100yards of our house. Fortunately no fires... But I think you can hear a tree falling in the background. We live in rather forest-y area so lots of big oaks around to get hit.

Yup, I've got one cheapie outside. It is under a very protected ceiling near a porch, like NO chance of weather unless we get a hurricane. Many cameras will do just fine, but be prepared to see corrosion/rust/general decrease in usability over the years as humidity (and salt if near the ocean) helps eat it up.

Well, it really depends. But I foresee a fair bit of $$$ on solar panel/wind plus good power regulators and a good battery bank! You need to minimize your wattage as much as possible. Best way IMO while still having good structure for connections and possible internet/etc would be a nice safe cabinet for everything, and go with a standalone DVR. I think my QVis 8-ch (Basically dahua) runs like 30-80. I have measured my 8 cameras and the DVR and it was under 100W total! Pretty good, and that is certainly possible under right conditions with enough panel surface area and good banks. IR will use much more power, and so will PTZ. I would stick to low light cameras that don't need much help. Most cameras that don't have IR will use surprisingly little power. Also, use one big regulated supply not a bunch or wall-warts. You will reduce overall usage there.

Yup, just a 'spot' output. Sometimes selectable in output by the DVR software. Spot outputs are great for getting a good overview of the system from a monitor that can be run to pretty much anywhere. I use a spot output to feed a modulator so I can look around the house on my TVs. It just to specific cameras on motion. Seamless!

Alarm, CCTV, guns. This solution will protect you pretty darn well. I would trick out my alarm and CCTV, maybe get concealed carry permit? Keep your edge with the criminals or they'll learn. They are like squirrels.

Definitely check out this forum: http://www.diyalarmforum.com/ They have nice people who are good with many different systems. (Psst, you can download installation manuals too ). Of course, if you are installing yourself, when you purchase the system they will give you all that. My favorite = DSC. Solid stuff, great prices. It just works and the programming ain't too bad. Also, play with a system you already have if you have never worked on one before. Get familiar with all the types of zones, how to wire stuff, good practice, etc...

Looks like a cool device! I love this poll idea too. Well, I have like 15 and maybe 12 are being used. Of course some are blocked by wall-warts too for phone, charger, cameras, etc, etc. Two separate 15A circuits (120V, USA). I really wish we had 240v all over the house like the Europeans do! Twice the power on the same copper. Feels worse when ya complete it yourself though LOL.

Yea I took a look too and it is simply waaayy to low-resolution to get the plate. That camera would need like 40mm+ lens to get into that area and see it well.

Well with my Qvis, I could do an iframe of the DVR page. That should work OK. IE is needed for many DVRs, but you can use IE Tab in Chrome to get in; you do still need IE on the computer however.

Woa, that sounds awesome! I wish you luck and hope you get the job Rory!! You deserve it.

Best for cheaper install, while still getting good stuff; CNB, Dahua (Qvis for their DVRs in US). I love Samsung's standalones as well, but they are for expensive installs. I would never buy Samsung cameras...

Where did you buy those? I think I bought the same 6-pair-pack on Amazon for cheap. They work great!

Yea, I'd definitely get some light in there. Typical visible light produces slightly better images, but if you want covert, go IR. The Monalisas respond wonderfully to low-light.

Great shots! The Axis is clearly much better, night and day! This is a very good example of what each side has to offer, considering price as well. What kind of frame rate do you get with the Axis cameras? Is it just me or does the Axis seem out of focus at night?

Sounds like you have many forces aligning against you! I wish you luck! Is it possible to own firearms in India? I would invest in some. Maybe hire guards as well if you have much valuables. I am glad I do not live in India.

Cheap passive baluns will not do 1000', good ones should. If not go with active balun at one or both ends and it will work great. Power is the issue. Can you run some 18/2 along side the cat6?

Yea, I've tried pointing my red laser at my cameras and it will temporarily blind them (shutter closes down a lot), but they can still typically see OK while the laser is going into the lens. After the light is removed they always return to normal. You would need a VERY strong laser to actually burn out the sensor. Maybe talk to the kid's parents or something if they are young people??

Thank you very much Larry. I too have wondered about that in the past.

What a funny error! Seeing as it is a VCR type device, maybe the tape got messed up in there, somewhere in the area where it is inserted/pops out when ejected. I would take off the cover and look around. I have extracted hostage tapes many times from VCRs that didn't wanna spit it out!

So I finally found some time to write a little about my setup and this DVR! Upcoming are lots of pictures, of the setup and test images. Probably some videos too! I will talk about my experiences, show how I did things, etc... Equipment for this system: 1x Qvis Zeus 8 Channel DVR (I've been told this is really a Dahua inside ), with 1x 1TB HDD 1x ESC3 TDN Vandal Dome 1x ESC3-WDR TDN Vandal Dome 1x ESC4 Vandal Dome 1x ESC1 TDN Bullet 1x No-Name Crap Camera (don't worry its a tight shot!) 1x Sony HandyCam Camcorder (big zoom was great for driveway, go ahead and laugh ) 1x 1.2GHz analog TX/RX pair (for transmitting A/V from camcorder) -CAT5E cable with passive baluns -RF Modulator for viewing over home TVs 1x Generic Radioshack UPS -Other odds and ends.. Believe it or not, I got a lot of this stuff for free... So I did quite well with cost, only like $300 total. The CAT5E is from my previous job, all the cameras I got from doing lots of testing, etc. This whole system is not as 'serious' as the Cabin Job, but it really didn't need to be. I just wanted something solid and rather cheap to check up on the home, and provide a level of identification in case something happened.

Well, here is an example. Its not exactly what I bought but you get the idea. Basically, cheap chinese 1.2GHz Tx/Rx pair, with multiple channels: Google something like "1.2Ghz Wireless 1.5W 8CH Transmitter/Receiver Kit" and you'll get some ideas. I can't even remember really where I got it. Also, this is completely out-in-the-open for others to receive, so do not point cameras at high-security locations. Often I can take my 1.2GHz and 2.4GHz tuners and just sweep around in urban areas and view tons of cameras.

I too have tucked cat5 into vinyl siding, it works great and you would never know its there! Also, I love that front-door shot, you will get awesome face shots there!