Jim Hefner

Thanks in advance for any help or advice you folks might offer. I've been a moderator at several forums (non cctv of course) over the years and am sensitive to new members posting long-winded questions right off the bat. However, I've tried the search function and have spent a couple hours trolling around and am still 'way over my head'. Anyway, I've got a couple acres of very rural residential property in NorCal that I'd like to set up a video surveillance system. Below is a list of criteria as best I can gather: 1. Standalone DVR w/ monitor 2. Motion activate/record 3. Low power consumption (I'm off the grid so I use solar and batteries) 4. Cameras mount to poles/trees outdoors (snow, rain, & heat tolerant) 5. A couple cable runs to the cameras will be near 300' 6. Night/low light capabilities 100'+ 7. 6 channels 8. 2 PTZ cameras and 4 fixed 9. Easy setup, programming, and use 10. Customer service/tech support that actually exists 11. Video accessible through internet or my iphone 12. Budget for entire system including cabling about $1,500 I greatly appreciate any feedback, advice, or links you can offer. Thanks again!

OK, either Cat5 or the RG59siamese. I guess I'll hold on deciding which for now. How about a system? Or someone I can call that will help me piece one together? Thanks

What kind of cabling are we talking about?

Gentlemen, please, no fighting. Seeing as the IR capabilities are going to be limited in range, costly, and power hogs, I'm totally willing to let them go... Thanks again

No spare PCs lying around. (I'm an Apple guy) OK, zero IR cameras as I'll just put a motion activated solar light at my front gate. The light and the camera should be enough to scare most folks off. Obviously deterrence is about equally important to me as the actual video. I do have 17" LCD lying around I can use if the box doesn't come with one. Thanks again

Thanks for all the replies! OK, PTZ is def out. Well, how about just one that I turn on when I want to manually (remotely) survey my domain? OK, IR is out too. Maybe just one right on my driveway/entry gate to give the illusion of 24/7 surveillance? Again, I really appreciate the advice. I'm getting excited to get this thing up and running...

Turn-key would be best. However, if it doesn't take too much programming or hassle I can try to roll my own. Any and all advice/opinions are welcome! Thanks

Thank for the help, guys. The budget is sort of fixed but my criteria are not so let me see if I can revise some things downward. The $1,500 budget does not include batteries or solar panels. I'm planning/budgeting for these separately. If the PTZ cameras are the power and budget hogs, they're out. I can easily get by with a couple more fixed cameras. I can also make the max night viewing 100'. If I need to revise it down to 75' I can probably do that as well. For internet I'm going to use Hughesnet or WildBlue. I don't need to see high-quality vid (lower resolution) in realtime (less fps) so hopefully the basic upstream data package with them will be fine. I read on another forum some guys using the Defender DVR systems and were happy with them. However, I'm concerned the 'weather resistant' camera will not survive any rain. Last, is CAT5 cable the best method for cabling such a system? I know it's cheap, readily available, and I've used it before. Thanks again

If you find what u want for $1500 let us know please I presume you're telling me what I'm asking for is unrealistic. Are there more than a couple criteria killing the project based on budget? Also, to do such a system what would you expect it to cost (self install)?