Goldenvoice

My wife has recently opened a small (1500sq') Art & Antique Mall with mini café. It's a start-up business, and we're being as fugal as these times warrant. With that said, we have some equipment, and some concerns of our own. What we have: ***8 Q-see analog cameras (currently installed in store by previous proprietor, but can/will be moved to better locations). ***Bosch LCD 20" Monitor MON201CL ***Dell XPS 410, Intel Core2, 375W, twin 'standard issue' Seagate 320G HD, 2GB RAM computer (currently awaiting my choice of new graphics/video card), and matching 19" monitor. What I'd like input on for starters: the Dell computer needs to first do the job of general office machine - Internet banking, book keeping, light surfing, etc. Seems I could install a card, say Geovision GV-600, and have it double as our security DVR. I'm guessing I could run dual monitors, one for internet, and one for cctv monitoring (?). My biggest concern: creating a security issue in itself by doing online banking on the same machine that would be online 24/7 for off-site survellance... Or might I be better off to purchase a stand-alone DVR for security? Thoughts?

This is a grand idea! What I've done at home I call "hardening the target" - a wide variety of things to make our place look tougher to conquer than the neighboring places. The other issue with the store is it's out from the nearest town by a mile or two - on a major highway. The only other business on the same lot close their doors at 10pm, and turn off all their lights. My wife leaves on some interior, plus porch lights along the front, but still, there's really no one around at night. I'm not a thief, so don't think like one, but would think thieves may 'case the joint' during business hours, and take notes about security, alarm, weak or dark entrances, etc. Having visible deterrents must be a huge plus. An alarm system is also in the plan; seems even a basic wireless set-up would be far better than none at all. I've noticed alarm hookups of some sort in the specs for the stand-alone DVRs. What do those do? [seems if we're at home (10 min from store), there should be some easy way to know if the alarm at the store has been triggered, without paying a monthly fee to a security company.]

This alone gives me good direction to study! My wife and I have been discussing what would actually be an asset, as far as coverage. We've already had a "helper" helping herself to a bit of the till - that problem took care of itself, and I realize the best 'surveillance' to dissuade would-be shoplifters is an alert proprietor present. I'm thinking one good camera straight down on the till drawer, and another decent camera from up behind the till counter - this would take care, for the most part, of 'helpers' helping themselves. Otherwise, we're not a high traffic shop, such as a mini mart. I was also thinking - the Bosch monitor has camera inputs direct - could simply hook some entry cams to it, and display it for the public, simply so they see themselves on the screen - so they know their being 'watched' - even if those channels are not being recorded. I would, however, record the till cams - and an office cam... Oh, and ten-four on the 'don't multipurpose' the pc - fine and dandy - I felt I needed confirmation on that!