frijoli

one of these: http://camover.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=11990&offer_id=B003GRCGYM Just curious if they work properly or not. This is a home/hobby application. Thanks, Clay

I didn't see what the model was, or is PTZ the name?

Just ask for a warranty. If you buy it and it dies the next day or doesnt work properly because it was never on a voltage regulator .. These were removed from an install, and sold by an individual. They are guaranteed not DOA, but no warranty. Clay

Found a couple Panasonic wv-cp484. 2 years old with a tamron 3-8mm lens. He is asking 125 apiece. Is this a reasonable deal?

Interesting discussion. Whenever I said "there's more than one way to skin a cat" my dad would say "yeah, but there's a best way"

Synology charges 60 per camera, or a 4 pack license for around 130. just saying....

I certainly wouldn't buy cheap as to a housing. There are "inexpensive" good housings available. They don't seem to hold their value like cameras, and surplus units from good manufacturers are available too. I'd like to read plates, stickers would be cool, but not necessary. Low light may definitely be an issue. I'm limited from a "neighborhood" allowance as to what I can do from a lighting stand point. IR is allowed, visible is not in they areas I want it. I will eventually want to go MP as the technology and value gets better. I assume you mean run Cat5 with a balun initially, and then convert when necessary to ethernet? Thanks for your help guys!! Clay

My overall system will be mixed IP and analog using an encoder. I already have the NAS server with built in surveillance package and licensing. My real question is: It seems dedicated outdoor cameras are more expensive than a box camera. It also seems that there are many more options to get better cameras and lenses in a box style that a dedicated outdoor camera. Since camera enclosures are very reasonable on eBay and other outlet sights, and it appears that buying box cameras with outdoor housings offers a lot of flexibility and opportunity to upgrade/change cameras fairly easily if necessity dictates down the road. So, other than most outdoor cameras having built in, albeit limited viability, IR lighting, what else am I missing by going box camera and housing? Thanks, Clay

I don't think that will be a concern for me. In any case I do have to hang it off the wall. At least in the drive/parking area. When I'm done with all of the cameras, there won't be any way to pull it off the wall without being seen. Clay

Thanks for the response Matt. Points I hadn't quite put together. I guess my point about higher quality box cameras was related to money for the camera/lens itself. Of course this was assuming that the housing was in fact approximately 50-60 dollars. I wouldn't buy a non branded outdoor housing without heat and fan. Since this is a home set-up, not high crime area and somewhat of a hobby/trial set-up I think I will play with both. Let me ask a hypothetical; Since I have the opportunity to use either IP or analog need to look down a driveway and survey an area from 25ft away to 75ft away and 20ft wide, would I need to seriously look at a megapixel camera, and what lens? I have been considering the CNB BBM-24f, however if it makes more sense to go higher resolution I can do that as well.

This thread should be a sticky if it isn't already!! Thanks for the enlightening information.

Been enjoying lurking. Just an interested individual that wants to put together a well planned system at my home. Thanks for all the good information(and rhetoric) so far. I am an Automation Engineer for a small but global manufacturer. My background is mechanical, but I handle all the new projects from one end to the other including all electrical and programming specs. Regards, Clay