shawn130c

Not really sure if this is a right place but does anybody know any good places to look at some CCTV supplies and cameras, also have resonable prices, vareity of equipment and people that know what they are talking about, my dad never feels comfortable with buying stuff online. Stores in Sacramento would be fine too.

My dad owns a small apartment complex (16 units, 2 stories) with automatic gate for cars and a pedestrian gate. We want to monitor both gates as well as the area in front of the apartment. So far we have a small video system setup with: Swann MAXI DAY/NIGHTCAM (mounted on top of complex) [edit by mod - link removed] that monitors the car gate and some of the side gate (see picture its the red square). And Sentinel 4 Channel DVR SC324 [edit by mod - link removed] That records everything We are now looking for a color outdoor camera that will watch the ped. gate as well as most of the front fence (see picture, its the blue square, i am looking to be able to record the whole area between the orange lines ) and be able to record at night (not looking for perfect quality at night but at being able to know theres is someone there)The distance is only like 24-30 feet from gate to where i want the camera to be and the camera will only be like 6-12 feet from the ground (it will be placed on a lower overhang) So what type of camera should i be looking for? Also do i need some kind of special lens for the 90degrees of coverage i am looking for. Here is a quick diagram i made, it is not drawn to scale, hopefully i can get a picture and some measurments in the near future. http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/1904/overview8rz.png Thanks for any help

Thanks for the information and links rory. Those will help while i search for a camera. Also anymore product suggestion would be nice, so i can get a better idea of what to look for at local stores.

Thanks for the product suggestion, i am getting a better idea of what type of camera i need to look for, also i realize i still have little clue on what each description for the cameras. So now for some more questions, since it looks like my dad would like to look at some cameras at some local cctv here: 1. Cameras i am looking at mention 1/3'' or 1/4'' CCD this has to do with the image sensor right? In a camera for my situation i should try to get 1/3'' right or does it depend on the quality of the image sensor? 2. I should try and find a day/night camera instead of a color or bw right? I understand that the day/night cameras switch between color and bw depending on light is this correct? And ones that have IR on the camera will help it see in low light right? 3. Ok the lens, so far i see cameras with fixed, and variable focus lens. Now is there anyway to tell if a camera can use different lens or do i have to look for soemthing specific like how some camera have c/cs mounts? Also with varible focus you can switch between focal length while with a fixed you only have a option with one size per lens correct and the smaller the lens the wider the image correct? 4. And finally the resolution, i should try to look for something 400+ right? Also is this chart a good guideline on camera resolutions? Color High Res = 480/520 TVL Color Mid Res = 380/420TVL Color Low Res = 330/350 TVL BW High Res = 570/600TVL BW Mid Res = 420/480TVL BW Low Res = 380/400TVL Thanks again for all the help provided and any more help you can give me.

Thanks for the information ultimatesecurity, but i have decided agasint a dome camers, since i would like to put the camera on top of the overhang, since it will be safer up there then under the overhang. The camera you suggest looks promising, i really like the size, but i can i change the lens on this camera? Not exactly sure if wide angle is need there since i already have a camera watching the car gate, eventhough it would be nice haveing another camera watching the driver side and ped gate, so i might just go with a lens that will allow me to get a closer view of ped gate. Also hows the quality on the camera, do you think the quality would be better or worse then the swann i already have.

this camera is going to mainly be used to watch the ped gate, on the right of the car gate (see pics/diagram above), if possible i would like to try and get a view of the driver that are coming through the car gate along with people who enter the gate. If i can get a camera in my price range (around $150-200) that will be able to get licenses plates that would be nice too but mainly this camera for better viewing of ped. gate. Also I dont really have any experience with dome cameras, but can i place the dome upright so the dome is facing the sky instead of the ground (i am planning to place the camera on a lower overhang)

Thanks for the suggestions KrCCTV I am happy with the swann camera but i would like to try some other cameras/manufacturers out, may have to do some more of this in the future. Should i be looking for a camera auround the same specs as the swann or should i try to be looking for something alittle different? Here are the basic specs for the camera i got now: Resolution: 420 TV Lines Image Sensor:¼ " SuperHAD CCD Video Signal:NTSC 510 (H) x 492 (V) S/N Ratio:More than 48db Minimum Illumination: 0 LUX Video Output:1.0V(P-P)75 Power Supply:DC 12V Operating Current:150mA-280mA Video Output Connector:BNC Infrared Wavelength:24 units 850nm Illumination Distance:Up to 66ft/20m Auto Switch:Night (IR on)/ Day(IR off) Also any cameras/manufacturers i should try and look for.

thanks i will check those two out

Yesterday had some time and was able to get some recorded video, as well as pics. 1. Here a couple minutes of video i recorded and transfered using my digital camcorder. The settings for the dvr where this. Normal Quality Multiplexer 720*480 IPS: 4 (Record IPS set 8 to IPS but divided by 2 cameras not really sure on this part though but thats how they explained it in the manual) Swann Security Camera Example Video 2. A night time picture. As you can see the lighting isnt that good there is some light in the corner but thats about it. 3. Daytime pictures. Quality isnt the best but it provides enough detail for now. 4. Some more pics of the area and possible camera placement As you can see the area, i wouldnt think, wouldnt be too hard to watch with a camera. Also for the lighting, there are lightbulb sockets on top of the ped gate, will that be enough lighting for a camera? Thanks again for any help and have a fun and safe 4th of july.

I really dont remember what the nighttime lighting is (dont think there is any light at the gate but i am pretty sure i can get some there) The only light there is by the door that leads to the indoor stairs but that is under the overhang and the camera will be on top of the overhang. Also i might be able to get my dad to put some kind of motion flood light to put on the building that is facing the car gate. But other then those i really dont remember the lighting sitation. I should be able to go out to complex on Sunday and get some better measurements, and hopefully some recorded video from the dvr. I will also see if there is any nighttime recording I can get too (the dvr is set to record when motion is detected to save on some hd space until I can get a bigger hd) I understand the cameras maybe be blinded at night, the community isn’t that bad where the property is but I will talk with my dad about the issue with the blinding and see how he wants to go from there ( i would like night time recording but my dad may not be interested in spending the extra). But for now any examples of cameras I should be looking, preferably two, one that will do what I need to do, and another that will do what I want it to do and that wont be blinded by the headlights. UPDATE: Found a sattelite picture of area, might help some other people get a feel for the area, red is the swann camera that i have, blue is the area i looking to watch. http://img322.imageshack.us/img322/2748/newoverviewcopy0de.png[/b]

Were are serious about this and trying to figure out what we need before any problems arises. But I really have no idea what camera I should be looking for (just learned about cctv stuff a month ago). I now realize that the swann camera aren't the best, we picked it up at frys along with the dvr, and I found this forum after we purchased everything. Anyways, what type of features should we be looking for in a camera to do this and how much are we looking at to get a camera with those features (I am pretty sure I can get my dad to raise the spending limit not sure how much though, most like less then $200) Thanks again for the quick replies and any more help

Well yeah a dummy camera would be nice and cheap but not really an option, how much am i looking at for a camera that can do what i want it to do? I would think 150 would be resonable, i paid 130 retail for the swann camera i am using now.

Thanks for the quick reply As for the answer to your question, yes i am currently using the dvr the swann camera and a wireless camera (watches side parking), they all work pretty good. Except the wireless has some interference, i am planning to take it down and replace it a wired (main focus right now is the gate), but the quality is adequate, had to drop the ips to 8 from 30 untill i get a bigger hd, for the main camera watching the gate. By adequate i can get a good description of the person in fov (facial isnt the best at the moment) and a car description. The 90 degree view was just an idea for ease if not i can get a two camera, mainly i want to view area infront of ped. gate (not just who enters and leaves but people walking auround inside the gate and a side view of car gate (see pic, i would like to see pretty much all the area in red if the camera is placed 6-12 feet from the ground and the gate is about 24-30 ft away). O yeah forgot to mention a price, i am looking at spending less then $150 (less would be nice) for a outdoor camera that provides good quality for area i mentioned above.