no_1_u_know

Hello, I have problems with my neighbor's noisy dogs across the street from my home, and I want to record them with both video and audio. This is a temporary setup, so I would prefer wireless (I have power available near the mounting point). As far as the potential wireless distance to be covered, it will be about 20 yds to my home's wireless router, with two intervening wooden walls, OR about 15 yds direct to my computer, again two intervening, wooden walls. The dogs are about 30 yards from the mounting point, with only visible through a small "window" in the shrubbery in-between, so I would prefer a camera with a fairly narrow viewing angle. I don't need IR, as I don't think it will help me, given the target distance. I also do not need pan/tilt, as the dogs do their barking on an elevated porch across the street, from which they can see the entire intersection I live on. Also, I want to be able to record a full day of activity, which I want to edit to remove the time when the dogs are not barking, to create an impressive continuous bark movie. From research I've done, it seems most the folks use a DVR to record. It also seems hard, however, to get the video to a PC for editing, and I'm not sure what software I might use for editing. Please, can anyone offer guidance on camera, recording hardware and editing software? I don't want to be cheap, but I don't need the very best system either. I've been doing a lot of research on this topic, but not getting anywhere! Thanks! From New Orleans, no_1_u_know

Kawboy and Shock, Thanks, thought of all of these things, including antifreeze and bacon grease soaked sponge. Unfortunately, because I've taken him t o court once already, I am prime suspect. Also, any "retribution-in-kind" will annoy other neighbors. This guy has been there a long time, and because of the way things are laid out, I get most of the noise. I need to do this legal, therefore evidence must be gathered. Catching a few barks on vid-cam won't do it. I need to show something impressive. Why not record a day of barking, then edit it into a 1/2 hour or more of continuous bark? That's what I want to do.

Thanks to you both. I'm actually not planning to watch the video feed, until I am ready to edit out the parts where the dogs are not barking. I hope i am not making this too complicated. I just need video and sound, edited to remove the dead spaces, so that I can show it to the owner of the dogs - or in court. While I am interested in having a DVR at some point - and I am willing to get one now, if that is the best solution - I am wondering if I might be able to use an analog to digital USB adapter. Seems like there are some limitations of frame rate, and I've read of issues with synch'ing the audio and video. I've never done any of this, so I just don't know... Obviously, I want to avoid buying things that don't work and also avoid making things to complicated. Sounds like I can buy a video card with RCA inputs, along with some recording software, and go straight from the camera's receiver to the a video card. But I may never use this for anything ever again. I like the idea of having a DVR - especially if I can use it for other things like recording TV - as long as I can get the video to my laptop for editing. Whew...

i would put dvr also at this location much better than wireless Thanks Tom. I appreciate your input. Unfortunately, there is a good deal of auto traffic that would trigger the cam and I need to edit that out. Also, the camera mounting point is outside, so i could not place the DVR there. As an aside: Is it possible to use the same DVR for recording from television, AND for surveillance? I don't necessarily mean at the same time. Thanks again!!!! no_1_u_know

Thanks Dennis. I appreciate your reply. I've been doing a lot of research on this, but still not sure which way to go. A couple of concerns: 1. Wouldn't I need to convert the video to .mpg, .wmv, or whatever for editing, or do surveillance DVR's record in those formats (still not clear on the differences between surveillance DVR's and those used for television recording)? 2. I need to record an entire daylight cycle, and maybe even a 24 hour cycle. That would require a very large jump drive, wouldn't it? Could I use an external HD instead? 3. I need to record AUDIO, as well as video What about using an analog to digital USB adapter, and recording direct to a PC? I have a desktop I could dedicate for that purpose. BTW: I already purchased a camera. Its is a Lorex outdoor wireless cam with audio, matched with an antennae'd receiver with analog outputs. It was ~ $180. Actually tjhought I was buying an IP Cam, as my initial intent was to record using VLC or something like that. I could keep that cam or return it, depending n the guidance I receive here. Thanks again, no_1_u_know