ultrachrome

I want to build an megapixel POE system with a PC based NVR. That much I've figured out. We were burgled a few weeks ago, something that's never happened to me before. The cops came and shrugged their shoulders. They said they typically don't find fingerprints and none of my neighbors saw anything. Two days later, my wife goes into labor. On our way to the hospital, I notice an individual standing on my nearby street corner (~60 feet away from my house) who turns away from me as I drive by and then places a phone call. I stop the car and called 911. He then walks across the street and gets into his vehicle and drives 6 blocks and parks. I know because I followed him and made sure he knew I followed him. I had to get to the hospital but by the time the officer got to his vehicle, he was gone. Paranoid much? Why yes, yes I am. So this leads me to video surveillance which is the third layer of security I'm adding after securing my home's weak points and adding a monitored alarm system. My goal is capture footage of anyone ringing my doorbell or otherwise entering my property so I can provide to the police and/or my neighbors. So buy a turn-key system and figure out what works/doesn't work, or start with a camera or two and build from there based on my needs? I don't yet have a budget but I'm guessing 4-5 cameras. It seems that a decent cam is going for around $200 and up. What cameras allow for changing lenses to get the coverage I prefer? What about PTZ? Here is the main area (90 degree view) I want to cover with at least 2 cameras. Another on the front door and maybe one on the other side of the house. Thanks in advance!

Who's monitoring? I don't have time to.

Yes, I have such a light on the side of the house but will improve on it as the motion sensing has it flashing at cats and raccoons all night and it throws a lot of light were I don't necessarily need it or where my neighbors want it. It will be replace with multiple fixtures so I can better light the area not only for security but usability. The basement door is being replaced by the insurance company with a similar but according to the contractor a slightly stouter door. I'll make sure it's installed with 3" screws instead of 1/2" and I'll add a crossbar on the inside. The cost of installing a Bilco would easily cover the costs you lay out. Your assessment makes sense but I'm not sure I really care about remote monitoring. I'd like to feel confident that if something happens, the system will have a record of it and at a minimum be FTP'ing stills to a remote server before they find the NVR. Need2shave, I'll google the VideoIQ and let you know if I have any questions.