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thewinelake

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  1. Hi, I was here a couple of years ago and looking into replacing my Swann 4 camera system with something more useable. One of the problems I have with the Swann system is that it was designed to be sold cheaply in CostCo - so technically quite decent, but skimped on usability. Hope that's not too controversial to say! Some of the problems: 1) Very hard to remotely (or even locally) view recordings - eg. if I want to rapidly scan through some footage, it just won't allow it - will just play the clip in real time. 2) Buggy Mac software keeps bombing out 3) Alarm keeps going off and I can't stop it (yes, I've tried disabling all the places I can find in the GUI) Then there are more sophisticated things I'd like to do that the scripted Mac based systems (I tried security spy) could do very nicely, like emailing me with little chunks of "interesting" video (eg. the postman walking up the drive!). Not sure if Security Spy is still one of the better games in town (I quite like it) but I'm also interested in integrating with motion detectors that use z-wave. That was a bit trickier, but hopefully z-wave to AppleScript technology has improved recently. Or maybe with the arrival of HomeKit, it hasn't! Should I consider trying to use any bit of Homekit? I don't have any hardware that supports it at the moment. But maybe there's a thread or two around here that detail people's adventures setting up Mac or PC based security systems? What I'm looking to do in general is: 1) Get early warning of external activity by text/email 2) Be able to remotely inspect inside and outside house with cameras (maybe even a small drone?!) 3) Be able to review who was lurking around in the night (eg. if I think someone tried to break into my car) 4) Maybe link alarms or other deterrents to the system Thanks for any advice or views...
  2. I'm also interested in this. I share your pain with systems that attempt to do motion detection using a camera. They're just too simplistic. I'm investigating setting up my own PIRs which would then somehow connect to a Linux box. I am wondering if zWave might be an option here - just need to find some Linux zWave client software. Shouldn't be too hard, right?!
  3. thewinelake

    The art of deterrence

    Thanks. Strangely enough I was looking at those max security Eurocylinders just this morning. Not even sure if the current locks use them. Will have to take a look.
  4. thewinelake

    Swann teething issues

    Wondering if the Dahua NVR5208 would be more likely to suit my needs. Any reviews around?
  5. thewinelake

    Swann teething issues

    OK... The product in question is/was a NVR8-7085 I did eventually get through to Swann's Philippines call centre (30 mins wait) and they showed me how to download the Mac software (SwannView Link Mac) - although that's a somewhat secret thing! For what it's worth, this is what they got me to download: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/uvlxhtc4x2hj5wt/AAC4r2lvKbKwP-AJYrbI-v4ea/SwannView%20Link/SwannView%20Link%20Mac%201.0.4.2.zip?dl=0 However, even with this software, one can't change the settings of the box. Apparently you can with a PC. Given that I want to be able to change settings but have the box in a somewhat awkward location, this is not a flyer. I suspect I'll be taking this back to CostCo. Any recommendations for alternative DIY kits? I think I'd like about 6 channels and at least 720P quality. Is Dahua the same as Swann etc? I was expecting a web configurator (much like on the super cheap Sunluxy units) but it looks as though the management software runs native with some low level proprietory protocol talking to the box.
  6. thewinelake

    Swann teething issues

    Got a Swann DVR+CCTV kit from CostCo. I've got it mostly working (including port-forwarding) but I still need to change settings from time to time and don't want to have a monitor/keyboard connected to it all the time. How can I remotely login to change settings? At the moment, I can't really access it from my MacBook, as there's a Windows-only browser plugin that wants to run. Also any recommendation for a PTZ camera that includes speaker & microphone?
  7. thewinelake

    The art of deterrence

    This is odd - thought I'd replied just a few minutes ago, but can't see anything. Oh well... Just wondering if there's an elegant looking way to cover up a lock, particularly of the Euro-cylinder variety. For example, our rear patio doors have these things and if there was just a cover that would trip alarm when removed, that would be a good thing to have. Our front door has proper Chubb-locks as well as the Euro-type (not even sure why we bother with the Euro-cylinder!), but the sliding doors have what I assume to be easily snappable cylinders. Also, do we really believe that stickers saying that valuables have been property-marked have any effect? Of course it's unlikely to do any harm (Bill Burglar's hardly going to say "Ah ha! So they HAVE got some valuables...").
  8. thewinelake

    The art of deterrence

    Oh! Just seen that I've had some replies - apologies for not responding sooner - was assuming that I'd get email notification... In terms of budget, I'm not sure, but would consider myself lucky to get away with as little as £750, but I was intending to install this stuff myself and possibly over a period of time to ease the cashflow. Like I said, this would be the "belt" to the "braces" of a professionally installed intrusion alarm. Some of the suggestions are a little extreme - eg. removing the vegetation and getting a dog. However, putting a sticker up advertising tagging of items is doable - although I'm skeptical about whether that would deter or encourage! In terms of my location, I'm North London (N11) although I work in town, so regularly travel in/out. I am wondering about using VOIP technology to do the audio stuff. I work in that area, so suspect I could put something together reasonably cheaply. An early question would be what the panel would recommend between a kit of cameras (eg. the Swann stuff that they sell in CostCo) vs more standalone IP cams (which are more expensive, but perhaps more flexible). The intrusion alarm that we're looking at is based on Risco Agility 3 - any good? Apparently it does have the facility to work with CCTV, but I'm not sure how that would affect my dual system approach. By the way, the uPVC windows (Anglian, installed by the previous owners) are absolutely rubbish in terms of security - the lugs in the windows engage into metal plates which are just held by a pair of smallish screws into the uPVC frame itself - VERY easily jemmied. Someone has suggested fitting a metal lock (sash jammer?) that works in a way not a million miles different to those "crook locks" that some people have in their cars. I presume that the sash jammers can be bolted into the frame.
  9. thewinelake

    The art of deterrence

    I'm based in London, UK - so not sure if burglar culture is shared with the US/Canadians, but probably! Thinking about deterring future burglaries of our house. We're a detached house on a pretty main road, but have vulnerabilities at the back and side. Also a bit at the front where there's a large bush providing a degree of cover for a burglar to enter (and this is where our recent entrypoint was). Some ideas: 1) CCTV pointing at risk areas, with smart motion sensing software and some kind of indication that a presence has been detected (not a full-blown alarm) which would also send me an SMS/email. When I get the message, I can quickly review the last 5 mins of video to see if it represents a real threat. 2) Laser beam detection - eg. in front of windows where beam breaking is a pretty reliable indicator of a break-in attempt. An alarm would sound 3) Motion detectors with CCTV (similar to 1, but not so sophisticated) 4) Window-frame shock detection sensors (probably would be part of a conventional alarm) 5) Maybe some form of "pager" so I can talk to the potential intruder. Maybe that would slightly un-nerve them? Some of the issues are: - It should be obvious that an intruder has a high chance of being detected before they even attempt intrusion - Don't want to go crazy just because there's a delivery being made - Would be good if the system was self-testing (i.e. it would tell me if some part wasn't working properly) - Simple wiring (so POE would be better than separate power & signal) - How to program the behaviour (I guess this is an event-driven system) In addition to this, I am looking at a fairly basic internal burglar alarm system. So interested in views on wireless vs wired, how many sensors one should have, if connecting to the police is a good idea or a waste of time, etc.
  10. thewinelake

    Another newbie...

    Hello everyone. I'm new here. Although I've been vaguely interested in setting up CCTV for a while, it's taken a burglary to pull my finger out and start planning something proper. I'm looking to get a "normal" burglar alarm system, but augment it with my own kit which will perhaps be a little smarter. Obviously, things like having cameras combined with motion detection such that I can see the comings and goings to the house when away (or in bed) would be nice to have. Would like to deter burglars if possible, so am wondering if boundary laser jobbies at vulnerable areas of the house are a good thing. I've heard mixed results. Z-wave seems like a decent system to use, although prices can mount up. Will have a browse around here and see what you all recommend!
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