Farmer Ted

Hello, I'm planning to install camera system in order to view animals in a shed when they are calving/lambing/ill. I'm unsure how to set it up in the shed. Is it better to have multiple fixed cameras or a single PTZ which can cover most of the shed? I estimate that using fixed cameras I would require 4 - 5 cameras. For the PTZ to be useful I would need to mount it on a bracket to suspend it down off a roof beam seam that it can pan and zoom into area of interest - although i expect there to be some blind spots requiring an additional 1/2 cameras for complete coverage (if really required). These will primarily be viewed via mobile phone so a good compatible android app is essential. On top of this I would like to add some security cameras for the sheds. Here I have no ideas as to what I require. - although for these ones I would like high resolution and excellent night vision. These would be the only ones which I would require to have recording. In terms of installation, I intend to pull an exterior spec Cat5e copper cable from the house to the shed feeding into a PoE switch which then distributes around all the cameras. In the house I'd have a NVR with a CCTV spec HDD. For the external security cameras, if I could obtain them in a discreet colour (green would be ideal to blend in). I also have two sheds at separate locations which I would like to install some security cameras. These sites have no electricity or internet connection onsite. I intend to use leisure batteries charged by a generator (when it is in use) and topped up by a solar panel. Do I keep these two setups separate from the home installation? What should I be looking at in terms of camera spec for the home shed for both the calving and the security cameras at home? The calving camera needs to be clear and have a microphone as the ability to hear the animals is necessary. however, there is the inclination to over spec, so advice appreciated. Any brands to avoid or focus on? I also need to ensure that everything links up together so all advice appreciated before I start purchasing. Thanks.

I'm going down the NVR route for a few other reasons too. But yes, I think I'll build the system up in installments and integrate more as needed. That is interesting what you say about the timestamps. I'll have to look into that a bit more - thanks for the heads up on that.

My initial plan was like the following examples: https://www.securitycameraking.com/securityinfo/cctv-installation-and-wiring-options/ http://www.cables-solutions.com/setup-nvr-poe-switch.html

£500 is the budget (approx) for the home shed. I'm happy to just install a minimum (calving cameras and a single security camera) to see how it goes and then add in the additional cameras at a later date when I see it is operational. If I can get a suitable system much cheaper then that is better for me as I need to do the outlying farms too, so the budget can be re-directed to them, The other two sheds are in locations that are a number of miles away (and indeed a few miles from each other too). They have some complexities regarding power supply too, so I think we should put these to aside for the moment and resolve a setup for the shed at home. In terms of cameras, sound is a definitive for the calving cameras - it is almost more useful than video at times). for the security camera(s) I would have thought that sound would have been a good idea too here? The calving cameras: Clean sharp colour images (with ability to zoom in for a reasonable level of detail - either image zoom via phone app or PC; or camera lens zoom. I don't need to be able to read a wrapper on ground) Audio No need to record Only requires access intermittently over the calving season The question is how much is a fixed versus a comparable PTZ? I could do with 3 fixed cameras (with possibility to expand to 1 - 2 more, if required) The security cameras are not an area whereby I know very much - other than I don't want to have an unwanted visitor and be unable to identify their face from a reasonable distance or unable to pick up number plate of a static vehicle. Excellent night vision/clarity is a must. Do PIR floodlights have a negative impact on security lights? I was considering installing these in order to provide a deterrent and also to give the camera a better chance of picking up facial features at night Can the cameras be obtained in a discrete colour (green would be ideal) These security cameras would need to record onto the NVR I think I could get away with max 3 for security externally, but there are two places where I would like to install a camera at a later date as there is some machinery I would like to keep tracked Do these only record if their motion sensors are activated or are they continuously recording Do the calving cameras need to go through the NVR? If a cameras is covering the entrance to a building is there any point in having an additional camera inside the building?

The shed is not a great environment for a NVR. It would need therefore to go into an IP66 or better enclosure. Plus I'd need to find a suitable location for it. Would running two cables back to house do anything to improve the problem? Probably as easy to pull 2 as one. The calving cameras will only be accessed intermittingly throughout a few months of the year allowing the security cameras the remainder of the data transfer capability of the link. I thought Cat5e rated at 1000Mbps would have been more than sufficient? I've not yet thought about the installation on the outfarms.

Okay, I'm confused. The plan was to track a single Cat5e cable from NVR in house to shed. This would be the fed into the switch to connect the shed to the NVR in house. All cameras would track back into this switch too for power and also access by the NVR. Can you describe what setup you are suggesting?

I would guess from the NVR in house to the PoE switch in she would be approx 30-40m. Initial cameras would be an additional 10-15m. but later ones (if I add) are going to be approx another 40m. Located in Northern Ireland. Are the apps independant of the cameras or do they all come as a package?

What brand and camera should I be looking at? As per the initial mail as it will be viewed mostly from phone a good app is required.

Budget would probably be £400 - £500 for shed coverage and single security camera - but I don't really know what spec of system I require - it is flexible, but would have it in or around this price. I am capable of installing myself, but I may tend to overspec the cameras and devices. I can add additional cameras as money becomes available. My one issue with a PTZ is that I'd need to put it onto a wall mount bracket and as a result it would be more visible and possibly vunerable to accidental damage. So I was wondering if a small number of decent fixed cameras (or some smaller dome PTZ) would be sufficient. I reality for the shed cameras all I need is to see and hear whether a cow is calving maybe a small number of fixed cameras would be sufficient and the PTZ is overkill? The idea of zooming in is 'nice' but it is not a necessity. How many decent fixed cameras can be bought for the price of a PTZ?

We have a very old camera installation in our shed which I would like too upgrade, if possible.There are 3 camera points in the shed which use rj11 sockets. They feed into the central distribution box as shown in the image.Apologies for the lack of clarity on the images but it was dark when taking them image and the location was a bit precarious. I am unable to confirm what type of cable is being used. Can you tell? The thick cable coming out of the box goes into the house where I believe it terminates with composite connection.Is this cable still useful for a modern camera setup? For the setup I want good image, sound and the ability to view via Internet. Pan and zoom are optional but I'd like to know if this cabling is suitable for a modern setup before I start looking into the hardware side of things.

Hi, I'm looking at beefing up security at a remote farm where we have to keep some machinery. So far I've upgraded the padlocks and tidied up some failings in the building structure. I'm considering using a UV Pen and a stamping die to put our details onto the machinery As an aside to this I would like to incorporate a CCTV system which would alert me to any activity inside the shed or out in the yard - whichever is easier. I'll be contacting my insurance company to see if they have any preferred CCTV systems. My concern is that I've been told that thieves now are using jammers to block the effect of any security system that alerts owners. I would like to know what type of system I could opt for and if it could be made robust against jammers. I've been looking at http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/swann-outback-12-megapixel-photo-wildlife-pet-cctv-security-camera-recorder-swvid-obc140-gl/version.asp as a possibility as a back up for a CCTV, but I really would like something that can inform me of an event in progress. *Sorry - can't get link to work. Is the use of signal blockers by thieves a distinct possibility/reality? Any recommendations on a system and its potential cost? I'd only be looking 1-2 cameras and some way of sending an alert to mobile phone(s).