dknapp

Hello Everyone, I am setting up a DVR for use to monitor a driveway at a farm. I would like to stay below $150 for the camera. Would like mostly day use monitoring as we have no street llights, no security lights, just natural lighting at night. I don't expect much quality for night time use. Some questions: Do the cameras with built-in IR actually work at their advertised ranges? Also, do the IR illuminators show up in the dark if one is looking at the camera? Do they glow or show up in human vision? I plan to semi-conceal the camera in a tree and point it at the driveway some 30 or more feet away. What lens size should I use, or should I get a zoom and just make my adjustment when I install it? Will moving cloud and tree shadows trigger the motion detection? How do I avoid that? I have a nearby shed to house the DVR and camera power supply. I will be able to check the DVR only about every two weeks, so the motion detection is crucial for the whole plan to work. I should not have more than 2-3 triggers per week.

What about bullet vs. non-bullet? Any issues there I should be aware of?

Also, what are advantages/disadvantages of bullet cameras like SCDLink CFC6056EX over non-bullet like the ARM CFC6003VF? Is it just a shape issue or is there more to it? How about the CFC602VF from SCDLink (Sony HAD varifocal, weatherproof). Would the 0.03 lux work OK for my purposes vs. the IR glow-in-the-dark that gives away its presence? Is Sony HQ-1 better than Sony HAD chipset? Thanks in advance for any info.

Thank you for the reply. To boil it down: Varifocal lens I/R of double the predicted range (have not actually measured it) Lots of hot glue - I liked that idea. Not sure if I like the idea of glowing IR illuminators though. Good for troubleshooting, but I don't really want intruders to see the camera glowing in the dark at them. The guys that break into my place would just take it or break it. I guess I am really interested in just catching their car license plate, not get their face. They would be driving up my 1/2 mile driveway, probably not walking. This is a driveway cleared through woods with a gravel surface and 10+ feet clear on either side. My DVR does have motion masking. No one will drive by without first turning down my lane and going hundreds of yards. Deer, skunks and turkeys yes, no drive bys. I did not think sunrise and sunset would trigger motion detection as that seems so gradual. The DVR is a SecuMate Mini Portable Security Recorder with a 1 GB SD card for storage. Yes, shed has power, no phone or Internet (boy, I wish it did).

I would like to monitor a driveway at a weekend cottage. Thinking of using an SCD mini portable DVR ($189 plus card) kept in a nearby shed. Single camera, no network possible at this time. Would use motion sensing and mostly daylight monitoring. Just looking for folks using driveway. Anyone have any experience with the SCD mini portable DVR? Any camera recommendations? Would like to keep camera + dvr to about $300. Any other suggestions?

Well, I ordered one, so will see how it goes. Does the motion detect allow masking out some elements of the shot?

Thaks for the info. I don't suppose you would use motion detection on a bike, but do you know if it has that capability? The vendor did not have a manual on line. Good luck with the project.

OK, we will give it a try. Thanks very much for your advice.

That is the one -- an SCD MPE1009. Would reside in a shed. What is largest card it will take? Does the motion sensing work well? I would like to block out nearby trees and aim camera at the road. Not sure if shadows changing would affect it. Got any suggestions on cameras for monitoring driveay? Night not too important, this is for monitoring usage, not preventing theft. Distances involved may be a bit much for IR, so good color day is probably more important.