deserttaco

I am now in the market for a home surveillance system, and while shopping at Costco today, They had a pretty nice system with a 20 inch flat LCD monitor and a built in DVR. Anyone used one of these? Model No: L20WD804321 (Costco has this for $1500, plus I'd get 2% back) Here's the deal. My wife and I have lived in the Phoenix area for almost two years, and love it here. We live here with no other family in the area (my folks live in Nor Cal, and her parents and brother live in Washington). My wife's brother is a complete lackie, drug dealing, theiving, welfare getting POS... Anyway Her folks are moving here to Phoenix, and I'm sure Dumbass (Ryan is his name, but lets just call him Dumbass for now) will follow shortly there after. He has stolen from us before, and continues to steal from her parents. They are unable/unwilling to do anything about it. I have informed her parents that if he steals anything from us, There will be no second chance, no passing go, do not collect $200, and go directly to Federal Prison for dumbass... I've already sent him clippings of Sherrif Joe, and his famous pink underware... If he or any of his Dumbass buddies show up at my house, I was to have concrete photographic, video evidence of who was here and what exactally was taken. I am looking for something that will support at least 6 different cameras (non PTZ), both day and night time. I need something with some kind of recording ability, a month or so would be great. The option to record only when there is motion is something I'd deffinately want. Networkable would be fantastic (but not required)as is the ability to view over the web, when I am out of town. Ease of use and maintence would be preferable. I deffinately don't need anything that can read a licence plate from 200 yards, but seeing facial detail and maybe a license plate from 50 feet would be nice. The house I'm going to install it in, is my home, about 2400 square feet (If that makes a difference) and I'd have runs probably around 110-120 feet. The system at Costco would run me about $1500, I would really like to keep my overall costs around there. After doing a bit of research here, I've come to the conclusion that this may not be the best option for me. I certianly don't want to fork out a ton of cash for a POS that will have to be replaced in a few months. I have an Extra PC that I was planning on using it as a webserver, but could easily modify it to use for a DVR of sorts. I guess I'm at a loss of where to start. Thanks Steve

Is there any documentation out there, or any writeups that show a system, or components along the lines of what I'm trying to accomplish? for instance, I don't know what a good "Brand Name" Camera or DVR is. I thought about a stand along DVR, but thing now that maybe a PC system is better for upgradeability. Unfortuantely I don't have the experience with CCTV to make good decisions about good quality products that will achieve my Goals. I'm trying to gather as much information regarding good quality products, and suggestions from others in the business that work with these things everyday. Thanks for the advise.

Could you give me an idea of what doubling my budget would get? I am deffinately not trying to be a smartass. Just trying to educate myself to what would be the best route to go, and how to spend my money smart the first time.

Buddy, Thanks for the response. That deffinately puts it into perspective. Unfortunately I don't have 20-30K to put into this. I am deffinately a DIY kind of person, and have electronics and mechanical background, so doing the install and routing cables by myself isn't a big deal. I've already got a monitored home security system, where all windows and doors are remotely monitored there is also a motion sensor in my house. I was just hoping for something that would allow me something to give to the police incase there was ever a breakin at my home. Maybe my hopes of getting something that would see license plate detail is a bit lofty... Any other suggestions Steve