Basil

All okay where we are, just wish we could rid the world of all terrorists.... just damn cowards.

I'm in the UK and would like to monitor frontage of house day and night, approx 30 feet from house and upto 40 foot max across, want to mount the camera up under eaves of house, just run power into loft. I would prefer to use a wired camera linked to a wireless transmitter... the Mrs is sick of cables everywhere !!! Basically can anyone recommend a sensibly priced solution please, I looking to record the images on a PC, so also would like some pointers on video capture and associated software. Have been looking at various options and am now confused, there is a street light about 50 foot away. Thanks in advance.

Did a test with the bits a few nights ago, and the IR beam goes a fair distance in excess of 60 feet.... I kept the IR as, lets just say in the end I got the B/W camera gratis.. If I did it all again.. let's just say I would do things differently, thanks to knowledge I now have, thanks guys

How's this ???

Okay, I've done the install today... removed the video sender from the colour camera, it is now hard wired as well. What I now have is far from discreet, although I suspect it should act as a deterrent... I've installed a second camera with 8 IR leds and an additional IR with 49 leds, this pointing at the bit that looked really dark on the original image posted from the colour bullet. The second camera is 1/3" B/W ... http://www.rfconcepts.co.uk/waterproof_camera.htm I've mounted this slighty lower than the original, following advice about IR's and reflections. Power for all the devices comes from transformers located in the loft, I extended the 12v power leads using a microphone cable as it was 2 core and shielded with a rubberised outer... thought this might survive the elements a bit better. The 2 cameras feed a UCC4A board bought from ebay for a tenner ($14 ish). Am looking to use the SupervisionCam software in future.. Have both camera set to record on movement, but at different times of the day... the B/W is too sensitive in normal daylight, so I only record from the colour at these times. If anyone is interested I will post a night time image from the B/W camera..

Trade your car for a white or silver one Sorry, couldn't resist...

Once I finish installation and testing, I will post a new night view and explain the hows and wheres. Once again thank you to all the people on the forum, I've learned a lot for me in short space of time... Yeah I know sod all in the grand scheme of things

Well I've had a response from rfconcepts, I must say, I take it all back they have come up trumps. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them enough now, so if you are in europe, try www.rfconcepts.co.uk but, please take some of the manufacturers claims with a pinch of salt, if you are unsure check with rfconcepts before ordering, learn from my error. They have resolved my problem to my total satisfaction, a big thank you to Roy at rfconcepts.

Well I've had a little email correspondence with Roy and it appears that the camera I bought is as stated in the PDF is IR sensitive as an option, and rfconcepts only order as a special when they have an order for a large number. Got to say I am hopeful for an outcome, but they way they respond to emails etc. I am becoming both doubtful and despondent. The advice from rfconcepts was to either return the IR illuminator I bought from them, and buy a BW camera.. So it looks like I will have spend some more money. I have emailed them numerous times but only had 3 replies, last of which was 6 days ago, at present if I decide to spend anymore it is unlikely to be with rfconcepts. Word of warning to people, be careful when you order something and do not believe all that you read, as this camera stated it was night and day and I don't mean the IR optional bit either.

Help I've posted a night view of the camera I got... it is supposed to be a low-light EXVIEW... Maybe stupidly I thought that in low light situations it would switch to B/W and IR sensitive mode... according to the spec it is IR sensitive... Now the issue is that today an IR illuminator arrived from RFconcepts.co.uk and I've rigged to point to the back of both cars.. see colour earlier in thread... Forgive the pun, but can someone shed some light on why the image below is so poor ? Please... I really need a working solution for night time. I forgot to mention it doesn't look like the camera is switching to B/W.. Any and all help would be appreciated...

Hi Cooperman I've tried to 'cover' the frontage on the cheap.. as there has been a few odd goings on. The camera came with a 4.3 lens, I changed this to a 2.9.. I suppose the lens isn't brilliant... though it was only a tenner. You've now got me a little concerned over the IR illuminator... what should I have been looking at ? There is a street light over the road which at night illuminates just the back of the black car... and there is sensor light which goes on if something enters the driveway... just leaving a real black spot around the front of the black car. I was hoping that the beam might spread across maybe 70 deg and with a fair wind reach maybe 8 metres... but this is probably just a wild hope based on sales blurb I've read. Any suggestions please ? Oh and yes... damn cheeky parking that red thing there

As promised, an early evening shot... installed it today, got to wait now for IR source to arrive.. Seems to works okay anyway. Thanks for all the advice

The P4P800-E has SATA raid built in, I've got an older P4P800 and have been running a RAID on it for over a year no problem at all. The ASUS is a really good board. Though I would invest in better RAM than 2100, that is going to slow the FSB, look to 3200 or 2700 if it is a cost thing. Don't know what the pricing on DVD-R/W is like over there, but I prefer the pioneer devices... something like a 109 - should future proof you for a few months anyway. I've got a P4 2.4, though it is not a stock speed, it really performs... it is better than a AMD64... I've got both and the P4 is much better with video processing etc. Hope this helps a little.

I don't know much if anything about CCTV, but I know a thing or 2 about PC's. Go with a P4, easier to keep cool than AMD usually.. and the Hyperthreading works really well when video processing. Other thing that would improve performance for video etc. is a raid, so look out for something that has SATA-raid... most modern motherboards do. Put a fair amount of RAM in, Windows XP and you'll have cracked it. Don't know what the prices are like where you are, but something like above sound't cost too much and should perform like a dream. If you want anymore info, please just ask.

Well I did a temp lash up to test the camera, cracking picture in daylight... though the picture at night is awful seems all black and blue... mustn't be enough light... claims to work 0.1 lux Just flexed the plastic again and ordered the IR70 from here http://www.rfconcepts.co.uk/ir_lights.htm hopefully this should solve the problem. Next job... installing that cheap card in PC and trying that.... still it will keep me out of mischief for awhile Cheers and thanks

Just had a quick look at the pdf file on-line relating to the camera I ordered, it says "Infra-red sensitive without loosing the true coloration at day light" So from this and Rory's most informative post, I should be okay..... Just want to say thanks to you guys for all the information, probably saved me from making a mistake... Cheers

I forgot to ask... should I require an IR source, do you good people think that the camera I opted for would function with the more covert type of IR ie > 840 ? Cheers in advance

Rory Thanks for the images, I just hope it comes close to what you posted.... wish I had the weather you do to match too Once installed I will post some images... hopefully it will arrive before weekend and I can get tools etc. out....

Well I took the plunge and ordered a "21CWSHRX Colour Bullet PAL" from www.rfconcepts.co.uk ... going to see if I can get away without an IR source.. Took a bit of a risk and ordered a 4 Channel PC DVR card from ebay for under a tenner... nothing ventured nothing gained.... If the card is no good, then I will go with a Geo card. Many thanks for all the advice

Thanks for the info re cameras with IR built in, scratch that idea... now to find a suitable camera and separate IR device.... Has anyone got any recommendations of stuff available in uk, please ?

Many thanks for the advice to read to the older posts, I had already had a quick look... most informative, also what started to get me thinking more about what I was going to do. I was looking at http://www.rfconcepts.co.uk/GV250.htm and http://www.rfconcepts.co.uk/waterproof_ir_camera.htm... But now confused... conflicting info about low light and IR camera... aaahhhh. Which would be best for me... cheap and simple but useable please. Must admit I hadn't considered periodic cleaning of the lens etc... thanks for the heads up. Not keen on ladders etc. either... but I can probably manage a wee bit of cleaning... Cheers for any and all help