UMDRanger

It would also depend on if it is pallets or individual packages of random sizes that would change on a daily basis such as in big box retail. I know Target Assets Protection has some awsome trailer covert camera systems for the high risk markets. I've seen the videos and pictures of one of the trailers. If I hadn't seen the video first, I wouldn't have noticed anything. Unfortunately, I didn't get to see exactly how they did it, except that they said they did a false wall.

Make a custom bracket. At my old job we regularally mounted Ganz cameras on 4 square covers. With a uni-bit drill a hole for the power/video, and then with the right size bit, drill holes for your camera to mount with by using self tapping screws. Worked great every time.

At the very least you'd need a false wall at the front of the trailer. A temp wall, put in properly, shouldn't cause much, if any damage (Disclaimer: I have little experience with trailers, just an educated guess). Between the actual and temp wall house the camera (chip of course), DVR, and rig a power supply.

19 cameras may seem like a lot. But you need to consider the applications. It won't do you any good to get a list a names from the gate ID, time stamped video at the gate and entrances, if you can't prove who was breaking into what. Unless you have a guy physically walk the building after each person leaves, you only have a list of suspects... which doesn't do you any good unless you have someone constantly observing the situation. If I come in to my storage bay say once a week (in reality I'd come in far less), and one week notice it's been broken into... and you've got 22 people who've visited that building in the last week, but only entrance shots... that doesn't do me any good towards a police case. And when I am walking I'm not looking at anyone else's locks, or know which ones are supposed to be locked/unlocked, so the odds of someone reporting a break-in short of obvious damage are unlikely. I'd go for cameras in the halls. In the above situtation we'd look over the week who was in the hall, in the long shot, near my bay and look for them taking items out of it (that would be obvious even at a distance as they disappear. Unless their own bay is in the same area), then play back the entrance shot and gate shots (based on timestamps and physical discription) to get the name of the individual for the police report. As a customer who'd been ripped off, I'd be more inclined to continue using the facility that proactively helps me get justice, as opposed to "minimal" "use at your own risk" mentality. Obviously the individual renting the space is taking a risk, and in most cases the lease says the company is not responsible for losses, but helping support a police report would be a good business decision IMO.

At a self storage facility we did, we did hallways also. That way you could see who was breaking into who's storage bay at a distance, and then back the video up and get a great shot of them from the building's entrance camera. Do the halls. It does no good to know who came in, but can't prove what they did.

What is the range of the camera detectors other were mentioning in other threads? 5', 20', 100'?

OPSEC would suggest we not discuss this publically.

No, I didn't feel spoke down to. I also am well aware that there are many others on this forum whom know a lot more than I. Although after rereading I can see how it does imply that tone. I appologize for the choice of wording. I have to be deliberately vague here due to OPSEC (this application is not for private or commercial use). In the application I am questioning, I am in the open, unmistakable, unable to move to hide myself. The camera (if there) is without a doubt sighted on me. I am looking for (among other things) a cameraman who will be hard to see, and possibly at a far distance (using the zoom on a camcorder). While binoculars would suit this purpose, and all tell idiot sign (such as a beam being reflected) would be absolutely perfect.

I am aware of the options for concealing chip cameras. I was thinking more in terms of identifying lets say video cameras at ranges up to 600m, in cases where the camera man would be concealed and hard to see. I doubt it is possible, but figured it couldn't hurt to ask. \

As someone in the LP field I'm going to chime in briefly. I am inclined to determine that it is most likely not a camera. Even our hidden cameras tend to be placed in such a manner that we get the best shot. A side angled view, from the side of the door frame isn't going to be very good. Your local Target has the prefered placement for entrance and exit cameras. Armor domes at the top of the frame, or on the frame between sets of doors, and suspended from the ceiling at about 8' mostly with a public view. In any event, you want the customer/shoplifter to KNOW they are on camera, and you do this by putting the camera in an obvious place. Also, you must keep in mind that people behind big oak desks, who never see the cameras, or the views of the cameras, or even understand why we need what where.... are the ones who buy and contract the installs. I, as a LP manager don't really get much of a choice. For example: my store is getting an upgrade sometime this year. With this upgrade I'll be given: 1x Intellex DVR (16 input), 1x touch tracker, and 10x cameras. All the cameras have already been assigned locations by Corp HQ. Also, the installer is given orders to "remove old equipment". Frankly, I think this is a bull**** plan. I've already told my higher that I am keeping everything I currently have, unless he replaces it with 1 for 1 brand new. I won that battle. The camera locations HQ chose may or may not be what I need the most in my store, and in some cases, I've already gone ahead and put in my own camera there... yet the installer HAS to put the new run and camera there I'd be more inclined to think maybe its an old door sensor.

I'd put up a small 13' tv as Collin suggested, and then as you said, use a laptop at the counter for the cashier. Multiview IIRC is faster and would run better on a LAN. So get a router and I'd run hardwire for the network. Setting up Geovision on a network for multiview is simple, just follow the instructions in the manual. Also, IIRC you can list which cameras which user can view. So your cashier wouldn't be able to see the hidden cameras you may have for catching internal employees, and the customer viewing the 13' monitor has no need to view what your offices and backrooms look like. Obviously the public view off the main system could be set on a 3x3 and you choose which 9 out of 16 you want the customer to be able to see. Good luck with it.

IF you want to the cashier to be able to switch camera views so the cashier can view the isle in full screen. Then yes, you need a computer to do that. IF you just want the viewing of all... well, that's already been answered.

I'd get a computer at the counter. Flat panel, keyboard, and mouse, have the computer itself under the counter. Run the remote viewer and you have full control (pending which user account you give it). Otherwise, yes. Get te $22 modulator for the AV to Coax type F (screw on). But you won't be able to change the view.

Wow... I mean... wow.

From working retail security I can tell you it's even better when your friends KNOW you are watching them and they still steal. It tends to fuck with your personal trusting ability after a couple of people no one suspected ends up being the culprit.

I haven't used the DM ECO, but I have used the DM Digital Sprite II and it will do the job. With DM you can either download the remote viewer program on the client PC and connect to the DM, or connect to the DM via internet and it will allow a web-based viewer IIRC. All the remote software is downloadable from the DM website, and the DM unit itself. Also, DMs have 5 motion sensativity settings for each camera/channel. So you could set the heated hallways on "indoor high" and the outside ones on "outdoor low".

Yes, I have.

That awesome, helpful guy from the Bahamas is none other than Rory.

Pudeman - I've been thinking all week about whether I could use the cameras you are offering. I can only think of a few places I'd like to have them at (would be great in my stockrooms), but it would require more wire and equipment than what I can realistically budget per a camera. Plus, I don't think I can justify spending the amount needed to give you a fair price. Those do look amazing, but I don't need armor and motorized zoom (I have no controller for an RS-485, and where I would put these... I'd need a lot of wire to pull the data, and aquire an RS-485 transmitter). Thank you for the offer however.

I'll take it. PM sent to you. Thanks.

Collin- I take it that you only have the software license and not the actual software disc, correct? I would need to aquire the software myself, and use the license. Since I am now a Loss Prevention Manager and my store is at the bottom of the pecking order, and my gear is 20 years old... literally. I am considering buying these if I can get the software from somewhere and ofcourse you haven't sold them yet. Looking forward to your response...

I like how they all came up and peered through the glass like little kids looking at the storefront at Christmas

my Speeddome Ultra 5 has that same prob man. It boots up and does the moving self test... but keeps showing "network type". I can't get it to respond. I'm gonna bring it to work and try an rs422 connection soon. I changed jobs, back in loss prevention now. Using, and installing the toys.

I had a similar problem on one of my installs last month. We replaced everything, tried different power supplies 12 and 24, pulled new twisted pair, etc. We ended up replacing the twisted pair with rg-59 (as it was suggested by forum members) and the image improved to perfect. Don't know why... just that it worked.

Just got back from replacing the cat5 with rg-59. It looks much better. Thanks again.