Looking for video security for my off-grid cabin.

[hairfarm 0]

Greetings,

 

I'd like to set up an inexpensive (my budget is $400-500) video surveillance system for my off-grid cabin. This is to guard against trespassing and theft. The good part is that there's a new verizon cell tower two miles away. I get great phone reception there, five bars. I have no power at the cabin but want to set up a solar panel and deep cell battery and dc-to-ac inverter to power a video surveillance system.

 

Not sure how to set this up. I'm thinking that a router with an input for a Verizon Wireless USB Modem card, (this exist?) and an IP camera connected to the router. Is there and IP camera that is wireless? Does this sound right? Can anyone recommend products that would handle this? It can get as hot as 115 degrees there, so the products shouldn't have moving parts that would require cooling. They would have to be solid state electronics.

 

Lastly, how would I be able to access the video feed from home? How could I see what the camera is seeing from my home computer?

 

thanks!

 

Hairfarm

[Lesst 0]

I'm not sure about your budget, but here is how I would do it. A solar panel or two that gets plenty of sun (maybe wind?) and current, with a few heavy duty deep cycle batteries, (almost $200 each for the lead) to run at night, electronics and wiring will cost more than a thousand bucks. Search Altestore and Sunwise for suppliers

 

I wouldn't convert to 110v (lots of energy loss) but use 12 volts all the way. A CradlePoint wireless router with a Verzion Aircard will get you connected, be aware of the bandwidth you'll need to subscribe too. Verizon does not have unlimited data plan like Sprint does.

Then you buy a camera, I like Axis cameras, the M1011 is the basic indoor camera for around $160.00+/-. The M1031W has a light that will come on when motion detected around $270.00+/- these cameras have no low light viewing, that would cost more too. Good Luck. Any other ways to do this guys?

[hairfarm 0]

...be aware of the bandwidth you'll need to subscribe too. Verizon does not have unlimited data plan like Sprint does.

 

Good point. How could I regulate the amount of bandwidth I use remotely? Can I remotely tell the ip camera to shut off at certain times during the day to preserve verizon bandwidth? Will a connection using a Verizon wireless USB Modem card be consistent can I use Sprint instead?

[hairfarm 0]

I just thought about this: will I need to get a static I.P. address too? Otherwise how will I find the camera if my dynamic WAN address changes? This often the case with ISP's right?

[Lesst 0]

Axis Cameras allow bandwidth controls, "The average bit rate can be seen by setting #b or #B in the overlay text for the video image. To display the frame rate, use #r or #R in the overlay text.

 

#r shows the frame rate with two decimals, #R shows the frame rate with no decimals, #b shows the bit rate in kbit/s and #B in Mbit/s. To configure the overlay in the product’s web interface, go to the Video streaming > Image Settings, and under Overlay Settings , check the box Include Text and enter, e.g. the following in the text field: #r fps, #b kbit/s.

 

This will show the frame rate and bit rate as overlay text for the video on the Live View page

" From there you can do some figuring. It's interesting to see how much less bandwidth is used in h264 vs mpg4 or mjpg.

 

After monitoring and looking at your Verizon usage you can get an idea of bandwidth use. Remember bandwidth changes as the scene gets more complicated making a frames files larger, so bandwidth use isn't constant but ever changing as the scene changes.

 

I think you can schedule connections/events too.

 

Axis offers free DNS service http://www.axiscam.net/ you must use serial # of your camera.

 

If you get a good Sprint signal I would use them for the unlimited data plan. We just got G4 where I am at and plan on using this setup a lot in the future for remote setups. But the G3 works well too, just less available bandwidth.

[thewireguys 3]

Keep in mind if you stream 24/7 the cell companies will shut you down. Even Sprint will do this with the unlimited data plan.

[rory 0]

hi,Hairfarm

i am lucy from China,maybe i can offer you help cause i have much experience in this field.contact me if you believe me.

 

 

regards

 

lucy lu

Hi Lucy, the trick is to reply to the thread with some assistance, please dont keep asking people to contact you, that sounds too much like solicitation for business which is against the rules. Thanks.

[Soundy 1]

Keep in mind if you stream 24/7 the cell companies will shut you down. Even Sprint will do this with the unlimited data plan.

Conversely, the cameras will use you bandwidth ONLY when you're connected to them. If you're just checking in now and then, it shouldn't be too much usage. Might want to look at a camera (or cameras) with built-in recording.

[hairfarm 0]

Conversely, the cameras will use you bandwidth ONLY when you're connected to them. If you're just checking in now and then, it shouldn't be too much usage. Might want to look at a camera (or cameras) with built-in recording.

 

Ok, that makes sense. Unless I want the camera to record constantly, right. If I just want to see through it then it's only using bandwidth while I'm accessing it.

 

Do I need a static IP address for this set-up? How would I find my camera with a dynamic Ip address?

 

thanks again...

[Soundy 1]

A static IP is preferable, but you could use a camera that has DDNS support built-in... or most routers have some form of DDNS support.