Home partial configuration (NOOB alert)

[mav 0]

I'm looking to capture information around my property. I have plenty of storage (20+TB RAID), fully wired for gig-e (across multiple switches - if that really matters), and I've played with some of the low-end IP cameras (Sharx IR capable) and I've experimented with Luxriot. I've tied an IP capable remote into the camera interface over http and can usually figure stuff out if I can play with it.

 

I'm likely to deploy about 4 to 6 IP cameras over time - I figure I'll start with one and learn and then add devices as I want to add coverage.

 

My first goal is to monitor the parking area outside the detached garage. I'd like an IR capable camera to monitor the area mounted on the side of the house (has wired gig-e access - will likely spring for a POE capable switch). I can put an IR lightsource on the garage to illuminate the area. It's about 30' to 40' from the house - a 50mm lens on a DSLR (taking into account the 1.6x magnifier) would cover the whole area (~40' across) from where the camera would get the best view of the area. I can see wanting to have a slightly higher magnification as I don't have a feel for whether identification could be done from that distance.

 

My thoughts were the Arecont 3135DN and a Mobotix MX-M12D-Sec-DNight. Arecont has a 50mm and a third party 75mm lens available. It would need an enclosure for year round outdoor use. I could buy multiple lenses as well and interchange where necessary. Or I could go with the Mobotix - it's a little more expensive but would not need an enclosure. I lose the lens change-out flexibility, but the rest seems to be upside.

 

Any reason to prefer one over the other or am I barking up the wrong product tree? Is there an IR illuminator that is recommended? Any recommendations for how many to use for a given area? Is it directional enough to mount on the house or should I mount it on the garage area. The area to be monitored is in front of the garage, so I wonder if the subject's side facing the camera would be in shadow.

 

In terms of software, I like Luxriot - seems to work okay. Not horribly expensive, but I'm relatively ignorant of my options. I can see buying some cheaper indoor cameras (the Sharx is nice for monitoring the kids given the price) so it would be preferable if whatever software I use has some flexibility to work with multiple vendor offerings.

 

I'm not going to be doing much in terms of monitoring the outdoor camera - more of a replay events over time to see if I notice regular activity - car thieves seem to be going around checking the neighborhood for unlocked car doors on a regular basis. I would be interested in emailing on motion detection, but it would need to be smarter than Luxriot can provide - saw something about Vitamin D but haven't evaluated it yet and I start to feel like there are too many pieces/parts to work reliably once I put Luxriot and Vitamin D together.

 

Thanks,

Mark

[Sawbones 0]

If you like the Mobotix M12, look into the D12... it's a dome, and the lens modules inside are easily changeable.

 

As for DVR software, Luxriot is probably a good option for you. I'd get at least the 9-channel license, because I guarantee your system will grow, particularly if you're any sort of geek (and it sounds like you are). If you click over to bluecherry, you'll find the 9-channel Luxriot for about $450 or so, and another $90 will get you the 16-channel.

 

Milestone Essential would be another low-cost option, but you get FAR less flexibility with that one, particularly when it comes to changing cameras. Milestone generates a DLK (device license key) for each network camera (based on the device's MAC address). You only get two screw-ups before it locks you out from making any more changes... so if you're thinking you might swap out cameras in the future for something better, you should go with Luxriot.

[dvarapala 0]

If you like the Mobotix M12, look into the D12... it's a dome, and the lens modules inside are easily changeable.

 

IINM, the M12's lens modules are interchangeable, as well.

[Sawbones 0]

If you like the Mobotix M12, look into the D12... it's a dome, and the lens modules inside are easily changeable.

 

IINM, the M12's lens modules are interchangeable, as well.

 

I know they have some of the same lens options as the D12, but I thought they were not changeable in the field. Aren't they set from the factory?

[mav 0]

I think they're return to factory and $200 EURO charge for lens changes. Not sure if that's per lens or per unit in the case of units with two sensors.