good outdoor cameras and NVR selection

[ddp1960 0]

I am looking for some good cameras for my driveway and yard.

 

I have some very old ELMO cameras and DVR currently, I can see "something" walk to my truck, security lights in driveway turn on, images are so dark can't make out much, and this morning truck has been tossed about looking for items to take, I'm not sure if anything is missing from the misc. cords and coins left.

Time to beef up security, this has been randomly happening in the neighborhood for a while now.

 

I had tested a Bosch VDN-498 camera, it gives a very nice nightime picture, wish I still had it running last night.

 

So I am looking for some good quality cameras, probably at least some megapixel ones. My business is networking, so I think IP is the way to go, unless there are good reasons not to, but I will have no problem putting in a GigE lan with POE for the cameras etc..

 

Budget: $500 and $1,000 per camera

NVR software should be compatible with various standard IP cameras, Ideally with a license of say no more than $100-150 per camera, ability to add licenses individually.

 

I will want to be able to easily set up remote access to the NVR for remote viewing on a tablet, pc, Android phone, maybe even iphone.

 

Approximate distance from camera location on house to truck parking spot, 30 feet.

Probably 1-3 cameras at the front of the house, broad view looking out driveway, a view close in on the truck, and another looking further down the driveway to the stree, approximately 90 feet.

additional cameras will be located around the house to see what else is happening, as we are surrounded on 3 sides with greenspace/park/trees.

 

I do have access to camera equipment through some of our current suppliers, Bosch, Samsung, Speco, Avigilon, Acti, and others. We have done work with customers using Bosch, Avigilon, Speco, Pelco.

 

I have really been struggling with the jump to IP cameras due to the incompatibility between manufacturers, and have been holding out waiting for the standards to settle enough that I am not buying something that is an orphan but rather something that I can expand and grow.

 

The quality of video from Megapixel cameras really attracts me.

I don't particularly want to go with IR unless it is the right fit.

 

One of my fears with megapixel is the low light performance, from what I know my problems are at night, but who knows what is really going on until you record it.

 

No what about cameras that perform the processing at the camera rather than just streaming the live video and chewing up bandwith, which models are good for this, how well does it work?

For the recording software, I want something that is going to do a good job of being flexible and smart of what motion it is recording, I want to be able to do a quick review of valid motion video and not have to pour through hours of recording with nothing happening. If the cameras just write to a NAS, then what software is good for reviewing the video?

 

I would also be interested in integrating this with other home automation such as security lights etc if it's stable, I had done some X10 stuff previously but that stuff is just not commercial grade by any means. Somethiong that alerts me when someone comes in to the driveway, but can block animals etc would be good.

 

What details have I left out?

 

Thanks for your responses.

 

Doug

[ddp1960 0]

Any input appreciated, I know there are a lot of variables with what I am trying to do.

Thanks

Doug

[thewireguys 3]

Are you a Avigilon partner?

[ddp1960 0]

No but we do have partners that are Avigilon partners. Very nice cameras, I have a few in the office right now that we are preparing for installation at a site.

Thanks

[ddp1960 0]

So I have installed a couple Pelco cameras for testing. They are indoor models, but mounted under a eave so they will be fine for a few days.

Daytime picture is pretty ggod, but night performance is not to impressive, pretty dark and noisy.

Pelco IDE20DN8-1 2.1Mpixel

Pelco IM10C10-1 1.3 Mpixel

 

So am I wrong in looking for megapixel cameras, maybe I should install more cameras?

 

Thanks