CCTV system to record reactions in a haunted house?

[charlieaf92 0]

Hello

 

I am new here

 

Over the last few years I've done some research on this topic, but primarily within the haunted house community. It wasn't until today that it dawned on me to ask within experts in the technology.

 

So, here is a basic overview of what I am trying to do...

 

Each year I create a haunted house in my garage for the neighborhood families. Because I typically spend most of my time hiding in a dark corner waiting to jump out, having a video of the entire haunt (and people's reactions to the various props) is important to review at the end of the year. It is also very entertaining.

 

In the past, we've had someone walk through with the group carrying a sony handycam with night vision. The quality of the video and the ability to film in the adverse conditions (very dark, flashing lights + fog) has been great - but because its handheld we don't always get the proper angle for the reactions and it requires a dedicated person.

 

I would love to have a system with multiple cameras that are able to film and focus properly in the dark and fog. Audio is also very important. The inside of the haunt is loud and typically has music, fog machines and an air compressor running off and on. So, each camera really needs some type of mic.

 

The system would either need to have a huge amount of storage capacity (be able to run all cameras and record for 4 hours or more) or automatically shut off when there isn't movement. I would prefer they run the whole time to avoid missing something.

 

Regarding the number of cameras, the more the better. At a minimum I would want 4 - but having the ability to add more in the future would be a plus.

 

Quality is important - the more resolution the better - within reason.

 

So, any help would be GREATLY appreciated. I've done some cursory research but found I just don't have enough practical experience with these systems to anticipate how they will function within a haunted house environment.

 

Here is a short video with clips from our haunt in 2009 to give you an idea:

 

Thank you!

Charlie

[survtech 0]

Hello

 

I am new here

 

Over the last few years I've done some research on this topic, but primarily within the haunted house community. It wasn't until today that it dawned on me to ask within experts in the technology.

 

So, here is a basic overview of what I am trying to do...

 

Each year I create a haunted house in my garage for the neighborhood families. Because I typically spend most of my time hiding in a dark corner waiting to jump out, having a video of the entire haunt (and people's reactions to the various props) is important to review at the end of the year. It is also very entertaining.

 

In the past, we've had someone walk through with the group carrying a sony handycam with night vision. The quality of the video and the ability to film in the adverse conditions (very dark, flashing lights + fog) has been great - but because its handheld we don't always get the proper angle for the reactions and it requires a dedicated person.

 

I would love to have a system with multiple cameras that are able to film and focus properly in the dark and fog. Audio is also very important. The inside of the haunt is loud and typically has music, fog machines and an air compressor running off and on. So, each camera really needs some type of mic.

 

The system would either need to have a huge amount of storage capacity (be able to run all cameras and record for 4 hours or more) or automatically shut off when there isn't movement. I would prefer they run the whole time to avoid missing something.

 

Regarding the number of cameras, the more the better. At a minimum I would want 4 - but having the ability to add more in the future would be a plus.

 

Quality is important - the more resolution the better - within reason.

 

So, any help would be GREATLY appreciated. I've done some cursory research but found I just don't have enough practical experience with these systems to anticipate how they will function within a haunted house environment.

 

Here is a short video with clips from our haunt in 2009 to give you an idea:

 

Thank you!

Charlie

720p Day/Night cameras with IR would do the trick. And you really wouldn't need that much storage. A simple IP system with 1TB would offer more than enough storage to record 4 cameras at 6Mb/s for around 12 hours or 8 cameras for at least 6 hours. There are a number of fairly inexpensive recording solutions (VMS) you could use on a reasonably fast computer. An inexpensive POE switch would power the cameras and tie the system together.

 

The only caveat would be that the switch would have to be POE Class 3. Class 2 typically can't power IR cameras. Otherwise, you could use POE power inserters and any switch but that would make the system a bit more complex.

[charlieaf92 0]

720p Day/Night cameras with IR would do the trick. And you really wouldn't need that much storage. A simple IP system with 1TB would offer more than enough storage to record 4 cameras at 6Mb/s for around 12 hours or 8 cameras for at least 6 hours. There are a number of fairly inexpensive recording solutions (VMS) you could use on a reasonably fast computer. An inexpensive POE switch would power the cameras and tie the system together.

 

The only caveat would be that the switch would have to be POE Class 3. Class 2 typically can't power IR cameras. Otherwise, you could use POE power inserters and any switch but that would make the system a bit more complex.

 

Thank you so much for the informative response! I will begin researching the solutions that you recommended. If you don't mind providing a couple details (again, I am in the very early stages of understanding CCTV systems)

 

Are there any particular cameras/models you'd recommend or have worked with in the past?

 

I am more than likely going to build/buy a computer to run the system. Is there an operating system that is recommended for this type of application - and what software would you recommend to control and record from the cameras?

 

Thanks again!

Charlie

[shockwave199 0]

I'm an extreme haunter as well. Between my cctv vids in my signature link and my halloween channel, there's a lot to watch.

 

My cctv system does well for capturing scares. The audio you hear in this vid is a cheap small cctv mic upstairs in the house in a back room, able to hear and record a good deal of the fun all the way by the front door down stairs. I have my cctv install for security purposes first and foremost, not aimed specifically for haunting needs. That's just a fun coincidence. Good luck.

 

5SwBF9CLI-8

[survtech 0]

I'm surprised no one has stepped up with equipment recommendations. I would try to help but the subject is out of my specialty (casino surveillance), where cost is basically no object.

[shockwave199 0]

I'm surprised no one has stepped up with equipment recommendations. I would try to help but the subject is out of my specialty (casino surveillance), where cost is basically no object.

That's all YOU know? Maybe we should create a casino forum, where the gear budget is no object.

 

Look for a 4 channel dahua or q-see dvr with a 500gb hard drive installed, grab some inexpensive premade 60-100' bnc/power cables, grab four gadspot GS907CM cameras, and one of these cheap but effective mics at around 10 bucks-

 

 

That one mic will be all you need in a garage, trust me. It's sensitive. Hook up a monitor to set the system up, run the cables around the perimeters of the garage and mount the cameras to the walls pointing where you need them, set the dvr to the highest rates per channel and to record always on, and there you have it. Doing this will cost some bucks. But if you want to take it to this level, that's the deal. My vids may help with some insight if you've never dealt with cctv dvrs and such. Good luck this year! It's coming fast!

[survtech 0]

That's all YOU know? Maybe we should create a casino forum, where the gear budget is no object.

No, that's why I can't recommend an inexpensive system that meets his needs. I don't think he wants to spend on the order of $1,500-$2,000 per channel, not including cameras...

[garageguy 0]

I just wanted to say that your haunted house is no small production. It looks like you got a lot of freinds and/or neighbors helping out. I used to do a haunted house in my garage years ago, but never anything close to the scale of yours. Looks like a lot of fun. Good luck.

[Brad-Pea 0]

I'm an extreme haunter as well. Between my cctv vids in my signature link and my halloween channel, there's a lot to watch.

 

My cctv system does well for capturing scares. The audio you hear in this vid is a cheap small cctv mic upstairs in the house in a back room, able to hear and record a good deal of the fun all the way by the front door down stairs. I have my cctv install for security purposes first and foremost, not aimed specifically for haunting needs. That's just a fun coincidence. Good luck.

 

5SwBF9CLI-8

 

Sorry to change the subject, but how did you manage to get the video and sound all synced up together with the camera and microphone being seperate ?

 

Cheers.

[shockwave199 0]

The mic was in that camera channel, so the sync was perfect on the backup footage, albeit the mic was pretty far from the action. Upstair in a back bedroom to be exact. It's nothing short of amazing how well this cheap, typical cctv mic picks up audio. Hope that helps you.

[Brad-Pea 0]

Ah right. So is that with a DVR you use ? I have a system connecting to a pc running blue iris, do you know anyway it would be possible to get a mic working with a camera that does not have one but on a pc ?

 

Come to think of it I may have seen an option in the camera properties of blue iris to use audio and I could use the PCs inbuilt mic jack ?

 

May give that a go !

 

Cheers.

[tomcctv 190]

Super Fog Penetrating High Speed Dome camera

 

 

can you post some footage of this camera

[survtech 0]

Super Fog Penetrating High Speed Dome camera

 

 

can you post some footage of this camera

He would but it's too foggy to see it.