Need expert opinions on 4-camera design

[Theo_43 0]

My sister is being systematically harassed after inadvertently discovering municipal fraud and corruption at her former job. The harassers are well-organized, and have tacit support from local law enforcement. She needs a 4 camera system outside her house, and has a budget of about $600.

 

I would like to install the cameras as hidden from view as possible, so that her home looks virtually the same- the idea being that the harassment continues and is then captured on camera. Also, given her neighborhood, it would not be advisable for her to have cameras on the side of her house, which might give the impression she has something to steal.

 

Sadly, her budget won't allow concealable lipstick cams, so I was thinking of mounting bullet-type cameras on traditional motion sensor lights which are already on the side of her house (and are common in her neighborhood). While they won't be completely hidden, my hope is that they will be much less noticed than a mounted bullet or dome mounted in the open under the eaves. Would this be a workable approach?

 

Question 1: Would there be any interference from the motion sensor lights, assuming they are standard halogen spots, or perhaps CFL spots? I would plan on running the cables in the same conduit next the romex supplying the lights.

 

Question 2: Until I discovered this forum, I was thinking of buying a packaged system, and adding one additional high quality cam for the critical job, but it now seems to me more cost-effective and better overall to assemble the system myself from by buying a DVR/ Hard disk/ power supply/ and 4 cameras separately. Would you agree with this approach?

 

Question 3: Can Dahua DVR's, be remotely managed and programmed over the internet? Or can they just simply be viewed in real-time? It would be a benefit for me to be able to support this system remotely, tweak motion settings etc., since she lives an hour drive away.

 

Thank you for any advice.

[jakesoundels 0]

Question 1: Would there be any interference from the motion sensor lights, assuming they are standard halogen spots, or perhaps CFL spots? I would plan on running the cables in the same conduit next the romex supplying the lights.

 

I have motion lights installed slightly above and to the left of a CNB VBM 24VF dome. Initially there were some glare from the flood lights hitting the dome and creating a cloudy effect in the view. This was corrected by installing a plastic hood around the camera housing; this shadowed the glare and did not take away from the view. You might need a a small version of the hood for your bullets. Keep in mind I had to lower the flood light to 75Watts because faces were getting washed out. I also adjusted the contrast, for that camera - through the DVR to a lower rating after dark and reset brighter in the AM. BTW I always wanted to try KT&C bullets but they are in the $200 range. But if you youtube that name you will get an example. Look for footage from the Bahamas. A former member here has his own business down there and used the KT&Cs a lot

 

Question 2: Until I discovered this forum, I was thinking of buying a packaged system, and adding one additional high quality cam for the critical job, but it now seems to me more cost-effective and better overall to assemble the system myself from by buying a DVR/ Hard disk/ power supply/ and 4 cameras separately. Would you agree with this approach?

 

Absolutely. This is the route I took and, like you, almost got one of those all in one units. Then I started reading here, plus other forums, and ended up with a basic economy Dahua and 4 CNBs. Love that Dahua - it is perfect for my needs. In fact the Bahama's connection used Dahuas for his bullet examples.

 

Question 3: Can Dahua DVR's, be remotely managed and programmed over the internet? Or can they just simply be viewed in real-time? It would be a benefit for me to be able to support this system remotely, tweak motion settings etc., since she lives an hour drive away.

 

Yep, I do it all the time with my Dahua! Remote config over the network is easy to use and easier (I think) than being at the DVR. Keep in mind I have DSL and only like 500 MB upload or something so if she has a faster speed all the better.

[Theo_43 0]

Thanks for your feedback, Jake. Much appreciated. Those KT&C bullets do look nice.

 

I've been recommended looking at Gadspot bullets as having a good price/performance. Has anybody had any experience with them?