Requesting Advice on Recording/Editing Video

[no_1_u_know 0]

Hello,

 

I have problems with my neighbor's noisy dogs across the street from my home, and I want to record them with both video and audio. This is a temporary setup, so I would prefer wireless (I have power available near the mounting point). As far as the potential wireless distance to be covered, it will be about 20 yds to my home's wireless router, with two intervening wooden walls, OR about 15 yds direct to my computer, again two intervening, wooden walls.

 

The dogs are about 30 yards from the mounting point, with only visible through a small "window" in the shrubbery in-between, so I would prefer a camera with a fairly narrow viewing angle. I don't need IR, as I don't think it will help me, given the target distance. I also do not need pan/tilt, as the dogs do their barking on an elevated porch across the street, from which they can see the entire intersection I live on.

 

Also, I want to be able to record a full day of activity, which I want to edit to remove the time when the dogs are not barking, to create an impressive continuous bark movie.

 

From research I've done, it seems most the folks use a DVR to record. It also seems hard, however, to get the video to a PC for editing, and I'm not sure what software I might use for editing.

 

Please, can anyone offer guidance on camera, recording hardware and editing software? I don't want to be cheap, but I don't need the very best system either. I've been doing a lot of research on this topic, but not getting anywhere!

 

Thanks!

 

From New Orleans,

no_1_u_know

[aibudo 0]

It's not difficult at all to get DVR video to a PC. Backup video from a DVR to a thumb drive (or a CD if the DVR has a burner) and copy it to a computer. Then use "Windows Live Movie Maker" to edit the "movie". "Windows Live Movie Maker" was supplied free on all four laptops that I have, so it didn't cost anything. With it you can cut out pieces of the video that you want and it will combine them into one piece.

 

Dennis

[no_1_u_know 0]

It's not difficult at all to get DVR video to a PC. Backup video from a DVR to a thumb drive (or a CD if the DVR has a burner) and copy it to a computer. Then use "Windows Live Movie Maker" to edit the "movie". "Windows Live Movie Maker" was supplied free on all four laptops that I have, so it didn't cost anything. With it you can cut out pieces of the video that you want and it will combine them into one piece.

 

Dennis

 

Thanks Dennis. I appreciate your reply. I've been doing a lot of research on this, but still not sure which way to go. A couple of concerns:

 

1. Wouldn't I need to convert the video to .mpg, .wmv, or whatever for editing, or do surveillance DVR's record in those formats (still not clear on the differences between surveillance DVR's and those used for television recording)?

 

2. I need to record an entire daylight cycle, and maybe even a 24 hour cycle. That would require a very large jump drive, wouldn't it? Could I use an external HD instead?

 

3. I need to record AUDIO, as well as video

 

What about using an analog to digital USB adapter, and recording direct to a PC? I have a desktop I could dedicate for that purpose.

 

BTW: I already purchased a camera. Its is a Lorex outdoor wireless cam with audio, matched with an antennae'd receiver with analog outputs. It was ~ $180. Actually tjhought I was buying an IP Cam, as my initial intent was to record using VLC or something like that. I could keep that cam or return it, depending n the guidance I receive here.

 

Thanks again,

 

no_1_u_know

[tomcctv 190]

Hi. if you pick a DVR with sound activated recording then no need to edit footage

 

(I have power available near the mounting point).

 

 

i would put dvr also at this location much better than wireless

[no_1_u_know 0]

Hi. if you pick a DVR with sound activated recording then no need to edit footage

 

(I have power available near the mounting point).

 

 

i would put dvr also at this location much better than wireless

 

 

Thanks Tom. I appreciate your input.

 

Unfortunately, there is a good deal of auto traffic that would trigger the cam and I need to edit that out. Also, the camera mounting point is outside, so i could not place the DVR there.

 

As an aside: Is it possible to use the same DVR for recording from television, AND for surveillance? I don't necessarily mean at the same time.

 

Thanks again!!!!

 

no_1_u_know

[aibudo 0]

1. Wouldn't I need to convert the video to .mpg, .wmv, or whatever for editing, or do surveillance DVR's record in those formats (still not clear on the differences between surveillance DVR's and those used for television recording)?

 

2. I need to record an entire daylight cycle, and maybe even a 24 hour cycle. That would require a very large jump drive, wouldn't it? Could I use an external HD instead?

 

3. I need to record AUDIO, as well as video

 

Question 1: Just as an example, most newer CCTV DVR's are h264 format and allow you to backup directly to H264, AVI and MP4. You can backup only to one or all.

 

Question 2: Dependent upon what recording resolution that you record at, 24 hours should fit on a 32GB jump drive. CIF should fit easy. D1 would be close. Many DVR's allow you to back up to an external DVD burner, but not external HD's.

 

Question 3: Recording audio at the same time is also no problem on a DVR with audio input installed, but will require a much larger jump drive for 24 hours.

 

There are quite a few variables but the above is generally true. Others on the forum may be able to also advise you differently than what I have answered. Just put it all together and you should be ok.

 

Dennis

[aibudo 0]

I have never recorded tv video on a CCTV DVR before, but video is video. Video out from the TV is the same as a CCTV camera and it should record just fine. The DVR will "see" the TV video in as just another camera. If the DVR has more more than one audio input then the audio will be recorded as well for the TV input. If I was going to do that, I would get a DVR with a large HD such as 2TB or so.

 

Dennis

[tomcctv 190]

hi you could lay a temporary cat 5 from your tv and have the dvr there

 

on some DVRs you can control the mic and not have passing cars setting it off.

[no_1_u_know 0]

Thanks to you both. I'm actually not planning to watch the video feed, until I am ready to edit out the parts where the dogs are not barking.

 

I hope i am not making this too complicated. I just need video and sound, edited to remove the dead spaces, so that I can show it to the owner of the dogs - or in court. While I am interested in having a DVR at some point - and I am willing to get one now, if that is the best solution - I am wondering if I might be able to use an analog to digital USB adapter. Seems like there are some limitations of frame rate, and I've read of issues with synch'ing the audio and video. I've never done any of this, so I just don't know... Obviously, I want to avoid buying things that don't work and also avoid making things to complicated.

 

Sounds like I can buy a video card with RCA inputs, along with some recording software, and go straight from the camera's receiver to the a video card. But I may never use this for anything ever again. I like the idea of having a DVR - especially if I can use it for other things like recording TV - as long as I can get the video to my laptop for editing.

 

Whew...

[shockwave199 0]

Just use a camcorder. I wouldn't waste my time trying for a full day of recording when no one is gonna watch all that. Don't make their moronic neglectful behavior with their dogs become your expense and problem. Surely you have a camcorder, or even your cell phone. For each recording, be sure time/day stamp is on and showing on the footage. Compile a bunch of events. It's best to do this at the times when a noise ordinace would apply- very early morning or very late night. 3PM for instance, may not be as compelling as 2AM. In court I think you can show the footage right in the camera or phone. Why dog owners are deaf to their own f'ing dogs is beyond me. I've knocked on many a door over the years because of A-hole owners. It's not the dogs fault, it's the morons who shouldn't own them to begin with. Good luck.

[Kawboy12R 0]

There was a case here a little while ago about barking dogs. Seems one guy had a bunch of them that'd bark all the time when he was away for work. His neighbour was home all the time and had to listen to the dogs. Lots of knocking done, some swearing, etc with no luck. The annoyed neighbour ended up driving an old truck into the guy's driveway when he was sleeping, duct taped a 2x4 tightly over the horn, locked 'er up and walked away. At least it was easier on the dogs than antifreeze or gravy soaked sponges.

[shockwave199 0]

^^

 

I'm guilty of noise revenge too. Loud fireworks in the middle of the night not only does the job, but it feels as good as slamming down an old phone when you hang up on someone in anger- something I miss too. But if your inconsiderate noise really bothers the heck out me, be careful, cause I'll put my antron up and run my cb with 500 watts under it's ass- and I'll come through your tv, radios, and any other orifice it can. Amazingly though, I'm the neighbor that doesn't make a peep. I just respond when you don't cease.

 

[no_1_u_know 0]

Kawboy and Shock,

 

Thanks, thought of all of these things, including antifreeze and bacon grease soaked sponge. Unfortunately, because I've taken him t o court once already, I am prime suspect. Also, any "retribution-in-kind" will annoy other neighbors. This guy has been there a long time, and because of the way things are laid out, I get most of the noise. I need to do this legal, therefore evidence must be gathered. Catching a few barks on vid-cam won't do it. I need to show something impressive. Why not record a day of barking, then edit it into a 1/2 hour or more of continuous bark? That's what I want to do.

[shockwave199 0]

Who wants to listen to a half hour of a dog barking- most especially a judge? He won't. He'll listen for 30 seconds, if that. Your day long effort and expense will be wasted. Do what you will though. Good luck getting some peace and quiet.