Newbie - need some guidance putting together a system

[ilikemyself25 0]

Hello All,

 

New to the site as well as new to surveillance in general. I'm trying to put together a system and with so many options I don't know what direction to go in. I'll list some of the requirements i'm looking for and hopefully you guys will give me some great input. Also I'm wondering if it's easier and more affordable to buy a packaged system or try to put a system together component by component. I'm looking for:

 

2 to 4 channel

1 micro spy cam

1 indoor/outdoor cam

 

I would like to be able to record video. I have an old flatscreen tv with hdmi and multiple usb inputs so i'm hoping I can use that to monitor what I'm recording. Thanks in advance for any insight.

[Numb-nuts 1]

Don't "assume"that the HDMI will definately work with your CCTV there are lots of cases where older TVs won't work with a DVR.

But if your TV has a VGA input then it's wirth taking the risk because you can always revert back to the VGA input. If it doesn't have a VGA input then budget for a VGA or HDMI computer monitor as a contingency plan.

 

The so called eyeball dome cameras are a good indoor / outdoor option, they generally come in two sizes 3.5 inch and 4.5 inch both work fine.

 

The problem with packaged systems are that they are general purpose and the cameras are not suited to the location they will go in specifically the best you can hope for is a 'compromise', this is the reason so many of those use eyeball dome cameras because they are versatile and cheap too.

 

Last time I looked there weren't any 2 channel DVRs on the market unless you were considering those supposed mobile DVR units.

4 channel DVR with 2 cameras great you will find a good realtime D1 @ 25fps recorder at a budget price without difficulty.

 

Why you want a micro spy camera you haven't said but it's a rare thing to need such an item and thiose that do need one usually know the reason and waste no time in saying why. If it's just a fancy and you don't have a genuine requirement for one then don't waste your time or money.

 

If you genuinely need a spy cam then what is it's intended location and why is it required?

I generally say to clients that if they need such a device is it something recurring they should

contact police about? If it's not, then perhaps they should rethink their reasons.

If it's to spy on someone, then think again if it's not legal DON'T EVEN CONSIDER IT.

[ilikemyself25 0]

Hey thanks for your response. The reason for the spy cam is as follows. I just got some new neighbors downstairs. I live upstairs and we share a common hallway. I live by myself and work from the morning till about 3pm. The neighbors are cordial but they smoke a lot of weed. I mean a lot. I don't care about what people do in their home but they're doing it in the hallway we share as well as outside of our unit. Because we live in a kind of secluded area there aren't other neighbors that would probably see it. The other thing is there are people constantly in and around that apartment. I honestly couldn't tell you how many people live there and who actually lives there. They haven't bothered me and they are quiet at night. The reason for the micro spy cam is for the hallway. I just don't want my apartment broken into.