Noob with very basic needs. Help!

[halgreene 0]

Hi,

 

I need a pretty basic system with a few caveats. On the surface, the system is way simple:

 

1-2 interior cams (no more). If there's a 360 cam I only need one. For directionals, I could live with one but would prefer two.

 

Some kinda short-term recording (SD, DVR, cloud) that doesn't require a monthly fee.

 

Cell phone and/or email motion alert that won't go off every time the cat scurries across the apartment (it will go off all day).

 

Remote monitoring. I don't need to be able to pan/tilt.

 

And here's is the rub: I want to activate/deactivate it with a keypad mounted near the front door such that when exiting the apartment I can "arm" the camera (it starts monitoring) and when I return home I can disarm it so it doesn't. I don't need a separate, dedicated alarm system.

 

Thanks!

[Numb-nuts 1]

Your requirements are a little strange in that a standard DVR system will do all that you want with a couple exceptions.

 

1 If you set it to motion detection, depending on the cat it will keep sending you emails and drive you to distraction.

To overcome this you need a DVR that has alarm inputs set to record only when they are triggered, these should be

linked to pet friendly PIR sensors that will recognise pets and animals and not trigger. Indoor ones are cheap enough

Also you will need to ensure trees don't set it off either thats easier said than done.

outdoor PIRs of any consequence are expensive, more than basic cameras

 

2 There is no point in disarming the CCTV everytime you return to the premises. You should be able to set it and leave it.

\Ohter than to say everytime I have set email notification the client has asked me to stop it within a week.

 

You will need to pay for a DDNS account unless your DVR manufacturer offers one free Take a look a Hikvision.

[mgb 0]

As already said above, use cameras with alarm inputs tied to motiin detectors with pet imunity like this

http://www.homesecuritystore.com/tri-ed-isc-bdl2-wp6

 

You can find ip cameras with onboard sd card slots that will take care of all the recording and notifications and what not.

 

The whole arming, disarming thing is strange but it can be done a few different ways I guess.

 

Most simple way off the top of my head would seem to be breaking camera power with a relay contact.

This would be done with using the cameras seperate power feed, not poe.

So if the camera takes 12 volt dc, you could break that with either a key switch http://www.aap.co.nz/shop/Alarm+Systems/Accessories/KEYSWITCH+PLATE.html

 

Or a keypad

http://www.gokeyless.com/product/267/iei-212i-indoor-security-keypad

 

So basically through that you'd power them up when leaving and drop power when back home.

 

For cameras, look at

Hikvision,

Vivitek,

Acti or

Geo Vision

 

Geo vision has a nice little cube camera line with models that include a pir motion sensor as well as a bright visible led for lighting upon activation and they run on 5 volts dc. They also have built in two audio.

[halgreene 0]

Hi Everyone,

 

Thanks for the input so far.

 

So what I'm hearing is that I need a basic motion alarm system with pet-friendly sensors such that when the alarm is triggered then it turns the cameras on? But doesn't that mean I wouldn't be able to log in and monitor the apt remotely UNLESS the alarm had been triggered? Or will the cameras work regardless, but only start recording upon alarm?

 

Confused.

 

How do people with cameras that alert upon motion deal with them when they are home? In other words, how do they turn them off when they're home?

 

Finally, if I have cameras that are on and recording all the time, won't a lot of that recording just be us walking around in our undies?

 

Thanks!

[Billy_ICU 0]

Newer camera systems have a "schedule" and you can set certain things to happen at certain times. I suppose you could have the cameras recording only at certain times.

 

Older camera systems had "alarm inputs" for each camera and you could set them to do anything your little heart pleased. That was called a "CCTV quad sequencer" and they still sell these. That was used along with a time lapse recorder. I don't know if any newer DVR's have alarm inputs for each camera?

 

Anyway a motion sensor or alarm would turn on a camera or switch the recorder to constant high quality recording. I suppose you could use that to also turn on/off cameras with a key or whatever?

 

Look for DVRs with alarm inputs. Then download a copy of the instruction manual and see what all you can do with the settings. Many things sold these days are "dumbed down" so everything is done for you and you can't change much of anything. (Be SURE you can change settings before buying.)

[halgreene 0]

From reading these and other posts, I think what might work best is the following:

 

Just install some good IP cameras with continuous recording that are on 24/7 and can be securely viewed from the 'net or cell phone (they make these, right? We're not going to find naked pics of ourselves on YouPorn because someone hacked into our cams, right?)

 

Then install some pet-friendly alarm system that can be armed/disarmed with a keypad that sends you email/text messages whenever it detects motion.

 

Is this fairly easy to setup/spec? Any recommendations?

 

Thanks!

[mgb 0]

Keep in mind, when using the motion sensors attached to alarm inputs of a camera. The camera is not off until the alarm contacts are activated. The camera would be on and you'd be able to remote in to see what's going on. The alarm input activation just act as an event that you can schedule your recording around.

For instance, you can set the camera to record only when the alarm input is active or you can set the cameras to always record at a low setting and then record at HD when the alarm input is active.

[halgreene 0]

I assume this programming is done at the camera level? What device supplies the "alarm signal"? A dedicated motion-activated alarm system? What's a good one? Where to buy?

 

Thanks!

[mgb 0]

Yes depending on the camera you buy.

 

Try a Bosch dual or tri tech. You will also have to power it with 12 volts.

[halgreene 0]

K, so here's the latest (and thanks for all your help!)

 

Looks like I will need the following:

 

1. Pet-friendly motion detector. Bosch makes a good one.

2. Keypad activated alarm system with outputs.

3. 2-4 channel POE "email" NVR with alarm inputs.

4. 1-2 POE cams.

 

So the way I understand this system will work, when the MD picks up movement it will trigger the NVR to start recording for some fixed amount of time. As long as the MD keeps picking up movement it will keep triggering the NVR which will keep recording. If the MD stops detecting movement it will stop triggering the NVR and the NVR will stop recording. Meanwhile, the NVR alerts me via email. If I want to get a text message I will have to give the NVR an email address that is my email to text gateway (in other words, any email that gets sent to this address gets forwarded as a text message to my phone.)

 

Does this sound about right? Is there an easier/better way?

 

Thanks!