Trying to decide on how to build a new system...

[LudivousKain 0]

Scenario: Items have been disappearing from the house, and we suspect one of the "friends" whom come around from time to time to help with housework or babysitting. Exterior requirements are minimal at this time, but I would like the option to add a few cameras at a later time.

 

At this time, I am unsure about how to accomplish our interior surveillance need; Hidden cameras vs. dome or bullet.... IP vs BNC... Wireless or wired... etc. The building has no existing wiring, so everything would need to be run regardless. Internet viewing is a plus, but definitely not required. Central DVR would be nice but again, is not a requirement. I've thought about just using a few self-recording cameras with their own internal memory, but those seem to be very limited in battery life (I need at least 10 hours of use). Cost is also a major determining factor: While I believe in buying quality, I don't believe in wasteful spending (I don't need motorized dome cameras that automatically track motion and zoom in when they're going to be indoors....)

 

I've searched for close to two full days so far, and my search has been... inconclusive... I ask for help not out of laziness, but out of desperation.

 

Thanks in advance for taking the time to read/respond to this.

[zr1 0]

Cameras typically take too much juice to be able to run on battery for long. So at the minimum, you'll want a power-outlet somewhere near the camera. (or run power from elsewhere)

 

As for recording the video...

* record on the SD card in the camera itself

* Set up a DVR to record

* The Samsung SmartCam even records to your Google Drive account

* Several will record to cloud-based for a subscription fee

 

Wiring:

* Wires are more...eh...consistent as in they pretty much don't disconnect. But running wire in the house is the more time-consuming part.

* WiFi is easy-peasy these days. But figure that every week or three you might reboot the camera to have it reconnect to your WiFi.

 

Hidden vs non-hidden

(catch vs prevent)

Businesses I work with almost always go with cameras out in the open. They're not trying to catch people but rather prevent them from trying it.

Different situations vary. And there's some good discussion and opinions both ways on it.

Hidden camera means the thief doesn't know and may strike again. But it also means you'll lose something else before you can catch them.

 

WiFi cameras

They're getting popular these days. Some of them are marketed a ton on different media. Amazon has The $100 Fuji with good ratings. There's also D-Link and Samsung and many....many more!

 

They run from VGA (0.3 megapixel) all the way up to 3 megapixel. Many are in the 1 to 1.3MP range.

 

Plug and Play

Very very easy to setup to view on your smartphone when you're away from the house. It saves making a "port" adjustment in your router.