home system - need advice

[bw1 0]

Hi, I will be setting up a 4 camera home based system. Im still reading up but at this point ill probly go pc-based with a geovision 600/650 due to popularity/support. Im wondering what type of cameras I should get. Ill probly get 2 or more to start. Id like to set them up to monitor the yard while im at work so they would be in use during the day the majority of the time.

 

So far Im thinking a outdoor day/night camera bullet style. There is next to no light outside at night here. I Would like to have motion detection and also have it record continuous.

 

It would be nice to get a ptz but it seems they cost more than I want to spend at the moment. Could I get some suggestions/recommendations on camera's please. Id like to spend approx $200+ each on 2 cameras to start. Was looking at the Nuvico's from spytown, they look nice.

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks

bw1

[Metal Shaper Man 0]

If you are considering Nuvico, the NVCC-HW3895IR36N-A, would most likely meet your needs within the price range of 200 +. Most important, it comes with an IR cut filter which constitutes, a true day night camera. Just keep in mind. You will have to make the necessary adjustments upon installation. I have one that works well within the environment you described.

[bw1 0]

Thanks Metal. I'm about half way through the Day/Night/IR related sticky. Its definitely saving me time and helping with some questions I had. Now I'm kinda leaning towards getting a box cctv as Rory seems to suggest that they're generally better.

 

Again this will be used to monitor my yard/driveway (approx .25km in length). I was planning on mounting the camera under the eave at the top of the house and just aiming it down the driveway.

 

Also I'm leaning towards a b/w cam for my second but I think im gonna order just one color camera and see how I like it first.

 

Rory or anyone could you suggest a good day/night box cctv camera that has mechanical IR Filter and is meant for use outdoors in the $3~500 range? I would prefer to not have to add separate IR source if possible (maybe later).

 

Could someone provide links to sites that sell this type of equipment?

 

bw1

[iSpyVision 0]

We installed 11 Panasonic WV-CP484 a couple of weeks ago outside. These are real nice day/night cameras with mechanical filter. They even have auto focus by just pushing a button. The night vision was very nice with no IR needed with only star light. PM me if interested in them.

[rory 0]

Yes the Panasonic is good, there is also the GE KTC-2000DN which is a very good Exview DN. If there may be glare issues definately the Panasonic one as it is Wide Dynamic. If its ultra low light you want without IR then the GE would be a better choice. BUT, Panasonic also have the CL-924 which is a 1/2" camera which is very low light, but well out of your budget mentioned.

 

Either way if there is not enough light you will still need to add lighting, or Infrared, and that can get costly, as well as bulky. Remember you will also need a housing, and if under the eave, decide if it will be wall mounted, as most typical housings are designed for, or ceiling mounted, harder to find.

 

Basically you may want to look at the mounting location first, then decide what camera you can get that will fit there. For the $300-500 range with IR you are actually going to be stuck with an IR Day Night Bullet camera, even if you go with a Day Night Dome and add IR seperate, that will typically bring the cost up higher than if using a Box camera w/ housing and IR. Bottom line is IR will cost to be done right ...

[CollinR 0]

bw1, If you live in an area with a good spider population, be aware they love IR and will build webs on all the emitters if allowed. If you have the IR built into the camera, one strand of spider silk across the lens can reflect enough IR back into the camera to white it out. Obviously the more powerful the IR the worse the effect. Also the IR will probably die before the camera. Basically I am against the IR on the camera solutions unless that stuff has been addressed.

 

 

You could easily save a few bucks and use a Geo 250-6 same support, but the 250 line is cheaper and survived all the software revisions thus far. The downside is alot of the accesories don't support the 250 anymore (GV-NET/IO) and so you are limited but it's stuff you probably won't buy anyway. It does show me it's probably due for replacement or may not be around forever. I also don't buy into it's rated framerate (which has varied over the years).

[rory 0]

building on what colin said, IR cameras also require more frequent cleaning.

[bw1 0]

Ok Im narrowing down my choices some. Im wondering what the main differences between the panasonic WV-CP484 and Speco HT-7815DNV are. They're both the same price basically (spytown). Also would it be worth it to get the Speco HT-7915 which adds a 5-50mm lens for another $20?

 

Yeah im in an area with spiders, thanks for the heads up. I may also look into getting a cheaper geo 250 but im not sure the details of what im losing by downgrading the geo card. Would be nice to put that $ saved into the camera.

 

Btw, I already have an MSI Tv@nywhere capture card, any reason why i cant just use that together with either of the above mentioned camera's?

[rory 0]

there is a huge diff between those cameras ..

 

one is a pro box WDR day night ..

also any IR would be seperate of the camera.

price is different also..that plus a 5-50mm lens and housing, is much more, not to mention the cost to add IR.

 

the image quality overall is going to be much better though.

 

downside is the bulky housing.

[bw1 0]

After more reading I think tomorrow Im gonna order a GV-600 4 channel and a mace cam66cir & cam53cir.

 

Hopefully those camera's work good for my needs, they seem good for the price. If not ill start looking for one with built in IR filter.

 

Has anyone used one of these?: http://cgi.ebay.ca/SONY-PIR-MOTION-PINHOLE-hidden-SPY-camera-CCD-420tv_W0QQitemZ270066176159QQihZ017QQcategoryZ48629QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

 

I would definitely like to check one out. If it would be good enough quality to recognize a face at close range that would be awesome.

 

Also after looking at the cameras available at www.kcusa.com Im wondering how they compare to the mace ones I want to order. Id probably get 4 from him instead if they're comparable or better.

 

bw1