anybody have cctv in their homes?
 

planning to setup a cctv system.

was wondering if anyone used megapixel cameras.

also what are some good quality analog cameras?

I do. I have one front camera and one rear camera hooked up to a switch, fed into one of my TV's. Honestly, it's useless. It records onto VHS and it's a PITA because everyday you gotta rewind the tape or put in a new one. I got my cameras from the Spy store on kingsway near metro across from the safeway, lol. They were ~$100 each.

In retrospect I really wish I got wireless wifi cameras (they hook up to your router, and you can view them from your iphone/android) and they have tilt/pan functionality. If i was you I'd get wifi cameras with tilt/pan off amazon.com. They come with software that lets you set up recording on a computer + you can view them remotely. That's what I wish I got :okay:

As far as installing them goes, unless you like to go into your attic it's a pain. I was walking around on the trusses for a good hour trying to fish the lines into place.

I bought the $299 Swann DVR system at costco.
Comes with 4 Cameras.

Works great, can access from iphone and the internet worldwide.
bonus: costco refund policy!

We bought a lorex one from Costco for around $500, it has 4 colour cameras and a 500GB harddrive that records and can play back etc. You can also view the cameras from your phone, and at an internet connection worldwide. They are pretty good quality and this system comes with a monitor included in the package.

I've used MP cameras from Arecont, AXIS, Sony, IQinvison and Honeywell. All of those manufacturers have good product lines with a good range of cameras. MP cameras are only good if you are using a head-end that's compatible (ie. an NVR or Hybrid DVR).

For analog cameras, the most important specs are the sensor and how many lines of resolution there are. Be careful with the "cheaper" Day/Night IR cameras though. Most often these are not "true day night" meaning that you may experience images that are off-color.

It all comes down to what you require. I've captured a shooting in the middle of the night with a $29 camera and that evidence held up in court.

wow vcr's are the good old days.

what about frame rate?

This would normally be set along with the compression ratio / resolution, determined by the required hard disk recycle time. For home setups I wouldn't go lower than 5 IPS per camera. If you find that you are exceeding your required hard disk recycle time then you have the option of increasing the record rate and/or lowering the compression/resolution.

If anyone here is in the know on this stuff:

I would like to have a minimum 2 cam, possibly 3 cam interior system to monitor the access points to my building.

Obviously don't want a tape system. I don't want to have to put in an internet access point either, because at some point, I'm not going to be here. Besides, my internet is on the 4th floor, and the access is on the 1st.

Is there a system that would be wireless, non-internet enabled and have a record history of a minimum of 12 hours?

You can try these guys in Richmond, I haven't been there for a long time but they seem reasonable.

Jetview Electronics Ltd.

Costco - Lorex® 4-channel ECO DVR with 13.3-in. LED Monitor

This system has 2 cams a monitor and a 500GB harddrive that will recycle over the old footage, This will usually last you a week im guessing before it recycles over the old video) you have the option of saving footage. No internet access is required for it to work, but there is the option of having internet and being able to view the cams from your phone and/or computer worldwide...If u need more cams you have the option of adding 2 more later on
-regarding the wireless cams, I doubt there is anything out there that is affordable and will give u decent picture quality...

edit this one might be a better buy, 2 more cams for 50 $ and can add 4 more at a later date
http://www.costco.ca/Browse/Product....20101*&topnav=

also both these systems have infrared technology so u can see at night

These systems are also junk, worse than toys.

http://www.revscene.net/forums/65633...ml#post7669913

Here's a still shot from a 1.3MP IQEye camera watching the end of my street (click for full-size):
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4030692/Vigi...sac-sample.jpg

And one set up to record plates:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4030692/Vigi...tes-sample.jpg

There are very few setups that REQUIRE an internet connection (just a few low-grade IP cameras that record to an online service). HAVING an internet-enabled system is never a drawback.

Meantime, avoid wireless cameras - they tend to be limited range for line-of-sight and almost no range if you put a wall in the way. Wireless should be reserved only for no-other-option scenarios, and even then it should be systems designed specifically for the purpose.

^how much do you think someone needs to spend on parts alone to put up a decent, say two camera (front and back of house) surveillance system?

^ imo the price will be

150-200 per camera
400 for dvr
200 for monitor

+ labour for wiring

about $2500-$3000