Author Topic: anyone know anything about home security cameras (Read 2083 times)

DPump · « **on:** February 03, 2011, 07:47:04 AM »

Since this is getbig and everyone has sprawling estates and cribs like pads, what is the best low cost camera system that I can monitor while away? Can I watch on my phone? Does my home laptop have to be on while I'm gone or does the camera stream without my home computer. Any input appreciated

Game Time · « **Reply #1 on:** February 03, 2011, 08:25:23 AM »

If you want to monitor from your phone/other computers you wont find a cheap system. You also want high quality cameras that can stream at higher than 1 frame per second.

You will need a network switch, server or computer you can host the program and store footage on and of course an internet connection.

I recomend you buy a used server, ordered a staic ip from an ISP. You may need a tech to set up the remote desktop and program the server but reasearch and you may be able to pull it off.

CalvinH · « **Reply #2 on:** February 03, 2011, 08:36:35 AM »

You can put them in the closet facing the bed,under some clothes so the red light is covered.or you can put the camera on the bureau with some clothes and clutter over them,agian make sure you cover the redlight.

......oh wait do you mean for the outside

DPump · « **Reply #3 on:** February 03, 2011, 08:43:46 AM »

Thanks Calvin and Game. I was thinking about 1 for inside and one for garage. I'm not worried about saving the feed. I'm just kinda obsessive and wd like to check while I'm away. So is there not a way to stream the camera thru my wifi at home and see it on an droid app or something

Butterbean · « **Reply #4 on:** February 03, 2011, 08:48:12 AM »

I recently bought and "installed" the Logitech 750i Master System. It's wireless but obviously you have to plug the cameras into a power source.

I put "installed" in quotes because it is so easy, even I could do it w/o help!

It came w/2 indoor cameras but you can add up to 4 more. I may get an outdoor one w/night vision and a couple other ones.

I mainly got them to check on my dogs when I'm away from the house. We can view the feeds live from our Droid phones, IPads and any computer w/internet.

The only problems really are if you want really clear and smooth streaming video. I mean, they're pretty clear but maybe not as clear as you would like..and the video...though live doesn't stream as smoothly as you may like. For me, though it is fine.

The system w/2 cameras was $450.00

Butterbean · « **Reply #5 on:** February 03, 2011, 08:52:35 AM »

"Did u have to leave ur home pc on while gone?"

You know, I'm not sure because we usually leave it on.

I will shut it off today to test it for you!

DPump · « **Reply #6 on:** February 03, 2011, 08:53:36 AM »

Quote from: Butterbean on February 03, 2011, 08:48:12 AM

I recently bought and "installed" the Logitech 750i Master System. It's wireless but obviously you have to plug the cameras into a power source.

I put "installed" in quotes because it is so easy, even I could do it w/o help!

It came w/2 indoor cameras but you can add up to 4 more. I may get an outdoor one w/night vision and a couple other ones.

I mainly got them to check on my dogs when I'm away from the house. We can view the feeds live from our Droid phones, IPads and any computer w/internet.

The only problems really are if you want really clear and smooth streaming video. I mean, they're pretty clear but maybe not as clear as you would like..and the video...though live doesn't stream as smoothly as you may like. For me, though it is fine.

The system w/2 cameras was $450.00

Thanks Butterbean. Do u have to have your home pc on while ur gone to see it from ur phone?

Butterbean · « **Reply #7 on:** February 03, 2011, 08:54:25 AM »

Quote from: DPump on February 03, 2011, 08:53:36 AM

Thanks Butterbean. Do u have to have your home pc on while ur gone to see it from ur phone?

I saw your previous quote fail question and answered above

DPump · « **Reply #8 on:** February 03, 2011, 08:55:39 AM »

Quote from: Butterbean on February 03, 2011, 08:52:35 AM

"Did u have to leave ur home pc on while gone?"

You know, I'm not sure because we usually leave it on.

I will shut it off today to test it for you!

Cool. Thanks dude

Butterbean · « **Reply #9 on:** February 03, 2011, 08:56:25 AM »

Quote from: DPump on February 03, 2011, 08:55:39 AM

Cool. Thanks dude

You're welcome bro

DPump · « **Reply #10 on:** February 03, 2011, 08:56:56 AM »

Quote from: Butterbean on February 03, 2011, 08:54:25 AM

I saw your previous quote fail question and answered above

Epic posting from a smartphone error

Lundgren · « **Reply #11 on:** February 03, 2011, 08:59:38 AM »

If you got a computer that can be left on, it`ll cost you like 50 bucks to put one up. You just need to find a server to dump your files onto, like that kid that killed himself on cam.

I got neighbours that have been stealing shit from my folks for a fucking decade, so I`m gonna bait the lawn start leaving bikes and shit out until I catch em taking shit from our lawn.Anyone got advice on that shit, I was thinking about just putting it on youtube as they won`t get fuck all for theft under 1000.

loco · « **Reply #12 on:** February 03, 2011, 09:06:05 AM »

No, you do not have to leave your pc on while you are gone, but you do have to make sure your cable modem and router are on.

Panasonic BL-C230A Wireless Internet Security Camera

$219.99 FREE shipping and no sales tax depending on where you live

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-BL-C230A-Wireless-Internet-Security/dp/B002JM5JSU/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I19S8U1FM98GL8&colid=1M5AHT055QDT9

BL-C230 Wireless H.264/MPEG-4 Network Camera Features

   * Wireless connection (IEEE 802.11 b/g)
   * Image transfer by timer, alarm, motion, sound or human presence
   * Plug & Play installation
   * Access via hand-held device or PC
   * No PC required on site
   * Email alert notifications
   * H.264 compression for high quality images
   * Built-in memory for storing images and video

What's in the Box
BL-C230 camera, AC Adapter, Set-up CD-ROM, Screws (6), Washers (4), Safety Wire, and Installation Guide

DPump · « **Reply #13 on:** February 03, 2011, 09:08:05 AM »

Quote from: loco on February 03, 2011, 09:06:05 AM

No, you do not have to leave your pc on while you are gone, but you do have to make sure your cable modem and router are on.

Panasonic BL-C230A Wireless Internet Security Camera

$219.99 FREE shipping and no sales tax depending on where you live

BL-C230 Wireless H.264/MPEG-4 Network Camera Features

   * Wireless connection (IEEE 802.11 b/g)
   * Image transfer by timer, alarm, motion, sound or human presence
   * Plug & Play installation
   * Access via hand-held device or PC
   * No PC required on site
   * Email alert notifications
   * H.264 compression for high quality images
   * Built-in memory for storing images and video

What's in the Box
BL-C230 camera, AC Adapter, Set-up CD-ROM, Screws (6), Washers (4), Safety Wire, and Installation Guide

awesome thanks- is there a monthly fee tho?

loco · « **Reply #14 on:** February 03, 2011, 09:09:25 AM »

Quote from: DPump on February 03, 2011, 09:08:05 AM

awesome thanks- is there a monthly fee tho?

No monthly fee + free software. It comes with everything you need, assuming you already have an internet connection and a home wireless network.

DPump · « **Reply #15 on:** February 03, 2011, 09:25:11 AM »

Loco- thats exactly what Im looking for- cool

Army of One · « **Reply #16 on:** February 03, 2011, 09:41:18 AM »

Quote from: Game Time on February 03, 2011, 08:25:23 AM

If you want to monitor from your phone/other computers you wont find a cheap system. You also want high quality cameras that can stream at higher than 1 frame per second.

You will need a network switch, server or computer you can host the program and store footage on and of course an internet connection.

I recomend you buy a used server, ordered a staic ip from an ISP. You may need a tech to set up the remote desktop and program the server but reasearch and you may be able to pull it off.

This isnt 1990, static ip isnt needed anymore, neither is network switch.Theres a whole host of cheap and effective cameras on ebay capable of nightvision at acceptable framerates and resolution, these cameras have wifi built in so it can just stream to your pc providing you have a wireless router.

CalvinH · « **Reply #17 on:** February 03, 2011, 09:43:56 AM »

Quote from: DPump on February 03, 2011, 07:47:04 AM

Since this is getbig and everyone has sprawling estates and cribs like pads, what is the best low cost camera system that I can monitor while away? Can I watch on my phone? Does my home laptop have to be on while I'm gone or does the camera stream without my home computer. Any input appreciated

Don't worry Alex has other people to stalk right now

DPump · « **Reply #18 on:** February 03, 2011, 09:47:43 AM »

Quote from: Army of One on February 03, 2011, 09:41:18 AM

This isnt 1990, static ip isnt needed anymore, neither is network switch.Theres a whole host of cheap and effective cameras on ebay capable of nightvision at acceptable framerates and resolution, these cameras have wifi built in so it can just stream to your pc providing you have a wireless router.

Army- can the wifi camera stream to the android as well?

K-1 · « **Reply #19 on:** February 03, 2011, 09:50:30 AM »

visit tigerdirect.com and look under surveillance. You can find systems on there for 200-300 range that does all that. Internet, phone video..etc

There is one brand called night owl..includes night vision also..around 250ish. Ur Welcome

dr.chimps · « **Reply #20 on:** February 03, 2011, 10:17:03 AM »

Joan Benét Ramsey-type stalker thread.

loco · « **Reply #21 on:** February 03, 2011, 10:26:40 AM »

Some things to consider:

1. The Panasonic Wireless Camera that I posted above can be set up inside the house facing the outside through a glass window. It does not have night vision, but you can install motion lights outside. A true night vision camera cannot be setup inside facing a window because the night vision LEDs will reflect on the window making it impossible see anything. Night vision cameras for outdoor view have to be setup outdoor.

2. If you setup cameras outside the house, you'll have to drill holes in the wall or roof for the power cable, and the data cable too if the camera isn't wireless.

3. A lot of surveillance cameras out there require a DVR to record. The Panasonic Wireless Camera above does not. It instead sends the images to your phone, email account, and possibly even Yahoo flickr. So if someone breaks into the house and breaks or steals the camera, you will already have the images safely stored at a remote location.

Butterbean · « **Reply #22 on:** February 03, 2011, 10:27:56 AM »

Quote from: DPump on February 03, 2011, 08:55:39 AM

Cool. Thanks dude

I tested it. No, it does not need to be on.

loco had given me this info before and I did research on some systems he mentioned but when I read some reviews about set up possibly being a challenge I never ordered anything online. I had seen the Logitech system at Sam's Club and so figured I could return it if I couldn't figure it out.

Quote from: loco on June 14, 2010, 08:27:43 AM

Woman watches home invasion on webcam
Fri April 10, 2009

(CNN) -- Jeanne Thomas was sitting at her desk at work when she decided to check the security camera that she installed in her home. The Thomas home had been burglarized before, so she installed a monitoring device where she can watch a live video feed of the camera in her home.

When Thomas decided to pull up the feed of her house Wednesday morning, she couldn't believe what she saw. There was someone inside her home, someone she didn't know. Thomas picked up the phone and called 911.

"I'm watching my home on live monitor, and there is a black man in my house, and he is robbing it," she told the dispatcher. The woman on the other end of the call asked Thomas where she was, and Thomas replied, "I'm in Fort Lauderdale, at my work."

Thomas' home is in Boynton Beach, Florida, more than 20 miles away, yet she was watching over the Internet as two men walked through her home, picking up items. Watch the video from Thomas' home »

Police later arrested Curtis Williams, 20, and Steven Morales, 19.

According to the Boynton Beach Police, Williams and Morales entered the house through a pet door. As the 911 dispatcher was calling police to the scene, Thomas stayed on the line, giving a play-by-play of what she was seeing.

"He's in my house. I am seeing him walk around my house. He's in my bedroom right now," she said. The bedroom cannot be seen in the video, but the door from the living room into the bedroom is visible.

Thomas watched as the men wandered through her home, taking valuables such as her TV and Wii gaming console.

"This is unbelievable," she told the 911 dispatcher. "The cat is freaking out. The dogs are hiding."

One of the burglars took a bag of shredded cheese from the refrigerator and could be seen on the video stuffing it in his mouth. None of them noticed the small camera that resembles an air freshener.

"They walked right up to it and didn't know what it was," Thomas said later.

A few minutes after Thomas called 911, the video shows police officers entering the home.

According to the police report, "Williams and Morales had placed the victim's 37 inch flat screen TV, a safe, gaming machine with several misc. games (total value approx. $3000) on the victim's bed."

Williams and Morales told police that two other people, not seen on video, were also involved in the incident.

All four suspects were arrested and charged with burglary of a dwelling and attempted grand theft.

Thomas' husband thought she was nuts for spending $250 on the webcam system, telling her she would never catch anyone. But to her, it now seems like a smart investment.

Thomas hopes it will be a lesson for burglars.

"You never know who is watching you," she said.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/04/10/webcam.home.invasion/index.html#cnnSTCText

loco · « **Reply #23 on:** February 03, 2011, 10:30:07 AM »

Quote from: Butterbean on February 03, 2011, 10:27:56 AM

loco had given me this info before and I did research on some systems he mentioned but when I read some reviews about set up possibly being a challenge I never ordered anything online. I had seen the Logitech system at Sam's Club and so figured I could return it if I couldn't figure it out.

Yeah, some wireless network cameras require a little bit of networking knowledge to setup.

DPump · « **Reply #24 on:** February 03, 2011, 10:34:13 AM »

Loc Butterbean Army K1- no bullshit- this is why I come here- u guyus have the broadest knowledge base of any website- Thank you from one gber to the next