Author Topic: Security Camera System  (Read 25277 times)

Offline MoGro17

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Security Camera System
« on: November 26, 2013, 12:21:31 PM »
Looking for a good (read: inexpensive yet above average quality) security camera system. I understand that there are different cameras for indoors and outdoors.
Also, I'm aware that there are two components: the cameras and the DVR. Can i mix and match the two from different brands? is there a known benefit to staying within brand? What about for indoor cams of one brand and outdoor cams of another? How about a DVR of a completely separate, third brand?
Also, remote viewing (RV) is absolutely necessary. some of the reviews online bring up RV as an issue for some models.
Lastly, Wi-Fi vs hard-wired? does it affect quality? speed? remote viewing?

Does anyone have experience with this?
All opinions and expertise are greatly appreciated.

p.s. Let's try to keep the in-forum bickering about halacha, etc. to a minimum and stay on topic. You're a genius and you were the top of your shiur; we get it; now let's move on. As the saying goes, one problem; two jews; three opinions, but save the opinions for another forum.
Thanks much!

Offline churnbabychurn

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Re: Security Camera System
« Reply #1 on: November 26, 2013, 12:38:30 PM »

Offline MoGro17

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Re: Security Camera System
« Reply #2 on: November 26, 2013, 12:45:12 PM »
repost
http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=26053.0

True but that post is over 2 years old (which is a million in tech years) and it was pretty bland. the only real solid advice was to stay away from no-name brands. good advice but I'm looking for something comprehensive. that post died after a dozen replies.
a good reference though. thanks for showing me.

Offline MoGro17

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Re: Security Camera System
« Reply #3 on: November 26, 2013, 12:49:57 PM »
True but that post is over 2 years old (which is a million in tech years) and it was pretty bland. the only real solid advice was to stay away from no-name brands. good advice but I'm looking for something comprehensive. that post died after a dozen replies.
a good reference though. thanks for showing me.
my bad. it actually from this march.

in any event there was not much there so.... yeah.

Offline real-brisker

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Re: Security Camera System
« Reply #4 on: November 26, 2013, 12:55:16 PM »
Looking for a good (read: inexpensive yet above average quality) security camera system. I understand that there are different cameras for indoors and outdoors.
Also, I'm aware that there are two components: the cameras and the DVR. Can i mix and match the two from different brands? is there a known benefit to staying within brand? What about for indoor cams of one brand and outdoor cams of another? How about a DVR of a completely separate, third brand?
Also, remote viewing (RV) is absolutely necessary. some of the reviews online bring up RV as an issue for some models.
Lastly, Wi-Fi vs hard-wired? does it affect quality? speed? remote viewing?

Does anyone have experience with this?
All opinions and expertise are greatly appreciated.

Firstly,

Will you be doing it yourself or will you be hiring someone to do the wiring?

How many cameras do you need?
What is the locations of the cameras, indoor? Outdoor?
Does it need to have IR (inferred) for night vision?
Vandal proof?
Varifocal Zoom (how far away from what you want recorded will you be mounting them)?

What is the purpose of them, live viewing or recording/playback? Or both.

Do you have a specific budget, or you want the job done right?



I always prefer hard wiring vs. wifi/wireless. It is incomparable in quality and signal, and besides even a wireless camera requires a power source, so you will have to be doing wiring anyways.

Next - Most, if not all DVR's these days support remote viewing, if you are a bit computer savvy it should take just a couple of minutes to forward the ports and set it up. 

If you can answer the above questions, I can try to support more light on what kind of system you should get.



Offline MoGro17

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Re: Security Camera System
« Reply #5 on: November 26, 2013, 01:14:57 PM »
Firstly, thanks for your offer to help.

details:
Price-wise, I'm hoping to stay in the $400 or below range. If that number is barking mad, please tell me :) n00b here.

Residential use.

The installation is a non-issue. I have it covered.

I want 4 outdoor and 3 indoor. Audio on the indoor is a plus.

IR or NV is a plus provided its not exponentially more expensive. Maybe just for outdoor vs indoor if it is, in fact, much pricier.

Vandal-proof is not a priority.

Range: indoor is probably max of 50 ft. outdoor is closer to 150-200.

Purpose: Mostly recording/playback for emergencies and/or incidents but I also hope to use as a Nanny Cam soon, IY"H. Also to keep an eye on the hired help.



I found this on Groupon plus I get 4x UR points through Ink. :)
http://www.groupon.com/deals/gg-foscam-wireless-cameras

Maybe for the indoor cams?

Offline real-brisker

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Re: Security Camera System
« Reply #6 on: November 26, 2013, 01:20:29 PM »
Firstly, thanks for your offer to help.

details:
Price-wise, I'm hoping to stay in the $400 or below range. If that number is barking mad, please tell me :) n00b here.

Ok for starters,

7 decent cameras, will cost you around $70 a piece. ~$500

A decent 9 channel DVR will cost $500.

Wire, connectors, power supplies... Will cost at least $100

So before I continue answering you other questions, let me know if your willing to spend this...


Offline MoGro17

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Re: Security Camera System
« Reply #7 on: November 26, 2013, 01:30:44 PM »
Ok for starters,

7 decent cameras, will cost you around $70 a piece. ~$500

A decent 9 channel DVR will cost $500.

Wire, connectors, power supplies... Will cost at least $100

So before I continue answering you other questions, let me know if your willing to spend this...

hmmmmm I was hoping to be in the ballpark   :-[

Lets assume I can stretch it to $850.
still Possible?

Offline real-brisker

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Re: Security Camera System
« Reply #8 on: November 26, 2013, 01:33:43 PM »
hmmmmm I was hoping to be in the ballpark   :-[

Lets assume I can stretch it to $850.
still Possible?
You can technically do it for $400 if you get cr@p.

You can get $20 cameras on eBay,
And you can get $150 DVR no-name, there too.

But you get what you pay for, and are verrrrry limited to selection and customization. (which seems you care about)


Offline MoGro17

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Re: Security Camera System
« Reply #9 on: November 26, 2013, 01:38:48 PM »
You can technically do it for $400 if you get cr@p.

You can get $20 cameras on eBay,
And you can get $150 DVR no-name, there too.

But you get what you pay for, and are verrrrry limited to selection and customization. (which seems you care about)

All are excellent points.
If you were to do it and had a strict budget of $850 what would you do?

Also, what is more important cameras or DVR? meaning, which do you go budget on?

Offline real-brisker

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Re: Security Camera System
« Reply #10 on: November 26, 2013, 02:05:25 PM »
All are excellent points.
If you were to do it and had a strict budget of $850 what would you do?

Also, what is more important cameras or DVR? meaning, which do you go budget on?
To me both are equally important.

And when I do jobs for people, I won't take jobs with people that have a budget, cause everything will still be my fault.

Why isn't the camera clear?
Why did the camera die?
Why isn't the hard drive working?
Why is it so hard to play back and locate a video...

The list of issues can go on. So I personally would recommend both quality.

For $850 I would spend $500 on a EverFocus 9ch DVR, great quality. (for such pricing)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0041X2ULY/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1385493251&sr=8-1&pi=SL75

$50 cameras, they are not going to be top of the line in quality, but definitely will do the job. And will be pretty reliable.

And probably another $100 in accessories. (yes, I know it totals $950 but you may be able to get the DVR a drop cheaper if you shop around)
« Last Edit: November 26, 2013, 02:15:12 PM by real-brisker »

Offline MoGro17

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Re: Security Camera System
« Reply #11 on: November 26, 2013, 02:23:32 PM »
all sounds good.

what is your recommendation for outdoor cameras? North Jersey weather, btw.

also, do you recommend any other DVR(s) that you trust that might be less pricey or is it just "EverFocus or bust". Maybe something that has less bells-and-whistles and is thus less expensive.
It's totally okay to say no. I don't want you to feel like you are compromising on quality to help me save money.

Offline real-brisker

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Re: Security Camera System
« Reply #12 on: November 26, 2013, 02:31:14 PM »
all sounds good.

what is your recommendation for outdoor cameras? North Jersey weather, btw.

also, do you recommend any other DVR(s) that you trust that might be less pricey or is it just "EverFocus or bust". Maybe something that has less bells-and-whistles and is thus less expensive.
It's totally okay to say no. I don't want you to feel like you are compromising on quality to help me save money.
For an outdoor camera, if you will be able to mount it in a location that will get the image you want.
(basically, not that you have to mount it somewhere cause otherwise the wiring won't reach, and then needing to worry about focusing It.)

Then I would advise a Dome, Vandal Proof with IR night vision.

You won't be able to get a 720TVL for that price, but you can get probably a 520TVL (not as clear, but clear)

If location is an issue, then you will want to go with a bullet camera, which is much more adjustable to position.

Regarding a DVR, I don't think you will get quality brand name for too much better.

But then again, it depends on how reliable you need it to be. If it isn't an everyday or even once a week viewing, rather "just in case" something goes wrong and you need to check up... Then I can possibly hear the option to get a non brand name DVR.

But I anit taking achrios!


Offline MoGro17

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Re: Security Camera System
« Reply #13 on: November 26, 2013, 02:43:03 PM »

Regarding a DVR, I don't think you will get quality brand name for too much better.

But then again, it depends on how reliable you need it to be. If it isn't an everyday or even once a week viewing, rather "just in case" something goes wrong and you need to check up... Then I can possibly hear the option to get a non brand name DVR.

But I anit taking achrios!

Interesting. brings up another point:
I saw Yeki89 say this in another post about camera systems from a while back "Stay away from no-name products from companies like Qsee, Swann, and Lorex"
What constitutes a "brand name" vs a "no-name"? Swann seems to be a brand name. I've seen it before. Is Foscam  brand name? Is it a good brand name?
It seems arbitrary. Any thoughts?

Offline RT

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Re: Security Camera System
« Reply #14 on: November 26, 2013, 02:48:30 PM »
I know people like Foscam.

Offline MoGro17

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Re: Security Camera System
« Reply #15 on: November 26, 2013, 03:09:50 PM »
mixing and matching image quality isn't an issue, right? (provided the DVR can handle the highest reso)

Offline real-brisker

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Re: Security Camera System
« Reply #16 on: November 26, 2013, 03:19:47 PM »
mixing and matching image quality isn't an issue, right? (provided the DVR can handle the highest reso)
Correct.

No name usually = cheap!


Offline MoGro17

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Re: Security Camera System
« Reply #17 on: November 26, 2013, 03:31:12 PM »
No name usually = cheap!

absolutely true.

the question is which brand names are also cheap!

Offline real-brisker

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Re: Security Camera System
« Reply #18 on: November 26, 2013, 03:33:57 PM »
absolutely true.

the question is which brand names are also cheap!
in your price range none.


Offline MoGro17

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Re: Security Camera System
« Reply #19 on: November 26, 2013, 03:51:11 PM »
in your price range none.
well that's a bummer  :( :(