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DJ
I want to set up surveillance cameras around the outside of my house. What kind of camera is capable of wireless recordings to a computer or laptop? (Best quality)
Answer
There are two ways.
1) IP network-based cameras become part of the wifi computer network all the other devices in your house are on. The transmit the video wirelessly. But then need power, so they need to be plugged into a power outlet, somehow. If the cameras are on the outside of the house, then they should be out-door rated. If they are expected to transmit useful video when it is dark, then they need to have built-in infrared emitters so they can "see" when it is dark.
If the cameras are supposed to work when there is a power outage, then some sort of battery back-up for each camera is needed. A battery back-up system for the computer, the network router and the whatever device is providing the wifi network will be needed, too. The sizing of the battery back up for the router, wifi switch and computer (and each camera) will depend on how long they are expected to run when there is no power. Fifteen minutes is easy. Several hours can start to add up.
If recording the video is required, then computer should be used ONLY for the surveillance recording. Video uses a LOT of computer hard drive space. When 4 or more cameras are feeding video, the computer won't like doing much else. If the cameras are constantly sending video to the computer for recording, you should probably segment the computer network so the surveillance video is on its own segment and not clogging the rest of the computer network (fighting for space downloading music, NetFlix video, web site access, etc...) when others are connected with their computers, tablets, smartphones, etc.
2) Use analog cameras that connect to a DVR. The DVR is added (preferably wired) to the local network. Computers and various smartphones on the local network can access the DVR using wifi or wired connection. This assumes they have a surveillance video client from the system manufacturer, the password and IP address of the DVR.
For "best quality", look into Pelco. Their IP cameras start at about $3,000 each. They can't see very well in the dark but it is easy enough to install a motion sensing light to go on so the camera can see. Their video server systems (starting at around $7,000) are pretty decent. I like the pan-tilt-zoom control cameras best.
For consumer grade video surveillance systems, I like Swann and Lorex. Don't get the kits - the cameras included aren't that great. For a good system, expect to spend around $800 for the networkable DVR and at least $130 per camera. They won't be pan-tilt, but if you get "addressable" cameras, there is some zoom capability.
I found it ironic that "wireless cameras" actually have more wires than a wired camera.
Wired camera has a cable from the camera to the DVR. One plug goes into the DVR. One plug for power. The network enabled DVR needs power and a connection to the network.
Wireless camera has a power cable for the camera. The camera sends video to a base station. The video base station has two plugs - one for power and one to plug into the DVR.
In the case of an IP based wireless camera, it needs power, to... and since it is on wifi, the wireless router or access point needs power and network connectivity... two more "wires".
So, a "wireless" security camera is not exactly wireless.
There are two ways.
1) IP network-based cameras become part of the wifi computer network all the other devices in your house are on. The transmit the video wirelessly. But then need power, so they need to be plugged into a power outlet, somehow. If the cameras are on the outside of the house, then they should be out-door rated. If they are expected to transmit useful video when it is dark, then they need to have built-in infrared emitters so they can "see" when it is dark.
If the cameras are supposed to work when there is a power outage, then some sort of battery back-up for each camera is needed. A battery back-up system for the computer, the network router and the whatever device is providing the wifi network will be needed, too. The sizing of the battery back up for the router, wifi switch and computer (and each camera) will depend on how long they are expected to run when there is no power. Fifteen minutes is easy. Several hours can start to add up.
If recording the video is required, then computer should be used ONLY for the surveillance recording. Video uses a LOT of computer hard drive space. When 4 or more cameras are feeding video, the computer won't like doing much else. If the cameras are constantly sending video to the computer for recording, you should probably segment the computer network so the surveillance video is on its own segment and not clogging the rest of the computer network (fighting for space downloading music, NetFlix video, web site access, etc...) when others are connected with their computers, tablets, smartphones, etc.
2) Use analog cameras that connect to a DVR. The DVR is added (preferably wired) to the local network. Computers and various smartphones on the local network can access the DVR using wifi or wired connection. This assumes they have a surveillance video client from the system manufacturer, the password and IP address of the DVR.
For "best quality", look into Pelco. Their IP cameras start at about $3,000 each. They can't see very well in the dark but it is easy enough to install a motion sensing light to go on so the camera can see. Their video server systems (starting at around $7,000) are pretty decent. I like the pan-tilt-zoom control cameras best.
For consumer grade video surveillance systems, I like Swann and Lorex. Don't get the kits - the cameras included aren't that great. For a good system, expect to spend around $800 for the networkable DVR and at least $130 per camera. They won't be pan-tilt, but if you get "addressable" cameras, there is some zoom capability.
I found it ironic that "wireless cameras" actually have more wires than a wired camera.
Wired camera has a cable from the camera to the DVR. One plug goes into the DVR. One plug for power. The network enabled DVR needs power and a connection to the network.
Wireless camera has a power cable for the camera. The camera sends video to a base station. The video base station has two plugs - one for power and one to plug into the DVR.
In the case of an IP based wireless camera, it needs power, to... and since it is on wifi, the wireless router or access point needs power and network connectivity... two more "wires".
So, a "wireless" security camera is not exactly wireless.
I am looking to install 4 wireless motion-activated cameras around the house..anyone ever do this?
Alexander
I prefer wireless, weather-proof and should record everything to my home network server.
Answer
I would suggest that you use a dedicated surveillance DVR rather than a regular data server. Video can use a lot of storage space and IP cameras are a lot more expensive than non-IP cameras... then, when you assign the IP address to the DVR and add it to your home network, you can still get to the video from a computer on your network... or you can also set up monitoring cabilities by connecting the monitor-out jack on the DVR to the televisions on you home. You cannot do this monitoring part with IP based cameras very easily.
And... you do understand that "wireless" means the only wireless part is the video connection... the camera still needs power - and you need a wire for that (unless you get a solar powered one with a battery that charges when the sun is out...
Go to Frys.com. In the blue tabs on the left, hover over "Electronic Components" and follow the path: Security: Closed Circuit Television: and look in CCTV kits, Recorders, Wired or Wireless cameras.
I use a 4-channel Lorex recorder and have a mix of Lorex, Swann and Q-See cameras - all are outdoor rated with night vision. Mine are all wired (video signal), too. Any of the cameras less than $100 will not provide decent video.
Of course, if you have a big budget, then check the PTZ IP cams in the domes... At $1,000 each or more, they don't quite make sense to me, but the Pan, Tilt, Zoom functions are pretty cool... and if you can afford these, you should probably hire someone to do the installation.
I would suggest that you use a dedicated surveillance DVR rather than a regular data server. Video can use a lot of storage space and IP cameras are a lot more expensive than non-IP cameras... then, when you assign the IP address to the DVR and add it to your home network, you can still get to the video from a computer on your network... or you can also set up monitoring cabilities by connecting the monitor-out jack on the DVR to the televisions on you home. You cannot do this monitoring part with IP based cameras very easily.
And... you do understand that "wireless" means the only wireless part is the video connection... the camera still needs power - and you need a wire for that (unless you get a solar powered one with a battery that charges when the sun is out...
Go to Frys.com. In the blue tabs on the left, hover over "Electronic Components" and follow the path: Security: Closed Circuit Television: and look in CCTV kits, Recorders, Wired or Wireless cameras.
I use a 4-channel Lorex recorder and have a mix of Lorex, Swann and Q-See cameras - all are outdoor rated with night vision. Mine are all wired (video signal), too. Any of the cameras less than $100 will not provide decent video.
Of course, if you have a big budget, then check the PTZ IP cams in the domes... At $1,000 each or more, they don't quite make sense to me, but the Pan, Tilt, Zoom functions are pretty cool... and if you can afford these, you should probably hire someone to do the installation.
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