Casey
We have recently installed a chain link fence behind our home and are planning on letting our great pyreneese out during the day when we are at work so she is not kept in her kennel. We have an awning for shade and shelter, and we will be home around 4:30 or 5:00 each day to check on her. With that being said, we have had issues somewhat in our neighborhood, due to a busy road behind our house. I am not comfortable leaving my dog outside all day or at any time actually without some sort of security system to monitor and video my dog, in case someone was to stop or try to pester etc my dog. I have looked online and have found a ton of outdoor security cameras, however, I have no idea what I am even looking for. I want something that records so that if I come home and somethings amiss, I can check the recording to see what happened that day. I also am needing this to be wireless and obviously weatherproof. All information, models, reviews etc are greatly appreciated.
Rick B......If I find something amiss, the camera will help me to identify the vehicle that had stopped....I never once said my backyard was unsafe...I said we have had issues in the past (such as speeding cars....stolen lawn items) believe me I would not let my dog play outside if the area was a danger zone and I thought she would be harmed or killed, however, as a responsible adult, I would like to have eyes on the area when I cannot be around. I am very proud of you for taking such good care of your pet. I too live in a nice community outside of town, with a covered patio and a wooden fence surrounding my patio, both with gates and a doggy door for my 80 lb dog to retreat too if needed. I also have a locking gate on our chain link fence surrounding the rest of our yard. Once again, I never said that my area was a danger zone, but yes, I live in reality where every great once in a while there is a bratty kid that comes by speeding, or steals my neighbors lawn ornaments. I have d
Answer
Two types of systems:
1) Analog cameras connect to a DVR. The DVR connects to the computer network at your house. The DVR has the feature/functionality for the cameras (i.e., motion detection, send you email when an alarm event is triggered, local video storage for later review, etc.).
2) IP-network based cameras connect to the computer network at the house. The camera becomes a network node. For local video storage, a Network Video Recorder (NVR) is used.
Both methods have pros and cons. What I have found:
1) "Wireless camera" is an inaccurate description. The camera needs power (wire 1). For the first option, the wireless video signal is sent to a base station (or receiver). The receiver plugs into the DVR (video signal) and power (wires 2 and 3). Usually, these cameras are transmitting in the 2.4 Ghz range. This is a shared spectrum and can have interference from lots of sources - including wifi, garage door openers and cordless phones.
2) IP network cameras seem to be more expensive than the analog cameras. The imaging chip seems to be the first thing to go on any security camera, so I use the analog cams (connected to a DVR). The decent consumer cams start at about $150 or so. Less than this and I find myself replacing them at least annually - but at this price point (or higher), they seem to last a bit longer.
3) Because the DVR is on the network and maintains the features for the cameras - including network connectivity for remote viewing and storage, the cameras can be "dumb" = less expensive.
4) Set a budget. I like/use Swann and Lorex gear. It is more expensive than some others, but I have learned (the hard way) that you get what you pay for.
5) We don't know the yard layout. Generally, I would install cameras under the eaves of the house so they have some protection from the elements. We don't know where you are, but extreme heat and cold are not good for electronics. Installing under the eaves helps protect them from the elements (even though they are outdoor rated). If there are environmental extremes in your area, plan to replace the cameras often - or install them in protective housings. This also makes access to power a little easier if you go the wireless route. If you go with wired cameras, then running the single cable between a camera and the DVR may also be easier. That single cable has a couple of plugs on each side - one for power one for video.
You can have a mix of wired and wireless cameras.
6) Set a budget. For just the cameras and DVR, plan on about $1,000. If you can do the installation, great - otherwise, plan on that expense. Again, we don't know the layout... I suggest starting with a 8 or 9-camera DVR, but with 4 cameras. Example:
http://www.amazon.com/DVR8-3200-Channel-Digital-Recorder-SWDVK-832004S-US/dp/B00GBYMUNO
The DVR has a large internet hard drive, 4 cameras get you started and when you want to add more, you have capacity. You do not need to use Swann cameras... but these
http://www.amazon.com/Swann-SWPRO-760CAM-US-Pro-760-Wide-Angle-Camera/dp/B008B4K7O6
I like a lot.
If you choose to use only 4 cameras for your stated purpose, no big deal - add cameras to the front and side of the house if you want... or leave the channels unused.
7) You can provision the DVR to send you email when there is an "alarm". If you set up the motion detection areas, that can be an "alarm". Be careful with this - you can end up spamming yourself with unnecessary email alarm alerts.
8) If you are familiar with how routers work, you can set up remote access through your home's router and get into the DVR remotely (after you get an email alert) using a smartphone with an installed client or a computer (Windows or Macintosh).
9) POWER:
if you are concerned about power outages and losing video then some sort of power back-up will be needed. This is where the wired cameras are easier - with the power and video signal coming to a single place, the DVR and all cameras can be plugged into a "UPS" commonly used for computers. And if the DVR is located near the computer network router, that can be plugged into the UPS, too. If "wireless" cameras are used, then each camera will need its own battery backup power supply.
Two types of systems:
1) Analog cameras connect to a DVR. The DVR connects to the computer network at your house. The DVR has the feature/functionality for the cameras (i.e., motion detection, send you email when an alarm event is triggered, local video storage for later review, etc.).
2) IP-network based cameras connect to the computer network at the house. The camera becomes a network node. For local video storage, a Network Video Recorder (NVR) is used.
Both methods have pros and cons. What I have found:
1) "Wireless camera" is an inaccurate description. The camera needs power (wire 1). For the first option, the wireless video signal is sent to a base station (or receiver). The receiver plugs into the DVR (video signal) and power (wires 2 and 3). Usually, these cameras are transmitting in the 2.4 Ghz range. This is a shared spectrum and can have interference from lots of sources - including wifi, garage door openers and cordless phones.
2) IP network cameras seem to be more expensive than the analog cameras. The imaging chip seems to be the first thing to go on any security camera, so I use the analog cams (connected to a DVR). The decent consumer cams start at about $150 or so. Less than this and I find myself replacing them at least annually - but at this price point (or higher), they seem to last a bit longer.
3) Because the DVR is on the network and maintains the features for the cameras - including network connectivity for remote viewing and storage, the cameras can be "dumb" = less expensive.
4) Set a budget. I like/use Swann and Lorex gear. It is more expensive than some others, but I have learned (the hard way) that you get what you pay for.
5) We don't know the yard layout. Generally, I would install cameras under the eaves of the house so they have some protection from the elements. We don't know where you are, but extreme heat and cold are not good for electronics. Installing under the eaves helps protect them from the elements (even though they are outdoor rated). If there are environmental extremes in your area, plan to replace the cameras often - or install them in protective housings. This also makes access to power a little easier if you go the wireless route. If you go with wired cameras, then running the single cable between a camera and the DVR may also be easier. That single cable has a couple of plugs on each side - one for power one for video.
You can have a mix of wired and wireless cameras.
6) Set a budget. For just the cameras and DVR, plan on about $1,000. If you can do the installation, great - otherwise, plan on that expense. Again, we don't know the layout... I suggest starting with a 8 or 9-camera DVR, but with 4 cameras. Example:
http://www.amazon.com/DVR8-3200-Channel-Digital-Recorder-SWDVK-832004S-US/dp/B00GBYMUNO
The DVR has a large internet hard drive, 4 cameras get you started and when you want to add more, you have capacity. You do not need to use Swann cameras... but these
http://www.amazon.com/Swann-SWPRO-760CAM-US-Pro-760-Wide-Angle-Camera/dp/B008B4K7O6
I like a lot.
If you choose to use only 4 cameras for your stated purpose, no big deal - add cameras to the front and side of the house if you want... or leave the channels unused.
7) You can provision the DVR to send you email when there is an "alarm". If you set up the motion detection areas, that can be an "alarm". Be careful with this - you can end up spamming yourself with unnecessary email alarm alerts.
8) If you are familiar with how routers work, you can set up remote access through your home's router and get into the DVR remotely (after you get an email alert) using a smartphone with an installed client or a computer (Windows or Macintosh).
9) POWER:
if you are concerned about power outages and losing video then some sort of power back-up will be needed. This is where the wired cameras are easier - with the power and video signal coming to a single place, the DVR and all cameras can be plugged into a "UPS" commonly used for computers. And if the DVR is located near the computer network router, that can be plugged into the UPS, too. If "wireless" cameras are used, then each camera will need its own battery backup power supply.
What is the best affordable outdoor security camera?
Jen
Someone seems to think it is funny to throw beer bottles and garbage on our lawn. We are trying to catch them in the act. We think we know who it is, but we want to get a security camera to try to protect our property. Does anyone know who makes the best, affordable security cameras?
Answer
Get a CCTV camera with infrared night vision and CCD sensor - do not get a camera with a CMOS sensor, they are no good in the dark.
Get a camera with a high resolution (480) and and digital DVR than can record that resolution
Check out http://www.securitycameratutor.com for good advice and tips on security cameras
Get a CCTV camera with infrared night vision and CCD sensor - do not get a camera with a CMOS sensor, they are no good in the dark.
Get a camera with a high resolution (480) and and digital DVR than can record that resolution
Check out http://www.securitycameratutor.com for good advice and tips on security cameras
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