CCTV camera, monitor & DVR

[isketi]

Hi folks. I have several questions about surveillance cams and stuff related to them:

1) Are there weatherproof wireless security cams? If there are, do they work via Bluetooth or WiFi? What is the range of their signal?

2) How do they produce the 4-in-1 image on the monitors wherein you see 4 different camera images on each quadrant of the screen? Is it produced by the monitor itself or a separate video device?

3) How many hours/days of video can a regular DVR store?

Trying to set-up a home security system. Thanks.

[ghosthunter]

1) Are there weatherproof wireless security cams? If there are, do they work via Bluetooth or WiFi? What is the range of their signal?

There are wireless cameras but they use their own frequency. And wireless security cameras come with their own receivers. So far, I haven't seen a weatherproof wireless cameras though.

2) How do they produce the 4-in-1 image on the monitors wherein you see 4 different camera images on each quadrant of the screen? Is it produced by the monitor itself or a separate video device?

The 4-in-1 image or similar is produced by the DVR machine. So you just plug in the cameras to the DVR and the output is already 4-in-1 or 8-in-1 or whatever capacity the DVR has.

3) How many hours/days of video can a regular DVR store?

Depends on the hard disk capacity and video resolution used per camera. Typical 80gig HDD could last 30 to 40 days at normal resolution with four cameras. But with other systems (like the one I setup at our office), it can last 30 days with eight cameras because I have set the frame rate from 30fps to 15fps.

[isketi]

Thanks sir ghosthunter.

Looks like it will be "wired" cameras for us since we plan to install them outdoors, concealed but exposed to the sun and rain.

[Burai]

san po nakakabili ng mga yan and how much po kaya? my friend was asking me this same problem weeks ago, wala lang ako masyado masagot kung san ko siya ipupunta. good thing may nabasa akong ganitong thread dito sa tsikot pa tulong narin po

[isketi]

Sa Rover Security Systems sa Gilmore near St Paul's QC. Di ko alam yung pangalan nung building pero dun sa merong Shakey's sa unahan. Sa loob-looban pa nung building yung pwesto nila.

Kung gusto mo makamura, try Raon/Quiapo area.

[Autobeat]

isketi, nice thread. Interested rin pang home security system.

Hope you could share pricing and reviews once you get your system na.

[ghosthunter]

san po nakakabili ng mga yan and how much po kaya? my friend was asking me this same problem weeks ago, wala lang ako masyado masagot kung san ko siya ipupunta. good thing may nabasa akong ganitong thread dito sa tsikot pa tulong narin po

You can start with the DIY shops (like ACE hardware) as a starting point.

But usually I drop by MC home depo at Ortigas Center. There is a store there that sells the whole system. So if you need a whole system or simply a new DVR or camera, its nearly a one stop shop. Prices will vary depending on the stuff you buy. Best to know what you want to use it for (lighting, clarity, etc) before you go shopping for this stuff.

DVRs can be as simply as a stand alone recorder or as complex as a web connected system. A DVR can also be made out of a standard computer.

[ghosthunter]

Sa Rover Security Systems sa Gilmore near St Paul's QC. Di ko alam yung pangalan nung building pero dun sa merong Shakey's sa unahan. Sa loob-looban pa nung building yung pwesto nila.

Kung gusto mo makamura, try Raon/Quiapo area.

Yup, that place also has a lot of shops selling camera systems.

[ghosthunter]

isketi, nice thread. Interested rin pang home security system.

Hope you could share pricing and reviews once you get your system na.

Cameras can differ a lot. Standard video camera will also vary with it's resolution capability.

For best results especially for external locations, use a camera with infra-red emitters. For larger areas which is prone to be dark, you can add extra infra-red emitters to "illuminate" the dark areas in infra-red only if those areas are out of range for the infra-red from the camera.

[isketi]

isketi, nice thread. Interested rin pang home security system.

Hope you could share pricing and reviews once you get your system na.

Thanks.

Yes I will.

[isketi]

A DVR can also be made out of a standard computer.

I was thinking of doing this also but I'm wary about running the CPU 24/7 as it might overheat.

[ghosthunter]

I was thinking of doing this also but I'm wary about running the CPU 24/7 as it might overheat.

no... it won't. I have had PC systems running 24/7 for a few YEARS. The only time they were shut down were when their PSUs gave out or when the black outs lasted longer than the UPS backups.

You will just have to setup the unit properly. For one, fast video cards mean they need active cooling. But fans on video cards tend to fail within a year. Best to find video cards that don't need active cooling. Those with heat sinks only are the preferred. Install one or two quality ventilation fans inside to vent and circulate the air in the casing. Use good quality PSUs or redundant PSU setups. Install dust filters when possible. The aim is to create a low maintenance setup that requires as little maintenance as possible.

Funny thing is, I have a P3/800 running 24/7 for over 5 years built from old salvaged parts from other clone PCs that have failed. Its only new parts are a DVD-writer and a two year old 250gig HDD used to store my downloaded ******* files.

[oj88]

Got my wireless IP cameras from CDR-King... been using them for several months now to monitor my home and garage from the office.... and to see if my son is studying... hehehe

The DVR running on a 24x7 laptop:


View of the garage and cameras:


One of the cameras:


I plan to add more cameras in the future to cover more of my home and perimeter.

[rion]

medyo ot: how about your son's privacy sir?

[oj88]

medyo ot: how about your son's privacy sir?

I don't think it's going to be a problem. He's aware that big brother (or big daddy, as is the case) is watching. ;)

[ghosthunter]

I would have used a smaller and hidden camera for your son's room.

Anyway, the garage cam would have been better if you painted a bit to make it blend better in the background.

Downside with wireless IP cameras is there is so many things that can go wrong. Power is just one item. If the wifi connection is via a router, that can also go down because either it was hacked or it simply failed. But the positive side is if it all works, you feel like a god being omni-present anywhere in the house with the laptop DVR.

BTW, is the software used (Ultraview) come free with the Encore wifi-IP cameras?

[oj88]

I would have used a smaller and hidden camera for your son's room.

Anyway, the garage cam would have been better if you painted a bit to make it blend better in the background.

Downside with wireless IP cameras is there is so many things that can go wrong. Power is just one item. If the wifi connection is via a router, that can also go down because either it was hacked or it simply failed. But the positive side is if it all works, you feel like a god being omni-present anywhere in the house with the laptop DVR.

BTW, is the software used (Ultraview) come free with the Encore wifi-IP cameras?

No need to have a hidden camera for my son's study area. It's not an issue if he sees or know about it. I don't intend to scold him if I see him loitering instead of studying... I just call/txt up my wife and tell her to check on the child without making any indication to him that I'm the tattletale.

I have plans to centralize the power (5VDC) for all cameras and have it battery backed-up. The laptop also has a battery that can last 2 to 2.5 hours. My router, a headless P4/2GHz running ClarkConnect router software (Linux-based), is connected to a 1kVA UPS that can sustain it for close to two hours. The two wireless APs and a switch also runs off of the UPS.

The router software has IPS and IDS built-in, so any hacking attempts are logged and blocked for 24 hours.

The IP cams also supports motion detection and can either start recording or sets off an alarm when it senses motion (the latter feature requiring 3rd party software like WebcamXP). However, I keep the recording running 24x7 and I set it to cycle every 30 days to free up hard disk space.

One good advantage of wireless IP cams is that they can be installed virtually anywhere in my home where there's a power outlet and WiFi coverage. They can also be viewed by me from anywhere on the Internet or the LAN/WLAN network of my home (you have to log in first, of course).

Ultraview came free with the IP cams. It has support for up to 16 IP cameras.

[ghosthunter]

i see you have prepared for most contingencies in each level of your IP camera network.

Kulang na lang camera sa bedroom. :hide:

[oj88]

i see you have prepared for most contingencies in each level of your IP camera network.

Kulang na lang camera sa bedroom. :hide:

That'll happen in phase 6 of my work. hehe

[woohoo]

Good to know someone reliable has good reviews on CD-R King's wireless IP cameras.

I'm planning on getting some for my home.

Any updates on your project, sir oj88?