security cameras, these any good??

[ytre]

whats the thought on these guys and gals?
http://store.makro.co.uk/p-37407-swann-500gb-cctv-kit-with-2-cameras-swdvk-412002c-.aspx

 

[madkayaker]

For plug and play system there Probily as good as many. Have a look on Cpc.co.uk they often have a good range of 4 camera kits with recorder for same kind of money. Have fitted a couple of there kits and work well with decent picture and remote access over Internet etc

 

[Paul.]

I have the 4 channel system at home, maplins special, came with only 2 cameras but extras are dead cheap, I'm very pleased with it for the money, you can buy better, but you can also pay more.
If you have a fast internet connection and a smart phone you can set it up for remote viewing,
Here's a couple of last years trick or treat merchants captured when he spotted the camera, the kit comes with software to convert to computer format and take stills

 

[ytre]

Thanks madkayaker, got their catalogue today so will get a look

 

[madkayaker]

The ones I fitted last were outdoor rated units with built in IR illuminations nothing special but defiantly good enough to see what is happening. Just fitted a camera at work that is full pan tilt, zoom the lot and with IR (built in) at nigh can see 500m plus! It was 5k though so you expect all the bells and whistles.

 

[brightspark]

can they see through balaclavas

 

[Engineer1964]

I bought a 4 camera set up from Maplins in the sale for £299 Dead easy to set up and view from either your TV or a Monitor

You need to ensure that you get one with a Hard drive as the cheaper versions exclude the hard drive you need to pay for that extra.

You can even connect it to the internet and view it on your smart phone, god i' spent days trying to figure that out, but with no luck so if anyone has an easy way Please let me know.

Swann is a Good make by the way, but as been said Cpc.co.uk have some great deals on CCTV

 

[Shox Dr]

You can even connect it to the internet and view it on your smart phone, god i' spent days trying to figure that out, but with no luck so if anyone has an easy way Please let me know.

You need a static IP address

 

[arthur]

If you ISP does not offer static IP you can use Dyndns.com to update your dynamic IP automatically and associate it to a domain name of your choice, when you type the address into your browser it will forward you to the IP your router acquired and updated at Dyndns. So no need for a static IP.

Madkayaker what camera did you fit mate? Do you work with CCTV? I run a small CCTV service supply and fitting custom systems part time for spare cash so just interested..

I love the range of PTZ cameras so would love to know the spec, given you can spend £50,000.00 on a PTZ camera!


Re port forwarding and mobile viewing you will need to

Set your routers firewall to allow the IP of your DVR access to the net, open the ports in your router so for example if your DVR is 192.168.1.4 on port 80 then select game sharing (can be worded other) to open IP 192.168.1.4 port 80. Next your external IP needs to be noted if its dynamic it will change when ever your router requests a new one so then you will need to use Dyndns.com as I said if Static make a note of it, you can then use that IP to access your DVR, when you type the IP into a remote browser it will point to your router then your router will point to the IP of your DVR and open the viewing software, if your DVR supports Internet Explorer it will then install a plugin and let you view your cameras older DVRs needed there own software to be installed in windows to view the cameras.
If Internet Explored has a firewall or antivirus it also needs to be configured to allow access to said software or IP. For mobile viewing download the app for your device and phone then use the IP or domain you've setup. Simples....

 

[madkayaker]

http://cpc.farnell.com/x-vision/s4-450d-e4tx-160/dvr-4-vandel-dome-netw-160gb/dp/SR07704

this is the kit i have used last couple of times. recently installed a load of fixed domes with IR and motion detection at work not sure of make but will have a look monday. these included fibre converters (plug in module) and main converter to a DVR with remote control from other side of site (fibre again). some others recently gave a full 180 from one unit! the unit has four cameras within and patches the image together! this is where we get all the kit from for work http://www.norbain.co.uk


im not sure of the specs of most of the cameras as my role is normally when an "engineer" (not real ones think more IT crowd) bring me a bit and asks how do we "stick" this to a wall, lamp post etc etc! But in trough most is not that complex neater is fibre terminating.

 

[Dev]

A lot of home routers have an option to specify your dyndns settings on them to make like a bit easier.

You'll also want to configure the CCTV recorder with a static ip address.

 

[arthur]

Yep quite right, you've goto love anything that lets you keep an eye on your stuff!

 

[Dave Sherwood]

I have been using the Swann system,night time picture is excellent. It has already been used as evidence because of the clarity and both would be thieves convicted. I dont recommend the motion detector type, the three or four seconds between detecting and the recorder starting can miss intruders. The constant recording is best.

 

[GeorgiePorgie]

Just my tuppence worth.

Cameras with a CMOS chip are naff,cameras with a CCD chip are better and the higher the resolution the better the clarity of the pic.

Tigs,whats the same image like at 10 feet? no offence but that image is naff at 3to4 foot distance.

I got some cameras some years ago and it was naff reading a cars reg at 8 foot.

oops! sorry I meant scan rate not resolution, ie a scan rate of 325 lines is well below par for getting a detailed image.

 

[Paul.]

I have been using the Swann system,night time picture is excellent. It has already been used as evidence because of the clarity and both would be thieves convicted. I dont recommend the motion detector type, the three or four seconds between detecting and the recorder starting can miss intruders. The constant recording is best.

It dosen't work like that, the DVR is recording all the time, but recordings are overwritten unless a motion detect alarm is sensed, then it keeps a few seconds before the event, the event itself, and whatever post recording time you have set,
If the feature isn't working, go into the Alarm Config menu to enable it. Bottom of the menu, "Pre-Record",

 

[arthur]

Systems and cameras are getting better all the time, compression is improving as is camera resolution so the end result is much better! However! Ive has images that are as good as a pro photo shoot and the police have still had no luck with them, CCTV is only really of use to help resolve HOW they got in and other factors in the event of a crime, I use remote monitoring in conjunction with alarms to check instantly if I need to ACT! Some will avoid CCTV cameras but tbh real criminals don't give a crap about it, they just ware a hat or whatever, locks, detection and a BIG dog is the best bet..! IMO that is....

 

[Dev]

Two backpackers get lost in the wilderness when all of a sudden they see a cheetah stalking towards them.
The first backpacker throws off his pack, fishes out his trainers and starts putting them on.

The second says "Are you mad, that's a cheetah, the fastest animal on earth, there's no way you can outrun it!"

The first replies "I don't have to outrun the cheetah, just you"

The moral of the story is if your place looks more difficult than the neighbours you've a better chance they won't pick it.

Cameras like the one the swan uses are cheap now because they're more or less a dead end, there's only so much quality you can get up a single copper cable. The newest cameras use networking cable and baluns to deliver power over a spare twisted cable pair. They have a much higher maximum quality but of course come at a price to match.

 

[ronan]

A lot of firearms owners over here were told by the police to get monitored alarms fitted that rang a service who in turn ring the police in the case of the alarm being set off, the thieves now have jamming devices that can render these alarms useless with the push of a button, is it the same for the camera systems ? Can the signal etc be distorted making them worthless ?

 

[madkayaker]

i wouldn't think so as the systems mentined have been wired systems

 

[GeorgiePorgie]

the thieves now have jamming devices that can render these alarms useless with the push of a button, is it the same for the camera systems ? Can the signal etc be distorted making them worthless ?

Any radio signal can be jammed so long as you know its wavelength ie the common spy camera works on a frequency of 2.5Ghz for the uk.