I need to fit a CCTV system and regularly get adverts promoting the Swan system (plug and play) with some large discounts. I know there are a few specialist on here so would appreciate any advice. The other option would be to build a system up from individual components which there are readily available from the many internet based sellers. Any thoughts and guidance please?
- Thread starter Mikes
- Start date
Swann kits are just bits they have put in a box and call a kit. You get premade cables which you can buy yoursef and are not limited to their type of cameras.
What is your budget and how electrically competent/willing to learn are you?
Do you live in a built up area or rural, how far are the cable runs from where you would like to place the cameras to where you would like to put the recorder.
How much time do you have or are willing to put into installing it....
Do you need remote viewing (ie looking at your system from a phone or tablet while you are not there?
What is your budget and how electrically competent/willing to learn are you?
Do you live in a built up area or rural, how far are the cable runs from where you would like to place the cameras to where you would like to put the recorder.
How much time do you have or are willing to put into installing it....
Do you need remote viewing (ie looking at your system from a phone or tablet while you are not there?
james butler
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- birmingham england
mines ok and been up for a good while now
however as has been said diy kits can be put together better for the same money
one of the main issues is power supply, if someone gets access to one camera and shorts the supply it pops the camera transformer killing all the cameras connected to that supply hence the need to hide the cables well and make cameras inaccessible
alternatively you can get multiple power supplies with each feed on a separate fuse so if one is shorted it doesn't take out the others too
however as has been said diy kits can be put together better for the same money
one of the main issues is power supply, if someone gets access to one camera and shorts the supply it pops the camera transformer killing all the cameras connected to that supply hence the need to hide the cables well and make cameras inaccessible
alternatively you can get multiple power supplies with each feed on a separate fuse so if one is shorted it doesn't take out the others too
Thanks for the replies. I'm competent in electrical matters and don't mind how difficult it is to assemble within reason. I was intending to mount cameras under the eaves of the house mainly to cover the drive and a side way. I don't really want to have access to viewing on the mobile just the normal recording. I'm hoping it will act as a deterrent as much as anything. From what you have said, I will probably pass on the Swan kit and build a system up from individual components. Interesting point about the camera power supply. I'm hoping that all of the wiring will be within the house loft so out of reach of the bad lads.
brightspark
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not 2 bad but not great professionals use hikvision and they are the best .swan is mickeymouse 
These cameras are very good:
Get one of these DVR's: (you need a 1TB hard drive as a minimum too)
Get a pair of these for each cameras:
get one of these for each camera at camera end, you need the male ones:
These are not the best but they have resetting fuses and most other suppliers use some version of these:
You can just use a bit of flex and plug them into a socket if you are not confident wiring them to a spur.
With this lot you need some cat 5 or 6 cable.
Use 2 pairs for power and 2 pairs for video. Try and site the psu close to the recorder then go into the psu with the cables peel back the sheathing carefully and cut the power pair from each cable and wire that into psu and carry on with the cable to the back of the DVR and use the remaining pair with the balus to connect to the back of the dvr.
Be neat and thorough with your terminations as 90% of issues with new installs is crappy workmanship.
One trick to adjusting cameras on your own is to video call a tablet or phone and have some one hold the phone or tablet on the screen while you adjust it.
You also need a monitor or you can connect it to your tv if you have a spare hdmi input. But you have to get that cable from your tv to the dvr.
Also remember if your dvr gets taken all your footage goes with it.
If you cant push the connections into a cavity behind the camera you can get a round junction box that the camera is screwed onto to give you some room to put the connections into.
Hope that lot makes sense.
Good luck
Hikvision ColorVu 5 MP Fixed Turret Camera - White (DS-2CE72HFT-F28) for sale online | eBay
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Hikvision ColorVu 5 MP Fixed Turret Camera - White (DS-2CE72HFT-F28) at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!
www.ebay.co.uk
Get one of these DVR's: (you need a 1TB hard drive as a minimum too)
Hikvision DS-7204HUHI-K1/P 4 Channel CCTV Recorder TVI Turbo HD 4.0 4CH 5MP DVR | eBay
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Hikvision DS-7204HUHI-K1/P 4 Channel CCTV Recorder TVI Turbo HD 4.0 4CH 5MP DVR at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.
www.ebay.co.uk
Get a pair of these for each cameras:
Pardon our interruption...
www.ebay.co.uk
get one of these for each camera at camera end, you need the male ones:
12V DC Male Female Power Balun Connector Cable Adapter Jack Plug for CCTV CAMERA | eBay
Simple to install. The 2.1mm DC Plug features a DC 2.1mm plug and connector with mark polarity. MALE CONNECTOR 5.5mm x 2.1mm FEMALE power plug connector with marked polarity. No electrical tap, No splicing, no crimping, but only a small screw driver.
www.ebay.co.uk
These are not the best but they have resetting fuses and most other suppliers use some version of these:
Pardon our interruption...
www.ebay.co.uk
You can just use a bit of flex and plug them into a socket if you are not confident wiring them to a spur.
With this lot you need some cat 5 or 6 cable.
Use 2 pairs for power and 2 pairs for video. Try and site the psu close to the recorder then go into the psu with the cables peel back the sheathing carefully and cut the power pair from each cable and wire that into psu and carry on with the cable to the back of the DVR and use the remaining pair with the balus to connect to the back of the dvr.
Be neat and thorough with your terminations as 90% of issues with new installs is crappy workmanship.
One trick to adjusting cameras on your own is to video call a tablet or phone and have some one hold the phone or tablet on the screen while you adjust it.
You also need a monitor or you can connect it to your tv if you have a spare hdmi input. But you have to get that cable from your tv to the dvr.
Also remember if your dvr gets taken all your footage goes with it.
If you cant push the connections into a cavity behind the camera you can get a round junction box that the camera is screwed onto to give you some room to put the connections into.
Hope that lot makes sense.
Good luck
Thanks Arash for that very comprehensive list of components. Will be interesting to start getting some prices for these bits. I'm now just concerned about covering my driveway without getting the next door house front door as I believe you have to be careful with recording CCTV. Think I might have to put a bit more fence up as wouldn't want the bad boys sneaking up their drive to scout past the camera.
You can digitally mask any area on the recorder if that helps you. I think there are some vids on youtube that show you how to do it but it some are old and the dvr firmware gets updated... I linked to ebay sellers so that you don't have to navigate trade suppliers but I don't have any connection to any of the sellers so shop around and use what suits you.
james butler
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to be completely honest with you cameras most definately ARE NOT a deterrant for theives especially in the midlands
look on youtube for the hours of footage of houses being broken into and cars being stolen.
so i would ask the neighbor if they mind their drive/path being overlooked then with permision it wont matter either way.
also make sure signage for your cctv is also visable, ive heard of footage being inadmisable because of a lack of warning
brightspark
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my cameras cover the footpaths and road outside my house .the old bill have called round a few times for footage . one was an armed robber in a stolen car who had rammed a police car and drove over the curb to escape busting the sump and it siezed outside our house.
he got out out looked round and casualy walked off 
the vid was that good they felt his collar an hour later 
a month later got a letter from the courts thanking me and the dude got 9 years he fessed up and didnt know it was my cameras that nailed him thank god still have the cd of it somewhereSeems to be the police are using 'private' CCTV frequently. My brother had a note through the door from the local police to ask if he had any CCTV footage from the night that a Range Rover was stolen from a house a few doors along.my cameras cover the footpaths and road outside my house .the old bill have called round a few times for footage . one was an armed robber in a stolen car who had rammed a police car and drove over the curb to escape busting the sump and it siezed outside our house.
james butler
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likewise had a few knocks of the door for footagemy cameras cover the footpaths and road outside my house .the old bill have called round a few times for footage . one was an armed robber in a stolen car who had rammed a police car and drove over the curb to escape busting the sump and it siezed outside our house.
last one was 3 weeks ago the neighbor up the road had the catalytic converter nicked off a 2019 plate auris
marlinspike
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Bit late to the party, but we have a Swann system from Costco, around £200 about 3 years ago, and have been very happy with it. Night footage isn't that great, but we have no lights to illuminate the drive so that doesn't help. Reliability wise it has been excellent though.
the snooper
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I have a swan DVR and another I use similar, I got the kit given, 8 cameras and all the bits to go with it brand new so I fitted it, it's ok and that's about all you can say, not really good images especially when you zoom in, it gets very pixelated. I think I will change it in time for something much clearer
