Surveillance Cameras - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

GoinAllTheWay · 02-29-2012, 02:25 PM

Recently we had some yahoo toss a fire extinguisher through one of our windows here at work. Apparently a few months back, another office in the complex got it's front door kicked and and their entire office was tossed. Papers everywhere, close to $50k in damages. So because of this, I've been charged with setting up Surveillance cameras outside and inside the office.

I've been looking at the selection at Tiger Direct but have't really looked into them before so not sure what I'm looking for.

Can anyone suggest one of the systems on TD? Maybe another one you have/are using at the moment? We don't have the biggest budget, prolly around 1k on the high end but would like to be well under that if I could.

Also on question about the O/S running the system. Most of the adverstise the ability to take an picture when motion is detected and email it to you. Problem is, the area we are in has a pretty busy bar at night and worry that this thing is going to send us pics of everyone that walks by. Nice if it's a hottie but more often than not I doubt it. Is there any system where you can set only specifc cameras (ie, the internal ones) to be the only ones to actually email a pic if it detects motion and leave the outdoor cameras just to record the the DVR?

Rathji · 02-29-2012, 02:56 PM

I looked into this a bit recently and found that the best priced systems that were 'all in one' - ie I didn't need to know exactly which components I needed, was Costco. There were other places that might have been cheaper, but you had to buy the dvr, and each camera, mount and power supply etc separately and it was really confusing for me.

http://www.costco.ca/Common/Category...100&lang=en-CA

Looks like under $1k should be that bad to hit, depending on what exactly you need in terms of number of cameras etc

GoinAllTheWay · 02-29-2012, 03:37 PM

We are looking at 8 cameras but I think the main feature we need the most is good, clear night images. I have also been looking at bundles as well. Seems like the main knock is they are good during the day, "not bad" at night.

What places are selling the components seperatley? Maybe the right idea is to start with the DVR system and buy cameras each month. I found one camera that cost as much as some of the 8 camera all in one systems at TD. I'm sure the difference in quality is noticeable and I have no issue building this system over time.

Thanks for that link, didn't think to check Costco out.

To Be Quite Honest · 02-29-2012, 03:47 PM

Having Motion lights outside might be a good option as well.

GoinAllTheWay · 02-29-2012, 03:57 PM

/\/\

Was just thinking about that. This building has lights every 15 ft or so so it's not like these cameras will be looking into pitch black, reasonable well lit outside but not sure how much light they need to produce a good image.

Rathji · 02-29-2012, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoinAllTheWay

We are looking at 8 cameras but I think the main feature we need the most is good, clear night images. I have also been looking at bundles as well. Seems like the main knock is they are good during the day, "not bad" at night.

What places are selling the components seperatley? Maybe the right idea is to start with the DVR system and buy cameras each month. I found one camera that cost as much as some of the 8 camera all in one systems at TD. I'm sure the difference in quality is noticeable and I have no issue building this system over time.

Thanks for that link, didn't think to check Costco out.

I looked at Monoprice and a few other places that just seemed to be more of the same.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/de...t.asp?c_id=110

A coworker had tried the night vision options, and basically told me that they are not even close to worth it. I don't know if that means they are no good for what you need though.

Hack&Lube · 02-29-2012, 07:18 PM

Night images are hard to grab adequately. I would consider mounting infra-red motion lights (will be invisible to trespassers) to illuminate the area. Most digital cameras should be able to pick up infra-red automatically by nature if they don't have infra-red filters.

Night vision won't work as well unless you go with very expensive systems since it only amplifies existing light.

Vulcan · 02-29-2012, 08:06 PM

Maybe just get a guard dog.

pylon · 02-29-2012, 10:18 PM

I just ordered this system from Tigerdirect.

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...3&Sku=O38-2520

Price seemed very reasonably, and it includes everything you need. Hasn't shown up yet, but when it does I'll give you feedback.

fredr123 · 03-01-2012, 08:36 AM

Didn't FlamesGimp have a decent night system to catch those jokers in the pickup truck?

GoinAllTheWay · 03-01-2012, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

Night images are hard to grab adequately. I would consider mounting infra-red motion lights (will be invisible to trespassers) to illuminate the area. Most digital cameras should be able to pick up infra-red automatically by nature if they don't have infra-red filters.

Night vision won't work as well unless you go with very expensive systems since it only amplifies existing light.

A lot of the systems I've been looking at have IR LED's built around the lense of the camera. Would that be the same thing?

Clarkey · 05-26-2012, 09:02 PM

Do any of you other guys have input or updates on this? Some jerkwads have been prowling in cars in my burbs.

GoinAllTheWay · 05-28-2012, 10:08 AM

We wound up buying a Lorex Edge system from Costco for around $800. System inlcuded 4 cameras (which can expand to 8), a 1TB HD and a touch screen monitor. It took a bit of work running the lines to where we needed the cameras but once running, the system was actually quite impressive. Good picture during the day, even better at night when they switch to night vision. Overall I'd say we are pretty happy with it. We haven't connected it to the net yet but that is next.

Milt Schmidt · 05-28-2012, 10:54 AM

If you have the patience to learn a bit of Linux, and a spare pc kicking around somewhere, there's an open source app called Zoneminder that you could check out. I haven't used it myself but I've heard good things, here's a review I found (a bit add that there's an enthusiast community for security cameras, different strokes I guess)

https://ipcamnetwork.wordpress.com/2...-nvr-software/

Milt

shane_c · 09-17-2015, 01:11 PM

Thought I'd bump this old thread....

I'm considering a camera system for around my property so that I can keep an eye on things. I prefer it to be wireless because I don't feel like burying and running wires and I'd like to have 4-6 cameras. Both day/night vision cameras are needed. The cameras will be mounted outdoors so need to be weatherproof. Something in the $500 range would be nice. Any suggestions?

GoinAllTheWay · 09-17-2015, 01:59 PM

$500 for 4-6 weather resistant cameras is going to be tough, if not impossible. Been a while since I've looked last but there are certainly decent offerings for cameras that will withstand our weather. MemoryExpress had some in stock last time I was there, I'd check them out.

psicodude · 09-17-2015, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shane_c

Thought I'd bump this old thread....

I'm considering a camera system for around my property so that I can keep an eye on things. I prefer it to be wireless because I don't feel like burying and running wires and I'd like to have 4-6 cameras. Both day/night vision cameras are needed. The cameras will be mounted outdoors so need to be weatherproof. Something in the $500 range would be nice. Any suggestions?

http://www.arlo.com/en-us/

I have this at home, and it's awesome for personal use.

I-Hate-Hulse · 09-17-2015, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psicodude

http://www.arlo.com/en-us/

I have this at home, and it's awesome for personal use.

Damn, this was a "shut up and take my money!" moment until I saw this:

Operating Temperature Range: 32° to 122° F (0° to 50° C)

Isn't going to do much for me in Calgary for about 6 months of the year...

psicodude · 09-17-2015, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I-Hate-Hulse

Damn, this was a "shut up and take my money!" moment until I saw this:

Operating Temperature Range: 32° to 122° F (0° to 50° C)

Isn't going to do much for me in Calgary for about 6 months of the year...

I haven't owned it through a winter yet, but there are several forum posts on their website of owners who claim it works fine in -20. They do mention that the cameras can frost up, of course, but I'm not sure there is a way to avoid that without a special enclosure. My guess is that the lithium batteries (CR123 size, btw) are the weak link for cold.

I will be happy to update this thread over the coming months.