Home Security Cameras?

[Toff]

Does anyone have any suggestions on decent home security camera systems that don't break the bank?

I have friends with them but none of them record very good video. For example with none of them can you read a licence plate in the street 30 feet away.

I would want 4 cameras with a DVR with inputs for 8 so I can expand in the future if need be.

I've done some research but they all say they are the best and its hard to tell what is actually good and what is not.

Weatherproof and nightvision is needed. Using a Cat 5 cable would be a nice bonus also as I have all the misc supplies for that. WiFi would be more than I want to pay I'm sure.

Any suggestions on products that you have used?

thanks

 

[mrrman]

I have the Swann setup and it works great. Costco, Frys sells them. Its an 8 Channel w 500 gig hd and 4 cameras expandable to 8

 

[JoeMcJoe]

http://www.microcenter.com/product/...num_HD_720p_IP_Cameras_and_100ft_Night_Vision

http://www.q-see.com/products/product_description.php?cId=129&pId=298&id=129&pid=109

 

[The Stigenator]

+1 for the Swann HD version.. well worth it.

 

[thekobyring]

[FONT=&quot]Swann? Are you sure they&#8217;re great? My brother used one but it&#8217;s not even great. >.<[/FONT]

 

[jaydenkintore]

As I have seen from the other forum, a Swann is great. Why do you keep complaining about Swann?

 

[Dar Nigh]

Swan is famous but not have nothing to do with good or bad, it orders from OEM manufacturer, we once to be one of their suppliers.

 

[spygadget]

<spam> in market have so many camera for this type of condition you can also buy online .

 

[Emilyyu]

I recommend you <spam> It works well and have a reasonable price compered to those famous brands

 

[jdoggg12]

The swann 2 1080p HD IP camera deal for $350 is very good. I've been doing a lot of research and these came very recommended. (OEM is Hikvision)

You'll want to pair that with a good NVR (network video recorder) or a PC with something like Blue Iris. Avoid wireless if you can, security and connectivity issues are often an issue.

 

[luv2liv]

The swann 2 1080p HD IP camera deal for $350 is very good. I've been doing a lot of research and these came very recommended. (OEM is Hikvision)

You'll want to pair that with a good NVR (network video recorder) or a PC with something like Blue Iris. Avoid wireless if you can, security and connectivity issues are often an issue.

is this the one you are talking about?
http://www.costco.com/Swann-1080p-2-Pack-HD-NVR-IP-Bullet-Cameras.product.100039914.html

i see it is power over ethernet. so i have to buy a special router? and then the special router plugs into my regular router? how does that work?

 

[JoeMcJoe]

is this the one you are talking about?
http://www.costco.com/Swann-1080p-2-Pack-HD-NVR-IP-Bullet-Cameras.product.100039914.html

i see it is power over ethernet. so i have to buy a special router? and then the special router plugs into my regular router? how does that work?

The cameras can be powered by either a 12 DC connection or by a POE switch.
Like one of these. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833181163

 

[alkemyst]

I have friends with them but none of them record very good video. For example with none of them can you read a licence plate in the street 30 feet away.

Very few big box setups can do accurate license plates at a distance.

I'd recommend www.cctvcamerapros.com They are local to me, veteran owned and operated and they are really nice guys. They had a few seminars showing off some of the technologies they sell and even provided a nice lunch.

 

[jdoggg12]

Very few big box setups can do accurate license plates at a distance.

I'd recommend www.cctvcamerapros.com They are local to me, veteran owned and operated and they are really nice guys. They had a few seminars showing off some of the technologies they sell and even provided a nice lunch.

That particular Costco setup is a rebranded Hikvision pair of cameras - 3MP sensor with WDR and great IR illumination. Most of the big box 1080p stuff is actually pretty good... because no one really makes a 1080p POE camera in the "low quality" side of things.

Other brands to pay attention to are Acti (e32 or e31) and Dahua. Personally, I think Hikvision gives the best value on a feature/quality per dollar basis

 

[alkemyst]

That particular Costco setup is a rebranded Hikvision pair of cameras - 3MP sensor with WDR and great IR illumination. Most of the big box 1080p stuff is actually pretty good... because no one really makes a 1080p POE camera in the "low quality" side of things.

Other brands to pay attention to are Acti (e32 or e31) and Dahua. Personally, I think Hikvision gives the best value on a feature/quality per dollar basis

License plate ID is a hard thing...I have yet to see a big box setup that can do it at night.

EDIT: yes, that Swann setup is good, but it's $350 for just the two cameras and that is higher end still for most.