Security Cameras

Mark · June 03, 2013, 04:24:46 PM

We are looking for some good outdoor security cameras for our building. I'm looking for something with DVR functionality -- either server based (I can spin up a VM) or hardware based (comes with a DVR of some sort).

any suggestions/pointers/freethousanddollargiveaways?

Jeff Golas · June 03, 2013, 04:47:00 PM

Go with IP cams, a little more expensive but much more flexible in what/how you can DVR them. I have a few WIFI ip cams at home I scored at rat shack on cleareance a while back and they work pretty good - can even do motion detection and minimal DVR.

Be aware that if you go with any wireless 2.4ghz cams, those are accessible/wardriveable (is that a word?). Not necessarily an issue per se unless there's a problem with just anybody seeing what those cameras see. Outside is prob not a big deal.

Mark · June 03, 2013, 04:52:50 PM

Since WiFi is a broadcast technology, I expect anything WiFi to be "wardriveable." This will be on a completely separate network, too.

I would like to go with WiFi based IP cameras and was hoping for a recommendation to cover our parking lot in two places and also the front of the building. I know there is an awesome Open Source project that I feel like start's with a Z but can't think of it right now...

So, 3-4 outdoor cameras with acceptable day AND night resolution and DVR-able. Will likely measure the parking lot so I know what I'm looking for while shopping.

Adri · June 03, 2013, 04:59:59 PM

Vandalism Mark?

Mark · June 03, 2013, 05:03:34 PM

Yes and no. We have been talking about this for a few years.

Alice Mooney · June 03, 2013, 08:50:19 PM

see if you can position one to catch the license plate of the cars as they leave or enter the parking area. AZ doesn't require a front plate so we caught them as they were leaving. Was able to prosecute someone for vandalism with that

Jeff Zylstra · June 04, 2013, 09:02:14 AM

A timely discussion for us. Our office is located on 5 acres with houses around it, but not too close. We have had everything from booze bottles to other evidence of partying, to 72" TVs in the dumpsters, to oil drums being dropped by our dumpster. It doesn't happen often and the trash pickup folks have been fantastic when it does, but there are many reasons to have cameras.

Mark · June 04, 2013, 09:32:21 AM

Yeah, I brought up cameras a while back after I think Jim was talking about having a camera to see his front desk area. They were interested, but it wasn't a serious need. We have a tenant who parks a company vehicle overnight here and it was recently destroyed when someone tried to steel it. they didn't get anywhere, but the column is destroyed and the vehicle wont start. The tenant uses it to haul computer parts and equipment. It was LOADED with computer stuff, ladders, tools, and who knows what else. Not one item was missing.

I think that was kind of the last straw. It's camera time!

Jeff Zylstra · June 04, 2013, 09:41:11 AM

Quote from: Mark on June 04, 2013, 09:32:21 AM
Yeah, I brought up cameras a while back after I think Jim was talking about having a camera to see his front desk area. They were interested, but it wasn't a serious need. We have a tenant who parks a company vehicle overnight here and it was recently destroyed when someone tried to steel it. they didn't get anywhere, but the column is destroyed and the vehicle wont start. The tenant uses it to haul computer parts and equipment. It was LOADED with computer stuff, ladders, tools, and who knows what else. Not one item was missing.

I think that was kind of the last straw. It's camera time!

Us insurance folk might call your neighbor an "attractive nuisance". Just the knowledge that the 2 most heavily stolen items (computers and tools) are readily available attracts an unsavory crowd. Cameras will help discourage that. Don't forget to advertise their presence, since prevention is what you're really after anyway.

Jon Robinson · June 04, 2013, 10:16:09 AM

I recently set up a couple around my house. We have had a couple car breakins in our neighborhood.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006ZP8UOW/ref=oh_details_o09_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Also I use a free software called ispy. Its free as long as its on the same LAN, you can pay like 5$ a month and get remote access including android app. It ties into any type of camera and can store on your pc.

Mark · June 04, 2013, 10:20:34 AM

Cool. I think zoneminder is the route I want to go for software. I can spin up a VM and expand storage as needed. Thinking that might be the route to go. I just need good outdoor cameras that will cover a decent distance -- gotta get out there and measure distance from possible mounting points to the furthest area we want to cover.

Jim Jensen · June 04, 2013, 11:47:43 AM

We experienced car vandalism/break-ins at a non-profit office building where I serve as a board member. We installed some cameras that covered the parking lot and were able to be added to the DVR system already in place and the issues quit immediately. Don't know what the system is or what kind of cameras they have though. Could check if you need some more source info.

DebAmstutz · June 04, 2013, 12:36:21 PM

The dumpsters here in the office park have signs that they're monitored, but I've yet to locate a camera. I'm not sure how anyone would know who was dumping anything out of the ordinary because not every office uses the same cleaning service so the people putting stuff in the dumpsters is not always the same and most likely not at the same time frame all the time. I've tossed in paper bags with mice in traps and never heard anything about it, and I am not one of the regular people putting stuff in the dumpsters.

Jim Jensen · June 04, 2013, 01:33:25 PM

Quote from: DebAmstutz on June 04, 2013, 12:36:21 PM
The dumpsters here in the office park have signs that they're monitored, but I've yet to locate a camera. I'm not sure how anyone would know who was dumping anything out of the ordinary because not every office uses the same cleaning service so the people putting stuff in the dumpsters is not always the same and most likely not at the same time frame all the time. I've tossed in paper bags with mice in traps and never heard anything about it, and I am not one of the regular people putting stuff in the dumpsters.

This kind of use isn't what they're worried about - it's people leaving couches, giant TVs, containers of oil, or as the self-storage place next to us found out - the unknown containers with some sort of acid in them. They had to call out haz-mat and shut down a major thoroughfare for that one (while keeping us in our building the whole time). Seeing someone in a hazmat moon suit walk past your window isn't a comforting feeling.

Mark · June 06, 2013, 09:34:48 AM

So, I measured the parking lot today and guess I expected the furthest distance to be a lot more than it actually is. Depending on mounting location, I only need a distance of about 100 feet or a little less to satisfy our needs.

have looked at a handful of cameras thios morning and yesterday and am kind of looking at this one: http://www.amazon.com/Foscam-FI8905W-Outdoor-Wireless-Camera/dp/tech-data/B004OWXPXE/ref=de_a_smtd

Any comments? Suggestions for similar/better cameras? I will be using Zoneminder for the software. Already have a VM spun up for it and plenty of DVR space allocated.