Help a newbie find the right video surveillance equipment

[Mark]

I'm looking at getting up to 4 cameras to mount throughout my property.
Probably all will be outside, so weatherproof is a factor.

I've done lots of looking around, but there doesn't seem to be just the right
camera out there. This is the closest I've found:

http://smarthome.com/7537B.html


But it doesn't have audio and the resolution is a little lower than I'd like.
If this had audio and was closer to 400 lines, I'd be happy. I like the idea
of the automatic mode switching to give me 24/7 coverage.

I don't want wireless. I also need the ability to pump the camera signal
through upwards of 500' of cable (don't know if that's a big deal or not since
most only talk about 60-100' of included cable).

And, lastly, I need the ability to put all 4 cameras in to a mixer (or
whatever you call it) so that I can display all 4 on 1 screen - or record all
4 at once.

Thanks for any pointers.

 

[Frank Olson]

I'm looking at getting up to 4 cameras to mount throughout my property.
Probably all will be outside, so weatherproof is a factor.

I've done lots of looking around, but there doesn't seem to be just the right
camera out there. This is the closest I've found:

http://smarthome.com/7537B.html


But it doesn't have audio and the resolution is a little lower than I'd like.
If this had audio and was closer to 400 lines, I'd be happy. I like the idea
of the automatic mode switching to give me 24/7 coverage.

I don't want wireless. I also need the ability to pump the camera signal
through upwards of 500' of cable (don't know if that's a big deal or not since
most only talk about 60-100' of included cable).

And, lastly, I need the ability to put all 4 cameras in to a mixer (or
whatever you call it) so that I can display all 4 on 1 screen - or record all
4 at once.

You'll want to have a look at the "Night Hawks" at
http://www.silentwitness.com. There are loads of other choices as well...

http://www.yoursecuritysource.com/systems.htm... If you need more help, any
of the on line dealers at http://www.yoursecuritysource.com/buyingonline.htm
will be glad to assist! Or post additional questions here...

Either way, you're looking for professional grade CCTV equipment. A four
camera multiplexer may suit your present needs, but if you might see
yourself needing a bit more, you might consider going with an eight camera
one.

Good luck!!

 

[Mark]

You'll want to have a look at the "Night Hawks" at
http://www.silentwitness.com. There are loads of other choices as well...

http://www.yoursecuritysource.com/systems.htm... If you need more help, any
of the on line dealers at http://www.yoursecuritysource.com/buyingonline.htm
will be glad to assist! Or post additional questions here...

Either way, you're looking for professional grade CCTV equipment. A four
camera multiplexer may suit your present needs, but if you might see
yourself needing a bit more, you might consider going with an eight camera
one.

Good luck!!

I think 4 cameras will do what I want for quite some time. One of my concerns
is to be able to catch vehicles and their license plates. With a multiplexer
effectively making each camera 75% smaller on the screen, is this going to be a
problem or should I look at dedicating that camera to its own recorder ?

Thanks for the other links.....lots of homework to do still.....

 

[Frank Olson]

I think 4 cameras will do what I want for quite some time. One of my concerns
is to be able to catch vehicles and their license plates. With a multiplexer
effectively making each camera 75% smaller on the screen, is this going to be a
problem or should I look at dedicating that camera to its own recorder ?

License plates are a toughie in any situation. Most license plates use
reflective paint. Unfortunately it winds up working really well reflecting
IR energy. You're going to have to position your cameras very carefully and
may have to go with IR illuminators in seperate housings located remotely
from the camera. You can look at some here: http://www.extremecctv.com.
Unfortunately there's no "how to" manual for something like what you want.
It's all a matter of experimenting with the cameras and illuminators to get
the best picture. I'd suggest that you order a "vari-focal" lens with one
camera and test it in the different locations you want, then order the
additional cameras and lenses to suit.

Thanks for the other links.....lots of homework to do still.....

"Aint" the internet grand?? )

 

[Mark]

License plate capture isn't all that difficult. It is expensive though.

http://www.cctvvideo.com/licplatcapse.html

Yea, that's a little out of my price range.

The way I figure it, during the night, I'll still be able to catch the rear
plate when the car is leaving without any obscuring lights. There is ONLY one
way in and out of my place with a vehicle. About 1/2 the cars here have front
plates anyway. It depends on the "style" you have as to whether or not it's
mandatory.

 

[Rory]

i agree, ExtremeCCTV's products do DO the job, but they do require
some setup and time involved, at least in the instances i used them.
but they do work once you are willing to get more involved in the
project than with a normal camera I had to go in the daytime and
the night time, to set up my IR cameras, and play with them some to
get the best possible picture, and allas they were great.

Not too sure how the REG cameras work, but most likely still need
toset them up at nighttime and daytime. Apparently they are using them
in the UK all over the place now.

Rory

 

[Rory]

also Extreme's lrx technology allows the outer picture to be very
dark, while the inner picture kills any glare and gives a great shot,
so far on 2 of their LRX cameras I used, a dome, and a traditional
camera. Pricey though.

 

[Frank Olson]

Yea, that's a little out of my price range.

The way I figure it, during the night, I'll still be able to catch the rear
plate when the car is leaving without any obscuring lights.

Nope... at night, the rear plate is illuminated by the vehicles aquisition
lights (which tend to "light up" the reflective paint on the plate itself).
You also have the red tail lights to contend with and the fact that you'll
wind up being blinded if he steps on (or rides) the brake pedal... Again...
It's not as simple as you might think and will take some "tweaking" to get
perfect. This means positioning the IR illuminator and camera at the
optimum viewing angle and height (as I mentioned earlier). You also have to
take into consideration the setting and rising sun... Which way is your
driveway angled?? Do they use photo radar in your area? How many plates do
you see with the special covers on them that are supposed to help "defeat"
even the super high resolution cameras they use??

There is ONLY one
way in and out of my place with a vehicle. About 1/2 the cars here have front
plates anyway. It depends on the "style" you have as to whether or not it's
mandatory.

Great... front plates... Now you have to contend with quartz halogen
head-lamps... Really great sources of IR energy... Lens flare... and if
the camera's auto iris is enabled you'll wind up with plates so dark you
can't read them for anything...

 

[Mark]

Nope... at night, the rear plate is illuminated by the vehicles aquisition
lights (which tend to "light up" the reflective paint on the plate itself).

I'm capturing license plates today with those cheezy x10 wireless cams. Rear
plates at night isn't a problem for me today with regards to lighting, but image
quality is.

Oh - I'm doing this without an IR illuminator either. The light from the plate
lamp is just enough to get me a barely readable plate. Sometimes I can't read
the plate solely because the image is too fuzzy - not because it's incorrectly
lit.

I'm fortunate enough to have a tree near my driveway that cars must pass a
little more than 12" from - so I get a nice tight shot.

You also have the red tail lights to contend with and the fact that you'll
wind up being blinded if he steps on (or rides) the brake pedal...

Fortunately I haven't see anyone ride the brake out of my long driveway. Where
I would have the new camera placed, there wouldn't be a need to be on the brake
at that point (not even close). I will have to test this with my vehicle to see
what I get for results.

Again...
It's not as simple as you might think and will take some "tweaking" to get
perfect. This means positioning the IR illuminator and camera at the
optimum viewing angle and height (as I mentioned earlier). You also have to
take into consideration the setting and rising sun... Which way is your
driveway angled?? Do they use photo radar in your area? How many plates do
you see with the special covers on them that are supposed to help "defeat"
even the super high resolution cameras they use??

Very rural - no radar or anything like that going on. My camera is facing dead
South, so sun problems. I also have it very low to the ground (about 18" up).
No plates with special covers yet.

Again, I'm catching rear plates today in all lighting conditions with a real
cheap camera - but I need to upgrade image quality because I'm right on the
fringe of "blurryness" and readability.

I'm not interested in spending $2K for a pro set up. That's just not
appropriate for my needs.

Great... front plates... Now you have to contend with quartz halogen
head-lamps... Really great sources of IR energy... Lens flare... and if
the camera's auto iris is enabled you'll wind up with plates so dark you
can't read them for anything...

No, no, no. I'm not concerning myself with front plates. Read again. I know
they're more of a problem, but that's fine because I won't be concentrating on
those - just rear.

Thanks again for all the good tips. I'm getting closer to a decision.... !