Originally Posted by
Jay
As someone who spends way too much time in attics running said wires for said cameras I fully agree with all of the above.
Now let me preface this just a bit, I mainly install "nanny" cams for my clients, keeping an eye on the kids when in the pool etc..
In regard to actual security & surveillance (which I sub-contract from a peer) It boils down to the initial statement of amateurs or pro's, every alarm, camera, access control system, and yard sign will keep most 'sober' amateurs away, all the 300LB mag locks and HD PTZ cameras in the world are not going to stop or deter a determined professional.
If you are trying to catch the neighborhood kids and are collecting evidence for a good ol' hide tanning from mom or dad, most any resolution will be workable WITH a good parent involved.
If you are trying to catch and prosecute actual criminals the positioning and quality of the cameras in regard to the "captured" images is critical.
The systems generally prescribed to my clients with these needs and desires usually go like this,
Door Cameras-Placed at Chest to Head height to actually capture faces, not tops of heads
Driveway "parking area" 'License Plate' Cameras - Cameras with character recognition and filters for adverse lighting conditions e.g. filtering out a frontal assault from headlights to still capture a complete front tag.
Some combination of wider angle cameras to capture property entry points, sidewalks, gates, backyards etc.
The system is usually lighted with a combination of remote IR LED arrays, and led equipped cameras which switch to black and white when the sun goes down.
An onsite ip DVR secured and or hidden and an offsite DNS server and cloud backup for remote viewing and archiving (if they find the DVR they will take it in most cases)
These systems generally start at about $3500.00 and go to $$$$$$$, the odd thing we have discovered is they can be addictive 4 cameras turns into 8, static cameras become PTZ (pan, tilt, zoom), standard def become hi-def etc. etc. etc.. There is actually a guy in town who's system is legend (among the trade), if everyone in his gated community knew his capabilities there would be an angry pitchfork wielding mob at his front door, he popped for his annual upgrade in the spring and it pushed his system deep into six figures (FLIR, huge optical zoom with CPU driven digital zoom, etc etc). We have come to the conclusion that he has serious voyeur issues.
With all of that said there have been a rash of break-ins in my sisters neighborhood as of late and they are about to go on a multi week vacation, when my brother in law inquired about a camera system I recommended he get a few DropCams point them out a few key windows, and rooms and call it good.
Surveillance is a very tricky critter, most people love the concept and its inherent benefits, but when the details dollars and hardware are explained 75% of them either don't want to live in or have visiting friends and family feel they are in a security state.
Jay
ETA, Wireless cameras and sensors are getting better and better but they are still not a substitute for areas where you can get a wire.