Surveillance Camaras

[Hodgin]

After viewing the home surveillance camara in the home invasion video recently posted in the Lounge, I thought I'd ask about these camaras.

I've been thinking about one of these systems for a while. I get Home Depot's daily deal in my email each day and occasionally HD has good discounts on some systems. Anyone know anything about systems like the one below?

Q-SEE Premium Series 8-Channel 1TB HDD Surveillance System with (4) 700 TVL Cameras and 100 ft. Night Vision-QT5680-452-1 at The Home Depot

 

[chief38]

Pretty soon everything we do and everywhere we go will be video taped.

I suppose there are sometimes real needs for these things but it's not my style. If you own a business or retail store I could definitely see it, but for your home - hmmmmm.

The ones sold in most of the Big Box Stores that I have personally seen are of low quality and do not have great resolution or clarity, and are only good for general viewing. I would suggest that before buying one you check it out in person and see how much detail can be seen.

If you are serious about mounting cameras outside, you should really get the shielded weather proof models. The cameras in the link you provided from Home Depot are not really going to do well outdoors for very long IMHO.

 

[shaggist]

An acceptable alternative for many of us are game trail cameras. Their high resolution, memory cards, UV night capabilities, & battery life are all usable for a home security camera for many applications. And, the price of several of them is less than a centralized system in many instances. There are lots of choices and lots of reviews of each model, so you can find out very closely what is going to work best for you. And, they are usable indoors or out without any adaptation or configuration involved.

 

[P&R Fan]

You say you are considering one for your home. May I ask why? Do you live in a bad area?
I am a Private Investigator and also own a Contract Security company. We provide Security personnel to businesses. I met with a potential client the other day and he told me they were considering video surveillance cameras. I told him cameras are great, if someone is monitoring them at all times. Usually with a camera system if you get a burglar or vandal the next morning you have it on video. Usually this happens at night, and the video is a hazy outline of the person committing the crime, which is useless in finding out who it was. This man agreed with me, and could think of several instances where that had happened.
Think about the times you have seen on the news a story about a convenience store, or even a bank that was robbed. Most of the time the video quality is so poor you can't identify anybody.

Surveillance video is great. If somebody is always monitoring it, and can respond immediately.
Jim

 

[Hodgin]

I was more interested in having something that could be used to identify someone if they broke in while we aren't home. Additionally, the presence might deter entry. I'm more interested in having a record of what happened than real time monitoring. That would be pretty boring.

I have concern over the quality. I've seen enough of these things on tv to know that you might as well not have one if it isn't clear. I don't know enough about these things to determine the image quality. I've done a little research but not enough to feel confident in choosing one. I've been thinking that if i could get a decent system for $400-$500 it might be worth it. HD's $500 systems are occasionally (about one a month) on their daily sales for around $300-$350.

I don't live in a high crime area. There have been a few break-ins that I know about in the 28 yrs we've lived here. We did have someone go through our cars in the first couple of years we lived here but nothing since. That could change. Seems burglary is up mostly like due to more urbanization.

I'm along way from buying but have been thinking about it and the video caught my attention. Thanks for the replies.

 

[P&R Fan]

You mention the mere presence of the camera may deter entry. That is absolutely true. I actually know of businesses that have mounted false cameras in plain view, with a red light on them. Costs almost nothing, and it will deter the common criminal.
Jim

 

[J. R. WEEMS]

Saw one just last night on 'I GOT TO HAVE It-- it was a clock with a built in camera. How good the quality? I can not say-- something new I would think???

 

[P&R Fan]

Saw one just last night on 'I GOT TO HAVE It-- it was a clock with a built in camera. How good the quality? I cod not say-- something new I would think???

I have an Investigative client who used one of those. It was pretty good quality. You can get cameras hidden in almost anything. Clock radios, smoke detectors, pictures, Etc.

I have a laser detector that can find 'em too.
Jim

 

[Texas Star]

I have an Investigative client who used one of those. It was pretty good quality. You can get cameras hidden in almost anything. Clock radios, smoke detectors, pictures, Etc.

I have a laser detector that can find 'em too.
Jim

I wonder if it might be a good idea for travellers to have such a detector. I think some hotels and motels snoop on the rooms. I've heard that this is especially common in Las Vegas.