Video Security System

[mayday0017]

I haven't seen talk on here about video security systems on here yet. I have been thinking about getting one for some time myself since they are $150-400 for most entry level systems these days.

Ideally I want to be able to record what goes on in my garage and on my front door step. Also monitoring the back of the house would be nice because it is fully fenced in and backs up to a large field (perfect for someone to sneak in).

So the question is if anyone has a system on here, which brand/kit did you use and how do you like it?

Are you happy with the video quality or does it leave much to be desired?

Can you upgrade one of the camera's using a standard off the shelf camera?

Can it be viewed from the web & or smart phone?

Please share anything else I didn't ask question on that you think is important when making a decision about buying a video system.

Also if you don't have a system but have been looking at possibly getting one too please share. How you plan on using it might make myself of someone else change our mind on how to do the layout.

 

[Burtonrider10022]

Someone posted a thread about this yesterday and there were a bunch of great suggestions. I'd recommend finding that thread, but I remember someone linked to Amazon about a Foscam camera for around $60 with excellent reviews.

 

[mayday0017]

LOL, I'm on here typically 5-7 days a week all day, and the one day I am so busy I can't get on for a few minutes someone posts something that has been on my mind for months! GO FIGURE

Thanks for letting me know, I'm gonna look for it and see if I can post a link to it on here to close this thread out if it is not needed.

 

[Burtonrider10022]

Great minds think alike! In this case, that would be you and the guy who started the thread yesterday lol

 

[nehog]

Just hooked up my Lorex system. Have not done new cameras (additional, actually) yet, but the existing cameras seem to be working great with the system. The system is $500 at BJs and a similar system can be gotten at Cosco and HD.

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

I haven't seen talk on here about video security systems on here yet. I have been thinking about getting one for some time myself since they are $150-400 for most entry level systems these days.

Ideally I want to be able to record what goes on in my garage and on my front door step. Also monitoring the back of the house would be nice because it is fully fenced in and backs up to a large field (perfect for someone to sneak in).

So the question is if anyone has a system on here, which brand/kit did you use and how do you like it?

Are you happy with the video quality or does it leave much to be desired?

Can you upgrade one of the camera's using a standard off the shelf camera?

Can it be viewed from the web & or smart phone?

Please share anything else I didn't ask question on that you think is important when making a decision about buying a video system.

Also if you don't have a system but have been looking at possibly getting one too please share. How you plan on using it might make myself of someone else change our mind on how to do the layout.

We setup our own system at home. My wife is the IT wiz that could tell you all the details, but here's my limited knowledge:
We purchased 2 cameras - one indoor pan / tilt and one outdoor with pan /tilt and zoom (I think 4x). Both have IR that can see a little in the dark, but not much. We needed software and controllers to operate some stuff (most people switch on / off lights - you can run anything up to about 15AMPs off a switch). All together it was about 500 bucks - software 2 cameras and VIOP power adapters (so you don't need a/c power at the camera mounting) and all.
We had to get direct access in to the computer from the web / wife's phone so we can operate / view cameras from anywhere / anytime. I think that costs about 25 bucks a month. We used a leftover PC to operate the system and put that ona regular a/c power backup, so we can loos power for a couple hours and it's still work as long as the web signal is there. Next item to add to make it 100% reliable would be to add an air-card to the PC - but that's more cost per month.
I can type in an IP address from any web access point and look around turn on off some things.

The Airsight Cameras have pretty good picture quality. Now that we have this set up we are considering 1 or 2 more for complete view of most of the property.