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Re: Basic Home Security Recording System Posted by Justin VanAbrahams [Email] ![]() ![]() In Reply to: Basic Home Security Recording System, Roger D ![]() |
There was a previous thread on this topic here:
http://saabnet.com/tsn/bb/general/index.html?bID=280227
Questions you have to ask:
1. How do you want to cable to these things?
- The two basic technologies in play are legacy analog cameras that use coax cable and BNC connections and IP cameras that use cat5 cable. Legacy cameras typically use siamesed cable that also carries power for the camera, IP cameras typically send power over the cat5. Analog cameras tend to be cheaper but are in and of themselves dumb, IP cameras cost more but may have more brains built in.
2. How far/wide do you need to see?
- Things you need to consider are focal length and width, and whether you need any control for pan tilt zoom (PTZ). Analog cameras typically need a PTZ mount that is controlled with another cable, whereas IP cameras may have PTZ functions built in.
3. Do you need to see in the dark?
- There are two ways to get "night vision" but the common way is by including IR LEDs, more and bigger are better for range and illumination. The type of camera also affects how good it can see in the dark, cheaper is virtually always less good.
4. What do you want to record, and how long do you need to retain recordings for?
- Security cameras can record full motion or less than full motion, the more frames per second the more space you need. Security cameras can record B&W or color. Color costs more space. B&W tends to capture detail better but at the expense of other information - eg, B&W might capture the logo on a hat better, but you wouldn't know the hat is red. Most systems have the ability to record only on motion, which saves you from recording a whole lot of nothing 24x7. This is a good feature, but you also want to be sure you have the ability to exclude parts of the frame from triggering motion... a tree in the wind can result in recording more nothing.
The technically right solution will be IP cameras. It'll give you the most options and probably the best result. The cost-effective solution is a small boxed legacy system available anywhere. I think Honeywell probably makes the best product in that arena, but they aren't the cheapest. A common brand that I find does a totally adequate job with minimal hassle is Swann.
posted by 12.195.130...
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