So as I consider my house build I want to have it wired for an exterior home video security system. Is there a brand that is reasonably priced that offers good resolution day and night that is also capable of working in the Oklahoma weather?
Although I have no firsthand experience (yet), I was recently referred to Swann products by an independent IT consultant (who had nothing to gain by offering the advise). Specifically, he recommended the dvr/camera setup in the link below. Also he said to stay away from their wireless cameras....
http://www.swann.com/us/swdvk-942008
http://www.swann.com/us/swdvk-942008
Looks like a good unit. I know very little about the differences so I guess some more research is on order but the price is right for 8 cameras and a DVR.
We personally have a Night Owl system, and we have no issues with it at all. Feel free to PM me any questions you may have about it.
Big fat +1 here
Dont pre-wire a house for analog cameras Run cat 5 everywhere includeing a place in the ceiling somewhere in the middle of the house for an access point
Ditto, and run a couple drops do the outside corners of the house so if you at a later point in time want to have a cam facing each direction you can. The Cat5 camera's can also be picked up as PTZ or Pan Tilt Zoom. . . You can setup cams that can be used to look around and be adjusted from inside the house to have just the right view just like the big stores and the casino's. The analog systems are fine if you want basic coverage and don't mind being limited on the number of camera's, computer based systems can be expanded as far as your wallet can handle, lol.
And while you are running the Cat5 don't skimp on the stuff inside the house either, most rooms should have two drops and I would drop a three or four where my entertainment system is going to be setup. Yeah you can put a switch there but if you have multiple devices running the max you can get is the whatever the one line from the switch to the switch or router where all your networking stuff is.
Can all or most wired camera units accept cat 5 wiring or are they reserved for higher end units? I assume the American dynamics and axis brands are pretty high end....and expensive..?
There are different camera's all over the map out there. You will have to look at the camera's and determine that before purchase. Analog camera's will not be able to use Cat5 Cable, they generally have an RCA or BNC connection. The Cat5 Cams will have an rj45 which is basically the same one that will hook from your cable modem to a router and/or computer it's like phone cord on steroids, lol.
http://www.axis.com/products/video/camera/index.htm is some of the different camera's by Axis
There are a ton of manufacturer's out there and it's like most anything else as far as hardware goes. . . you get what you pay for. The IP cams will run a little higher than the analog and the PTZ cams are more costly than the fixed camera's.
As far as software there is a bunch of that out there as well, one I have dealt with and liked is http://www.ispyconnect.com One of the features I think is worth gold is that it can automatically upload stuff to youtube. . . so even if someone does get inside and they can get to the system and render it useless as well as destroy the contents you still have a copy that they can't get to.
Since you are doing all this from scratch you will really want to look at the system as a whole, figure out how many camera's that you want minimum and also think about putting some inside as well. You will probably want one inside the main entry and maybe one or two to look at the rooms inside as well as inside the garage. Then build out from there.
I haven't done any large systems or anything but if your needing help deciphering it all I am close enough to sit down with you and go over some stuff.
http://www.axis.com/products/video/camera/index.htm is some of the different camera's by Axis
There are a ton of manufacturer's out there and it's like most anything else as far as hardware goes. . . you get what you pay for. The IP cams will run a little higher than the analog and the PTZ cams are more costly than the fixed camera's.
As far as software there is a bunch of that out there as well, one I have dealt with and liked is http://www.ispyconnect.com One of the features I think is worth gold is that it can automatically upload stuff to youtube. . . so even if someone does get inside and they can get to the system and render it useless as well as destroy the contents you still have a copy that they can't get to.
Since you are doing all this from scratch you will really want to look at the system as a whole, figure out how many camera's that you want minimum and also think about putting some inside as well. You will probably want one inside the main entry and maybe one or two to look at the rooms inside as well as inside the garage. Then build out from there.
I haven't done any large systems or anything but if your needing help deciphering it all I am close enough to sit down with you and go over some stuff.
Similar threads
- Sub Category: Handguns
- Caliber: 9mm
