CCTV

[camallison]

Some very useful stuff here for me. Point taken that if they get in they are going to take the DVD recorder. Don't know about upload to somewhere else. And I don't even have a phone capable of taking emails. What do I do about it if I'm thousands of miles away anyway?

it just gets so complicated. I suppose the DVD recorder could get hidden away or even be in a strong box.

Maybe for a home, without outbuildings, and not in a rural area, then even a basic system does provide some protection. The idea is to make your place less attractive to target than someone else's. Sound harsh buts that's the reality.

This site provides some interesting info: http://www.cctv42.co.uk/camera-buying-guide.aspx

Not Ethernet but Cat 5 cable.

thanks, keep the ideas and comments coming

Gary

In 2010, we had an "evidence standard" CCTV system installed by a professional because of an ongoing violent family law case (don't ask!), to protect my grandchildren. The cameras installed were all covert except for one overt camera mounted quite prominently with a caution notice next to it in plain sight. The whole system was wireless. We mounted the recorder in an insulated enclosure in the house loft.

Result, successful criminal prosecution for criminal damage (forced removal of the overt camera), criminal damage (destruction of dummy recorder in plain sight in the property) and criminal damage (broken down rear door to property). 3 years were added to sentencing for other offences, including fraud, child cruelty and assault. In addition, the police freely shared their CPS files with lawyers in the family law case.

The important fact was that the system was "evidence standard" ....... the type fitted to schools and the like.

Colin

[camallison]

One point regarding "evidence standard" ....... the system software in the recorder was such that the hard drive was inaccessible to the home owner, but a DVD could be burned from a specific part of the recording, time stamped with camera number, date and time. When the perpetrator denied being in the neighbourhood at the time of the offences, he was told that witnesses were available. The video was played to his solicitor, and his plea immediately changed to "guilty".

Colin

[mendipviews]

One of my customers has his old VCR based system on show as a form of misdirection in case some thinks there clever by stealing the tape

[Radio Fixer]

Perhaps you are part way better off with just dummy cameras?

Gary

[Nick]

I'm told these have little effect - they are so obviously fake and any "professional" thieving toerag will spot them a mile away...

[Radio Fixer]

What did you think of the cameras / DVD recorders at CCTV42 (see previous link) Nick?

They seem a pretty pro outfit and there is quite a lot of useful info on there. Maybe for the sort of protection I'm looking for one of there systems would be better than nothing. Cat 5 is fairly easy to run as well.

thanks Gary

[Nick]

These all seem to be video rather than IP cameras, i.e. they won't upload to the internet or use WiFi to connect etc.

They, like all video cameras, can be connected using CAT5e cabling with suitable video baluns at each end - this is mainly to allow their use in a pre-wired office/shop/factory environment.

It all comes down to moolah - how big is your budget

Personally, I'm looking at IP CCTV with PoE...

[Radio Fixer]

My summary of it is its better to have something than nothing.

Apart from the money Nick the system you are looking for is a lot of technology to battle with. You seem to thrive on it but for me, although I can usually get my head around it, its a chore. Yes! Electronics have become more reliable but the more complex the system the more likely hood of failure. This usually for me is a few years down the track when I have forgotten all I learnt about it during the install.

So, for a rural property with outbuildings you need it to deter the pro thief.

For a house, with one shed and not much in it of great value, in a small town street maybe less is appropriate.

My aim is to deter: to make it more attractive to break in somewhere else in the road than ours. So even dummy cameras might put off the amateur. But a video system, with proper cameras could be the way to go. The pro would see them as the real thing and hopefully go somewhere else.

As to the DVD getting stolen as well, then that’s bad luck. But once they are inside the property is violated anyway. Other items are going to go apart from malicious damage.

What does having the recording do for you then? It may help others, in that they get caught but as you said they will most likely be hooded and disguised so maybe not.

Even if caught does retribution do me any good? Not really, stuff they steal I probably wont get back and I bet they do a lot of damage.

A friend used to leave a large wad of £20 notes in jar on the mantelpiece, his theory being they might grab that and leave the rest alone. I guess these days you could put a laptop alongside it.

Gary

[pwdrive]

Two terriers and a gravel path.

Lawrence.

[Joe]

Luckily I don't have the mind of a criminal but I do wonder is a house with CCTV wouldn't be a MORE attractive target as it would give the impression that there's stuff within worth nicking.

- Joe