[JudyKayTee]

Does anyone have any suggestions concerning purchasing and installing an outside security camera? There seem to be a lot of systems out there and I'm pretty much lost when I'm looking at the various features.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[KISS]

What do you want it to do?

The mundane is display on a monitor?

To

Video frame motion sensing and recording footage to a DVR type device standalone or PC based. Infared Illumination so it sees in the dark. And the ability to see the video at any time on your cell phone. I think paging when motion is detected is available too.

[JudyKayTee]

What do you want it to do?

The mundane is display on a monitor?

to

Video frame motion sensing and recording footage to a DVR type device standalone or PC based. Infared Illumination so it sees in the dark. And the ability to see the video at any time on your cell phone. I think paging when motion is detected is available too.

Let's see - I want an outside security cam that records. It's for my house so I don't think I need anything terribly complicated, just something that would scan part of my property. Ability to see in the dark would be good but I have automatic floodlights on the house so I don't know if that is necessary.

I don't need paging or cell phone, just a "simple" video, maybe a photo every X seconds (which somebody mentioned in the store). Something I would like view, skip through, see if there's been any activity.

[KISS]

A little about cameras:

Light level and field of view would have to be known.

Usually IR illuminated cameras when activated will show subjects in black and white even if it's a color camera.

Cameras come in B&W and color.

Cameras have the ability to be adjusted remotely with a pan and tilt system or are fixed mounted.

The "old style" cameras use a siamese cable that delivers power and returns video that's viewable as composite video.

Newer camera's are IP based and send video over network cabeling.

Out the door is VCR based time lapse systems and in the door are DVR's or Digital video recorders.

Any questions so far?

[KISS]

A little about cameras:

Light level and field of view would have to be known.

Usually IR illuminated cameras when activated will show subjects in black and white even if it's a color camera.

Cameras come in B&W and color.

Cameras have the ability to be adjusted remotely with a pan and tilt system or are fixed mounted.

The "old style" cameras use a siamese cable that delivers power and returns video that's viewable as composite video.

Newer camera's are IP based and send video over network cabeling.

Out the door is VCR based time lapse systems and in the door are DVR's or Digital video recorders.

Any questions so far?

[JudyKayTee]

A little about cameras:

Light level and field of view would have to be known.

Usually IR illuminated cameras when activated will show subjects in black and white even if it's a color camera.

Cameras come in B&W and color.

Cameras have the ability to be adjusted remotely with a pan and tilt system or are fixed mounted.

The "old style" cameras use a siamese cable that delivers power and returns video that's viewable as composite video.

Newer camera's are IP based and send video over network cabeling.

Out the door is VCR based time lapse systems and in the door are DVR's or Digital video recorders.

Any questions so far?

Lots of them but at least I have a CLUE what to ask about - any idea of price range for the whole system?

[KISS]

Take a look here:

Digital video recorder - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I'll post something else later from a catalog I have.

[JudyKayTee]

Take a look here:

Digital video recorder - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I'll post something else later from a catalog I have.

Maybe it would be easier if you would just come over and sit on my roof with a camera - ? :D Thanks - I'll check the site out.

[KISS]

The heart of a system might be a 4-channel MPEG-4 DVR.
Example prices are $290/420/489 with 0/160/25 GB Hard drive.

This system is capable of 4 cameras and 1 audio.
Remote notification via email and motion. You apparently set up a grid for motion.
View live via web browser
PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) Control

This piece you have to get a hold of the manual and read and MAKE sure it meets your needs.

No wire or installation.

I don't know if it contains a camera power supply.`

Cameras are all over the map. Cameras may not include lenses. A camera with IR and 100' range is about $130.
An IR camera with a 300 foot range is about $400.

I went searching the internet when I had nothing better to do and most outfits don't have manuals available, but the more respected brands do.

I don't have the expertise to select a particular camera and lens combination. Optics is an area I never really studied. I did spend some time to try to understand prescriptions for glasses except the corrections for astigmatism. I also did the measurements that an optician would do and essentially got the same values.

You definitely need to know how far and how wide you need to be able to see and from what vantage point.