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  • security/alarm system.

    we've had a few uninvited guests...

    so, we are doing a few things to help in this matter.
    a gate has been installed over driveway.. (someone could still drive in but it would be cumbersome and involve driving over other folks property before they get to us. our fencing is not 100%)
    now adding an alarm system and some cameras...

    any advice??? on alarm or in particular on camera placement?
    I know, hard to comment without getting/seeing details, but ....
    just fishing for info.

  • #2
    I have been in the low voltage industry doing alarms, cctv, access control, automation etc. etc for 15+ years now and the best advice i can give you is this.

    1. Low security system price ALWAYS means A. long term monthly monitoring contracts at fairly steep pricing B. a very basic system C. you generally don't own the equipment

    2. It takes experience and product knowledge to design and install a GOOD alarm system. Even ADT can manage to put a contact on your doors and windows and throw in a couple motion detectors but they often lack the knowledge to design systems with low false alarm probability and redundant coverage. If all you want is a basic system at a rock bottom price then companies like ADT,Brinks,protection one etc. can help you just don't expect a high end system or custom solutions to particular problems.

    3. as far as CCTV cameras go you get what you pay for. Yes you can get cheap 4 and 8 camera systems at Costco or other big box stores but the quality won't be there. Trust me when I say this, the cameras in those kits are NOT quality. They are good enough that you can recognize people you know but you could not make a positive ID of someone after the fact. They are for observation NOT identification. I have installed customer provided kits and have even speced a few kits from Costco for certain customers. Of the cheap Costco type brands Lorex is about the best and the easiest to set up the DVR for offsite viewing either with a smart phone or laptop. I just looked it up ,, the Costco item number is #829230. Keep in mind im not endorsing this system I'm simply saying that of the entry level systems I have worked with this one is about the best.

    any questions feel free to ask.....thats what we are here for

    Comment


    • #3
      just,
      thanks a lot...

      here's my biggest concern...
      I'd like to put a camera away from house.

      I am getting a company to help with the project.
      and you called it.. paying the monthly plan..
      they don't even want to discuss the camera at distance..
      for some cameras at modest distance, I'm digging the ditch and they are doing the install.
      (I sure wish I had a ditch witch or other similar equipment! I'm doing most of ditching with tractor and box blade and front loader)

      back to story... I'd like to put a camera(s) at 1000 ft.. and through some trees and heavy brush for half the distance. suggestions?

      Comment


      • #4
        1000 ft is a good distance for a wired camera. Now you are talking about one of those custom situations that the average pay monthly type security companies won't touch. For that distance the only real way to get the signal back is using Cat5 and a device called a balun. Essentially it is just a little box that sends the video signal over twisted pair wire such as cat5. At that distance it will need to be a powered version or "active" one device at each end transmit and receive. Do a search for cctv active balun. If you have power close to where the camera is you may consider a wireless system yes its more $$ but you won't need to dig that 1000' trench. I have a show this weekend so if you arent in a huge hurry give me tell Monday or so and ill spec some equipment you can purchase off the net.

        Comment


        • #5
          just,
          you sho' do know your stuff..
          you be usin' words I got to google just to read what you done put down.
          (sorry just, I just watched a youtube on "Sh%t southern women say")

          but, yes, I'd appreciate it...
          and not an emergency... this sounds like something i'll need to do.
          thanks again.

          between ferguson, ebola, collapsing dollar, isis, your president, fsa, feral dogs etc... being able to see the problem coming might just be beneficial.

          Comment


          • #6
            well, let's just say there was this guy...
            who had this new camera system.
            and well.. let's just say he was wasted from working a shovel!
            so, glad for the day to be ending and he was looking forward to a shower..
            after getting undressed, he couldn't remember if he'd locked the door.
            so, in his birthday suit, he heads to the front door to confirm the door was locked.

            well, just pretend the system was working, and caught the motion, and started recording.

            hmm... if all this was true... the fellow better be finding out how to erase a recording...
            cause he don't look so good dressed for sunday, and the birthday suit ain't doing the old geezer any favors!

            Comment


            • #7
              @justanothergunnut - what are your thoughts about the stuff on Monoprice.com?

              Do they have anything worthwhile?

              I use them for Network cables and I always see the email ads with security stuff.


              How good is the signal @ that distance on Cat5?

              I seemed to remember something from networking class that Cat5 was not recommended to exceed 100 Meters, or does the balun help override this limitation?
              Last edited by 610Alpha; 09-12-2014, 10:01 AM.
              "It's a trap!!!!" -- Admiral Ackbar

              Comment


              • #8
                610. The only stuff I have used from mono price was. Velcro straps, 2ch audio cables and network patch cables. I wouldn't trust them with something like CCTV equipment. As far as the distance networking is very different the 100 meter limit is because past that you start to suffer packet loss. Though I have stretched it to 150 with fair results. Video using a Balun is very different good passive Baluns will push video up to 1200 feet very reliably I prefer though at that distance to use powered Baluns signal can then be pushed out to 3k feet some manufacturers claim longer range though I have never gone beyond about 2500 feet

                Comment


                • #9
                  I wanted to get "something" up and running.

                  obtained a plex machine and eclipse 600 cameras.

                  using cat5 wiring longest run is about 400 ft..
                  I got installer to leave another 20 ft of wiring at camera, as I may move the whole line.
                  another camera is located half way.

                  at the 400 ft point there is a camera aimed at a structure about another 70 ft away...
                  in 4 x6" mode it is hard to i.d. stuff. a tool box is a blurry red square... a boat is identifiable, as are a few other items. I can go to full screen. and identify the red square as a roll around tool box.

                  this is using a computer monitor 23"

                  both cameras in the 400' run face sort of west. and there is a glare...
                  there is a "wavy ghost" effect... I found discussion about this on some security camera websites.

                  cameras are infared and get a somewhat picture at night... up close..
                  10' to 30' depending on a possible light source..

                  the camera aiming at the structure 70' away is just about negligible.
                  I can see slow moving veh triangle and a reflection off a white boat...but you can't tell that it is a boat.
                  Last edited by rockriver; 09-15-2014, 06:30 PM. Reason: lost 95% of original post...

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by rockriver View Post
                    I wanted to get "something" up and running.

                    obtained a plex machine and eclipse 600 cameras.

                    using cat5 wiring longest run is about 400 ft..
                    I got installer to leave another 20 ft of wiring at camera, as I may move the whole line.
                    another camera is located half way.

                    at the 400 ft point there is a camera aimed at a structure about another 70 ft away...
                    in 4 x6" mode it is hard to i.d. stuff. a tool box is a blurry red square... a boat is identifiable, as are a few other items. I can go to full screen. and identify the red square as a roll around tool box.

                    this is using a computer monitor 23"

                    both cameras in the 400' run face sort of west. and there is a glare...
                    there is a "wavy ghost" effect... I found discussion about this on some security camera websites.

                    cameras are infared and get a somewhat picture at night... up close..
                    10' to 30' depending on a possible light source..

                    the camera aiming at the structure 70' away is just about negligible.
                    I can see slow moving veh triangle and a reflection off a white boat...but you can't tell that it is a boat.
                    See item#3 in my first post.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      just,
                      I think you are saying a balun installed between cat 5 and camera would help or solve my wavy ghosts..?

                      I'm wishing I had 720 cameras...

                      my plan had been to watch this system then try to make coordinated improvements...
                      comments?

                      I see the possibility that my basic framework is too weak to build upon... I hope not, but even if so...
                      I'm gonna be smarter about this stuff soon!
                      so sharing as I go... maybe it will help others.

                      oops...edited to add -- I just found just's "first" post...
                      and correcting above to say.
                      I think just is saying ... I got the cheapo stuff. and this is the result!!
                      lol
                      thanks!

                      to Just or anyone
                      please post here or start a new thread with any added security system or camera system info..
                      Last edited by rockriver; 09-15-2014, 10:06 PM. Reason: update..

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        tell me about the camera that is "ghosting" you say it is 400 ft out correct. Boxed systems do not come with this much cable so how was the connection made? Did the installer simply twist the 8 wires together inside the cat5 or did he use a RJ45 connection? Entry level camera systems that use cat5 generally have low end cheapy baluns built into the camera and are not designed to transmit that far though I would suspect the connection first.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          there is a splice in the wire at about 300 ft... wires "twisted together" I do not know how the camera was hooked to this wire.. the camera came with a ?pigtail? with a snap on type connector.
                          but the end of the cat 5 would not have had such a connector... i'll check.
                          thanks.
                          rr

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by justanothergunnut View Post
                            610. The only stuff I have used from mono price was. Velcro straps, 2ch audio cables and network patch cables. I wouldn't trust them with something like CCTV equipment. As far as the distance networking is very different the 100 meter limit is because past that you start to suffer packet loss. Though I have stretched it to 150 with fair results. Video using a Balun is very different good passive Baluns will push video up to 1200 feet very reliably I prefer though at that distance to use powered Baluns signal can then be pushed out to 3k feet some manufacturers claim longer range though I have never gone beyond about 2500 feet
                            Thanks for the info!
                            "It's a trap!!!!" -- Admiral Ackbar

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              our little village has been very theft free in the last few years.
                              that changed a couple of weeks ago.
                              several houses were hit... small thefts. often just from cars/trucks parked in yard.

                              then 2 houses that I'm associated with -- both with cameras were visited about 3 to 4 am

                              folks thought it was gangs or gang initiation... based out of the African neighborhood
                              the two folks with cameras indicate a teenager of European descent.

                              the d___ thief is in jail. we are looking for added info to help keep in jail for a long time..

                              Comment

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