MachIVshooter
Member
We talk alot about software vs. hardware in this section, but surveillance is both, and I don't feel that it gets enough attention. The purpose of this thread is to review the system I just upgraded to, but all thoughts on the subject in general are welcome.
Until today, I had a very simple B&W 2-camera CCTV system linked to a VCR. It was OK, but cheap and unrefined. Because I also run a business on my property and thus expose myself to certain liabilities, I felt it was prudent to have a better system in place. Of course, I'm not wealthy, so the true professional grade systems are out of reach. But I did find one that I am, thus far, very impressed with.
I selected the Swann DVR8-2550 system. It is an internet-ready 8-camera DVR system. The DVR unit is 500 GB, and the functions are fully programmable, save panning-if you want the ability to remotely pan your cameras, you'll have to spend more. It can record full time, or be set with timers or motion activation. The cameras are color, but B&W in night vision mode, with very good image quality in daylight and a pretty decent picture in the dark-especially indoors. The viewing angle is a little narrow, though, so the further you can get your camera from the target area, the better in most cases. It is a wired system, so most of the set-up is running cable........the actual software set-up is super easy once cameras are mounted and connected. You can view 1 channel, 4 channels or all 8 simultaneously, and you can decide which cameras record in what way. Perhaps the most attractive quality about the internet capability is not just being able to view remotely on another terminal or smart phone, but you can also have recording done remotely (like "cloud"), so even if someone broke in and snaked the DVR, they're still busted on video. According to Swann, the DVR can record 60 days continuously on all 8 cameras on the lower resolution setting. That's a lot of video!
Like I said, the main reason I got this was not so much security, but to prevent a customer ever being able to claim that I damaged one of their vehicles and/or catch the person who did, if it was actually damaged while at my shop. However, surveillance systems are one helluva deterrent to most criminals, and when they get close enough to realize they're starring in a new motion picture from multiple angles, they very often think the better of their actions. Even moreso today, since remote or cyber-space recordings mean there is no tape to grab.
So I'd love to hear yall's input on surveillance and the hardware. I just wanted to let others know that you don't have to spend a fortune these days to get a very respectable surveillance system that's pretty user-friendly and intuitive; I paid $438 delivered.
Until today, I had a very simple B&W 2-camera CCTV system linked to a VCR. It was OK, but cheap and unrefined. Because I also run a business on my property and thus expose myself to certain liabilities, I felt it was prudent to have a better system in place. Of course, I'm not wealthy, so the true professional grade systems are out of reach. But I did find one that I am, thus far, very impressed with.
I selected the Swann DVR8-2550 system. It is an internet-ready 8-camera DVR system. The DVR unit is 500 GB, and the functions are fully programmable, save panning-if you want the ability to remotely pan your cameras, you'll have to spend more. It can record full time, or be set with timers or motion activation. The cameras are color, but B&W in night vision mode, with very good image quality in daylight and a pretty decent picture in the dark-especially indoors. The viewing angle is a little narrow, though, so the further you can get your camera from the target area, the better in most cases. It is a wired system, so most of the set-up is running cable........the actual software set-up is super easy once cameras are mounted and connected. You can view 1 channel, 4 channels or all 8 simultaneously, and you can decide which cameras record in what way. Perhaps the most attractive quality about the internet capability is not just being able to view remotely on another terminal or smart phone, but you can also have recording done remotely (like "cloud"), so even if someone broke in and snaked the DVR, they're still busted on video. According to Swann, the DVR can record 60 days continuously on all 8 cameras on the lower resolution setting. That's a lot of video!
Like I said, the main reason I got this was not so much security, but to prevent a customer ever being able to claim that I damaged one of their vehicles and/or catch the person who did, if it was actually damaged while at my shop. However, surveillance systems are one helluva deterrent to most criminals, and when they get close enough to realize they're starring in a new motion picture from multiple angles, they very often think the better of their actions. Even moreso today, since remote or cyber-space recordings mean there is no tape to grab.
So I'd love to hear yall's input on surveillance and the hardware. I just wanted to let others know that you don't have to spend a fortune these days to get a very respectable surveillance system that's pretty user-friendly and intuitive; I paid $438 delivered.