CCTV Qustions

bluemoon729 · 15 Jan 2012

hi i am thinking of have a cctv system at home but im abit confused as to which one to have as there are so many.

I keep on reading about frames per second (the higher the better im guessing) is the frames per second to do with the DVR or the cameras???. Because if there to do with the cameras then i can buy some cheap ones( ie with low fps) to start off with and then see if i need to upgrade them after iv ran them for abit. If not then i want to buy the best DVR from the start.

Also what els should i be looking for when im choosing my system as the only real differences i can see are the prices haha and i no theres more to it than the price.

ANY advice would be appreciated

Alarm · 15 Jan 2012

The DVR records @ FPS. 6 is about standard and is fine for most situations, and the eye cannot distinguish much after 12FPS anyway.

You need to know how many cameras you want and what frame rate (FPS) to determine the size of Hard drive you need. Also factoring in how many days you want to record for (31 being the norm). When the drive becomes full it overwrites on the earliest events.

Go too small and you have an incident and leave it a week to burn off the images ( it happens) and you have lost them. So get those figures correct.
Example 4 cams @ 6FPS @ 31 days @ 24hrs a day = 195 ish GB so a 250GB HD would suffice.
Then do you want to watch on a BlackBerry/Android/Iphone. Network it.
So a decent DVR is always the better.
This is the lowest I would go http://www.cctvdirect.co.uk/products/XDH-Compact-DVR-Real-Time-Internet-&-Mobile-Ready!!.html Although the smallest HD is 500GB. Oh well.

Cameras spend as much as you can again. How much depends on location, ambient light, dome or conventional.
Dont forget a monitor, power supplies, cable and or coaxial. Clips.

Engineer2012 · 15 Jan 2012

As alarm says the more money you can spend on cameras the better.

If your property is well lit buy colour cameras, if not so well lot you have 2 options, 1 is to buy day/night cameras which will give colour pictures during the daylight and as soon as the light levels drop it will change to B/W to give you the best picture possible. 2nd option is for cameras with infra red lights built in to it giving you good pictures regardless. Personally it's about what you can afford but I would try and spend at least £50 per camera

The fps Is a setting within the DVR so you don't need to worry about this although the fps you record at does effect the size of hard drive you buy in your DVR.

morg · 15 Jan 2012

Another option:
Storage Options Night and Day IP Camera

Storage Options presents this fully integrated wireless IP camera solution. It combines a high quality digital video camera with network connectivity and a powerful web server, to bring clear images to your desktop from anywhere on your local network, or over the Internet.

The basic function is to transmit remote video over your IP network. The high quality video image can be transmitted at up to 30fps on a LAN or WAN by using MJPEG hardware compression technology.

The camera is controlled via a built-in Web server which supports Internet Explorer. Management and maintenance of the camera is simple; remote configuration, start-up and firmware upgrades can all be done via Web browser, over your network.

- Dynamic IP address: Free DDNS, no need to register
- Management software: Monitor up to 64 cameras
- Mobile devices: Remote access by mobile phone
- Supports TCP/IP, SMTP and HTTP, sends image to your mailbox automatically when the alarm is triggered
- Internal motion detection function or external sensor can be used to trigger recording
- Advanced user management, only allows authorized users access to the images

Packing contents :

- IP camera
- power supply
- antenna
- software CD
- quick installation guide
- mounting bracket

Storage Options also do DVR's, something like this "Storage Options CCTV 500GB DVR - £159.99"

So just over £200 to get setup, looks to be good reviews on the camera and its functions!

You can also tilt/move these cams remotely,

Alarm · 15 Jan 2012

Errrr from your web site

Hello Steve,
Sorry, we don't have any weatherproofing solutions for this camera. You would need to completely encase it to keep the elements out of the base connections, but also provide a clear cover for the camera to 'see' through.
Bear in mind that you will also need to get power to the camera.

So not external, wi fi is unsecure.
30fps x 4 x 24 x 31 = 1tb HD needed.

morg · 15 Jan 2012

Alarm said:
Errrr from your web site

Hello Steve,
Sorry, we don't have any weatherproofing solutions for this camera. You would need to completely encase it to keep the elements out of the base connections, but also provide a clear cover for the camera to 'see' through.
Bear in mind that you will also need to get power to the camera.

Click to expand...

So not external, wi fi is unsecure.
30fps x 4 x 24 x 31 = 1tb HD needed.

Damn, didn't notice - Shame really, as the functions look good!
Sorry for the bad advice

Engineer2012 · 15 Jan 2012

Hardwired every time!

I was actually at a Customers house today who had this type of system (not that make though), the camera was sited not even 10 metres away and they have had nothing but problems. It drops off more than it is online, so much so I have quoted them a hardwired system.

Alarm · 15 Jan 2012

Old one but i`ll repeat.
4 cam wireless system on 2.4Mhz, fitted and testing and getting bleed over from adjacent properties.
They watch our cams we watch theirs. Pile of poo.
Got around it by sussing what channels were affected and moving ( changing channel selectors) until the bleed over stopped.

All fair and well until a new baby monitor turns up, or another cam. Or a router.

why I refuse to fit it now, would rather walk away.
That way no phone calls.

barryauid · 23 Jan 2012

Are the Swannview systems any good which they are selling in Costco?

Alarm · 23 Jan 2012

Do Costco use them for their own stores?

barryauid · 23 Jan 2012

No they are just a sale item and I also think maplins sell them!
They actually look quite good so it was not a comparison as to what a superstore would use!

Alarm · 23 Jan 2012

I`ll try again.

If they are that good why do you not see them on stores?

barryauid · 23 Jan 2012

They also sell Henry's, and have contract cleaners!
I live in a normal 4 bed house not a superstore so this could have been what I was looking for!
If the answer is no then no would suffice!

Please try again!

Alarm · 23 Jan 2012

No I would not touch them with a barge pole.
Cameras are only 420 lines, IR LED`s are around the lens, not good- causes reflections. Fixed 6mm lens, no adjustment.

A build em high sell em cheap company. www.swannsecurity.com ( their words not mine)

However some do buy them.

barryauid · 23 Jan 2012

Ok thanks for that

Is it then better to have one professionally supplied and fitted or do you know of a good system which I could fit myself that can be viewed over the Internet and has pan and tilt? If that's the correct wording!
Sorry to be a nuisance!

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