CCTV security over the internet?

[golfman]

Does anyone know how much a CCTV system costs that can be networked to view over the internet? Reasonably good kit, full colour etc.

Can this be linked into a security system that can record movement out of hours, and also detect staff coming and going through a clocking in system?

Say 5 or 6 cameras, in and outside a building. To both make sure staff are working and security reasons.

Self install?

Does anyone use such a system themselves with good results?

Can it reduce insurance premiums?

Thanks.

[ph_flyer]

Have a look at this:

GeoVision, available from Henrys

I have this setup for my home/office. You can use any cameras as the movement detection is done in software. You can view the cameras over your network, or over the internet. No extra hardware is required, other than a dedicated PC (not absolutely required, but highly recommended).

Works great (caught some kids nicking my chrome valve caps!)

Is this what you were thinking of?

[ninja_eli]

The GeoVision system and software is very good, although as an alternative supplier, I use y3k cctv ltd. I have an account with them, so can get you upto 10% off their prices. Google them they have a website (I found them in exchange and mart).

If you are interested, drop me an email and I'll pass you the account name to use to get any possible discount. You have to liase with them though to find out exactly what they can discount for you, and how much.

My set up is as follows:

I have a pc that sits as the DVR machine, I have 2 200GB hard drives on there, plus a DVD record drive for backup. Its on a Win 2K OS(needs update to recognise the drives though).Its fitted with 16 camera geo card. You'll need 1 expansion slot per 4 cameras.

It works similar to an analogue multiplexer unit, so bare in mind the fps is split between the number of cameras. However, where the digital system differs is that it can intelligently apportion fps for cameras that are detecting movement, so it is split dynamically.

For example say you have 10 cameras, with a 50fps system, each camera can record at a set 5 fps per second. Or, it can be set to dynamically change all or some cameras, so that if 5 are recording at a time, they will get 10 fps. The software is quite advanced, such that you can mask areas in camera view to avoid setting it off for detection, and you can pretty much control each camera's preferences individually. My front and side park car lots are some 30 metres and 100 metres long, so these cameras are set to lowish fps, as detail and quick recording arent really necessary, the subject will be picked up by the camera before its anywhere near the building. The ones near my sales desk etc are on 640x480 on high fps priority.

You can get 25fps cards all the way up to 100fps. It all depends on the number of cameras you want to have, and how often and how many will be recording at the same time.

You can of course have them record constantly, but this will use LOADS of diskspace.

You can monitor the cameras via LAN, with a program that comes with the Geovision pc cards, and via LAN and internet with just internet explorer and a username/password.

I have a dedicated ip for my cctv system on a 512K ADSL connection. It is fast enough (most times), and at a lowish quality quite reasonable. The better the connection, the more quality and speed throughput.

If you need any other info drop me a line, I studied this shit quite intimately at the time(3 yrs ago now, but still know a bit about it as I keep control of cctv lol). I am looking to reduce the time I physically spend at my place... cctv and RFID are the way forward for me.

One last thing: make sure you really spend a lot of time and consideration for placement of cameras. Might seem obvious, but when you start setting them up (if you do them yourself) you'll see what I mean. For smaller areas, get widelens for the cameras. The bullit camera types are no good for that(but easier to set up).Cabling is all Co Axial with BNC connectors either end (mine is anyway).

Good luck, and its worth the effort!

[ninja_eli]

Forget to say, you'll also need a data protection licence thingy.

Also, dont fall for those skank £60 reminders from rip off companies, its only £35 and registration is as easy as piss. Get the forms from the agency.

[vex]

Have a look at one of my installers.

They do a good pc based cctv system that can link to the internet.

As others have said, detection and storage is done on the pc, and you can select the 'zones' that you want to ignor and trigger on.

www.geckonetworks.net

[john_p]

Looking to do this now - get two cameras and watch/record over the net.

What are the required specs for outdoor colour cameras which need to work 24/7 ? All the lux and focal depth stuff confuses me

Can't decide between
- GeoVision on a dedicated PC (£160 + PC)
- a DVR box with motion detection (£350)
- ZoneMinder on a Linux PC (will need a capture card which works under Linux)

All will do what I want (motion detection with remote viewing) .. looks like GeoVision is the best option so far..

Decisions, decisions ...

edit: zonealarm probably not too good at video capture


>> Edited by john_p on Tuesday 7th September 13:43

[ph_flyer]

john_p said:

- ZoneAlarm on a Linux PC (will need a capture card which works under Linux)

Would that be ZoneMinder?

john_p said:

All will do what I want (motion detection with remote viewing) .. looks like GeoVision is the best option so far..

I would say so. With a dedicated PC, it does work very well.

Cameras? Research and more research! I have two Sony night/day cameras - quality is excellent during the day, but not so good at night. They are supposed to switch over to b&w and the infra-red LEDs come on - which they do, but only in pitch-black conditions. Normal street-lighting confuses the sensor and the cameras stay in day mode. Flood lighting therefore compensates.

My advice, FWIW, is to consider having day/night colour cameras for an overview of your property (eg. what colour car, colour of jackets, etc.) and b&w high-res, low-light for other uses.

[neil_cardiff]

Hi Guys,

My compnay has a sister company which specialises in just this technology, email my profile, and I'll see if I can pass you onto my boss who is dealing with this technology.

Neil www.connectcardiff.com

[The GMan]

Netbotz have some good products, can be supplied by a company called Mayflex.