CCTV expertise required

[Robbo1]

Having problems with local teenage scrotes at the moment, and it's been suggested that I install a CCTV camera to (i) deter them and (ii) catch the little b*st**ds in the act if they do try something.

I've been told that the install-yourself cameras you can buy (e.g. B&Q) wouldn't be good enough in darkness to get a picture you could take to the BiB, and that they're purely a deterrent. I'm having a couple of surveys done for pukka professional systems, but it sound like we're talking at least £600-£700.
Anyone have any advice on either option? I need this resolved quickly, 'cos it's "doing my head in"!

[pdV6]

If its just a deterrant you're after, there's plenty of places you can get a fake CCTV "camera" with a battery powered red light...

See also:
www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/search/search_product_page.jsp?siLandingParams=type%3Dsearch%26query%3Dcctv%26hits%3D25%26topCat%3D77666&selectType=category&parentDepartment=Safety%20%26%20Security&categoryName=CCTV&limitProducts=no

>> Edited by pdV6 on Thursday 6th January 11:47

[john_p]

What sort of area are you looking to cover?

I installed a camera from Maplin with adjustable iris, to cover a ~25m x 5m driveway. Works well, hooked into the TV distributor, gives a clear b&w picture day and night, but you must remember that it is really only any use as a "warning" system i.e. "two guys with hoods are trying to steal my car" rather than "Mr Scrote and Mr Chav are trying to steal my car"

I can't remember what the police guidelines are on identifying someone, but for it to be used as evidence I think you need to be able to get most of the scrote's face on screen in high quality; very very difficult with consumer kit over larger distances and fields of view. In that situation it is really only possible with a manually controlled colour camera with a good zoom. Add in all the recording equipment and it could get very expensive.


>> Edited by john_p on Thursday 6th January 11:51

[Robbo1]

Thanks, chaps...
I need the camera to cover my front door/porch area, which is being kicked and/or attacked regularly.
I'd prefer something that I can actually get a picture from rather than just a deterrent - the BiB say they have a good idea who's responsible, it's just proving it!

[pdV6]

In which case, one of the cheaper PIR activated ones ought to be able to take a decent close up pic if mounted near the front door, especially if combined with a PIR activated flood light set on minimum sensitivity, so that it only lights up just as they get to the door?

[rich-uk]

Get a baseball bat with a nail through the end and wait up one night. That's the cheapest method

[Don]

rich-uk said:

Get a baseball bat with a nail through the end and wait up one night. That's the cheapest method

Two quick blows the kneecaps and, hey presto, no more door kicking....ever.

[kojak]

You've beat me to this question.

I've had my Focus broken into again, and again the stereo knicked.

I'm also lookin into a system of three camera's with IR lamps. Also lookin into a DVR player to record. However, I cant decide which ones to go for. Been advised to stay clear of the cheap B&Q ones. A question I do have is, are the wireless ones any good, if there are 2 to 3 wall between the transmitter and the receiver.

Thanks

[WillPeterson]

Try the company below, very helpful people and excellent products >
MEL Secure Systems Ltd.
www.melsecuresystems.co.uk

[s a m]

The quality is not all that amazing compared to pro systems but you can get Network CCTV, its pretty much a web cam in a CCTV housing box, but you connect it to your router and can be set up as an IP based webcam. You can make it upload video/stills to web space, or your PC when ever there is any action.

Or – you can get a traditional CCTV camera and housing, say a home security one – Argos etc, and use a network video card/box – which does the same thing as the web cam idea but takes its input from the external camera.

Cheap at about £100, and no fuss with tapes, recording and tieing up your TV.