Home CCTV

[stevie_b]

I've searched on this, but I couldn't find the answers I was looking for.

 

I'd like to set up a CCTV system in my home (for security purposes), but I'm not sure how to record the images. Should I:

 

1) record onto a PC's hard disk

2) upload images to the internet

3) record using a PVR?

 

(1) means I need to leave the PC on 24-7, but as long as nothing happens to the PC, I guess that's OK.

 

(2) would require an unlimited broadband account with uber-storage on a server somewhere, neither of which I have

 

What I'd REALLY like to do (but I don't know if it's possible) is to buy IP cameras, connect them to an ethernet hub, and get them to record onto an IP hard disk connected to the hub, without the viedo needing to go via the PC. Any CCTV gurus know if that's possible? I'm hoping I can specify the IP address of the hard disk when the camera asks for an IP address to write the data to.

[Homer]

I'm using a very simple setup (though not ideal)

 

Basic Logitec web camera, plugged into a USB port on my computer, this is running 24x7 with the motion detection software that came with the camera. It works very well indeed, though the obvious problem is that I can only use one camera and if the (albeit huge) PC gets nicked, it won't help much! On the plus side it only cost £40 inc the software.

 

My neighbour has a similar setup but has some software that instead of saving the images to disk, sends them to his ftp address. I'll ask him tomorrow what software it is.

[Konrad]

There is one more disadvantage of USB camera - it have to be relatively close to computer because of USB specific requirements.

 

You are prolly looking for something like this:

 

http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/109709

or this

http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/116423

 

Generally browse through categories:

 

http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/cat/Security/subcat/Wired-Cameras

http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/cat/Security/subcat/Wireless-Cameras

 

And you will find something for your liking.

[Pot]

A USB Cam'd work perfectly for me, as my PC's right by the window (I'm in a 1st floor flat ), and I'd certainly be interested in the software for this, the stuff for my old 'Quickcam', and my new fancier cam don't have motion detection stuff with it - Is it also possible to run 2 cams at once? As I'm thinking I could use the old one for CCTV, and my new one for MSN and so on...?