Is Cheap Video Surveillance Possible?

timholman writes "After a series of burglaries and auto break-ins in my neighborhood, I'm thinking about adding some video security cameras to my home. To me, the object isn't just deterrence — if someone tries to break into my house or my car (parked on the street in front of my house), I'd like to provide a high-quality image of the perpetrator to the police. Inexpensive video surveillance systems, with their atrocious image quality, are nearly useless. The problem is being able to get good image quality at an affordable price. After some research, I've decided that using network cameras to FTP images to a central server over a HomePlug network is the best solution. However, good megapixel network cameras (e.g. Stardot or Axis cameras) can easily cost more than $1,000 each. Has any of you dealt with a similar situation? Is there any way to get reasonable quality (preferably open source) daytime and nighttime video surveillance equipment for home use without paying an arm and a leg? Is it better to go with a couple of expensive cameras, or a multitude of inexpensive cameras? Is paying two to three thousand dollars simply unavoidable if I want to monitor my front and back yards?"

easy and cheap solution

[Anonymous Coward]

Tell the local FBI office you're thinking of opening a Taliban mosque and they'll keep 24/7 high-res real-time video with CD quality audio of your entire property with an emphasis on identifying anyone coming or going. Then if anything happens they'll already have the suspect's name, address and phone number on record. Just ask the police to get the info from the FBI.

Re:Dog

[ross.w]

a flock of geese FTW Best burglar alarm evar, and no-one will mess with a flock of angry geese defending their territory. really.

Re:Save your money

[Waffle Iron]

Get a pit bull and a gun.

That solution won't save money. Do you have any idea how much it costs to train a dog to safely and effectively handle a firearm?

Don't Live in a Crappy Neighborhood?

[morari]

Or better yet, don't live in the city at all! Don't park on the street, use your driveway or garage. People that park on the street simply take up space on the street and often essentially turn it into one lane for those of us who are driving. Also, buy a nice big handgun and wear it strapped under your shoulder while out cutting the grass and such. Make it known, because no one is going to assess the risk factor in that and still proceed with robbing you.

Re:But how to monitor the surveillance cameras ...

[Digestromath]

I've solved this recursive camera protecting camera issue. I've rigged all my camera sites with low cost, high efficiency, surplus claymore mines. Most burglars aren't to familiar with tripwires or explosive ordinance disposal. It's very effective!

Re:Old Macs

[Director of Acronyms]

Catching your neighbour screwing your wife : Priceless

Re:Where do you live?

[C_L_Lk]

They do when you post photos of the perpetrator in the act of the crime all over town with a "reward" offer affixed.

Re:Dog

[Anonymous Coward]

Or you can replace the geese with seagulls. It'll make them run. Run so far away.

Re:IQeye

[mmarlett]

Yeah, but a shotgun won't save you from a non-violent thief. It will just give them something extra to take.

Re:Prevention is better than prosecution...

[Lord Prox]

the crooks will leave prematurely and unsuccessful.

uhhhhh, could you call that Kleptus Interruptus?

Re:How about a fake dog

[Danny Rathjens]

I remember a story from a few years ago about a survey of criminals that showed the two things they most fear are dogs and AIDS. Therefore the best deterrent was putting up a sign that says, "Warning: Dog has AIDS." :D

Re:The surveillence is the easy bit

[iowannaski]

There were some stupid crook stories too (hint: if you're stealing a car, with boat attached, remember to hook up the trailer lights)

You call THAT a stupid crook story? Good grief, get a sense of perspective. I can assure that I am not stupid, but nevertheless, if I was stealing a car with boat attached, I wouldn't think to check that the freaking taillights were plugged in.

I suppose the crook would have been stupid in your mind if he hadn't checked the tire pressure or oil level of the vehicle he was stealing either.

Has it occurred to you that some people don't have the time to do a pre-heist 101 point inspection of every vehicle they thieve? Some times you need to take shortcuts in the name of efficiency! Freaking taillights, my ass.

Re:Advice from law enforcement

[Qrlx]

These system rely on facial characteristics like eye-nose-mouth ratio

This system must really excel at catching criminals who don't have a 2:1:1 ratio like the rest of us.

You don't need any cameras

[Charcharodon]

Buy a dog, a shotgun, and a flash light. (Well as long as you live in Texas.) After you bag a couple of criminals the rest will know not to come around.

If you live in the UK, leave the keys in the ignition, with a note apologizing for not having the car warmed up for them, along with $100 on the seat so they can by 1/2 tank of gas.

Re:IQeye

[Ihlosi]

If your home is such a big problem that you NEED a shotgun to protect yourself you really NEED to move.

The only other available places require machine guns or anti-tank weaponry ...

Re:A way to get the intruders attention

[Ed Avis]

Then to freak them out even more, you can make the clock tick backwards...

Re:IQeye

[fishboiler]

Come on and live with us in Sweden. There's no need to get a gun since the almost only criminals get killed by other criminals. And if you should defend yourself with your gun it's you who goes to jail. We get an insurance instead and just accept the fact that our cars get stolen and our homes plundered. And forget about owning a bike more expensive that it's lock for more than a week. I guess you would expect a working police force with >60% taxes, but swedes are not that demanding.

Re:IQeye

[Jerry]

mmmm... I wasn't aware that a "non-violent" thief was immune to shotgun pellets or slugs. Is that just the .410 shells or does the immunity include 12 gage as well?

Perhaps you should inform the Police and security agencies that their favorite choice of weapon is useless against such a well shielded adversary. I'm sure they will be glad to know BEFORE they trust their lives to such a useless weapon.