Surveillance Cameras

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Does anyone have experience with surveillance cameras placed outdoors?

What works, what doesn't? Evidence of people on property, but need proof.

-- HV (veggie@ourplace.com), February 26, 2002

Answers

camo them well,, hook it up to a motion detector,, get some good shots of deer that way,,,

-- Stan (sopal@net-port.com), February 26, 2002.

Generally speaking, the more you spend, the better quality you get. If the people are there at night you'll want low-light surveillance. You'll probably still want to go with something with a motion sensor to activate recording so you'll avoid looking at hours of dead tape. With that you'll only see tape when something moves within the scope of the camera. Consider renting if it's only a short term need. I hope this helps.

-- Gary in Indiana (gk6854@aol.com), February 26, 2002.

For recording and evidence you will need a low lux camera (night -low light), a motion sensing unit, and a time/date stamp -- time laspe vcr recorder.

The time laspe vcr needs to have inputs for the motion sensor, and camera. The recorders come in 24 hr, up to 960 hrs operation. However, if you use a motion sensor, it will only run while motion is detected. In this case the 24 hr would suffice. The longer the recording time the higher the costs...ie. 960 hrs vcr = $950..a 24 hr vcr = $300 to 400 at SAMS. Add a $60 for a blk & white camera and another $60 for a sensing device.

Check out www.x10.com/products/cameras.htm They can provide you with a total package to accomplish what you want.

Check out their VCR Commander II Kit for $60 and a 24 hr timelaspe VCR, be sure the vcr has a time stamp included to provide you with the time of the event. Sometimes they refer to this as an event timer. For legal purposes, it provides you with the time, and date of what ever is caught on your camera.

You might check around some of the stores near your town....sometimes they replace their units and you can purchase a b&w unit for low $$. Most of these units will be more detailed with up to 4 cameras operating based on the motion from each.

Hope this helps...

-- milam (milamgerick@juno.com), February 26, 2002.


I seem to recall that the sporting good catalog Cabela's has cameras activated by motion for recording wildlife passing by. Less than $40.00, if memory serves. I think their range was 50 feet, but am not certain. I have heard some good things about them, but only place the subject at the place. Make sure a reference point is included in the shot, one which would be impossible to duplicate elsewhere.

Would probably want to keep noise of operation to a minimum, so install inside box with soundproofing installed (packing peanuts . . . wadded up newspaper).

I hope you bust the trespassers.

-- j.r. guerra in s. tx. (jrguerra@boultinghousesimpson.com), February 27, 2002.


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