Recommendation for CCTV System

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  cockneylondoner on 02/09/2017 - 21:07

  If it helps; I've got a Swann CCTV system in my home (4 cameras), and it's excellent for the purpose I'm using it for.
  Swann goods are available in Australia and for your budget, this one seems something you may find either suitable or a 'benchmark' from which to start from

  http://www.swann.com/au/swdvk-416002

  My view is that you only get what you pay for, especially where security is concerned. I have had cheaper units but found them to be very restrictive, and affected by the weather.

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  Korban Dallas on 03/09/2017 - 20:32

  Hikvision hooked up to a NAS this is what I have. Alternatively if you are looking for an easy install perhaps ring door bell and https://www.sengled.com.au/

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  SPCTRE on 05/09/2017 - 14:23

  +1

  TBH if you can't afford to get a proper CCTV setup then your better off not getting one at all.
  It's pointless to have footage that you can barely make out people faces unless they are within 2m from the cameras.
  Most home CCTV setup won't get number plates beyond your driveway.
  If your going down this path, look at industrial grade CCTV setup with properly IR and night vision cams and NVR/DVR boxes hooked up with either WD red or purple. Go for brands like Hikvision, Bosch, Samsung, honeywell etc.
  Mate works for a uni and there was a hit and run in the car park.
  They review the footage and can see it all happening but can't see the number plate. Resolution and Zoom feature was bad.
  Gave the footage to the victim and said hope that helps 😂
  If you can't afford it then either save up or don't waste your money, better just get dummy cams instead

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    leTintin on 15/09/2017 - 15:03

    I agree it's nice to have great equipment, but knowing that a person was in my front yard for example is better than not knowing at all, even if the picture is a bit fuzzy. Go for the best you can afford.

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  SteveAndBelle on 07/09/2017 - 12:27

  +1

  Yeah, it's a tough call HD. As SPCTRE says above, if you want something decent enough to capture clear faces & number plates then you will have to spend decent money however it's surprising what can be done with proper placement of cheaper cameras especially when combined with motion detecting security lights and seperate IR floodlights etc. but even then you'll have to at least double your budget! I'm running a similar setup to Wooldogs above (HIKVISION IP Cameras and a Homemade NAS) and it works very nicely for what I need (general neighbourhood watch) and allows good enough resolution to zoom in on the captured footage for faces & number plates but only during the daylight hours. Once the sun goes down it's very difficult to recognise a lot of important detail if anything major happened but the use of IR Floodlights or even just well placed security lights would really help.

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  Foxtail on 20/09/2017 - 11:35

  How are these home CCTV systems wired Cat6?.

  Does each camera require a power point outlet?

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    SteveAndBelle on 21/09/2017 - 08:24

    Depends which type of camera you get. My cameras are 'POE' (Power Over Ethernet) so they're each connected via a single run of Cat6 (Cat5 would also be OK) back to a POE Switch which injects power (48V) into the Cat6 cable. A small 4-port POE switch costs around $70 but it saves so much hassle running data AND power to each camera plus allows super easy hard resets if required as all you have to do is disconnect the cable from the switch and the camera loses power instead of having to crawl around a ceiling to switch them off manually or kill an entire power circuit or whatever.

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  Foxtail on 21/09/2017 - 09:15

  Excellent info thanks.

  Id be looking at 4 cameras and recorder any you would recommend?.

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    SteveAndBelle on 21/09/2017 - 12:18

    Sorry, as per my comment above, I run my cameras through a HomeMade NAS box so I really can't comment on stand-alone recorders etc. That's a completely different system.