DIY Home Security | Suggestions and Your Experience

Lfratzhaus on 21/11/2017 - 12:50

Hey Ozbargain.

I just started renting a smallish unit, and I've become uneasy about my neighbours and want to install a diy home security solution.

The main thing that irks me about my place is that the front door is an indoor door, and while it has a security door, it doesn't look like it'll hold up a break in.

I'm looking for a cheap and simple home security set up. Something that has - at bare minimum - door sensors and a way to notify my phone On or Offline if it has been triggered.

What kind of solutions do you have at your place? And what suggestions would you give someone like me?

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • scrimshaw on 21/11/2017 - 13:01

    Mine consists of just one Xiaomi Xiaofang camera, pointed at the door and recording on a loop on 32GB microsd

    Costs under $18 and very easy to setup, and also can notify you via in-app notifications whenever motion is detected, however it's fairly rudimentary and it's easily triggered giving you false alarms, so I don't use it.

    Xiaomi also has security kits for around $50 USD which includes a pack of sensors. https://www.gearbest.com/alarm-systems-c_11986/

    • fratzhaus on 21/11/2017 - 13:12

      Do you have any 'cloud backup' of your recent footage? in case someone tears the thing away immidiately after walking in?

      I've had a look at those kits, even cutting the china servers out via home-assistant, however my experience with all that is limited.
      I do agree its the cheapest option though.

      • scrimshaw on 21/11/2017 - 13:59

        I don't have any backups stored in the cloud (don't have enough internet quota) . Don't think Xiaomi offers cloud storage options for their security products (could be wrong though)

        It does offer an option to backup to a router with attached storage but I've never actually looked at how to use it.

        Could look at some of the more premium options from Netgear (Arlo) Nest, Dlink and Logitech. These closed end systems are easy to use and are reliable, but they usually have high price tags.
        The cheaper end of the spectrum would be the DIY stuff like Hikvision, Swann and Amcrest

  • HighAndDry on 21/11/2017 - 13:01
    +2

    The main thing that irks me about my place is that the front door is an indoor door

    If you're renting, you might want to get this checked to see if it's up to fire code. The main reason for a solid/heavy main door isn't for security but for fire-proof-ness. And if it's not up to code, it's the landlord's responsibility to replace it with one that is.

    And if you make it seem like it was a regular fire-code check that found the issue, the landlord won't even be upset at you.

    • Beanvee on 21/11/2017 - 13:14

      Yea I honestly thought it was illegal to not have a full door as an external.

      • fratzhaus on 21/11/2017 - 13:19

        I'm not sure what effect a security door in front of it would have to play in all this.
        I'll see what I can find about it.

        • HighAndDry on 21/11/2017 - 15:37

          Don't think that would matter to the point that I'm thinking of - the door has to be solid and heavy for fire safety reasons, not security reasons. A security door (I'm thinking a metal frame door with bars?) won't do anything to stop or even slow down a fire and so shouldn't be relevant.

    • fratzhaus on 21/11/2017 - 13:17

      I'll look into this. Thanks.
      The back door is reinforced which is nice at least.

  • TRAVELO on 21/11/2017 - 13:20

    AliExpress. Just be sure to only purchase items that have high ratings. https://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale?catId=200215433&initiat…
    With CCTV, and if you have a little IT know-how. I recommend the free version of Milestone xProtect Go, free for a couple of cameras and you can cable up a couple PoE IP cameras and away you go.

    • fratzhaus on 21/11/2017 - 13:31

      wow! heaps of options there. most look to be cabled though, not too great for me. I'll look into them.
      I'll see if the software can operate locally without internet, in case that fails.
      Do you have experience with any of the ones listed?

      • TRAVELO on 21/11/2017 - 13:34

        No, I don't. I have a couple guard dogs at home so I have no need for an alarm system, they always bark loudly if anyone gets close to the home. It makes no difference to my insurance cost so it's never bothered me. AliExpress is generally very reliable if you only purchase from reliable sellers with lots of orders and checking out the reviews.

  • Storm on 21/11/2017 - 14:22
    1. Get the biggest 'Beware of the Dog' metal signs you can. Burglars actively scope out streets and mark down houses which may have dogs as one's to avoid, as it's not worth the risk to them (may not be any deterrant to your neighbours, as they would know you don't have a dog).
    2. Get some 'Warning: Surveillance' type stickers/decals for your windows.
    3. Get a couple of battery operate fake camera's (red light, rotate, motion sensor). Most thieves aren't going to want to get too close.
    4. When you can, get a POE (power over ethernet) security system, with at least 2 720p camera's, 1TB HDD, POE router. Camera's may need to be outdoor weather proof. Get at least one with a decent focus and infared range, so you can point it down your driveway. Make sure that when movement is detected, you get an image sent to you every so often (may need to adjust settings so every branch moving doesn't set it off), as then if someone breaks in and steals the PVR, you have some evidence.

    Also… you can get some handymen to look at reinforcing your security door(s) e.g. we had thick/wide perspex put across where the lock area is, so no-one could break the wire, put their hand in and unlock the door.

    Whatever camera's you get, make sure that they are always powered, and that they can't easily be stolen (thieves taking the evidence). Getting emailed images is good, but not fool-proof (what if the images are blurry etc.).

    • fratzhaus on 21/11/2017 - 18:47

      Renting means I can't really make modifications to the place without permission, and if what 0blivion says is right, I could have the door replaced entirely.
      I'd love if this place was hooked up with spots to install Ethernet devices, but it just has a 3 pin phone line in the bedroom.. Not super ideal.

      Was thinking of maybe setting up a camera inside at one of the windows, pointing at the entrance+My car. What kind of service would you use to send emails on motion? Or are you talking about cameras that have that functionality pre-installed?

      I'll buy a few stickers, maybe some branded ones, to place around :)

    • fratzhaus on 21/11/2017 - 18:50
      +1

      Also I was thinking that most of those fake cameras are like little domes, and they just stick to the ceiling..
      Anyone could tell that I could never have something like that wired in… BUT! I have a spare antenna from my wifi card that I could probably super glue to one, make it look like an ip camera.. So not a bad idea haha.

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