Home Security Advice

I'm looking to install 4 to 8 security cameras in my 3000 square ft
home. Likely wireless would be best, or the type that runs through the
electrical line. I have an ethernet LAN in the house and DSL modem and
would like to access any camera view from any of the computers on the
network. And in the summers when I go to the cottage I'd like to be
able to see those camera views online, either as video streams or
snapshots or both. And if possible have the intruder alert sent to my
email and/or phone.

Which hardware and software would best suite my needs? I don't think I
would need to have any automation such as camera zoom or tilt, but if
it's included I may use it. I'm quite computer literate so setting up
the internet feeds wouldn't be over my head. I've never setup security
cameras before though. I have an old Pentium 200 with 96MB ram and 4GB
hard drive lying around and was hoping to use it for this setup. If
not I can find a better computer.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Hibes (in Canada)

 

Look at Panasonic's Network Cameras. You can access all the models through
their consumer electronics side of their web site. The cameras range in
price from $150 US to around $1200. The smallest camera the BL-C10A is a
very cost effective little camera, and offers a small pan/tilt range.
Chances are you won't need 8 of them. They set up very easily with their own
little web page, much like a linksys router. They offer email, FTP, and a
Free service (DDNS) for finding them on the web. Look them over, and if you
have any questions, I'd be glad to help.
P.S. That P200 you have has too slow of a processor for most current
applications, other than getting email.

Jack

 

Thanks Jack. I'll check them out. Not sure if I want a network camera
though. I'm more interested in a wireless cameras for easy
installation that can be fed into a computer interface of some kind,
and from there the multiviews are distributed to the LAN and internet.
I'd likely buy a new computer for this job. I'm a computer tech, so I
like this idea better. Places like x10 and smarthome.com have
multiview software, but they're always limited to 4 cameras.

Hibes

 

I'd stay away from anything X-10. The Panasonic Cameras come wired or
wireless LAN/WAN. Plug an play, simple to use. They also have recording
software for them as well.
Free DDNS service that let's you find the cameras from the Internet. I use
them for video verification on 90% of my installs. They work great.

Jack

 

If you go with wireless cams, you'll probably find that they are more
sensitive to environmental variables (low temps, high temps, direct
sunlight, foliage scattering of the RF signal etc.). All sorts of
quirks can come up with camera placement vs. the need for good RF
signal reception. Few have scrambled outputs so if you have these
inside your house, you might be putting on a show for the neighbors if
they have similar receiving equipment.

Dont get me wrong. There are times when wireless cams are a great
convenience. But in most cases, you are going to run a power cable
for a camera, you might as well run a cat-5 data cable or a coax along
with it to insure a quality signal.

Beachcomber

 

While they make the pictures pretty on the website those cameras usually
stink as far as resolution and useless in the real world