Security cameras...

codyc1ark

Lets keep this simple. Just got home and the house was broken into, two windows damaged, stuff all over the place. We were gone 45 minutes running. As far as I can tell they didn't make it to the living room with all gear, three laptops and an iPad. They did get $40.00 out of her purse. Police think that we arrived and they were still here because of the risky exit point, I'm glad I didn't walk in on it.

So, I'd like some opinions on cameras, I think I can get by with just five, maybe six. I'd like to entertain the idea of doing the install myself, and having some sort of recording device for all channels. Screw deterring these guys, I want them caught. I'm hoping someone here has some sort of experience with these systems and will have some input. TIA.

Mikey081057

Loren makes some good stuff with wireless cams and dvr that you can setup at entrance points and outside... not very expensive considered.. they have app that you can hook to your network so you can see on your computer or smartphone... available on Amazon, and can integrate to your alarm system via IP of you choose. you can choose as many or few cams as you want

codyc1ark

https://www.dropcam.com/

What about this option, I could get by with two, but three would be ideal.

rpf65

Cousin has an 8 camera system made by Swann. She got it at Fry's couple of years ago. Seems to work well, and was reasonably priced. No expert in this area, personally more really big dogs and an armory kind of guy myself.

Msabot1

How elaborate do you want to go? How many fields of coverage...motion detectors? Mag switches on doors?

WilliamM2

Cameras may help you catch them, if someone happens to recognize them. A security system may actually catch them in the act, of if if makes enough noise, scare them off before they can get much. It'll also wake you if you are sleeping.

Syndil

Got a Qsee system from Costco a while back. 8 cameras and a DVR for around $600 I think it was. Anyway, if you want thieves to be caught, you need cameras with decent resolution (650 TVL or better) and you need to set your DVR to capture at the highest resolution available. Basically a DVR will be able to capture so many frames a second at specific resolutions, and you divide that capacity up over the number of cameras you have. In my system, with 8 cameras, I think I am able to capture 7 frames a second at the highest resolution. Makes for choppy video, but the trade-off of smoother video would be lower resolution.

Also you might want to consider a UPS (battery backup) for the DVR and putting it in a secure location. Won't do you any good if the thieves are able to cut power to it or steal the DVR. Mine is on a battery backup, in a locked in-wall structured wiring cabinet, with a battery backup. Also the system is on its own breaker which has a security lockout on it.

codyc1ark

That's the thing. Our 90lb lab and 75lb heeler were on the back porch when we got home, happy as ticks. They had let them out, I can't understand this...

Toolfan66

Well someone knew you were leaving...

Msabot1

Knows the dogs too!

codyc1ark

Toolfan66 wrote: »

Well someone knew you were leaving...

Msabot1 wrote: »

Knows the dogs too!

Agreed.

Strong Bad

How did they get in?

tonyb

Sounds like neighborhood kids. A pro would not toss stuff around like you described. Even a half brained robber wouldn't do that. Unless.....they were looking for something specific and had to do it fast. The fact that the dogs were happy campers says they were familiar with whoever it was and laptops and an Ipad left untouched.....no frickin' way. Those are easily fenced items on the street anyone would take.

Not making assumptions, but if you keep any dope/prescription drugs in the house that could have been the target. Talk to your neighbors too to see if they saw anyone running in the yards. Camera's can work, but are easy to get around. You need some sort of alarm system that can notify you and the police the second it's tripped. Night time security lights is always a good idea too though your neighbors may not appreciate that, but hey.....you have to feel safe in your own home. Once that safety of your home is violated, it can be nerve racking to say the least.

exalted512

A friend of mine had a camera set up and someone came in his garage and stole some stuff. He turned everything over to the police. They never did anything.

Another friend of mine had some packages stole off his porch. He had video as well. He actually had seen the lady working across the street at a remodel or something. He gave the police the video, the name of the person, where she worked, and who she worked for. They never did anything.

I'm not saying dont do cameras, I'm just saying be prepared to be equally as pissed off when the police do nothing as compared to getting broken into in the first place.

I would use the cameras as a deterrent and make sure you have signs up that say this area is under surveillance.

-Cody

tonyb

exalted512 wrote: »

I would use the cameras as a deterrent and make sure you have signs up that say this area is under surveillance.

-Cody

That may work in some area's, in others it just gives potential thieves a heads up. Some even put up phony warning signs, which also may or may not work. Could always build a moat and fill it with gators or piranha's. :biggrin:

A common mistake I see with newer technology is having an app on your phone to access security systems/garage doors/ even locks on the house. Phones are easily hacked gents.....what does that tell you ?

Also, and not saying this pertains to this situation, is the flow of personal info people casually make available on social networks like Facebook. When they go on vacation, what kind of dogs they have, how many people are in the house, if you own guns or not, pics that display if you have a security system or not, if both adults are working all day, pics that also display surroundings/isolation of your property/ entry and exit routes. Pics also display any valuables too so be careful what you throw up on these social networking sites.

exalted512

Could be a heads up, but in my experience, thieves usually go for the easiest target.
-Cody

nooshinjohn

Be careful with Internet/wireless monitoring setups. Recently there has been cases of these systems being hacked and used to spy on homeowners and shut down wirelessly to make break-ins easier. The cheapest models are the easiest to hack

tonyb

exalted512 wrote: »

Could be a heads up, but in my experience, thieves usually go for the easiest target.
-Cody

Your absolutely right, unless they have something specific in mind that you own. Also doesn't explain the laptops and Ipad that was left sitting in the open. That's why I think these boneheads had a specific reason for targeting the OP. There's always a possibility too that it's just a pissed off neighbor extracting some revenge for some stupid thing. All they took was cash from the purse, no credit cards... not a real thief and not someone looking to take what they can as fast as they can. Maybe someone with a personal vendetta but doesn't want to exact any real harm to the OP.

nguyendot

nooshinjohn wrote: »

Be careful with Internet/wireless monitoring setups. Recently there has been cases of these systems being hacked and used to spy on homeowners and shut down wirelessly to make break-ins easier. The cheapest models are the easiest to hack

if you have a good firewall this won't be an issue.....

secure it with an SSL cert that you can only get internally and deny all the rest. Won't help if you lose the actual device though.

Or what I do - only use VPN so there are no other open ports to "hack".
Good luck tapping into that - it'd be easier to break my window and run a cable in.


Also - I feel you man. Get a camera for when you're not home (go to Sam's/Frys/Costco). A .45 for when you are home.

tonyb

Or you can rent my x-wife, she's great at keeping people away from where ever she's at.

codyc1ark

The more I think about it, it couldn't have been someone that knew me or the house. Reasons? They went for the guest bedroom first, which is only used when guests are there, they opened the dresser in there that isn't in use. Thats when they wen't for the purse I believe, got to the office, and little did they know that the living room was the honey pot if they had any ammount of time to grab stuff. Still doesnt explain why they didnt grab the Dell or Toughbook off of my desk that they we're IN. Very odd. I bet it was a kid in the neighborhood, I still wish they dogs would have scared them off.

gudnoyez

Sounds to me someone knows you're schedule in the neighborhood, did you guys return home earlier than usual from your run? Dogs were there usual selfs, not nervous or anything, that seems strange, it's got to be someone you guys know. Unless their blue tick hounds that like to lay around in the shade (CDB band) , something don't sound right ask around if your dogs were barking more than usual at the times you were gone those dogs must of knew them. I hope they get caught on your behalf.

codyc1ark

No we don't have a usual schedule on Sundays, run was random. This wouldn't have happened if I still lived in Iowa, better people! :lol

tonyb

I hear ya Cody, but still, consider yourself lucky. If you lived in Chicago and went for a 45 min. run, you'd come back and the house would be emptied out, copper stripped, appliances gone, purse completely gone, the tires on your cars would have been gone and the dogs too. They would still have time to eat your food and drink your beer and maybe catch the season finally of True Blood.

nooshinjohn

nguyendot wrote: »

if you have a good firewall this won't be an issue.....

secure it with an SSL cert that you can only get internally and deny all the rest. Won't help if you lose the actual device though.

Or what I do - only use VPN so there are no other open ports to "hack".
Good luck tapping into that - it'd be easier to break my window and run a cable in.


Also - I feel you man. Get a camera for when you're not home (go to Sam's/Frys/Costco). A .45 for when you are home.

For some systems perhaps... There is a case being investigated here in CA involving a family that was being spied on through a hacked nanny-cam. There have been numerous reported break-ins that involve security systems, door locks and such being dis-armed and opened from an I-phone, bypassing some pretty good firewall protocols. I am all for security in the home, but I think I would opt for motion detection cameras tapped into a non-networked stand alone setup versus anything more high tech.

nguyendot

Don't store the password on your iphone and that problem is solved.

tonyb

nooshinjohn wrote: »

For some systems perhaps... There is a case being investigated here in CA involving a family that was being spied on through a hacked nanny-cam. There have been numerous reported break-ins that involve security systems, door locks and such being dis-armed and opened from an I-phone, bypassing some pretty good firewall protocols. I am all for security in the home, but I think I would opt for motion detection cameras tapped into a non-networked stand alone setup versus anything more high tech.

I might agree with you there. Protocols, firewalls.....I would imagine the government and major corporations who employee people for the sole purpose of protecting info are still not totally immune to hackers. Don't we see that every day in the news ?

If it was me, I wouldn't put up any signs that proclaim video surveillance. That just tells a crook he has to be more prepared. May scare away the unseasoned thief though.

If your going to buy a camera to watch your property, make sure it has good resolution in day or night. Also a zoom....just in case you want to point it at that hot neighbor's house window. :cheesygrin:

zane77

Monoprice is currently running a 20% off sale until 8/22 if that helps. No experience with any of them.

Syndil

You guys sound more than a little paranoid. Just don't put any cameras indoors. If they get hacked, who cares? If someone is in the house... Well they had to get in from the outside, didn't they?

Syndil

Also you seriously overestimate the capabilities of the crackhead rummaging through your house to find stuff to pawn for drugs.

codyc1ark

I don't think that paranoia is much of a factor here. I guess I look it this way - for a few hundred dollars you can have a system that allows you to see into your house and alerts you if something is going on that shouldn't be. I for one, wouldn't want to walk in on said crackhead if they we're perhaps armed (or not). Nor would I wan't my 115lb better half doing the same. It would be nice to know, that way we can show up along with the police, or if I'm out of town be able to alert the police to whats going on. I also feel like that outdoor cams may attract people looking for a quick score, 'they must have some money if they have cameras outside' mindset.

After going through this, I'd just like the piece of mind for myself.