Re: CCTV Solution required

["Simon Coates" <ecolume@xxxxxxx>]

Graham,

Firstly I'd recommend good external security lighting - prevention is
better
than watching your house being burgled later on your CCTV!  That's if they
didn't nick your PC with the capture card in ;o)

As for cameras I'd definitely recommend colour (with good lighting) rather
than B&W cameras.  Although B&W cameras have much better low light
performance they don't (obviously) give any colour info - ie. colour of a
car, clothing etc... and they also tend to misinform you about 'colours'
since they are sensitive to IR.  For example, a prowler might be dressed
all
in black - but on a B&W system they might appear to have a light
coloured
jacket, black jeans and grey trainers etc... very misleading.

One important thing is to choose the correct focal ratio - ie. the field of
view.  With a large field of view (say f4.3 with a 1/3" CCD) the
chances are
that you won't capture a good image of the prowler, unless they are very
close to the camera.  A narrow field of view (say f12.0 with a 1/3"
CCD)
will 'zoom-in' on an area and might capture the image you need, but
coverage
will be poor.

It's surprising how many fixed cameras you need to get good coverage of a
property.  Usually twice as many as what you think.

BTW I've bought cameras from RF Concepts in the past and always been happy
with the products and service.

Regards

Simon

----- Original Message -----
From: Graham Howe <graham@solarfish.com>
To: <ukha_d@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: 21 January 2004 20:57
Subject: [ukha_d] CCTV Solution required


Due to the unfortunate burglary of a colleague, SWMBO is now interested in
beefing up our security. We have had Comfort installed for years and I'm
happy with my ability to detect a break in. However we are concerned about
our lack of ability to identify someone 'casing the joint' or if the worst
happens, video evidence of intruders. I know that there was recent
discussion here about the Geovision cards and some cameras available from
rfconcepts, but I'm not sure that there was any final recommendations on
models and overall solutions.

My budget is up to £500, but I would rather keep it down to £400 (these
prices are ex-vat). I need to have 2 outdoor cameras, 2 indoor cameras, all
black and white, audio not required. I also need a card capable of
processing the feeds from the 4 cameras and probably capable of adding
another 2 cameras later on. Of course I also want a software solution to
deliver the feeds to the internet/intranet but I assume that will come with
the cards.

As far as cabling is concerned, I already have CAT5e and CT100 to every
location I need, so either type of connection will be fine.

I'd really like to buy in the next day or two before the 'enthusiasm' from
SWMBO evaporates, so what can you guys suggest?

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