RE: [OT]ish IP based cctv camera recomendations

["Neil Ball" <neilball@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Phil

I'd considered Zoneminder but the issue is that the yard does not have
anywhere suitable for a PC to live - the offices are off site, and the shed
on site is not even fully protected from the elements. I'm working to a
notional budget of around =A31k including electrical installation so maybe
=
I
need to look at creating a secure location for a PC as part of the set up.

Neil B.=20

-----Original Message-----
From: ukha_d@xxxxxxx [mailto:ukha_d@xxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
Philip Coombes
Sent: 16 September 2006 20:58
To: ukha_d@xxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [ukha_d] [OT]ish IP based cctv camera recomendations

<ObInterestDisclaimer>I wrote ZoneMinder so I am a bit=20
biased</ObInterestDisclaimer>

Have you thought about setting up a simple ZoneMinder=20
(http://www.zoneminder.com)
installation? All you need is a PC (doesn't=20
have to be so new), a capture cards and a couple of cameras. I know=20
people in the same boat who've had diesel stolen and have used ZM for=20
successful prosecutions. Even if all that happens is you can record=20
where the perps put their hands etc it can be enough for the Police to=20
get fingerprints etc.

If you've got an old PC lying around you can use that (instal from the=20
LiveCD), get a capture card, around =A3100-200 pountds or less depending=20
on the type, and one or more analogue cameras plus or minus an IR=20
illuminator. I would not recommend IP cameras for outdoors as the=20
housing are very expensive, and the light sensitivity is so poor.=20
Analogue cameras are much cheaper and simpler. If you get some baluns=20
you can run both video and power down the same CAT5 cable to make=20
installation easier. It's entirely possible to get a fairly modest=20
system fully set up in a day or so.

I would recommend continuous recording rather than motion detection in=20
your circumstances as it's reasonably easy to determine when something=20
has happened (ie you have no fuel), notion detection at range in the=20
dark is a bit more hit and miss.

Phil