CCTV to catch scum

[scott_e]

Might document my system should it be of interest then. All pretty basic and does not need too much techy stuff. Accessible via tinternet too on iPhones etc. S

Would be interested in reading that Sanjoy if you get the time to write it up.

[Sanjøy]

The below is my specs made up from stuff I had lying around, this is a few years old now so there will be be better out there.

Desktop PC - Dell Pentium 4 3.2Ghz with 1.5GB RAM and 250GB storage running XP Service Pack 3. The more storage you have the longer your video archive.
Cameras - Mixture of USB webcams (Logitech QuickCam Pro 5000 & Intel CS630) and BNC connected Chinese CCTV cameras. The CCTV cameras are rated in TVLs, TV Lines, the more the better. My 450 TVL cameras look rubbish compared with my 700TVL cameras. I am swapping them out for 1200TVL ones now. Note that the CCTV cameras have Infrared lights in them that are remarkably good.
Video capture board - Euresys Picolo Pro 2, this is an old card and I know there are others out there that could do the job potentially better (higher frame rate)
Home router - You can "port forward" which will let you access the cameras from your work PC / Phone/ Tablet, easily done and different in all routers. Need to ensure you have a static IP on the desktop PC
Software - I-Catcher Console demo software is available for 30 days - give me a should about this.

I have used CAT5 network cable to carry the feed from the BNC connectors on the back of the cameras and power to the camera. Power is supplied using your usual block plug you get with home routers, just check voltages etc.

There are some nifty IR lights that could be used to invisibly flood light an area which could be of use

I think that probably covers it, full of the cold so have probably missed something, give me a shout if you are planning a build as happy to offer remote support.

S

[graeme]

top tips, cheers!

I can only add from my own experience...

1) position. Instinct is to put the cameras high up, but you'll never capture a face if you do that. Nobody looks up when they're walking normally, let alone up to no good.
2) light. I placed a camera on the wall in the garage, opposite the doors, pointed at the doors. Seemed sensible, except when the doors are open daylight backlights the shot, so everyone and everything is in silhouette. Useless. Camera needs moved to the wall with the doors on, at about head-height with the light source behind. For night time, those IR floods look great.
3) IP cameras make life easier, but are vastly more expensive.
4) Warning signs/stickers are effective. My camera in the garage can't be seen from outside, so I put a tiny label-printer, "WARNING: CCTV AND MOTION ALARM INSIDE" above each door handle. That wee 10p sticker stopped the nightly "wiggle-test" by local yoofs.

[Ferg]

You also not allowed to film public areas e.g. your car parked on the street.

As I understand it this is only true if you are a business. If you are protecting personal property you can film into public areas, just not into someone else's personal property. i.e. don't point it at the neighbours bedroom window Niz.

On the tech front, below is a link to show one of the reasons I recently chose a Synology NAS when upgrading by storage. This is the CCTV system that comes free with ANY of their NASs and includes a license for a single camera. More cameras cost additional licenses.
https://www.synology.com/en-uk/surveillance/6.3

[Stephen]

Sanjoy,
Looking to pick your brain re this as i have dragged my feet. ebuyer currently have this
http://www.ebuyer.com/702021-securix-pr ... e4-r30-kit
Securix Pro 500GB 4 Camera 4 Channel CCTV System (600TVL) - £170

and Costco have this
http://www.swann.com/uk/swdvk-441004
DVR4-4100 Channel 960H Digital Video Recorder & 4 x PRO-735 Cameras (700TVL) - £216

They both look good value.
Would you go for any of these? Would the 600 v 700 tvl make much difference for the cost or would you recommend neither and a 1200tvl system?

Thanks

S

[mwmackenzie]

I think you'd need to pop up a sign telling them they're being recorded or you might need them to sign a release form for you to use the footage of them? they could possibly even try and charge you for unlawful recording or the latest 'Stalking' as you film him on his nightly evening stroll?? Law is screwed up!!!! If you break into a builders yard to pinch some lead and break your ankle on something in the yard you can sue the yard owner... mental!! we covered that in uni..

[Sanjøy]

Sanjoy,
Looking to pick your brain re this as i have dragged my feet. ebuyer currently have this
http://www.ebuyer.com/702021-securix-pr ... e4-r30-kit
Securix Pro 500GB 4 Camera 4 Channel CCTV System (600TVL) - £170

and Costco have this
http://www.swann.com/uk/swdvk-441004
DVR4-4100 Channel 960H Digital Video Recorder & 4 x PRO-735 Cameras (700TVL) - £216

They both look good value.
Would you go for any of these? Would the 600 v 700 tvl make much difference for the cost or would you recommend neither and a 1200tvl system?

Thanks

S

I would not really know not knowing the difference in the actual base units. Looking at how they connect though you could always upgrade one of the cams for a 1200tvl one?

I had one big sign outside my old carpark in Edi and the Rozzers asked and used my footage, no contact details though. They were happy with what was doing and I was only too happy to help them catch some bike thieving scum.

[Stephen]

Cool cheers.

[j2 lot]

I think you'd need to pop up a sign telling them they're being recorded or you might need them to sign a release form for you to use the footage of them? they could possibly even try and charge you for unlawful recording or the latest 'Stalking' as you film him on his nightly evening stroll?? Law is screwed up!!!! If you break into a builders yard to pinch some lead and break your ankle on something in the yard you can sue the yard owner... mental!! we covered that in uni..

There are fairly stringent rules and regs covering CCTV but its straightforward to comply and despite horror stories to the contrary, common sense usually prevails when it comes to compliance.

[Corranga]

Maybe I'm being stupid here...

The cameras are analogue and therefore rated in TVL. 1200 is obviously better than 600, but then this is being converted to digital via the capture card.
The capture card presumably will only capture up to a certain resolution, does it reach a point where the 1200TVL camera will be gathering so much more detail than the capture card can handle and therefore is not worth the extra? Or is 1200TVL still below this point?
Or am I completely misunderstanding?

I have an old P4 PC sitting doing nothing, so have started looking at capture cards...