I have a slightly different perspective on CCTV based on years of using it in the field in Loss Prevention and Corporate Security.
The first thing is to have realistic expectations from your CCTV system. CCTV is not the be all end all of security. Many people have the misconception that a video camera will solve any crime.... they are sorely mistaken.
In many cases, considering you have a set budget, you will be better served with more lower level cameras. Most salesmen will tell you the opposite, and make good arguments for higher end equipment, however, the point of diminishing returns is quite low.
For an example, lets use IVB's camera on the front of his house.
What is it's purpose? Is it to identify somebody who is at the door before you answer it, or somebody who is trying to brake in to the house, or brake in to your car, or the car that ran in to your car parked on the street, or the mugger on the sidewalk......?
I hate to tell you this, but from the looks of it, it won't do any of these. A simple peep hole camera for under $100 would tell you somebody was at the door and give you a good chance of being able to identify them. For the rest of the scenarios I listed, save your money, they're pipe dreams. You may be able to see something happen, but you won't get anything good enough to identify somebody unless you have a very sloppy perpetrator and a very dedicated detective
Some people here use cameras in there homes so they can remotely check in to verify an alarm. A $30 cam will serve you just as well as a $300 one for this... and you'll be able to get 4 for the same price (when you factor in wiring and recording costs).
If you do go with something with a high resolution, keep in mind that to make it worthwhile, you'll need to record at that resolution.
On IR, I completely agree with Collin. They can serve a purpose if you want to catch somebody taking something, but even then you are better served by low lux camera and an IR iluminator. Around your home, use a motion detector to kick lights on. That way you have light for the cam , light to scare off the bad guy, and light for the neighbors to see the bad guys. Your money and effort is better spent securing items than getting video so you may possibly (unlikely) be able to identify somebody that took something.
The first thing is to have realistic expectations from your CCTV system. CCTV is not the be all end all of security. Many people have the misconception that a video camera will solve any crime.... they are sorely mistaken.
In many cases, considering you have a set budget, you will be better served with more lower level cameras. Most salesmen will tell you the opposite, and make good arguments for higher end equipment, however, the point of diminishing returns is quite low.
For an example, lets use IVB's camera on the front of his house.
What is it's purpose? Is it to identify somebody who is at the door before you answer it, or somebody who is trying to brake in to the house, or brake in to your car, or the car that ran in to your car parked on the street, or the mugger on the sidewalk......?
I hate to tell you this, but from the looks of it, it won't do any of these. A simple peep hole camera for under $100 would tell you somebody was at the door and give you a good chance of being able to identify them. For the rest of the scenarios I listed, save your money, they're pipe dreams. You may be able to see something happen, but you won't get anything good enough to identify somebody unless you have a very sloppy perpetrator and a very dedicated detective
Some people here use cameras in there homes so they can remotely check in to verify an alarm. A $30 cam will serve you just as well as a $300 one for this... and you'll be able to get 4 for the same price (when you factor in wiring and recording costs).
If you do go with something with a high resolution, keep in mind that to make it worthwhile, you'll need to record at that resolution.
On IR, I completely agree with Collin. They can serve a purpose if you want to catch somebody taking something, but even then you are better served by low lux camera and an IR iluminator. Around your home, use a motion detector to kick lights on. That way you have light for the cam , light to scare off the bad guy, and light for the neighbors to see the bad guys. Your money and effort is better spent securing items than getting video so you may possibly (unlikely) be able to identify somebody that took something.
