infiltrator
New Member
I am looking for a security camera solution for my house which will allow me to keep an eye on the house while I’m away, see who is at the door or driveway, and ideally be able to identify face and/or license plate number of an intruder. I would like to have ready access to the video when needed (perhaps tied to a modulator so I can view from any TV), have the stream Internet accessible, and also record the video for security purposes.
Having spent days reading forums, I have realized it is best to get a day/night cam rather than IR integrated due to the many disadvantages of integrated IR.
It seems 1080p translates to 1920x1080 resolution (barely 2MP in terms of IP cameras), thus analog cameras seem to have hit their technological limit whereas IP cameras have a long way to go. For this reason, I am leaning toward IP cameras.
I would like to cover a wide field of view without using lots of cameras. PTZ cameras look nice, but from what I understand their lifespan is less and there is a possibility you may miss the money shot because the cam is looking at the wrong place. To eliminate the drawbacks of PTZ and get a wide field of view which will still have the resolution to zoom in and pick out face details/license-numbers/etc, it seems that megapixel IP cameras are the way to go (at least 1280x1024 1.3MP >=8fps).
I would prefer a dome to bullet cam due to aesthetics (WAF), ease of cleaning, less bugs, and sturdiness, but it’s not an absolute need.
I was hoping to spend ~$400/cam, possibly as high as $500, but looking around it seems even this budget may not give me what I want. The closest I’ve found is:
4Xem 1.3MP PoE IP Network Camera (4X-IP7138) ~$310 (or 4X-IP7160 2.0MP version ~$335)
D-Link 1.3MP PoE Network Camera (DCS-3110) ~$498
ACTi ACM-3411 1.3 Megapixel Day/Night IP Dome Security Camera ~$465 (unfortunately the dome isn’t made for outdoor use)
Expanding search out to $600 opens more options, but the price is “getting up thereâ€:
ACTi ACM-1231 1.3MP outdoor bullet $535-$549
ACTi ACM-1232 1.3MP outdoor bullet $554
Panasonic BB-HCM515A 1.3MP box $536 (not sure how this mounts)
ACTi ACM-7411 1.3MP Outdoor Day/Night Fixed Dome $570
Geovision GV-IP1.3 1.3MP (1280x960 CCD) outdoor? bullet $600
Ganz MP1A 1.3MP auto Iris CS-mount $569
I haven’t researched DVR solutions much yet, but I may wind up with an AverMedia or ZoneMinder system since they seem to be highly regarded here. I have an Elk M1G and HomeSeer system that may or may not get tied in. Thus motion detection and security contacts are a definite plus.
In Summary, what I’m leaning toward is:
* Outdoor Day/Night (not IR integrated)
* IP Fixed at least 1.3MP (1280x1024)
* Dome instead of Bullet would be nice but not mandatory
Has anyone worked with the cameras I listed, or have any other advice for me? Thank you for your time.
Having spent days reading forums, I have realized it is best to get a day/night cam rather than IR integrated due to the many disadvantages of integrated IR.
It seems 1080p translates to 1920x1080 resolution (barely 2MP in terms of IP cameras), thus analog cameras seem to have hit their technological limit whereas IP cameras have a long way to go. For this reason, I am leaning toward IP cameras.
I would like to cover a wide field of view without using lots of cameras. PTZ cameras look nice, but from what I understand their lifespan is less and there is a possibility you may miss the money shot because the cam is looking at the wrong place. To eliminate the drawbacks of PTZ and get a wide field of view which will still have the resolution to zoom in and pick out face details/license-numbers/etc, it seems that megapixel IP cameras are the way to go (at least 1280x1024 1.3MP >=8fps).
I would prefer a dome to bullet cam due to aesthetics (WAF), ease of cleaning, less bugs, and sturdiness, but it’s not an absolute need.
I was hoping to spend ~$400/cam, possibly as high as $500, but looking around it seems even this budget may not give me what I want. The closest I’ve found is:
4Xem 1.3MP PoE IP Network Camera (4X-IP7138) ~$310 (or 4X-IP7160 2.0MP version ~$335)
D-Link 1.3MP PoE Network Camera (DCS-3110) ~$498
ACTi ACM-3411 1.3 Megapixel Day/Night IP Dome Security Camera ~$465 (unfortunately the dome isn’t made for outdoor use)
Expanding search out to $600 opens more options, but the price is “getting up thereâ€:
ACTi ACM-1231 1.3MP outdoor bullet $535-$549
ACTi ACM-1232 1.3MP outdoor bullet $554
Panasonic BB-HCM515A 1.3MP box $536 (not sure how this mounts)
ACTi ACM-7411 1.3MP Outdoor Day/Night Fixed Dome $570
Geovision GV-IP1.3 1.3MP (1280x960 CCD) outdoor? bullet $600
Ganz MP1A 1.3MP auto Iris CS-mount $569
I haven’t researched DVR solutions much yet, but I may wind up with an AverMedia or ZoneMinder system since they seem to be highly regarded here. I have an Elk M1G and HomeSeer system that may or may not get tied in. Thus motion detection and security contacts are a definite plus.
In Summary, what I’m leaning toward is:
* Outdoor Day/Night (not IR integrated)
* IP Fixed at least 1.3MP (1280x1024)
* Dome instead of Bullet would be nice but not mandatory
Has anyone worked with the cameras I listed, or have any other advice for me? Thank you for your time.