We want to set up some CCTV system to get good quality images of any
crims who come into our garden - we've tried the cheapy one from argos
that records onto flash but as expected its rubbish.

We don't want to use a dedicated PC cos of the energy waste - but what
other options are there that people are using to record?

--
http://www.halloweenfreebies.co.uk
http://www.bingohoroscope.co.uk
http://www.simfreebies.co.uk

"mogga" wrote in message
...
We want to set up some CCTV system to get good quality images of any
crims who come into our garden - we've tried the cheapy one from argos
that records onto flash but as expected its rubbish.

We don't want to use a dedicated PC cos of the energy waste - but what
other options are there that people are using to record?

If I were going to the bother of it, I'd go for a PC / net based system,
that gets in touch with you if you're broken into and you can check the
images online. You're much more likely to a) stop stuff being stolen and b)
get what's stolen back, if you can actually ring the police when it's
happening or very soon after IMO.

On Sun, 29 Oct 2006 10:56:48 +0000, mogga wrote:

|We want to set up some CCTV system to get good quality images of any
|crims who come into our garden - we've tried the cheapy one from argos
|that records onto flash but as expected its rubbish.
|
|We don't want to use a dedicated PC cos of the energy waste - but what
|other options are there that people are using to record?

Talk to your local Police Crime Prevention Officers. They need good
quality images to use as evidence.
--
Dave Fawthrop dave hyphenologist co uk Google Groups is IME the *worst*
method of accessing usenet. GG subscribers would be well advised get a
newsreader, say Agent, and a newsserver, say news.individual.net. These
will allow them: to see only *new* posts, a killfile, and other goodies.

"mogga" wrote in message
...
We want to set up some CCTV system to get good quality images of any
crims who come into our garden - we've tried the cheapy one from argos
that records onto flash but as expected its rubbish.

We don't want to use a dedicated PC cos of the energy waste - but what
other options are there that people are using to record?

What do you mean by "records onto flash"?
I have a "cheapy" one from Argos and it records ok onto VCR

In article ,
"Doki" writes:

If I were going to the bother of it, I'd go for a PC / net based system,
that gets in touch with you if you're broken into and you can check the
images online. You're much more likely to a) stop stuff being stolen and b)
get what's stolen back, if you can actually ring the police when it's
happening or very soon after IMO.

Ringing your local police when you're out of area is gradually
becoming impossible.

--
Andrew Gabriel

We don't want to use a dedicated PC cos of the energy waste - but what
other options are there that people are using to record?

I am in the middle of setting up a similar system, and I know what you
mean.
At the moment I have an old PC sat in the garage running Linux which
records / motion detects / streams to the Net. This has all the power
saving turned on, but I cannot let the disks spin down because if
motion is detected, I need to start recording straight away.

I have been toying with the idea of using a large flash drive to record
to instead. What disadvantages did you find with your camera?

On 29 Oct 2006 05:16:09 -0800, wrote:

We don't want to use a dedicated PC cos of the energy waste - but what
other options are there that people are using to record?

I am in the middle of setting up a similar system, and I know what you
mean.
At the moment I have an old PC sat in the garage running Linux which
records / motion detects / streams to the Net. This has all the power
saving turned on, but I cannot let the disks spin down because if
motion is detected, I need to start recording straight away.


We've got a server running all the time anyway - have been toying with
idea of recording cctv at night on it as it doesn't have much cpu use
from our processes during that time but concerned about overloading it
- having two running all the time adds up the running costs.

I have been toying with the idea of using a large flash drive to record
to instead. What disadvantages did you find with your camera?

It came with a camera and you could only use that camera with it. It
was rubbish at pics in the dark.
Someone else had thought so too as there were smudgy pics of their car
left on the flash card.
The compression wasn't alterable though on the one we had - so you're
restricted to their settings.

--
http://www.halloweenfreebies.co.uk
http://www.bingohoroscope.co.uk
http://www.simfreebies.co.uk

On Sun, 29 Oct 2006 10:56:48 +0000, mogga wrote:
We want to set up some CCTV system to get good quality images of any
crims who come into our garden - we've tried the cheapy one from argos
that records onto flash but as expected its rubbish.

We don't want to use a dedicated PC cos of the energy waste - but what
other options are there that people are using to record?

Get a mintron exview camera, the 12V1-EX is good. This produced normal
CCTV output, you will need some means of recording it.

Pete

--
.................................................. .........................
.. never trust a man who, when left alone ...... Pete Lynch .
.. in a room with a tea cosy ...... Marlow, England .
.. doesn't try it on (Billy Connolly) .....................................

On Sun, 29 Oct 2006 10:59:26 -0000, "Doki" wrote:


"mogga" wrote in message
.. .
We want to set up some CCTV system to get good quality images of any
crims who come into our garden - we've tried the cheapy one from argos
that records onto flash but as expected its rubbish.

We don't want to use a dedicated PC cos of the energy waste - but what
other options are there that people are using to record?

If I were going to the bother of it, I'd go for a PC / net based system,
that gets in touch with you if you're broken into and you can check the
images online. You're much more likely to a) stop stuff being stolen and b)
get what's stolen back, if you can actually ring the police when it's
happening or very soon after IMO.

Part of our drive is right next to an alley where people walk their
dogs so we'll have to watch out we don't get emailed every time a dog
goes by.

Part of our reasoning for getting CCTV is that we've had "something"
drive into our gates damaging them. The police man couldnt' write down
it was done by car as no one witnessed it (And car tracks and broken
headlights don't count)
--
http://www.halloweenfreebies.co.uk
http://www.bingohoroscope.co.uk
http://www.simfreebies.co.uk

On Sun, 29 Oct 2006 13:38:13 +0000, mogga wrote:

|On Sun, 29 Oct 2006 10:59:26 -0000, "Doki" wrote:
|
|
|"mogga" wrote in message
. ..
| We want to set up some CCTV system to get good quality images of any
| crims who come into our garden - we've tried the cheapy one from argos
| that records onto flash but as expected its rubbish.
|
| We don't want to use a dedicated PC cos of the energy waste - but what
| other options are there that people are using to record?
|
|If I were going to the bother of it, I'd go for a PC / net based system,
|that gets in touch with you if you're broken into and you can check the
|images online. You're much more likely to a) stop stuff being stolen and b)
|get what's stolen back, if you can actually ring the police when it's
|happening or very soon after IMO.
|
|Part of our drive is right next to an alley where people walk their
|dogs so we'll have to watch out we don't get emailed every time a dog
|goes by.
|
|Part of our reasoning for getting CCTV is that we've had "something"
|drive into our gates damaging them. The police man couldnt' write down
|it was done by car as no one witnessed it (And car tracks and broken
|headlights don't count)

If you had a recording *where one could read the number plate*, and the
recording was timed and dated that would be evidence.
--
Dave Fawthrop dave hyphenologist co uk Google Groups is IME the *worst*
method of accessing usenet. GG subscribers would be well advised get a
newsreader, say Agent, and a newsserver, say news.individual.net. These
will allow them: to see only *new* posts, a killfile, and other goodies.

mogga wrote:
mogga wrote:
We want to set up some CCTV system to get good quality images of any
crims who come into our garden - we've tried the cheapy one from argos
that records onto flash but as expected its rubbish.

We don't want to use a dedicated PC cos of the energy waste - but what
other options are there that people are using to record?



--
To reply via email, first reverse the address below then replace the
(at) with @ and the (dot) with .
ku(tod)em(tod)mahlew(ta)spuorgswen We want to set up some CCTV system
to get good quality images of any
crims who come into our garden - we've tried the cheapy one from argos
that records onto flash but as expected its rubbish.

We don't want to use a dedicated PC cos of the energy waste - but what
other options are there that people are using to record?

Is this for night or day work? For daytime you should be able to get
reasonable images (with relatively cheap cameras), although maybe not
enough for evidence. See some earlier threads for more information

For night filming, when there is usually trouble, you can get night
image cameras, but in my opinion there not much good, not much detail in
the face, you will just get an image of someone doing something.

You will also need to record the images, you can connect them to some
video recorders, but you need to know when the trouble is about to
start, to press record, so not much use. You need to use either a
digital video recorder (hard disk unit) or a PC. The only other option
is the one you have already tried.

Lastly I would recommend a camera which has a zoom function, but again
this puts the price up, otherwise you are stuck with the picture range
the manufacture selected which will probably not be ideal for your
situation.

In my opinion home cameras are most effective as a deterrent.

You may also need to consider DPA if you’re filming public property, a
quick call to them should clear the situation.


Hope this helps

Andrew


--
To reply via email, first reverse the address below then replace the
(at) with @ and the (dot) with .
ku(tod)em(tod)mahlew(ta)spuorgswen

Part of our drive is right next to an alley where people walk their
dogs so we'll have to watch out we don't get emailed every time a dog
goes by.

I am using ZoneMinder for movement detection. This lets you designate
certain areas to watch, so in your case you would only watch your
drive, and not the alley.
http://www.zoneminder.com/uploads/pics/zm-zone.gif

"mogga" wrote in message
...
We want to set up some CCTV system to get good quality images of any
crims who come into our garden - we've tried the cheapy one from argos
that records onto flash but as expected its rubbish.

Evidence quality CCTV is expensive and, even if you have the quality, the
cameras need to be sited where they show criminal activity in progress.
Simply having someone walk into and out of shot at exactly the right time to
have broken in is not evidence if they did nothing criminal while in shot.
IMO, the only useful CCTV for crime detection or prevention is a
professional remotely monitored system.

Colin Bignell

mogga wrote:

We don't want to use a dedicated PC cos of the energy waste - but what
other options are there that people are using to record?

Dedicated s/h laptop however would be far lower power consumption.

--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

I am using ZoneMinder for movement detection

Looks nifty - do you happen to know if its been ported to 'doze at all ?

On 2006-10-29 19:42:59 +0000, Colin Wilson said:

I am using ZoneMinder for movement detection

Looks nifty - do you happen to know if its been ported to 'doze at all ?

Hopefully not if something reliable is wanted.

Processing of video on Windows has always been a challenge for it.

nightjar wrote:
"mogga" wrote in message
...
We want to set up some CCTV system to get good quality images of any
crims who come into our garden - we've tried the cheapy one from argos
that records onto flash but as expected its rubbish.

Evidence quality CCTV is expensive and, even if you have the quality, the
cameras need to be sited where they show criminal activity in progress.
Simply having someone walk into and out of shot at exactly the right time to
have broken in is not evidence if they did nothing criminal while in shot.
IMO, the only useful CCTV for crime detection or prevention is a
professional remotely monitored system.

Colin Bignell

It's not all about admissable evidence (in court) however...

There is still value in getting video footage of a 'suspected' burglar
as if you/anyone/police can recognise the person in it then they can be
paid a visit.... if your stuff is subsequently found in the scummers
posession then job's a good 'un.

Mathew

wrote:


I have been toying with the idea of using a large flash drive to record
to instead. What disadvantages did you find with your camera?

Try to find out more about just how man read/write cycles that
particular type of flash drive is rated for. Some only have relatively
limited numbers of cycles and wouldn't last too long if used in the way
you outline.

On 30 Oct 2006 09:07:17 GMT, Huge wrote:


It's not all about admissable evidence (in court) however...

Home CCTV footage is almost certainly not admissible anyway. The chain
of evidence has been broken.

There is still value in getting video footage of a 'suspected' burglar
as if you/anyone/police can recognise the person in it then they can be
paid a visit.... if your stuff is subsequently found in the scummers
posession then job's a good 'un.

In your dreams. A good friend of mine had two cars stolen from the
local station car park within a few weeks of one another. The police
weren't interested in going through the CCTV footage, and in the end
he did it himself. Even then, they weren't terribly interested.

These days, the police are mostly enforcers for the Treasury.

The high tec systems used in council blocks allow guards to cut
snipped out onto dvd for the police to take away (Thats what I've been
told)
They used to be on vid and would regular dswindle down to 2 vids - so
evidence dind't last long - I assume the police stations are stuffed
with old cctv tapes.

The camera someone recommended has been seen for about £279 so we're
trying some other stuff first.
--
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http://www.bingohoroscope.co.uk
http://www.simfreebies.co.uk

On 30 Oct 2006 09:07:17 GMT Huge wrote :
In your dreams. A good friend of mine had two cars stolen from the
local station car park within a few weeks of one another. The police
weren't interested in going through the CCTV footage, and in the end
he did it himself. Even then, they weren't terribly interested.

My neighbour had an expensive new motorbike stolen from outside an
office where he was working. Their CCTV picked up the thieves turning
up in a van and taking it. He immediately phoned up the police: a
*week* later they turned up to look at the CCTV.

Meanwhile the InsCo came round to inspect his garage (as the policy
said it was garaged) hoping for an excuse not to pay, although whether
it was garaged or not was completely irrelevant in this case. They
took a £500 excess off him, and then told him that as it was a total
loss payout his £500 policy of three weeks standing was void. So £1000
down and no help from police or insurance.

--
Tony Bryer SDA UK 'Software to build on' http://www.sda.co.uk

On Sun, 29 Oct 2006 10:56:48 +0000, mogga
wrote:

We want to set up some CCTV system to get good quality images of any
crims who come into our garden - we've tried the cheapy one from argos
that records onto flash but as expected its rubbish.

We don't want to use a dedicated PC cos of the energy waste - but what
other options are there that people are using to record?

Having followed this thread for a while, thought I'd de-lurk and post
a few lines....

I have 2 cctv cameras mounted on the house, one pointing down the
drive (to record the number plates of any vehicle getting close enough
to the house), the other pointing at the door of a 'summer house'
which contains my home cinema setup, and doubles as the dogs sleeping
accomodation. (Pedigree goldlen retrievers)

The lot is connected to a motion sensitive DVD recorder, which in turn
is internet accessible, and also pumps images to an offsite server (in
case the perps decided to nick it)

All works well for me, as the alarm system only calls me when the
alarm is activated, not when the postie delivers the mail when I'm
out.

As to the question of admissible evidence, the local police have told
me that in almost all cases the images won't help with a prosecution,
but if the images are good enough, they'll be able to identify the
perps and that in turns gives them a much greater chance of recovering
the stolen items. Speaking from experience, getting your stuff back
is a much higher priority than seeing some low-life teenager getting a
community service order.......

Just my thoughts....if anyone wants more details of the exact kit I'd
be happy to post it

Tim

In article , Tim
writes
On Sun, 29 Oct 2006 10:56:48 +0000, mogga

I have 2 cctv cameras mounted on the house, one pointing down the
drive (to record the number plates of any vehicle getting close enough
to the house), the other pointing at the door of a 'summer house'
which contains my home cinema setup, and doubles as the dogs sleeping
accomodation. (Pedigree goldlen retrievers)

Yes please Tim, I'd be particularly interested in how good the cams are in
low light vs their specs, I'd prefer colour but might drop to B/W for the
better low light performance.

To the O/P, RF Concepts appear to have some really top notch stuff but
it's all at a price. eg. Ultra low light B/W Sonys (0.003Lux) at about the
100quid mark depending on the case.
http://www.rfconcepts.co.uk/index.htm

ps: Just for completeness, what are the names of the dogs :-)
--
fred
Plusnet - I hope you like vanilla

In article , Tim
wrote:

Just my thoughts....if anyone wants more details of the exact kit I'd
be happy to post it

Tim
Can you please post the details of your kit please.
Thanks A Lot

We were somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the
drugs began to take hold. I remember fred saying
something like:



Yes please Tim, I'd be particularly interested in how good the cams are in
low light vs their specs, I'd prefer colour but might drop to B/W for the
better low light performance.

To the O/P, RF Concepts appear to have some really top notch stuff but
it's all at a price. eg. Ultra low light B/W Sonys (0.003Lux) at about the
100quid mark depending on the case.
http://www.rfconcepts.co.uk/index.htm

I've recently picked up a Vantage 0.02Lux B/W CCTV cam from ebay - same
as these... 25ukp

http://preview.tinyurl.com/y3bu5u

http://preview.tinyurl.com/y7b74z

I've got the VGM 102.

+ Cheapo lens from owlighting (seller on ebay).

http://tinyurl.com/wjwp4
--

Dave

In article , Grimly
Curmudgeon writes

I've recently picked up a Vantage 0.02Lux B/W CCTV cam from ebay - same
as these... 25ukp

http://preview.tinyurl.com/y3bu5u

http://preview.tinyurl.com/y7b74z

I've got the VGM 102.

+ Cheapo lens from owlighting (seller on ebay).

http://tinyurl.com/wjwp4

Thanks for those, looks like a good spec and an established manufacturer.
I'm not a big fan of ebay but at those prices I may just dip a toe.

Harrolds eshop bookmarked.
--
fred
Plusnet - I hope you like vanilla