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Post by graynomad on Jul 19, 2014 10:45:16 GMT 10
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Post by Ausprep on Jul 19, 2014 11:29:02 GMT 10
This is something i would LOVE to add to my preps, unfortunately money for something like this is yet to be found.
The kit looks good for the amount of cams etc vs price.
Can this be used as a stand alone unit or does it need the internet (eCloud) to function? Or is that just for remote access?
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Post by pheniox17 on Jul 19, 2014 11:30:34 GMT 10
11 cameras.... do you have a jaycar near by?? if not with the power of Google  ( WWW.jaycar.com.au ) have a peek at their gear, it dose get expensive, and then look at eBay for a better price I would go a DVR or PCI cards for the computer... |
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Post by pheniox17 on Jul 19, 2014 11:37:12 GMT 10
after having a bit of a look, too high a risk (based on the hours I have spent fixing camera networks)
but cameras are cameras I don't expect much, its DVRs that are a pain in the ass
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Post by Ausprep on Jul 19, 2014 11:46:20 GMT 10
after having a bit of a look, too high a risk (based on the hours I have spent fixing camera networks) but cameras are cameras I don't expect much, its DVRs that are a pain in the ass What do you mean by that mate? This interests me and id love to know more  |
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Post by pheniox17 on Jul 19, 2014 11:49:16 GMT 10
I know 3rd post same topic  eBay item number 371104793936 and a "retired" p4 computer (ANY) insert card, and you have a DVR foundation add cameras (they start at what $10-$15) need coax cable (you can even use figure 8... not so great of quality tho) and power to cameras (cheap and easy) and your laughing... easy to add "new" cameras and upgrade areas where you see fit.... that's how I would do it, may even look at a single pan zoom night vision camera for the last steep in the setup (from memory it doesn't take too much of a add on) |
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Post by pheniox17 on Jul 19, 2014 11:51:27 GMT 10
the price, I have had huge issues with DVRs (the box everything fits into)
from camera input fail to cops hate most systems, as they don't work in court
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Post by graynomad on Jul 19, 2014 12:46:04 GMT 10
Both AFAIK.
However while I've been out working I came to roughly the same conclusion as Pheniox. To wit, the basic technology is very simple, just 12v power and a video signal to/from each camera, it's all the DVR/cloud/network/Linux crap that's complicated and totaly unfixable if it goes belly up, and for a person that's trying to get away from computers (that's me BTW) that doesn't seem like a smart move. Also I don't need remote access, recording etc, it would be nice but it's just more stuff to break.
All I really need is to be able to see what's going on outside if I'm inside, the house is being built much like our truck, all shutters over windows etc which means nobody can see or get it, trouble we can't see out either. Hence the need for a CCTV system.
So I think I should do what I did for the truck a few years ago, IE build my own video MUX. The last one was a very simple circuit with 4 cameras, 4 buttons, and 4 relays controlled by a diode matrix. The beauty of this is that you can instantly switch between cameras by just pressing the appropriate button. So essentially it's just a big switch and a single LCD display.
Simple and cheap, however this time I will probably design a small circuit with a CPU, that will allow me to program it for scanning all cameras, scanning a group of cameras etc. With the cheap cost of PCBs these days I would make a circuit board as well I think.
Given that you can find cameras on eBay for $20 each (for 4, maybe less if you hunt around or buy more) and the control board would cost $50-100 this could be pretty cheap, much less bang for the buck that the above system I admit, but simple and fixable.
Another advantage is the user interface, when you have a lot of cameras you forget which one covers which area and wind up cycling through half of them to get to the right one. With buttons on wires you can make up a panel with a graphic that's a plan of the area and indication as to the coverage of each camera, then it's a no-brainer to select the right camera with a single push of a button.
So I think the gist of this thread has changed, I'll go DIY. If anyone has thoughts as to what features it should have speak up.
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Post by pheniox17 on Jul 19, 2014 12:59:48 GMT 10
there is a device I can't remember what its called (its a camera switch) can't find it on eBay tho
but its a device exactly what you described... you maybe able to find old versions for rca plugs (red, white, yellow plug type on your TV) I know there is one that gives a grid view.....
I like keeping with what I know, and between the 3 options, a computer has had the most success with
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Post by graynomad on Jul 19, 2014 13:02:30 GMT 10
Oooo, I'm excited. Just been looking at the cameras available these days, fisheye, pinhole, wireless, you name it, and all cheap. Hidden cameras in the surrounding bush anyone? This could be fun. Me to, and in my case that's embedded processors, firmware and hardware. We all chose a solution that fits our mental toolkit I guess. |
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Frank
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Post by Frank on Jul 19, 2014 13:15:46 GMT 10
I was looking at CCTV for my place a few months ago and still something that is on the "to do" list. I was just going to go basic and by a kit for start (one that can handle quite a few cameras) and have a crack at setting it up. Will be interested to see what you come up with.
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Post by Ausprep on Jul 19, 2014 13:33:00 GMT 10
Following this thread for sure.
Have you considered wireless cameras Rob?
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Post by graynomad on Jul 19, 2014 13:46:56 GMT 10
Yes, just been looking at them on eBay. The wireless link is all turnkey, you just see composite video coming out of their box so to the MUX it's just another camera. Normally you have cameras under eaves etc looking out, but with wireless there's no reason not to have some out in the bushes looking back at the house. This can cover a lot of blind spots. Of course you need local power, dunno how long batteries would last. Re the MUX (electronics slang for a multiplexer, AKA a multi-position switch) if you wanted to got really basic (and really cheap) all you need is a $5 rotary switch from Jaycar with a position for each camera. In fact you could wire that all up for starters then add a simple MUX as I'm suggesting or even a DVR/computer/whatever later on. I'm also thinking about how to do multiple displays so I can have one in the bedroom, one in the lounge etc. This is probably where a wireless system like the Uniden would come into it's own as you can just walk around with the display/control unit. Frank, don't hold your breath, I have a huge number of things to do before this, but I do need to run cables before I clad the containers, or at least make sure I have access where I need it. |
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Post by graynomad on Jul 19, 2014 13:50:28 GMT 10
Re wireless, I would really like a camera down at the front gate, but that's 400M away through the trees. Anybody know of a system that can do that? I have seen a few around but they all need line of sight.
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Post by Ausprep on Jul 19, 2014 14:12:25 GMT 10
Im thinking about 4 - 5 cameras for my house (funny corner block) feeding back to a stand alone, wall mounted computer monitor (have a spare 24" LED)
Prob go with 6 cameras to satisfy the OCD part of my and run the display equally in grid form :/
What else would i need?
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Post by graynomad on Jul 19, 2014 16:19:50 GMT 10
The simple method I'm talking about will only show a single camera at a time so a 24" monitor would be an overkill, I currently use about a 4" screen but if I do this I reckon 7" would be about right. If you want a grid display of all cameras I see no way around buying a commercial system. You do get amazing value from these, I worry about the complexity but I suppose when it breaks it can always be swapped out for a different model as the wiring and cameras will remain the same. |
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Post by pheniox17 on Jul 19, 2014 17:21:11 GMT 10
avoid wireless please, they are good... but not secure and signal easy to block
I know there are old style switches that do put a grid on your TV, jaycar had a little monitor that's 12v that's very goof for a small monitoring station
but the types, numbers, lenses, for cameras is massive.. and is a lot of fun, just don't put one in your shoe....
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Post by StepfordRenegade on Jul 20, 2014 15:05:50 GMT 10
Could you have little hidden solar panels like the ones they put on street lights to power your remote ones? Could maybe hide an antenna or something in a tree as well.
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Post by Ausprep on Jul 20, 2014 15:14:06 GMT 10
Could you have little hidden solar panels like the ones they put on street lights to power your remote ones? Could maybe hide an antenna or something in a tree as well. Awesome post! I have been thinking about this also. I would have to see what batteries power is needed for each camera but i think it would be more than do-able. Maybe something like a 7.2 A/H battery powering two/three cam's being recharged by a single, small panel. I like the way your thinking |
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Post by StepfordRenegade on Jul 20, 2014 15:34:08 GMT 10
avoid wireless please, they are good... but not secure and signal easy to block. In a SHTF situation what would be a greater risk? Someone having the know how to block/hack a wifi signal on a remote camera, or someone following a cord back to base? |
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