Re: EMERGENCY HELP

[Matt Ion <soundy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

harry wrote:
>

>>Bandwidth will depend on how you set up your cameras - framerate, image
>>size, compression, etc.  It will also depend on whether the cameras can
>>be set to transmit only on motion-detection, which would greatly cut
>>down your bandwidth requirements.
>
>
>
> What would be an ideal framerate, image size and compression for my
> requirements to get the face of the intruders clearly.

IDEAL is 30fps (standard video), max size (probably 640x480) and lowest
compression... "sufficient" is probably 2-3 fps at max frame size.
Compression settings will depend on what video format(s) the chosen
cameras support.  It's a balancing act, with all the factors depending
on your specific circumstances, and exact numbers can only be determined
with actual usage.

>>>Would I be able to use
>>>the DVR on videoinsight.net to record at BOTH my apartment and my
>>>brothers place simultaneously.
>>
>>Yes, but you'd need a separate computer at each location.
>
>
>
> Thats fine. I have a personal laptop with 100GB storage with Intel Core
> duo processor and 1GB RAM and another unused desktop in my brother
> place to record the video feed on his side.

You don't want to use your laptop as a DVR; a security DVR needs to be a
dedicate system.

>>They're not better AS SUCH... just have certain advantages in certain
>>situations.  In your case, if you're going to park the DVR at your
>>apartment, you don't need to use IP cameras; standard CCTV cameras can
>>plug directly into the DVR.
>
>
>
> IP cameras are a requirement since I want to record it in my brothers
> place also. So then CCTV is not an option I guess.

IP cameras are not REQUIRED for remote recording, IF you have a LOCAL DVR.

Here's what I would recommend:

Bring the "spare" PC to your place and set it up as a DVR there.  Use
standard CCTV cameras - I can't recommend any specifics without a LOT of
information on the layout of your place, and it's really something that
would be better done by someone who can actually inspect the place in
person to determine camera placements and coverages.

Set up the DVR somewhere that it's hidden or not easily accessible, like
in a closet or kitchen cabinet, and if possible even bolt it to the
floor or something else immobile.  If you have an alarm there with a
siren going off, chances are a thief is not going to hang around long
looking for a recording device; he's going to grab what he can and get
the hell out.

If possible, use small or even covert cameras, so the perpetrator
doesn't even realize there are cameras.  If he doesn't know there are
cameras, he won't know he's being recorded, and won't bother searching
for the DVR.

If off-site backup is that critical, use a DVR software with a
network-storage or network-backup option to send copies of your video to
your brother's place; I assume he has a desktop PC of his own with an
internet connection, which would be sufficient for this task, as such a
use doesn't require a dedicated system. At worse you may need to buy him
an extra hard drive for that machine to handle the storage.

Backup can be done by setting up a VPN (virtual private network) with
his system and using a shared drive just as you would on a LAN, or by
using software specifically intended for the purpose (I BELIEVE, from
what I've read, that VideoInsight's "Archiver" utility will do this, but
you should contact their support people to be sure).

This would help reduce the network bandwidth requirements, and would
drastically improve your choice of cameras, your configuration
flexibility, and most likely your bottom line as well.



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