Re: video surveillance

[Jim <alarminex@xxxxxxx>]

On Dec 17, 2:52=EF=BF=BDam, inva...@xxxxxxxxxxxx (Beachcomber) wrote:
> On Sun, 16 Dec 2007 22:56:18 GMT, Matt Ion <soundy...@xxxxxxxxx>
> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> >FrankLee wrote:
> >> Does anybody know of a good home video surveillance system?
>
> >> I have a neighbor who has been periodically vandalizing our property
> >> over the past 3 years. I want to set up a hidden camera system to
> >> record him. The police said they can't do anything unless I catch him
> >> on camera.
>
> >> He does a couple hundred $ of damage per year. And I'm afraid for the
> >> safety of my family.
>
> >> My budget is about $300 but maybe can go higher. I have a good working
> >> pc I can use for a system.
>
> >> Any suggestions/ideas helpful.
>
> >Would a simple webcam inside a window work? =EF=BF=BDOr is it a dark area=
 that
> >this damage is occurring in? =EF=BF=BDDoes the camera need to be outdoors=
, and
> >do you need more than one?
>
> This company is known for having a large selection of cameras and good
> prices (I have no affiliation ... =EF=BF=BDjust bought some stuff from the=
m
> once.)
>
> http://www.supercircuits.com/
>
> From past experience... =EF=BF=BDThe problems you are going to need to sol=
ve
> might include the following...
>
> 1. =EF=BF=BD Inexpensive cameras, in general, do not perform well at night=
.
> You may need to go with infrared illumination. =EF=BF=BDCatching the guys =
face
> on camera and identifying him might be difficult.
>
> 2. =EF=BF=BDStorage - The more disk space you have, the better. =EF=BF=BD =
If you are
> recording 24/7 you will have hours (and hours) of nothing to see. =EF=BF=
=BD If
> you go with motion detection, you will save some on all that wasted
> space, but at the price of increased complexity. =EF=BF=BDDoes your record=
er
> put in a time/date stamp?
>
> For example, how do you set the threshold of motion to detect if
> something critical is happening? =EF=BF=BDRemember... you will have differ=
ent
> lighting conditions throughout the day/night/variable weather.
> Multiple cameras compound this challenge.
>
> What is the guy doing specifically? =EF=BF=BDCan you install a sensor (for=

> example) if he is breaking into a shed and stealing your property? =EF=BF=
=BDIs
> he messing with your vehicles? =EF=BF=BDAn alarm trip that turns on the vi=
deo
> recorder might be more feasible for you...
>
> 3. =EF=BF=BDHow about audio? =EF=BF=BDIf the guy is caught in the act and =
becomes
> threatening. =EF=BF=BDIt might be a good idea to record the audio portion =
of
> the incident. =EF=BF=BDAgain, you might have issues of extra complexity -
> weatherproof microphones, etc.
>
> Beachcomber-

Check your local laws about audio recording. Surprisingly ( but not
really, if you think about it) there are numerous laws regarding the
recording of conversations without permission, even and sometimes
especially during the commision of a crime. In your situation, (and it
also depends upon what state you live in), you could lose in any law
suit,simply because you taped audio. Video, on the other hand, as of
yet, has not been the issue of as many laws and mostly has fewer
restrictions, except in "expected privacy" situations. Just check it
out with the police or perhaps the district attorney and do it in
writing ..... just as a precaution.