Re: Please recommend cctv dome camera

["wdoe999@xxxxxxxxx" <wdoe999@xxxxxxxxx>]

I have come tantalizingly close to what I want.
I should first mention that my setup is a Linux box running motion
software.
Those $70 NTSC dome cameras are so-so.

I bought a 2Megapixel Microsoft USB webcam for $40.  I plugged it into
my Linux box and it was recognized right away.  It produces exactly
the picture I want (1600x1200) and it is comparable to a digital
camera with nice bright colours.  The picture is infinitely better
than the NTSC cameras.  The only knock is that it can;t be far from
the computer (USB).

When I look at the cost of IP cameras, they seem absurd.  The 640x480
cameras (which is what I don't want) start around a couple of hundred
bux.  The megapixel cameras seem to be around $600 to thousands.
Before I would buy just one of those cameras, I would buy a whole new
computer to put near my USB cam.

For the front and sides of my house, I can put together:
computer = $80
3 cameras = $120

Even for my outer garage, I can do:
Fanless mini-itx machine with SSD drive = approx $350
3 cameras = $120

I don't wanna even calculate what 6 IP cameras (megapixel type) would
cost.  Not to mention the fact that they all seem to be big clunky
obtrusive things.

I dunno, something's wrong.  They can make snapshot cameras with nice
optics, a nice sensor, onboard memory, human interface, etc, etc for
less than $100.  I would think that megapixel IP cams should be less
cost.  Must be economy of scale, or just ripoff.