Re: Small system for community docks

[paulaner]

On Tue, 31 Jul 2012 19:41:11 -0700 (PDT), Jim <alarminex@xxxxxxx>
wrote:

>On Monday, July 30, 2012 10:22:47 PM UTC-4, (unknown) wrote:
>> Any opinions on the Lorex system from Costco? http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11753262 I need to put up a few cameras to watch the piers and boat racks in my community. We don't have internet yet, but we want to store a few days so it can be given to the police if there is an issue. We have a couple incidents a year, such as kayak thefts or vandalism. The cameras will be outdoors, but can be mounted under a pavilion roof overhang to protect them. I should be able to get a some additional budget next year for some remote locations. One is about 100 yards and the other 200 yards from the DVR. Should I be looking for a CAT5 / MPEG system instead of these BNC coax cameras? Thanks for any help.
>
>Other than what's already been suggested, be wary of what any camera mfg says about it's range of infra red at night. If they say 100 feet, assume 50 feet. Also, keep in mind that cameras can't do what the human eye and brain can do. This is a common error that newbies make. If you stand at a spot and look at the area that you want to view with a camera, do what you see the Hollywood film directors do. Make a square out of your two thumbs and index fingers and move it closer or further away from your eye's. If you don't do this you'll get the notion that the camera can see everything that you can see and you'll be sorely disappointed when you see the actual picture. Get a camera with back light control and a day / night camera for better vision at night.  Another thing. If you're going to get a 600 lines of resolution camera, don't skimp on the monitor. Everyone wants to use a $120.00 computer monitor or TV set as a CCTV monitor. If doesn't make sense to have a 600 line camera and a
>400 line monitor.
>
>By the way, that's just the basics. There's lots and lots more to be considered before you install a camera system. Lighting, direction of the sunrise/set. Will any night lighting shine into the camera ... causing it to reduce it's night vision capabiity. How about head lights? How much current does each camera draw and what size wire do you need to avoid too much voltage drop? Is a 12 voltDC or 24Volt AC camera better? Bullet camera or dome? What's the temperature range? ...... If it's a dock by salt water, you can reduce the life expectancy cosiderably ..... and you will have to clean the salt deposts off the lens quite often...... and so on and on..... and on....
>
>Lorex is a tinker toy but it would/could... probably/might last a year or two. These systems are usually package priced low and when you need accessories or replacements, a single camera will cost you almost as much as the whole package did. That's how they GETCHA!
>
>There are reasons that CCTV installation companys are in business. The learning curve for a novice is quite steep and mistakes are expensive and/or cause the system to not be used because of inadequacies that are too expensive to correct. Companys like Lorex (in my opinion ) prey upon the public, making them assume that you can just put any camera up anywhere and it's going to work. And when it doesn't, it's too late and then you just accept what you get. Of course, novices don't know what's good or not to begin with, so anything that has any semblance of a picture ......it's .... " GOOOOOD " Anything that it doesn't do .... they wouldn't know about to begin with.
>
>Here's another thought. I don't know if this is a private or public docking facility..... but...when you put these cameras up, do you think that the boaters or any visitors to the boat yard will now expect some level of "security"?  If something illegal (assault or a person falling) happens and the cameras don't record it, because they weren't aimed properly or weren't maintained,  does this leave room for a law suit to you (the installer)or the boat yard owners ... because of the cameras presence and their implied security?
>
>Don't kid yourself ..... it's happened.

Some great advice in there - thanks.  Lots to think about.