Home security with cameras and full time recording capabilities..

[mattl]

Anyone here have any experience with home security systems and multiple cameras that have recording ability?  Have a friend with issues, needs at least 4 cameras, remote viewing capability and motions detection recording.  Not looking for an ADT system @ $50+/mo.

 

Any experience?

 

[sudsmaster]

Don't have one, but I've been looking. There are lots of options out there, but before buying I'd recommend looking for unbiased internet reviews of the system.

Things to look for: Size of hard drive (1 TB seems to be the new standard), resolution, night-time picture quality, # of cameras supported, cost of additional cameras, ease of monitoring system over internet with smart phone etc, system power consumption (it's going to be on all the time, right?). Also the software interface: how easy is it to review footage, set parameters, etc?

I also looked briefly at Netgear's ARLO system, but didn't like that it was all internet based.

 

[circlew]

The washateria has a Samsung video camera and dvr system. The owner seems to be pleased with it.

I also have some friends that have a similar system made by Swann, and they like it fine.

I'm looking into getting one for my home in the near future.

 

[revvinkevin]

A friend of mine recently installed a "Knight Owl" system. It's an 8 camera, 8 channel set up with a 1 TB hard drive. The cameras do you not have microphones, but the system is capable of recording sound on the first 4 channels. You can set each channel to record either when it senses motion or record continuously. There is also a free phone app to download so you can access the system and view images through the app.

 

[parunner58]

We have the "Knight Owl" system installed for 6 years in our house and it has worked great. We have it set for continuous recording and have not had any issues. We can view over the internet if we need to. the only issue was, we purchaed the 4 camera and shouls have bought the 8. Will upgrade soon to the 8 camera system. We donnnn't need the sound recording so that is not an issue. The night vision on ours is great.

 

[sudsmaster]

Interesting.

Costco has had the Night Owl system for about 1/2 a year now, sometimes discounted. I read some negative reviews but it's good to know someone here knows someone who likes it.

Swann is a common brand, I see it in Fry's ads.

I also see Q-See at the Costco Business Center here. I actually bought a 100' camera cable because one reason why I want such a system is to monitor night-time critters that sometimes ravage the garden.

And also to monitor some bird nests (currently the mourning doves are building nests in all sorts of unlikely places).

I have also wondered about the 4 vs 8 camera issue. I figure since additional cameras can be pricey, might be better to get eight right off the bat.

One concern I have is the energy consumption. It's difficult to find that spec for various systems.

 

[mattl]

I think power consumptions should be moderate at best.  Cameras are really low power, the dvr might be the prime user of power.

 

My friend has opted for a professional system.  decided the cost was worth it in his particular situation.  Went with Guardian, their system looks no better than the setup on Amazon  sent him.

 

[sudsmaster]

Professional system probably a good choice.

I did some research on this in the meantime, and the video monitoring forums all seemed to agree that the major consumer brands, like Q-See, Nightowl, Lorex, Swann, etc... are all relatively low quality, with cheap components, not exactly built to last. Particularly mentioned were the flimsy plastic camera housings. On pro equipment, they'd be more robust, maybe even metal.

 

[user 3941]

I have a Comcast system through my cable package. It's 24.99 a month and then another 9.99 for the video 24 hour surveillance. I've been happy with it so far. I had a break in so I needed something and this was the easiest setup for me.