cctv for Home seucurity

paddypaws101

Does anyone have any advice or experince of cctv systems for home use? I live in an area of London which seems to be plagued with home burglaries and I would like to do all I can to avoid this happening to me.
I have an alarm fitted and do set it most of the time ( !! ) However, I do wonder if anyone actually pays any attention to alarms going off...ie would the neighbours look to see what is happening?
The back of the house is the weak spot with a flat roof extension, so that would be where I would think of having a camera.
My view is that if they realy want to get in they will....but if one house looks better protected than another then they may go next door instead!
Advice please....including potential cost.
Thanks

27col

What do you hope to achieve with the cctv. Are you hoping that its mere presence will deter intruders.

ormus

youre right about them getting in they really want to. alarms and cctv dont deter them.
but to keep 99% of the scumbags out and make them look at next door, then any device is a help.

wireless cctv kit from screwfix from about 99 quid.

savemoney

Better locks, dog or better security gates locked etc are better deterrents CTV wont stop them waste of money

ormus

better locks are completely useless against a brick v glass.

pupmaster

The idea first is to deter if it is hassle breaking in they may find some where easier than your house!
Stand in front and at the back.....How would you break in?
If you lost your keys which part of the house would you go for first?
Move bins or flower tubs that make easy make shift ladders,anti climb paint on low roofs and drain pipes,good locks on back door top middle and bottom,if you fit cctv fit hidden cameras in the house as well you may only need one.
My cctv is all hidden as I believe once seen A)they think you have something valuable to protect and B)just cover their faces with hoods ect..
Do not leave Cameras,laptops,carkeys on show they might window shop first.

The idea is if you loose your keys you are !!!!!!ed!!! so leave a spare set with a neighbour/friend

savemoney

But what is? Security shutters no one will want them unless its a bad area

Locks are far more deterrent than CCTV, double glazing is quite hard to break anyhow normally it need a sharp edge

ormus wrote: »

better locks are completely useless against a brick v glass.

paddypaws101

Yes I suppose I was looking at the deterrant factor more than anything. Having looked at some systems it looks quite expensive for the recorder so I am thinking again...and looking at other ways to put people off!
I have double glazing and requisite locks, back door is not DG but has bolts top and bottom as well as lock. I have recently put blinds up in front room which I can tilt to close whereas before it was more open to the street...and window shoppers.
It is not that I have the Crown Jewels to protect....but as I live alone I think the pure act of burglary would spoil my enjoyment of my own house ( I am sure it does for anyone else as well, just I have no 'back up' )

ormus

you can buy a card for the PC that turns the hdd into a video recorder.
input the cctv images direct into the PC.

stone7

I couldn't be without my CCTV system. It's nice to be able to keep an eye on the house while on holiday. Not a lot happens near me, but in 2 years the cameras have caught a taxi driver scrapping with a fare, a wagon taking off the neighbours wing mirror, one neighbour using the others bins, and a couple of shunts. It's also handy to see what time my son sneaks in. I often don't even view mine for weeks at a time, it just records away until such time there's something to check. It's handy when you think you've heard a stange noise in the middle of the night... flick the telly on and get a full view of eveything that's going on around the house.

If I had any words of advice, get at least one top quality camera that will catch the features of any visitors... 540TVL, Sony or Camdeor. The other cameras can be less expensive but still good enough to capture quality images of the visitors activities... 420TVL. Make sure they're all 12volt, at least 25 metre night vision with 0 LUX and connected with BNC fittings.

The DVRs can be bought quite cheaply. I've seen them on ebay for the £50 mark second hand for a 4 channel quad processor. Just remember to site it where any unwanted visitors won't get easy access to it.

david29dpo

I found the lady next-door was having an affair with mine! Whats the going rate for blackmail these days?