Doorway security camera

Kamran

Hi all,

Having moved into a new home and installed a security alarm etc I'm just tying off loose ends, one of which is a doorway camera.

When the doorbell rings, there's no way of me checking who it is without opening the door. Fortunately I have a storm porch which is always locked, so I'm free to open the house door, and still have another locked door through which I can see who's calling.

However, what if I want to know who's at the door without showing my presence? Does anyone have any experience of a front door camera, that when the doorbell rings you can push a button next to a small screen which shows you who's there? The camera could be anywhere inside the storm porch (always locked). I can't have a peephole on the door like most houses since there's a stained glass panel right in the middle.

Thanks!:T

Owain_Moneysaver

You can buy cameras quite cheaply that plug into the SCART socket on the back of the telly. Video entry systems are quite a bit more expensive, but will do what you want (and let you talk to the caller if you want).

Kamran

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

You can buy cameras quite cheaply that plug into the SCART socket on the back of the telly. Video entry systems are quite a bit more expensive, but will do what you want (and let you talk to the caller if you want).

Thanks, something that connects via scart sounds like a good shout, any recommendations with regard to brands?

paulofessex

Take a trip down to B&Q or Maplins, both usually have the Dome Camera on display working so you can see the quality of the picture. B&Q price l believe if around £39.

DaftyDuck

Aldi do a wireless one, comes in around £40, very small, and you can run 4 onto the same control block, that is included. The control block can output SCART and AV composite, so you can plug it into TV, video, computer. Also carries sound quite well, and is colour image. Not sure when they come out... Got mine a year or so ago, and they are excellent. However, by being tiny, they aren't exactly obvious, so may not act as a deterrent.

Wireless means it transmits the picture wirelessly. It does still need power - although you can use a 9v PP3, and get some lovely pictures from birds nests!.

(Looked on web; may be January release, so may be useless )

Owain_Moneysaver

Maplin have a few on promotion (ending today) eg

http://www.maplin.co.uk/wired-outdoor-cctv-camera-with-audio-223581

The night vision on all lower priced cameras is fairly poor so you may need some external lighting near the front door.

You can get cameras with built in PIR detectors, that will automatically change the TV to the SCART channel as someone approaches or operate a video. Micromark (Amazon)

Kamran

Actually, having thought about it, I may as well combine the home security camera with the doorway camera.

Ideally, I'd like to have the doorway camera, a side-of-the-house camera and a garden camera all show up splitscreen (I have a small old TV with a scart input which will do) - but it would be nice to record it all, also.

Having read this very good article
http://www.iviewcameras.co.uk/pdf/cctv_buying_guide.pdf

Does anyone have any experience in moneysaving home CCTV? I would probably need 3 wireless (ideally) digital cameras (with nightview) with one receiver and a DVR?

How much would that set me back? Sounds expensive! I'm sure wired CCTV would be cheaper, but not necessarily better?

Ideas and opinions welcomed! thanks!

DaftyDuck

That's what my Aldi system (above) does - although I had to supply the DVR myself (an old computer, in fact - records to HDD). Night vision isn't brilliant, but I can see/recognise faces at 15 - 20 feet, and tell if there's a car by the fairly distant street lighting. Seems to work well for the price.

Owain_Moneysaver

Iviewcameras have a package wired deal, 4 cameras and DVR, for £350.

Wired is better. You usually have to get power to the cameras anyway.

Owain_Moneysaver

Kamran wrote: »

http://www.****.co.uk/2-4-camera-kits-110-c.asp

Thanks, but that looks fairly pricey, no?

And remember, every time you buy from a spammer, a cute fluffy kitten dies.