Need help choosing cctv system.

thor

I am after a cctv package to keep watch over my garage which is being damaged by somebody.
I just want to leave one camera attached to my house pointed at the garage and let it record 24 hours a day. If something dodgy happens then I want to be able to play back the video. The recorder need not have the ability for playback as long as it has usb/fireware so that I can transfer the video files across to my PC.
I have seen this on B&Q's website

http://www.diy.com/nav/fix/electrical/security-alarms/wired/Response-Wired-Colour-Camera-and-2-CH-Rec-CCTV-CWK2-Black-10647539

which appears to be able to do the job but it only mentions a 2GB memory card being supplied so does that mean this is it's storage medium? If so then I need to know the quality of video files being produced to be able to work out the length of time each memory card can store.
Also 2 quickies about night vision:
These cameras will work during the day yes?
The night vision range is 9m which is roughly how far away my garage is. I am always skeptical about manufacturers specifications so I think it might be a struggle to see any wrongdoing with this kit. Does anybody have any suggestions about better and cheaper equipment?

neilwoods

That cctv records to SD memory cards, probably be able to use 32gb or 16gb. More than likely the camera will have 1/4 cmos sensor, which is ok, not the best but ok.

Night vision means that when the sensor detects that there is insufecient daylight or light, it switches over to night vision. 9m would be the max distance, but i would think more like 8m.

Once you get to about 10m, most people will struggle to identify anyone on cctv.

Is £100 your budget or can you go higher. Can get some 160gb cctv with a single camera for about £120, will be 4 channel, so it would allow you add 3 extra camera's if you wanted to.

paulofessex

Also have a look out for the pir floodlights that have built in CCTV camera that saves to memory card that may be an option.

thor

neilwoods wrote: »

That cctv records to SD memory cards, probably be able to use 32gb or 16gb. More than likely the camera will have 1/4 cmos sensor, which is ok, not the best but ok.

Night vision means that when the sensor detects that there is insufecient daylight or light, it switches over to night vision. 9m would be the max distance, but i would think more like 8m.

Once you get to about 10m, most people will struggle to identify anyone on cctv.

Is £100 your budget or can you go higher. Can get some 160gb cctv with a single camera for about £120, will be 4 channel, so it would allow you add 3 extra camera's if you wanted to.

I could shell out a bit more but only for a better night vision range. I am starting to think that to make out someone at 9m, I may need an advertised range of 10m or 11m. Do you reckon the b&q one is decent and that 9m is about the max range available?

thor

paulofessex wrote: »

Also have a look out for the pir floodlights that have built in CCTV camera that saves to memory card that may be an option.

I have to discount that as an option as I don't want to light the whole place up with false alarms. Your suggestion was most welcome though.

J_B

There's a discussion on the British Farming Forum entitled Maplin camera kits ?

Look here http://farmingforum.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=66327

neilwoods

thor wrote: »

I could shell out a bit more but only for a better night vision range. I am starting to think that to make out someone at 9m, I may need an advertised range of 10m or 11m. Do you reckon the b&q one is decent and that 9m is about the max range available?

Couldn't tell you about the quality of that camera, there is absolutely no details about the camera.

What is the width of the garage, is that all you want to record. What about any approach to the garage. That camera from b&q is more than likely a wide angle with 3.6mm lens and 420 tv lines. If it is then at a distance of 10 meters, the overall width will be about 10.

So if you happy to use that SD dvr from b&q, you can get a better quality camera with maybe 6mm lens and 600 tv lines to give 15m coverage (width) and 20 meters or so night vision.

As to what the quality of the recording would be like, couldnt tell you, as again no details.

thor

It never occurred to me that I could buy each part of the kit separately which means I will have to start looking for a better quality camera. I am assuming the video input/outputs are standard on these type of equipment. The garage is only about 5m wide so 10m would do fine.

neilwoods

Yes you can buy separately. Just kits are cheaper. As for the connections or input/output, there are generally 2 types, the one you linked to b&q uses phono connections, whereas most others will use a BNC (you can get converters for both cheaply)

So if garage is 5m and you don't want anything else to view, then about 6mm lens is what you should look, that is one of most important thing to look for (lens). High Tvlines is good to have as well.

This link will give an idea of lens.

http://www.ezcctv.com/cctv-lens-guide.htm

This camera may be a bit more than you want to spend, but these are the sort of specs you may want to aim for.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/SecurityIng-Waterproof-Security-Infrared-Surveillance/dp/B005CUFV2U/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1334263497&sr=8-6

Or similar specs but 1/3rd of the price

http://www.amazon.co.uk/SecurityIng-Waterproof-Security-Infrared-Surveillance/dp/B005CUFV2U/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1334263497&sr=8-6

Then you just need a DVR unit to go with it, preferably 1 with time stamp. Would be better if you try and go for a DVR with a hard drive with usb backup.

thor

neilwoods wrote: »

Yes you can buy separately. Just kits are cheaper. As for the connections or input/output, there are generally 2 types, the one you linked to b&q uses phono connections, whereas most others will use a BNC (you can get converters for both cheaply)

So if garage is 5m and you don't want anything else to view, then about 6mm lens is what you should look, that is one of most important thing to look for (lens). High Tvlines is good to have as well.

This link will give an idea of lens.

http://www.ezcctv.com/cctv-lens-guide.htm

This camera may be a bit more than you want to spend, but these are the sort of specs you may want to aim for.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/SecurityIng-Waterproof-Security-Infrared-Surveillance/dp/B005CUFV2U/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1334263497&sr=8-6

Or similar specs but 1/3rd of the price

http://www.amazon.co.uk/SecurityIng-Waterproof-Security-Infrared-Surveillance/dp/B005CUFV2U/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1334263497&sr=8-6

Then you just need a DVR unit to go with it, preferably 1 with time stamp. Would be better if you try and go for a DVR with a hard drive with usb backup.

Thanks that was a huge help. That camera comes with a 40m range which is more than enough for my needs. Also you have posted the same link twice. I was hoping the camera at £37 was the expensive one, meaning the other would be about 11 or 12 quid but that was with my massively optimistic head on.
I need to go ahead and investigate dvrs now. The main issue for me is the storage format and weighing up the cost of getting sd cards against buying a unit with a hard drive incorporated. The ratio of video file size against time will be key.

Kernel_Sanders

How are you going to disguise the camera, or do you expect to catch the culprit with the surveillance on display?