CCTV - is this possible ?

Daz2009

I would like to install a small/unobtrusive camera under my front porch canopy.There is a mains supply cable nearby powering a lantern.
I don't want to trail cables all around the outside of the house so would it be possible to power a camera off this cable with a transformer of some kind...as I assume cameras are normally 12 volts or so are they not ?
Then, is it possible to connect the camera wirelessly to a dvr to record the footage AND also access live footage on a smartphone ?

Any guidance would be much appreciated.

PS,the main reason I don't want to have to run cables around the house is it's my neighbour I'm looking to catch out and he's at home 24/7 and very nosey and would no doubt see me doing the install !

stator

If you want the DVR to record it you would probably needs a camera that outputs a composite video signal, you wouldn't be able to access it via a pc/smartphone.
If you want the PC/smartphone access then you want a wireless network camera. A DVR wouldn't be able to record.
Yes most of them run from 12v so you should be able to connect it to the mains with a transformer.

anoncol

It's all possible but not usually to a DVR. Normally it would be to a NAS which means network attached storage.

Daz2009

anoncol wrote: »

It's all possible but not usually to a DVR. Normally it would be to a NAS which means network attached storage.

How would I save the footage to a NAS ?

grumbler

http://www.ebuyer.com/662961-wansview-ncm624ws-wireless-indoor-hd-pan-tilt-ip-camera-ncm624ws

Granadalad

What about this? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gknoUJs-k2I
I have something similar (but larger). A tiny camera attached to a 'Raspberry Pi' computer kit which captures the image outside my house if the view changes and presents them to my internet server; no reason why you couldn't simply retrieve the camera to see what's on it.

forgotmyname

You are likely to be spotted fitting the camera rather than running cables.

Wireless camera's have a bit of a flaw in that they are close to the bands that mobile devices use. Stand near a wireless camera and make/receive a call and see if the video drops of the quality degrades.

My microwave causes my wifi signals to drop.

You can get a dedicated recorder for under £100, Mines a 16 channel which will allow 16 cameras and connects directly to my home router so i can access the video from anywhere with internet access, even on my phone.

A 1 TB drive stores many hours of video and saves them in segments and automatically overwrites the oldest when full.

How long will depend on how many cameras and the quality. 1TB drive should give many weeks worth though.

You dont need a NAS.

Daz2009

forgotmyname wrote: »

You are likely to be spotted fitting the camera rather than running cables.

Wireless camera's have a bit of a flaw in that they are close to the bands that mobile devices use. Stand near a wireless camera and make/receive a call and see if the video drops of the quality degrades.

My microwave causes my wifi signals to drop.

You can get a dedicated recorder for under £100, Mines a 16 channel which will allow 16 cameras and connects directly to my home router so i can access the video from anywhere with internet access, even on my phone.

A 1 TB drive stores many hours of video and saves them in segments and automatically overwrites the oldest when full.

How long will depend on how many cameras and the quality. 1TB drive should give many weeks worth though.

You dont need a NAS.

Can you point me in the direction of the recorder please ?

The cameras with sd card storage.How do they work ? Motion detection turns recording on but do they switch off after a set time or just keep recording til the card is full ?

kwikbreaks

Motion detect will run for a preset time after the detection but in the main it will probably useless as changes in ambient light often cause triggering.

forgotmyname

Most CCTV recorders, maplins sell them but you can buy them off ebay for much less. I got a 16 channel one for less than £100, may have been as little as £60?

Maplins 4 channel with 1 camera.. http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/sentient-el421-dvr-4-channel-cctv-kit-with-1-camera-a16nl

Ebay 16 channel without hard drive under £50 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-8-16-Channel-960H-mobile-Network-CCTV-DVR-Camera-Digital-Video-Recorder-UK-/201480456130?var=&hash=item2ee92bc7c2:m:mT1-UYhU1yGupZHqFd8dXkw

I have not checked the specs but just an idea on whats available.

Delia_Cardei

Well, I don't think I've seen any cameras that can work for any period of time completely wirelessly--wifi communications of video signals require enough power to kill batteries in a relatively short time period of time, so you'd end up needing to recharge them at least daily. If you want to go something other than wireless you could get an decent 2 camera system. I just got one for a friend from Amazon for less than 100ish quid , a floureon security camera system with 2 cameras. Leaves expansion on down the in case you change your mind. And this system starts off with some pretty nice 1000 TVL resolution. Besides resolution, its night vision can reach to 82 ft with 36 IR leds.

Scan the QR code to phones so you can view anytime home or remote. What's more you don't have to worry about becoming educated with port forwarding DNS client and so forth, which really sucks if this happens.
The system that can be set up with motion detection so in this way you will get an alarm as well as an email when any unauthorized activities are detected. You can also wire to desired TV/laptop for life real time monitoring. And you can set up snapshots so they take a pic of the event and store it on your HD. It's exceptionally user friendly I have found as compared to other kinds but that is just my personal opinion and hope this gives you some fresh ideas.