Thanks to all for the input on my question about dollar coins. That was very helpful. I have one other topic that i have a question about--security cameras. I have 5 ss bays and one in-bay automatic and am going to put cameras in. Have had quotes for 10 cameras from $3,500 to almost $8,000. Am trying to figure out how much camera system I need. How do I know if the $3,500 system is of the quality and durability I need? Does anyone have suggestions on systems or companies that are good and ones to watch out for? Other thoughts or suggestions to help get the right system?
Security Cameras
- Thread starter jimr
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MEP001
Well-known member
How much quality you need depends on what you want to see. If you plan to catch license plates, you'll need something good. If you just want to keep an eye on things from home, buy one from Sam's. They have a 16-channel DVR with 8 cameras (Four dome and four weatherproof night vision) for about $1,200.
bighead
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http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?prodid=11628611&whse=BC&topnav=
I've been eyeballing this deal from costco.com for the other 8 cameras i'm thinking i will go with some customized ones from amazon or something.
I've been eyeballing this deal from costco.com for the other 8 cameras i'm thinking i will go with some customized ones from amazon or something.
soapy
Senior Member
seattleguy
Member
I bought one here and am very pleased. http://www.carwashcameras.com/ Top notch customer support.
seattleguy
Member
Btw the day after I got it and started obsessing over watching it over the web, I wanted more and more cameras to see everything. I bet this is standard.
Jeff_L
Well-known member
Yes, call Jennifer at carwashcameras.com. She'll help you out big time. Not pushy at all, just answers your questions and can give you sound advice.
The one comment I have about cameras is this, "Why didn't I put them in earlier?".
The one comment I have about cameras is this, "Why didn't I put them in earlier?".
Earl Weiss
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Bought 5 Q-See 16 Camera systems from Costco. Pretty happy. Latest versions allow remote aiming (Not Pan tilt zoom although this feature is available) and some contraxt and brightness adjustment. I see this system has 16 audio inputs and the Q See system only had 4.
I added a second hard drive which this system allows. Bought the extra cameras and Audio capable cameras, cables etc. at Amazon. Got a 27" monito for under $200.00 at Best Buy, and some sheap powered computer Speakers at Best Buy.
The original Q See systems allowed instalation of a DVD burner whcih i liked. Now it seems you need to go with a Flash Drive for copy / backup.
Cameras
I started with a few cams, added more, added more, replaced some and upped the quality, etc. Then I upped the quality further by buying a new DVR. So now I have a lot of $$$ sunk into cameras and a DVR. I think it has been worth it.
But, technology has changed, and your biggest choice right now is whether to go with "IP" cameras or traditional CCTV cams. With high quality and expensive IP cams, you can install one or two cameras and cover as much area as a LOT of traditional CCTV cams. By their nature, these are viewable over the internet as they have a built-in web server. And the quality is much, much higher than typical CCTV cams.
I would check out the VideoIQ dome cameras that have a built-in web server and built in NVR license. They are maybe $1,500 per cam, but the advantage of a LOT higher image quality and the simplicity of installing and maintaining only two cams might appeal to you. If I started fresh today, I would only use the much higher resolution IP cams like the VideoIQ. Another supplier is Mobotix, although their cams look a little weird to me. The Mobotix have a little better nighttime performance than the VideoIQ.
You'll have to make the final decision, but I would definitely evaluate the choice between IP and traditional CCTV. IP cams have a lot of momentum right now.
I started with a few cams, added more, added more, replaced some and upped the quality, etc. Then I upped the quality further by buying a new DVR. So now I have a lot of $$$ sunk into cameras and a DVR. I think it has been worth it.
But, technology has changed, and your biggest choice right now is whether to go with "IP" cameras or traditional CCTV cams. With high quality and expensive IP cams, you can install one or two cameras and cover as much area as a LOT of traditional CCTV cams. By their nature, these are viewable over the internet as they have a built-in web server. And the quality is much, much higher than typical CCTV cams.
I would check out the VideoIQ dome cameras that have a built-in web server and built in NVR license. They are maybe $1,500 per cam, but the advantage of a LOT higher image quality and the simplicity of installing and maintaining only two cams might appeal to you. If I started fresh today, I would only use the much higher resolution IP cams like the VideoIQ. Another supplier is Mobotix, although their cams look a little weird to me. The Mobotix have a little better nighttime performance than the VideoIQ.
You'll have to make the final decision, but I would definitely evaluate the choice between IP and traditional CCTV. IP cams have a lot of momentum right now.
A TB with 8 cameras is a good buy for a system like this. I have a 4 camera system that came from Sams Club. It works real well for what it is. Although I need at least 8 camera's for my 4 bay ss, so this is appealing.
The Previous Owner had the camera's hidden and had multiple thefts/breakins/damage...Only one conviction.
Our changer was being strung the first week of ownership in January...Camera's hidden. Couldn't ID the guy till he came back a week later to use the wash. He told my wife he didn't need any change "Obviously" when she recognized him...He's in the pen now and hopefully getting enough time to think about his mistakes...
Now we have our camera's exposed and signage up...The thugs walk up to the changer, read the sign, turn and see the camera and walk away...People who are there to use the wash and are legitimate think knothing of the camera's...
I can't see owning a wash without camera's....At minimum, these cheaper systems get the job done, better than nothing. Exposing the camera's is even a better deterant...
JustClean
Active member
I have a Geovision system with 15 analog cameras and one 360 degree IP camera. For the cameras further away I use baluns over CAT5 to get the signal and power from the office to the camera. If I had to do it again I would all go analog without the baluns but with a separat power cable. Too much can go wrong. Analog cameras are cheap and proven and you can get a good camera for $60. I would definitely go with a massive housing as it looks very impressive and acts as a deterrent. I only have a few domes (one inside the vending machine). Another good one would be a pinhole camera inside the changer.
pitzerwm
Active member
In all states it illegal to "listen" in to any conversation where they don't know that its being recorded. If you have the mic, you need to post that you have video and audio coverage to use in case of vandalism or whatever. That is why when call paces they say that the conversation maybe recorded for training purposes.
MEP001
Well-known member
Bill is right.
A local wash owner had his video evidence of a burglary thrown out of court because it had audio recorded. The video had an excellent shot of the guy's face and plates of his car.
A local wash owner had his video evidence of a burglary thrown out of court because it had audio recorded. The video had an excellent shot of the guy's face and plates of his car.
yea... i dont want to listen to conversations. i want to hear the loud buzzer when a car goes into IBA. Since im on the wanting thing... i want a 2 way communication where i can tell the moron who likes to **** behind the building.
pitzerwm
Active member
You can do that with a speaker, not a mic.