Home security/surveillance questions

[Biased]

Since my house got robbed and my mother isn't nice enough to care about changing the door locks or taking any preventative measures to keep it from happening again, I'm taking on the task of securing my home and networking surveillance cameras together for when I leave the house.

Does anyone here have any experience with using surveillance software on their computer? If so you should recommend a program or two for me to try out. That way, I can test it out on my room while I wait for the rest of the equipment to show up (if I decide to order it, that is.).

The equipment that I'm interested in using would either be the SheevaPlug (http://www.globalscaletechnologies.com/ ... v-kit.aspx or a Broadband Over Power Line adapter connected to a webcam, which would be cheaper, more space-effective, and use less cat5 cable than the alternative, which is using a computer or laptop for every camera in every room. The problem with any of those methods is to find software that could support video feed across a Local Area Network... This is another point where I need help

So if you have any advice or want to share an experience, feel free to throw it my way!

[XCVG]

Don't bother with cameras. You see them, so what? Big whoop, your stuff is still gone. If you want deterrence use some fake cameras. Locking the doors is key. An alarm system is good too. THOSE really do work, but false alarms are a serious PITA.

[xtrmgam3r360]

I can also suggest the Alarm System, but make sure you get good motion detectors and place them well. My dad owns a security business so we've always had them in our home and they have stopped people before , also if you don't feel like spending that much money find a broken security camera and attach it somewhere that is visible, but not too obviously visible.

[Biased]

I live in a small, semi-rural area. If I catch the perpetrator on camera, people around here would be able to correctly identify them just by their body type and I would definitely know who it was if their face was captured (it's sad that I got robbed by someone I know).

[palmertech]

I say set up an old computer or even a VCR hooked up to a camera that is hidden decently, and in a place where valuable are. They go to get said valuables, they get caught on tape. Just set it to record the last 24 hours, and then wipe and restart, since that is really all you will need to identify the guy.

That said, you are probably not going to get robbed. Whatever he wanted, he took, and I doubt he will risk coming back.

[XCVG]

That said, you are probably not going to get robbed. Whatever he wanted, he took, and I doubt he will risk coming back.

Especially if you have a bunch of fake cameras and an alarm system. And bulletproof glass windows. Okay, maybe that's overkill. Palmertech is usually right, do what he says.

[palmertech]

Palmertech is usually right, do what he says.

I am flattered.

For basic deterrence, check this out, XCVG mentioned them earlier, so here is a link:
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.19759" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

For a slight cheaper and better looking one: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.19758" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

For a real camera, with night vision to boot: http://www2.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.19818" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[HotDog-Cart]

Screw anything else that ANYONE has said.

Seriously.

Get a laser trip detection grid, and then either:

Have it hooked up to a GATLING gun,
or have a laser grid happen in your house like in resident evil.

Thats WIN.

[samjc3]

Screw anything else that ANYONE has said.

Seriously.

Get a laser trip detection grid, and then either:

Have it hooked up to a GATLING gun,
or have a laser grid happen in your house like in resident evil.

Thats WIN.

agreed, although i was feeling pancor jackhammer, not gatling gun!

[vskid]

agreed, although i was feeling pancor jackhammer, not gatling gun!

For anyone that doesn't know, the Pancor Jackhammer is an automatic shotgun. Zombies will shake in their boots if they see you with one of those bad boys.

How did they get in last time? Usually just locking your doors and windows is enough to keep the bad guys out.

[samjc3]

agreed, although i was feeling pancor jackhammer, not gatling gun!

For anyone that doesn't know, the Pancor Jackhammer is an epically awesome, illegal (classified as a "weapon of destruction", the full auto version at least) automatic shotgun. Zombies will shake in their boots if they see you with one of those bad boys.

fix'd

[XCVG]

For a real camera, with night vision to boot: http://www2.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.19818" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I want, I want.

It would be epic for some... projects. Need a mini screen though. Hey, I could build a night vision rig!

[ZN13]

You could also take a cheap digital camera (I used a CVS Pharmacy one time use one), remove the IR filter, and add some IR LEDs. Then you don't need to worry about attaching a screen and batteries, because they should come with the camera