10 replies to this topic

[Xcalaker]

Does anyone here have any experience (good/bad) with a security camera system they have owned?
I done quite a bit a 'review readeing' on amazon.com and others but all the reviews seem to very good to very bad. No clear winners.
A system I am interested would have:
4 cameras with IR and motion sensors. hard wired.
At least 48 hrs of recording time at a decent resolution.
Recorded video or real time can be accessed on line.
Thanks

[Intercasa]

I have a DVR setup, 4 infrared wired cameras with 90 foot night vision range and a 2TB hard drive so recordings are kept for about 2 months. I can access the cameras from ny computer on my network and there is an option to do so from a cell phone but I have not played with that option as of yet. Can also be set to upload images if motion detected or certain intervals and much more.

[Floradude]

How about the fake cameras....are they available down here?

[Xcalaker]

I have a DVR setup, 4 infrared wired cameras with 90 foot night vision range and a 2TB hard drive so recordings are kept for about 2 months. I can access the cameras from ny computer on my network and there is an option to do so from a cell phone but I have not played with that option as of yet. Can also be set to upload images if motion detected or certain intervals and much more.

Spencer,
Would you share with me the manufacturer of your system?
Did you purchase your system in Mexico?
Also, I assume you are pleased with how this system performs, right?

[World's best climate]

we never would have a camera set, we do not want to be paranoid watching every minute when dogs bark! We are happy with iron bars in door and windows and furniture with secret places and a hidden safe. That is all for us.

[Intercasa]

I bought mine on Ebay and New Egg. mixed and matched 2 sets, like being able to see outside and it really was a hobby, I don't have much to steal. 2TB HDD was like $180US, DVR and cameras ran somewhere around $250US.

Here is a system sans HDD and only 30 ft night vision FYI http://www.newegg.co...PID=600263&SID=

[Aquaponicsman]

Camera systems are not only a great idea... but convenient.

I work on my computer at home for my job and lots of beggars and people looking for work constantly ring the doorbell... people who do not necessarily warrant my immediate attention at the door. It is great to see who is interrupting my work at my door.

I bought my system from Tiger Direct in the U.S. It is hard-wired and uses a video card in my computer, which is attached to the Internet so when the motion sensors activate, it alerts my IPhone. I can just look at it and view it and if there is a problem, go home and attend to the problem or call my neighbor who will attend to the problem. I also put a battery back-up on my comupter and modem, in case someone cuts my powerlines.

http://www.tigerdire....asp?CatId=4442

[johanson]

we never would have a camera set, we do not want to be paranoid watching every minute when dogs bark! We are happy with iron bars in door and windows and furniture with secret places and a hidden safe. That is all for us.

From your comments, I guess you don't understand why so many of us have systems lakeside and love them.

Heck my house is on a steep hill and I would have to walk down the equivalent of three to four stories just to see whether I wanted to open my door. There are so many good reasons, only one of which is security to own such a system. I have a dome camera on now pointing East and magnified so I can see when CFE comes to work on the community transformer. (I want to talk to them)

The systems are fun to have. Plus they have an added effect that should something bad happen, you will have a copy of same in, for example, “the cloud”. Just think if you’re at your home in Seattle or wherever and want to see whose knocking at your door. There so many fun and practical things you can do with both audio and video. Yes, some of my cameras have voice as well.

[Beeland]

An interesting inquiry regarding home security.

A couple of years ago when there was a rash of home invasions and burglaries in our West Ajijic neighborhood, we installed concertina wire over the already high stone walls surrounding our home in vulnerable areas and a constantly moniotored heat and motion detector alarm system with battery backup from S.O.S.E. Security in Chapala. During our consideration of how complex a system we should install, we considered cameras and a floodlighting system to be activated when the alarm was activated but decided against both the camera and emergency floodlighting feature as, in our judgment after much consideration, superfluous. I should point out that all of our windows and doors are fully barred and have been for years as a precaution. S.O.S.E. constantly monitors the system 24/7 and, in the event the (piercingly loud) alarm is activated, S.O.S.E. calls immediately and, if we fail to respond with the proper code name, will send a representative to our home to investigate and, if appropriate, call the cops as well. They have agreed, incidentally, that the cops are not to be allowed on premise without our specific permission.

This system probably cost us around $20,000 Pesos +/- to install and the monthly servicing fee from S.O.S.E. is $400 Pesos.

As for the cameras we doubt their usefulness in prosecuting burglars and the like and when we are at home we have a peephole in our front gate which is ALWAYS closed except when we or people we know are entering or leaving with appropriate caution. In the event someone tries to force their way in we have a "panic button" on or near our persons at all times to call S.O.S.E. for help. We never open our front gate in response to the doorbell unless we are imminently expecting a visitor - we simply, otherwise, ignore any doorbell rings we hear. It would be too easy for anyone bent on home invasion to force the gate open wide once that latch has been disengaged by those within.

Since any alarm syatem is subject to occasional false alarms, we are just as pleased we have no automatic floodlighting system, which is a bit theatrical, but some garden lighting switches in lieu we can activate in the event of perceived problems.

A while back, some people on our dead-end street (privada) tried to ramrod a full street camera system for the street but we declined to participate and the notion never came to fruition. We think that would have been a waste of money.

By the way, when that loud and insistent alarm goes off, any moron activating it by scaling our high walls and approaching our house on foot , will be so unnerved by that event, they´ll probablky be in San Juan Cosala by the time they stop running.

[verchiel]

So, were they stealing your cholos? Or are you calling the burglars Cholos? Cholos is a lifestyle, but it doesn't necessarily include being a burglar. Don't pick on the Cholos.

[bmh]

Stealing cholos? What does that mean?
The police told one of my neighbors that the burglary was done by cholos because of the gang signs they left behind, Do you know something we do not know?