CCTV in the home

[REB]

If I wanted to install a CCTV system in my home, what would I need, and how much should I budget for? If someone was moving around outside my property, or broke in, I would want it recorded. Please could you let me know what you would recommend to provide the minimun, but useful protection. Thanks.

 

[Phil]

IP CCTV is great for home solutions, and can prove far more cost-effective than purchasing a dedicated CCTV DVR and analogue cameras, as there's every chance that you will already have a PC (and possibly a home network) that you can utilise.

All you need to add is the cameras:

• Be pragmatic; don't start out on day one with a scheme to cover every imagined possibility
• Choose an approach bottleneck e.g.:
  • the front gate
  • the front path
  • a path to the side of the house
  • a rear entrance gate
  • a gap in the hedge
• You'll want 24hr cover, so consider lighting.
• You don't need to light the world, a bulkhead lamp or small (150W max) TH lamp will be more than adequate for domestic situations.
• The Axis 211 is a great camera for outdoor applications, as are any of the Avigilon models (1 or 2 megapixels will probably be more than adequate for a relatively small domestic field of view). The Axis 211 is supplied with a lens. You will need to choose a separate lens to provide your chosen field of view with an Avigilon camera.
• Then select a camera housing to suit your mounting position.
• For simplicity of installation use a single network cable with Power Over Ethernet to power-up the camera and connect the video feed onto your network.

And for the recording software:

• If you use Avigilon cameras, you'll need their software. Its lossless recording capability, in conjunction with any of their megapixel cameras, will deliver fantastic recorded image detail.
• If you choose Axis cameras, then the Icode iCatcher Console software delivers a really feature-rich solution in a very cost-effective package.

Budget wise you're looking at a first camera cost from about £600, which will include the recording software. And about £500 for subsequent cameras (+VAT). Indoor cameras are significantly cheaper.